Opinions - Alpine INA-W900BT vs Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT

[VIPStyleCars]

Sup VSC!

Anyways, I am trying to finalize my audio build so I decided to replace my stock Navi unit with an aftermarket one. I gotta source a climate control first but that shouldn't be too tough, if anyone who is reading this has a working one lying around hit me up.

As for whats going to replace it, I am debating between the Alpine INA-W900BT or the Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT. Both are 7" touchscreen, double-din units. Both have Navi as well as Bluetooth capabilities.

Anyone have any thoughts and opinions to share? Maybe other headunits? I prefer something that is a 7", I really do not want knobs and what not on the unit.

Alpine INA-W900BT
http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchfield.com/ImageHandler/scale/800/600/products/20100/500/x500iNAW900-o_mt3.jpeg

Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT
http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchfield.com/ImageHandler/scale/800/600/products/2010/20/130/x130AVIC120-f.jpeg

Thanks ahead of time VSC!

[LiLS]

pioneer!

[MR.J]

Pioneer.

[cheez80]

i posted this as a facebook comment, but...

i hate my alpine w505/p1 combo. it's difficult to use while driving, and the track forward/backwards buttons on the pioneer will help out a lot when you want to change tracks while on the nav screen. the nav maps are outdated, changing tracks on an ipod video 5.5g has a 10 second delay, the screen brightness is too high at night, the built-in font is ugly, etc., etc.

don't let my opinion sway you, though, since i've heard the new w900 fixes some of these issues haha :P

go play with both at a car audio shop

[airmax]

i would rather have stock navi lol.

[jeebus]

I have the W900 and love it. To be honest I hardly use the navi and frankly, I just find my android phone better suited when I do need navi. As far as what cheeze80 said, you can stay on your audio menu and have the navi display smaller on the side of the screen to allow you to switch tracks and what not. It won't be the full blown view but you will be able to receive turn by turn directions. My ONLY complaint is how long it takes to bank my music when playing it via usb drive. it's about 8 gigs on a flash drive of music and it can take almost 10 minutes to bank it all. In the mean time, you can switch the song but within a minute it will come to a silence followed by it going back to the track originally playing when you powered the screen. For some odd reason I don't have this issue when I plug my phone and hear music files through that, there is also approx. 8 gigs of music in that. Pictures quality is excellent when watching videos. The screen practically caters to ipods so that might be a huge plus for someone who does. I don't, which is why the usb playback was a must for me. Pretty easy to do the firmware/map updates as well.


Mr. Exec used the same unit so maybe he can chime in with his review.

[NYC03Alti]

I'd go with the Alpine. The buttons make it look a bit more OEM.

[cheez80]

As far as what cheeze80 said, you can stay on your audio menu and have the navi display smaller on the side of the screen to allow you to switch tracks and what not. It won't be the full blown view but you will be able to receive turn by turn directions.

i saw photos of that, but i feel the other caveats still apply, haha. having more hardware buttons on the w900 will help too -- the w505 takes 3 button presses on the screen to change a track if i'm using the nav. super distracting >:O

[brainneeded]

i would rather have stock navi lol.
i'd have to agree. something about oem freshness that you just can't replicate with an aftermarket unit. granted the controllability of an aftermarket system is key, but it just looks out of place to me.

[Kohinoor]

stay oem and get an audison bit.one processor

unless you want video capability up front or something

[VIPStyleCars]

Its a tough decision, I do want video capabilities up front, but given a different idea and outlook on things.......... (airmax) I am going to miss my OEM navi if I take it out. Its not like I don't use it anyways :P I'll keep u guys posted.

Thanks for bearing with me =)

[PANCAKES!]

Pioneer.

[jeebus]

I would have to agree with hoebag and everyone who said oem wins. sadly, my car is old. Unit looks dated so I really needed an update and the alpine was my best bet. If you like your oem unit, keep it. Trust me, you never get to enjoy video anyways up front. Throw some screens in the headrest and fuck it.

[airmax]

john you know i got you, but if you decide to get a new headunit, you can donate your full navi system to me <3

[ALEXTHESUS*PECT]

I would have to agree with hoebag and everyone who said oem wins. sadly, my car is old. Unit looks dated so I really needed an update and the alpine was my best bet. If you like your oem unit, keep it. Trust me, you never get to enjoy video anyways up front. Throw some screens in the headrest and fuck it.
not to thread jack here, but what would you recommend using to play the videos in the headreast just for the back. i have the the monitors in headrest already but nothing to play them. was thinking of going pioneer, but not decided yet...... thanks

[VI IX]

pioneer because the buttons are red. :biggthumpup:

[cheez80]

not to thread jack here, but what would you recommend using to play the videos in the headreast just for the back. i have the the monitors in headrest already but nothing to play them. was thinking of going pioneer, but not decided yet...... thanks

alex, you want my alpine setup? haha. i'm thinking of selling it...

[plusonechoi]

this is a bit late not sure if you chose one yet, but i'd definitely go with the Pioneer. I've been using an Avic-D3 for awhile now and have been very happy with it. Good navi and easy to use