I did wish, however, that while in nav mode, I could get more entertainment information. If you're listening to the radio, the station frequency isn't listed. If the station is in the memory bank then you can see which preset it is. But if you're trying to find a station manually while using the screen for nav, you don't get any frequency info in the bottom bar. Whether this is a major issue or not probably will depend on your personal taste. For me, it's borderline.
The coolest feature on the AVIC-U310BT is something that requires the use of another device. A great concept, AVIC FEEDS allows you to transfer info from your PC or your iPhone. You can take an address or get a location using Google Maps and transfer that to the AVIC. And, as I mentioned, the built-in POIs aren't that substantial on the U310BT. Not to worry. You can get POIs from sites on the Internet, from places like www.poifriend.com). Or you can import a location from a Geo-Tagged Photo from Flickr. AVIC FEEDS on a computer is exclusive to PCs. However, there is a FEEDS app for the iPhone. You can take a geotagged photo from the iPhone camera or get one sent to you by a friend and use it to set a destination on your nav. The info is saved in your Contact list and all you need is to have the iPhone paired via Bluetooth to the unit. For you gadget fiends, this may be considered fun and it is indeed a terrific option.
The AVIC U310BT is the entry-level product in the AVIC line and as such it has some issues, but value-wise it's certainly worth consideration if you're in the market for in-dash nav. Given the economy, I imagine a lot of consumers will want to look at an inexpensive option like this. If you can get it at a lower price, it's a lot for what you could be paying.
Key features:
- 4.3" touchscreen
- Built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling
- AVIC FEEDS (for PC and as an app for iPhone)
- GOOG-411
- Internal amp (14 watts RMS CEA-2006/50 peak x 4 channels)
- Outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs (front, rear/subwoofer)
- Map coverage of US, Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii
- 24-bit digital-to-analog converter, and a 3-band parametric EQ
- Voice-activated control for iPod audio (with optional adapter) and Bluetooth
- MP3/WMA/AAC playback
- high- and low-pass filters
- 3-band parametric equalizer with 6 preset EQ curves
- Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) restores missing high-frequency information to compressed music files
- Bass boost
- Ready for satellite radio and Pioneer HD Radio tuner
- Inputs: USB input, SD(tm) card slot, rear auxiliary input
- Compatible with most factory steering wheel audio controls (adapter required)
- Fuel Manager
By Ben Oh
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