The Pioneer AVIC-F500BT on-dash navigator offers an advanced, all-in-one solution for adding large-screen navigation, multimedia capability, and hands-free calling to your vehicle ¿ without removing your factory radio. Simply mount this road-ready travel companion on your dashboard and exercise convenient control over your music, phone, and navigation.
Product Details
Multimedia GPS navigation system with built-in antenna
WVGA touchscreen (800 x 480 pixels
Includes MSN Direct receiver with free 90-day subscription to MSN Direct service
Internal 2GB flash memory preloaded with maps for the United States and Canada
Text-to-speech technology lets voice prompts announce road names over the built-in speaker
Customer Reviews
Good deal for $199
Review Date: February 13, 2009
Reviewer: A. Fu, Santa Monica, CA United States
I've been using the F500BT for a few weeks after using a Nuvi 760 for years. I already upgraded to Firmware 2.0. Here is how the F500BT compares to the Nuvi
Cons:
- Routing engine not as good as the Nuvi. Very prone to give U-Turns when I miss a turn even though I disabled them. Worse is that it doesn't know if the U-turn is illegal or not. Besides the U turn issue, most routes offered are not that bad in "Economical"
- Touchscreen not very responsive. Not as good as the Nuvi.
- Not as easy to use as the Nuvi in general.
- MSN does not work unless you use a big ugly harness. You also need to connect a ebrake signal for to avoid the menus getting locked out.
- Battery life of 30mins
- Does not auto dim the screen when switching to night maps.
- Does not tell you the side of your destination. The Nuvi does.
- Only 1 TTS voice in English. Not great, but not horrible either.
- Voice recognition doesn't work very well
Pros:
- Nice glossy look with a big screen. Looks way more expensive than $199
- Map and menu hard buttons are very convenient to have
- GPS reception seems to be as good as the Nuvi. I get reception indoors
- A lot more information is displayed on the map compared to the Nuvi
- Plays AVI movies
- Lane Assist on freeway junctions. A MUST HAVE.
- Maps are very smooth map animation when routing. Much better than the 760, which was always 2 seconds behind and when making turns it would lag for 3-4 seconds
- Voice does not stutter unlike the Nuvi 760
- Very easy to hack and goes from good to almost great after hacking. I also have TomTom Navigator and Garmin XT loaded (more on this later)
- 3D buildings are pretty cool.
- Pairs with my Palm Centro with no problems. My phonebook does not dissapear. BT performance way better than that of the Nuvi
You can head to avic411.com forums and learn how to modify the Pioneer software aka IGO8 (its very easy). You can also add new maps schemes, and enable speed camera warnings, add extra 3D buildings, load international maps, etc. You can even hack the unit so it runs Tomtom and Garmin XT. However, these 2 don't have the same software as the PND counterparts, so I use the Pioneer software anyways. With the hacks I now get the current house number at my position, so I can easily know which side of the road my destination is on. I also increased the font size of the data displayed on the map. Overall, its a very good deal at $199.
A Pioneer GPS Navigation System is a state of the art navigation system to help one find their orientation and route on the road. Paper maps are no longer needed, as a digital map is uploaded and displayed to the driver across a screen using a highlighted route to direct the driver.
First, the destination of your trip can be entered into the GPS system using the touch screen feature, which is generally well lit and easier to operate compared to small keyboard buttons which can be more difficult to use. The Pioneer GPS System then calculates the best route to take and directs the driver there through voice command navigation. The voice control will guide the driver through directions which can reach the driver's ears through the speakers using the built in bluetooth voice control, which can be used without a headset.
Not only can you get to your destination using a Pioneer GPS Navigation System, but with the addition of Wi-Fi, which can connect to MSN explorer, an address can be found using MSN and the navigation system will proceed to find directions for that address. For example, one can find the listing for a restaurant which they wish to visit online through MSN, and the GPS feature will proceed to get the directions for how to get there. This eliminates the step of finding an address and typing it into the GPS system, which streamlines the process of getting to your destination.
A Pioneer GPS Navigation System can also be installed directly into the car instead of being suctioned to the windshield. This cuts down on the chances of the GPS to move or fall off of its holder while driving, making the GPS more accessible. With the navigation system secured, the entire car ride becomes safer.
Good deal for $199
