Tell me what's bad about your Eclipse AVN6600 or Pioneer AVIC-Z1
 

I am torn between these two HU's. I have no idea which one I should go with and want any input you guys may have.

I do want navigation, cd/dvd capabilities, iPod, steering wheel control, Sirius, & bluetooth capabilities which both of these offer.

What are any downsides to either HU you may know of. I have heard the Z1 requires about 20 seconds to "boot up". Is this true? Does the Eclipse require the same?

All input is appreciated.

I was not aware that Eclipse had a bluetooth adapter. But the Z1 is awesome. I have it, and think it's great.

You could be right on that one, I thought I read somewhere it did have the capabilities, but now I can't find anything that says it does.

I have the AVN6600. There is not a blue tooth option that I'm aware. If this is a must have go with the AVIC-Z1

The Eclipse does not take 20 seconds to boot up, but there is an initial pause at start-up which I have never timed followed by a damn warning screen which you must accept before the NAV screen will display. I believe the Pioneer uses 20GB of the 30GB for their nav. The maximum space for a dual layer DVD somewhere between 9.4 and 9.6 GB. More space means more POI's. Space for a larger Nav program with additional features like a daytime and nightime sky w/ stars shown. Enhances the experience, but does it enhance the navigation capabilities?

From the posts Pioneer has made it much harder to fool the AVIC-Z1 so that the items unavailable while in-motion are available. Grounding the parking brake wire on the Eclipse does this like the older Pioneer units.

The Pioneer has voice command capability, while the Eclipse does not. Both will announce navigation direction information.

The Pioneer unit will allow you to upload custom wallpaper for your screens. You are stuck with what Eclipse gives you.

Here's a compare URL to Crutchfield for the more technical differences, http://www.crutchfield.com/S-r7rszlG...VICZ1&x=21&y=5

Great info, thanks for the write up!

I am used to a short pause, satellite radio takes a second or two every time you change a channel. But 20 seconds to boot the radio (the z1)??? It must be running on windows. ;) It know it will take some time to get things going, but 20 seconds seems excessive if I only want to use the radio. Can any Z1 owners confirm this?

It takes a while to load, but I find that it's ready by the time I pull out and start my drive to wherever. It comes down to several key factors that were mentioned before:

Navtraffic - I can't speak for this option but I heard it works great esp when you are driving in the city like I do.

BT: this is a major thing for me. It works great and I have had no problems with it.

Voice Rec Feature: IMO like any other nav systems that have this, it takes some getting used to. However once you get the hang of it...it's great.

POI: Z1 has 11 million

View Mode: The Z1 also has more view mode options.

Downfalls of having a Z1:
The annoyingly slow iPod control that only the Alpine double-din HU can handle (every other brand pretty much sucks at this as well)

If you are picky - the blue lights

CDDB database will be out of date for any new cd


Grounding the Z1 can be a matter of opinion. While it is more work than other HUs...all you have to do is buy a circuit board for $25 and install it (extremely easy). If you don't want to pay for the board, then you just flick the headlights on/off while it is booting. Note: you will have to do this every time you start the truck (hence the reason why most people opt for the circuit board).

All in all, I love the Z1. There is always room for improvement but I feel very comfortable using it. If anybody was to ask about which HU they should buy, without doubt, I would say either Eclipse, Z1, or Alpine IV-W200 (or something like that).

Holy crap, when I wrote that I really didn't know that it ran on the Windows OS, but it does LOL!!! It runs on Windows Automotive which is basically a version of Windows CE. That explains alot, I wonder how often the radio freezes up? (hehehe) ;)

You have a few things to think of and it really does get down to details while comparing the top pieces right now. Here's a couple of diff and comparisons.

Price (guideline anything stolen can be bought for cheap lol)-
pioneer d2 & eclipse 5500 least expensive
eclipse 6600 next
eclipse 5495
pioneer Z1
alpine iva-w200 w/nve-n872a pkge most expensive (blackbird docking station not yet available so not included in comparo)

sound quality & preamp-
eclipse 6600,5500,5495 5volt output best
alpine iva-w200 2volt next
pioneer d2 2volt (above z1 because of lower impeadance)
pioneer z1 last

dvd movie- alpine,eclipse all(dual dvd on 6600),pioneer(Z1 only)

security- eclipse ESN on all models

harddrive- eclipse 5495(20gig for music) pioneer Z1 (10gig for music)

accessories-
ipod- alpine(best)
eclipse 6600 (2nd)
pioneer (slow)
eclipse 5500 & 5495 (limited funtions)

bluetooth- alpine & pioneer (Z1only)
xm- alpine & pioneer
sirius- all
backup camera- eclipse(direct plug in),pioneer & alpine (addit. wiring)
voice recognition- alpine(better) & pioneer

hope this helps:thumbsup:

Here's some stuff to add although I have the 2454 Eclipse:

Replacement/Upgrade NAV DVD cost - $350, no free upgrades/replacements. (what about Pioneer?)
Double drive is nice but NAV disc must be removed for movies if you don't have the hard drive and if you notices the price, worth getting.
Blue tooth w/cell mute and call answer, USB (cell phone, flash card, etc) - wish I had that!
Ipod - my model does not have either of those features (would be nice).
DVD - video excellent but no center channel (most vocals are center speaker).
DVD can be easily grounded (can't bypass stupid/ annoying NAV accept screen though).
Built-in amp defeat - can't turn off units speaker level amp to keep cooler.
backup cam - mine is not auto but higher models are (easily plugs in back).
lights/screeansvaer - green only (but matches truck), no screen saver but those are annoying and get old quickly. I miss the scrolling text messages from the stations with my Kenwood.
NAV - easy to read/follow on screen but hard to choose between multiple routes (shortest, fastest, easiet, etc). easily reroutes you if you get off track but no live traffic reroute which is very much desired in OC and LA freeways!!! Pioneer's NAV seemed alot slower but I think it may have live traffic reroute?
Dual slot - i'm not aware of any other brand that has this but may not be needed if NAV is on HD.
Voice rec'- don't have it, don't need it unless I can also get bluetooth w/cell phone call and answer. I don't see it being needed for NAV as I allways input before leaving.
touch screen - I beleive all Eclipse models have this. Alot easier then the side buttons, allthough everything is not touch screen.
Looks/ install - Very flush and looks OEM (green lighting matches truck)
Security - Uses CD of your choice as a key when power is lost. Other units like Kenwood use a code. Don't know if Pioneer has any?

I was debating upgrading my unit to either 5495 or 6600 and even without the HDD feature I prefure the 6600 with dual DVD drives. http://www.eclipse-web.com/6600index.html The only thing keeping my from buying it is it not having DVD audio capability like JVC has. With one DVD full of MP3'S and dual DVD drives that can work simultanously, there is no need for a HDD feature!

* Pioneer Z1 :bandito:
XM NavTraffic service for up-to-date traffic info
Bluetooth that will pair with compatible cell phones
That makes me want the Pioneer but lack of DVD audio, lack of security and use of Windows CE instead of Unix with Java makes me not want it! http://www.cnet.com/4831-11405-6413238.html

Now you see my dilemma, both head units are amazing, but each has features the other doesn't. And it's not just small features, there are some pretty big items that I would love for the Eclipse to have and vice versa. It's a tough decision.

What feature does jvc offer that the 6600 doesn't?

^ I was refering to the JVC AVX-2 that I put in my Mazda. My Kenwood excelon in the Honda has (forget the names) scrolling text from radio station, song names and info, etc. The JVC which is only single DIN has rear cam input, 4" screen, blue lghted buttons and DVD audio which lets you record MP3's on to a DVD-R (not shure about dual layer cause can't find software to record to it). Do you really need more then 7gigs/100hrs of MP3's? Not as nice as an Ipod but it works for me. I have no need to scroll through songs on a long trip. I don't put songs on the disc that I don't want or like. Oh, I also have the center channel hooked up where the Bose center was and it sounds tight! :thumbsup:

i just got an eclipse 6600....the guys who installed it said i couldnt use the factory sub the truck came with. is this true?.....or is there a wayu i would be able to hook it up.

i dont care about alot of bass. i just dont wanna listen to flat sounding music.....and they wanted to charge me 1700 dollars for a stealth box 1 10"sub and an amp.

That is not true. Mine is hooked up to my Z1 and sounds great. Metra makes a adapter plug for it. Can't think of the p/n right now.