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The Bad for some users, the 8000NEX can be too much device, making the lower-tier NEX models an improved fit for their needs and their wallets. The Main point here Pioneers flagship AVIC 8000NEX boasts lots of media and nav options -- like first aftermarket appearance of Apple CarPlay -- nevertheless most users will find a better feature-to-cost balance lower in the brands NEX lineup.

Though announced long ago in March 2014, Apples CarPlay software program has remained evasive. With the exception on the Ferrari FF, the partnered automakers are nevertheless in the "coming soon" phase of their rollouts, and this aftermarket has remained mostly silent.

Largely, that is, except for Pioneer, who announced come july 1st that it would be bringing Apple CarPlay to the masses via its NEX group of multimedia receivers. Today, we take a look at the Pioneers flagship AVIC 8000NEX, a completely featured navigation and also multimedia receiver that is certainly, so far, of having to get CarPlay in your car short of getting a new Ferrari.

The AVIC user interface starts with any 7-inch capacitive contact display, where the driver and passengers should have most of their interactions using the system. The screen runs with a WVGA (800x480) quality -- which sounds lacking in a world full of 720p and 1080p smartphones on the market, but isnt bad in any respect in practice. Graphics for the various parts on the NEX and CarPlay interfaces are rendered smoothly and also sharply, but DVD video was just a little pixelated. Since I dont spend considerable time watching movies inside car, this wasnt an enormous disappointment for me personally.

Just below the screen is often a chin that juts a little forward, presenting control keys for volume, miss, mode selection, household, maps, and eject. Tapping the eject button causes this motorized display to be able to rotate down, revealing the 8000s disguised . CD/DVD slot and Sd card reader.

Like most of Pioneers multimedia and also navigation receivers, the AVIC 8000NEX is scaled to satisfy the double-DIN dimensions standard and makes use of standard wiring utilize and AM/FM/HD R / c antenna connections. This makes installation a breeze for experienced workers. I was capable to get our unit working in our 2007 Chevrolet Aveo test car inside an hour.

In addition to the standard power and also speaker connections, the 8000 will require a few more included accessories and sensors being connected to enable the entire functionality. In the box is often a GPS receiver that could be installed outside on the cabin for utmost location sensitivity, a noise-cancelling microphone that is certainly used with speech command and hands-free contacting, USB and auxiliary input extension cables, and a vehicle brake grounding sensor that enables the receiver to be able to unlock video written content and display any time parked.

The AVIC 8000NEXs returning panel is packed with inputs and cable connections, making it effortlessly expandable and upgradable. You can use two full velocity 1. 6A USB locations back there -- though just one extension cable ships using the unit, enabling multiple easily transportable media and storage devices being connected or up to two smartphones charged. An HDMI input is needed when connecting outside video sources or, with the help of adapters available separately, the receivers this App Mode. You will discover three pairs involving RCA preamp outputs including an avid subwoofer output, a set of A/V RCA outputs committed to rear video, a video input to get a rear camera, and ports to allow for steering-wheel controls along with the addition of Sirius XM satellite television radio.

The primary Apple CarPlay device

No doubt, most of you are here as a consequence of Pioneers claim the NEX series could be the first batch involving aftermarket receivers to back up the new Apple company company CarPlay interface intended for iPhones.

As against Pioneers own Application Mode, which necessary additional hardware, all that youll want to get running with CarPlay could be the latest version involving Pioneers NEX firmware, an iPhone 5 or 6 running the most up-to-date version of iOS 8 and also a USB to Super adapter. (You can get one from Leading, use the the one that came with your own phone, or grab a third-party wire. ) Simply plug the phone into the this USB port and also, after a few seconds, the CarPlay interface will appear. In Apple lingo, its "magical. inch

The CarPlay interface, thats totally generated and powered because of the connected iPhone, is simpler than the typical NEX. The CarPlay homescreen has shortcuts to Apple company company Maps, voice calls, text messages, iTunes Tunes and Podcasts. Theres also a shortcut to come back to the NEX interface if you wish.

CarPlay makes heavy usage of Apples Siri voice-command program to minimize the amount of screen tapping and swiping youll want to do. For case, incoming text announcements are automatically examine aloud without exhibiting any words about the screen to distract this driver. After studying, Siri will ask if you wish to respond, which that you can do without ever considering the screen or taking your hands from the steering wheel.

Pretty much any voice command you can give to Siri on your phone can be given to CarPlay. Youll be able to "navigate to AMC Theatre in Emeryville, inch "listen to only two Live Crew, " or "remind me personally to send my expense report while i get to the office, " all in only the time it takes to say this.

However, the indisputable fact that the CarPlay user interface runs totally making use of your phones hardware shows that if your apple iphone 5C is acting sluggishly today, the in-car system is likewise laggy and stuttery. Or should youre outside of robust wireless signals, Siri wont be capable of smoothly process your own voice requests. This may not be really the Pioneers NEXs failing; its just any limitation of exactly how CarPlay works.

A fully featured navigation device

For those who arent interested in the latest version of Apple CarPlay, the AVIC 8000NEX is a fully included navigation and multimedia system receiver.

The unit features its navigation software, run by HERE, with 3D maps, strong state storage, and also voice command. The software program also comes installed with both text-to-speech and also pre-recorded voices within multiple languages.

The integrated navigation system is pretty good, with a snappy interface that is certainly smartly organized and also smooth visuals that take advantage of the capacitive screens chance to swipe around and also pinch-zoom.

Beyond the aforementioned CD/DVD and Sd card slots -- which usually also support an array of digital media types including MP3, WMA, AAC and also lossless FLAC -- this 8000NEX also capabilities USB connectivity intended for portable storage. Plug an older iPod or iPhone device in to the USB port to access its onboard mass media and, if installed, Pandora and Aha app controls. Theres likewise Bluetooth connectivity intended for hands-free calling and also audio streaming, and also the tried-and-true 3. 5mm analog auxiliary input.

Additionally, the AVIC 8000NEX likewise features compatibility with Pioneers App Setting (formerly AppRadio mode) which usually enables screen mirroring and smartphone app integration for iphone4 devices and lots of Android devices. App Mode works identically to the AppRadio receivers that weve tested previously and could requires additional hardware (such for MHL adapter or Lightning-to-HDMI connector) to function properly.

Finally, the 8000 can also be compatible with MirrorLink made it possible for smartphones, giving users yet another option for display screen mirroring and app connectivity.

The Pioneer AVIC 8000NEX has plenty of good things taking it. The NEX lineup could be the first to enable drivers to add Apples CarPlay connectivity to any car traveling with a short, simple installation. For users not interested in CarPlay, it offers a couple of more smartphone on the web connectivity modes (App Setting and MirrorLink) as well among the most fully included lists of sound and video sources that you find in a great aftermarket receiver right now. Add in this thoroughly competent on-board navigation system along with the 8000 is a triple threat.

Offering a great deal function in this dashboard could effortlessly get confusing, but Pioneer does a fantastic job of arranging things in way that creates jumping forward and backward between the methods (CarPlay, Pioneer NEX, along with the navigation) is reasonably natural.

Everyone i demonstrated the AVIC 8000NEX to inside my testing was shocked because of the sticker price. It carries an MSRP involving $1, 400, which usually doesnt include installing or installation components. Thats a quite big pill to be able to swallow, but the 8000NEX can also be probably more fully featured than many users must have. Fortunately, the car sound world is famous because of its deep discounts, so you can find the 8000NEX for under $1, 000 with a little online shopping.

Just to save a few bucks, look further down the NEX lineup with the AVIC 7000NEX, 6000NEX, 5000NEX, and also AVH-4000NEX, which sacrifice a number of advanced features but slow up the price to only $550 to $750, should you shop around. Those who find themselves interested in Apple company company CarPlay and practically nothing more should watch for the upcoming AppRadio 5, which ditches every little thing except the smart phone connectivity hardware in an MSRP approximately $600.

The AVIC-8000NEX should be only available in the usa. In the BRITISH ISLES or Australia, you need to look to this AVIC-F960 and AVH-8600 series for CarPlay compatibility.