Just yanked the z120BT Pioneer and replaced with Alpine W900BT
 

FYI- Check out the Alpine, it's actually a very decent product.
Food for thought.

I don't mean to flame Pioneer, just wanted to give you a update on what I just went through. Perhaps you can learn from my mistake.

I know a lot of guys buy this stuff online sight unseen. The problems you can encounter with a dbl din nav headunit can warrant having to return it. Make sure you have a return policy. As these units are not that stable.

**Note, this is the third Pioneer I've had over the last 6 years, Avic N1, Z2, and now the z120BT...
I really like the way they sound and normally they are really, really good. Not sure what the deal is here. The shop where I purchased it actually warned me, they suggested Kenwood and Alpine, based on other customer issues, but being a Pioneer diehard, and really liking the interface, I decided to give it a try.

Not sure if anyone else has had any problems with their Pioneer z120BT on this forum. Mine was driving me crazy, and here's what I experienced:
will not synch up to my iphone (4) consistently
extremely slow boot up 45-60+ seconds
Pandora App locks up causing iPhone to have to be rebooted disconnected, reattached, nothing.
last straw was the scrolling menu for the iPod is horrible and would not work consistently, some songs and playlists just would not play at all. I could just not get used to it.

The shop tried 2 different headunits, both had similar and different issues. Mostly around Voice Recognition and my iPhone.

I can live without VR, but what was happening was if I hit the command to call someone, it locked the friggin thing up.

The guys at the shop I took the car, suggested I try the Alpine. They allowed me to pull out the Pioneer and replace with the w900BT, at zero cost, they even through in a Back up camera for 100 and a device called a PAC TR-7 that does the bypass stuff.

Although the Alpine does not have the Pandora App, everything else is working correctly. It allows you to connect to any Bluetooth Audio device, so I can stream Pandora that way. It even boots up in less then 10 seconds consistently.

Order is restored.

BTW: I found a lot of the same issues are being experienced by other users here:
AVIC411.com • View forum - Problems/Troubleshooting

Pioneer blows, Alpine FTW

... i dont use all the options on my pioneer but no issues on mine.

X2 what I have been saying for a while

No issues with my Z110 which is exactly the same as the Z120, with software update.
The new Pandora app is untested in my opinion and is a great idea, but really early to tell. Long boot times sound like hardware failure and would be replaced under warranty. No idea on iPhone 4 as I do not have one. :(

Do not worry man I was going to get a 4 but than we didn't get it for Verizon so now I have my incredible and my gosh its so much better. Except for the crappy games. FTL on that one.

iphone 4 > incredible . .... ... sorry big audio... The only thing it has is cell service thats better in some area's which is a biggie but just the way the iphone operates is way better. I have played with the incredible on countless occasions and tried to like it, but I just don't understand the hype at all. The internet browsing is light years behind the iphone with the exception of flash being soon available for the incredible.. But just surfing, browsing the page, zooming, is all way smoother and easier on the iphone.

iphone 5mp camera and video camera > incredible 8mp cam and vid cam... me and my buddy snapped a ton of shots iphone pics look significantly better... on the phone screen and computer.



And as for the PIONEER HEAD UNIT my Pioneer x920bt boots up in I'd say 10-15 seconds tops.. Never once has it ever even taken anywhere near 45-60 seconds to load.. I don't know if you are exaggerating but that is not the case with mine... I will take a video if it helps anyone. Every Time. I start my car, throw in in reverse, camera pops on, by the time I am out of my driveway the HU is started up and ready to go.

The only thing I will agree with here is the Pandora App not really functioning perfect... I have to disconnect the ipod wire and re connect it to get it to work.. but I just use the regular Pandora app and play it through the cable because the Pandora app allows for multi tasking which is more convenient anyway...

My iphone4 connects and syncs perfectly every single time.. even when I get in the car with it after it starts... My menu's scroll flawlessly and any song I want to play, plays. I honestly think its the nest HU I have had or seen in any car I have been in to this date..

Maybe you just were not used to the deck yet and its interface... the scrolling works just fine for me... very easy to navigate

I love my x920bt.... I would recommend it to anyone.

No biggie I was going to get the iphone when it came to Verizon but after getting the incredible and actually using it for a day I love it.

Anyway back on subject I have seen pioneers startup slow before and it can be the firmware or other things as well.

I read the above without the comma. :icon18:

I've noticed the issue with the iPhone not syncing correctly at times unless I reboot the phone. But being that I have to reboot the phone and not the HU I think it's the phone and the new OS 4 that's the problem.

Boot times are around 10-15 for me. The backup camera comes on right away and even if I don't back out the music is playing within a few seconds and the display comes on shortly after.

I agree!!

I have owned Alpine HU’s and it blows! It really depends on the model you buy! What model year is the Z120BT??

Just curious. Nobody ever talks about sound quality with double din units. This would be my #1 reason to replace the stocker. I was wondering how the sound quality compared between the two units? Thanks.

Sound quality is going to be about the same using the internal amp using external amps and new speakers would allow much better quality.

The nice thing about the alpine is if you do not want to add a big external amp and new wiring and all you can use there add on amp.

All you do is plug the wiring harness into it than to your alpine head unit and your done. You just added 45 watts RMS to your system.
Alpine KTP-445 Plug and Play Head Unit Power Pack for Use with all 2005-Up Alpine Head Units

I would just install new speakers if I were oing to use that.

Internal amps running stock speakers is going to sound better than the stock one but is going to sound about the same compared to each other.

Really Matt..??

I hadn't noticed your Pioneer bashing frenzy LOL

Meh I do not go around like shouting it. If the people that I do installs for want pioneer I have no problem installing them.

HaHa, just teasing :stirthepot:

Pics of the alpine head unit installed?

Sorry, been traveling.
Here you go.....


I must say, this is one of the best systems I've ever heard. Everyone of my friends jaw drops when they hear it. I yanked out the JL Audio 900/5 and got my money back, purchased a PDX5 for less then 1/2. So now I can purchase some other goodies.

I'm waiting for the Alpine Imprint Unit to come in, then I will have it tuned. I can't imagine what it will sound like then....



Door's and Trunk Dynamat:

Hetz HSK 165's mounted on Zenclosures spacers.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...redownload.jpg


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...download-1.jpg

Rear View Cam: Hidden. You really cannot see this unless you kneel down.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0926.jpg


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0928.jpg


Head unit:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0937.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0934.jpg


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0929.jpg

Wicked CAS StealthBox: Disregard the dented grill. I dropped something on it. Thank goodness it was there....


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0923.jpg

Custom straps to hold down box, so it does not vibrate.

They are 6' nylon straps looped around the spare tire.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0925.jpg


Alpine PDX 5 hiding in well area.
Note the vent holes to let the heat out.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0924.jpg



http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0933.jpg


Looks pretty stock to me:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0940.jpg

Nice man I like!

nice install... what kind of rear view camera did you use?

Zup, how do you like the Hertz? I would love to hear these go. I've read good things about these speakers. You want to drive up hear so I can hear them??? I'll buy you lunch and dinner!!! :ugh2:

Thanks Guys!
The Hertz are the cleanest speakers I've heard in a long time. I've had everything from Polk, Focal, Pioneer, JBL, Kicker, etc in my other cars, and these are the best yet. For the money you can't beat them.
They are a little bright, I've still yet to tune them, plus they have not broken in yet. The highs are precise, very clear and subtle.

They have a 3 position switch on the cross over, +2, 0, -2 db. I have them set at 0 now. I may change that in the meantime. Waiting on the Alpine Imprint unit to show up.


As far as the camera, it's a alpine hce-c105. I understand that the 107 now is a direct hookup to the w900. But this unit looks and works the same. The only diff is theres a module hidden in my trunk.
By the way, it's mounted to the left of the trunk latch switch. It's friggin stealth. You cannot even see it, unless you really know what to look for. IMHO, this is the perfect spot for it.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/IMG_0926.jpg

So lunch is out??? Would you consider the Hertz not as bright as the Focals? I just really hate bright speakers. Also, where did you get them?

I wish I had more time, I would take you up on that! Seams like a long drive from CA to RI though!

Regarding the Hertz. For a sub $300.00, speaker they are worth the money. They are definitely bright in my opinion, but still smooth. Not in your face or harsh. I too cannot stand bright/harsh speakers. Not sure who can??

They are very sensitive and can get loud if cranked up, so the system has to be tuned properly to thoroughly enjoy them.

I find them to be easy to setup and handle power very well. So they should tune up easily.

They are not power hungry at all. I find myself listening to them at reduced volumes and power levels they are just as dynamic.

I find they have a very accurate, dynamic range and have plenty of potential. I have to wait to give an accurate review till they are broken in and tuned. Out of the box they are great though. Not a displeasing tonal quality of bright, but they are extremely clear in the upper freq range.

The tweeters are a neodymium tweeter, and are 3-way adjustable, -2, 0, +2 range.

Again, they are not tuned yet, but the sound stage is excellent already out of the box. They have a rich and airy feelings on some tracks, but on others they get bright really quickly, so I know I need to tune them. The mid bass gets over powered by them little tweeters, sometimes, even though I have the HPF set and LPF set at matched levels.

Drum cymbals: are not muted at all. Crisp, clean, you can hear the tapping of the stick against them, and hand held tambourines just shine through.

Vocals: distinct, you can recognize artists immediately, they have excellent tonal quality and accuracy is there.

Trumpet: Clean, sustained, you can hear every detail and nuance.

Electric Guitars: I can hear the fingering on the fret board, strings being popped etc. They are very clear and full of detail.

Piano’s and trumpet so far are were they shine.

I actually had the Focal Polyglass 165 VR 6.5-Inch in my Tundra, running off a Pioneer 4 Channel Amp and I actually liked them a lot. Contrary to what a lot of folks say. I think they are very accurate as well. It's a different listening experience, as the Focals in my truck had way more air space and were down by my waist, it had a less of a warm sound to my ear.
I would have to say so far the Hertz are far warmer to my ear.

Now, my only complaints, but this is car specific: The tweeters placement from the factory is not the best firing straight up into the windshield the reflecting back at you. It’s not terrible, but it’s not optimal. I’ve been actually thinking of moving them so they are in the doors or on the A pillars. Maybe when I have more time.

Anyway, I think you should listen to them, they are definitely worth the money. I picked them up from a local shop sometime ago in San Leandro, CA. Car Audio Depot.

So far, I listened to Jazz, Rap, Hip Hop, R&B, Metal, Blues and Dance, and yet to hear anything displeasing to my ears.

Thanks for write up. :tup: Now I need to find someone around here that has some.