http://blog.webridestv.com/2008/04/26/pioneer-launches-new-avic-f-series/

http://blog.webridestv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/avic-f90bt_blue_300dpi_5in.jpg


http://blog.webridestv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/avic-f900bt_left_300dpi_5in.jpg

Keep in mind that you can hack it to do a lot of cool stuff as well...
http://www.avic411.com/forum/

I kind of like the clean look and keep in mind that the lights on the buttons can be customized to match the BMW orange flavor....

But I HATE Microsoft and this unit runs WindowsCE... Wish I could install Linux or OSX on this....

It is also availble in the textured, non-glossy black finish to give it an even more "cohesive" look. I like it!

I'm not an expert in Pioneer head units, but I know the AVIC series is popular and gets good reviews. The fact that you can set the illumination to match the stock BMW illumination is (imo) definitely a pro - but it's of course not the only unit with this feature on the market. The unit has a sleek and modern design, and even though it looks nice standalone I think this is exactly why I wouldn't want it in my E31. The flat high gloss design is completely different from the OBC/MID and HVAC/IHKA. So even though the illumination may match it's obviously an after market part.

Then again, it's your car and I'm just a grumpy old man. I know it's a pain to find a unit with modern day specifications that fits in the E31 interior like it was stock. I've been there and I ended up with a (modified (http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw/bmw-8-series-e31/8743378-1.html)) Becker/BMW Radio Navigation Indianapolis - a unit that is definitely miles ahead of what was available during the days our cars where manufactured, but still lags years behind units like the Pioneer AVIC series. But it looks OEM and I like it. I think we'll have to face the fact that newer head units will less and less use a design that will fit seamlessly in a 20 years old design like the E31 interior...

It is also availble in the textured, non-glossy black finish to give it an even more "cohesive" look.
Now that is interesting! :)

Now that is interesting! :)

This is what I could find on a quick glance. Needless to say, it is the version I will be getting eventually/down the road/etc.

http://www.alphacaraudio.co.uk/images/OLDSITE/PIONEER-AVIC-F700BT.jpg

http://blog.sounddomain.com/photos/pioneer/avicf700bt_right_300dpi_5in.jpg

I've got an AVIC-Z1 in the E9, and it is a sweet unit. The HD nav works so much better than the disk-based versions. Plus, there is a way to display certain vehicle status info, like "speed" (I use the term loosely since it is pretty inaccurate) voltage, and heading. I wish Pioneer would release the SDK, as I would use that mode to display a ton of alternate inputs, but no such luck.

I've got an AVIC-Z1 in the E9, and it is a sweet unit. The HD nav works so much better than the disk-based versions. Plus, there is a way to display certain vehicle status info, like "speed" (I use the term loosely since it is pretty inaccurate) voltage, and heading. I wish Pioneer would release the SDK, as I would use that mode to display a ton of alternate inputs, but no such luck.

Pics!

Pics!

Page 6 of the thread linked in my sig.

Ok, I looked up the F unit. Honestly, I'd suggest trying to find an unopened Avic D unit instead. The 2 CD drives of the D unit is a major boon compared to constantly having to swap in the nav disk if you want to listen to music. The cost should be comprable.

Also, like the reviews say, the boot time on these devices is not fast. I'd estimate it is a good 15-30 seconds on my Z1 to boot.

I was taking a look at this head unit too and I read the same thing... boot up time is long, some people have complained about bluetooth reception and also the screen may freeze up at times. I suppose nothing will ever be perfect but if it's something that costs nearly $1000 I would want it to work correctly.

If you do buy this unit, are you moving your climate controls down to your middle console like several others have? The AVIC-N4 is a single DIN but I have never been a fan of the motorized hidden screen in terms of design.

You're right.... Never mind this unit.... Performance and stability sucks balls.... : -( That's WindowsCE for you brother.... They haven't heard of embedded Linux yet???? What a waste of beautiful hardware......

See reviews at --> http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B001ATVITC?showViewpoints=1



I was taking a look at this head unit too and I read the same thing... boot up time is long, some people have complained about bluetooth reception and also the screen may freeze up at times. I suppose nothing will ever be perfect but if it's something that costs nearly $1000 I would want it to work correctly.

If you do buy this unit, are you moving your climate controls down to your middle console like several others have? The AVIC-N4 is a single DIN but I have never been a fan of the motorized hidden screen in terms of design.

You're right.... Never mind this unit.... Performance and stability sucks balls.... : -( That's WindowsCE for you brother.... They haven't heard of embedded Linux yet???? What a waste of beautiful hardware......

See reviews at --> http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B001ATVITC?showViewpoints=1

The Z and N units use a UNIX distro, if I recall right. I haven't cracked the diagnostic screen in a while.

This is what I could find on a quick glance. Needless to say, it is the version I will be getting eventually/down the road/etc.
The textured non-glossy version still looks too "different" to me. What's up with those metal or chrome rotary knobs you see on all units these days? That's ugly as hell. It's probably just me, but the designs of aftermarket head units are not exactly what I like. That's of course the problem with owning a car that's got an interior designed 20 years ago... And I'm afraid it will only get worse.

That's what I like about car computers with a large touch screen. It's nearly impossible for a regular person to manufacture a front with buttons and such that looks like stock and the after market units usually look too modern or are just plain ugly and bling bling. A car computer with touch screen doesn't need buttons (*) and the front can be limited to a thin bezel if you can find the right screen to fit in the OBC/radio or radio/HVAC openings. I had been thinking about a car computer prior to my hunt for another head unit, but I have wood inserts and at the ridiculous prices BMW ask for these, there's no way I'm going to touch these :).

*: Though I still prefer a rotary knob to set the volume and scroll through lists.