This little setup is goin on the runner tomorrow. I wanted to see if anyone had an input on pros and or cons of this unit compared to the pioneer AVIC series or the eclipse. I have owned MANY alpine decks and I love them to death. Also curious if anyone owns a viper alarm or any other type of alarm that high end (2 way remote)? Thinking of going with the Viper 5000 series.

PS: I know a lot of people have read that the blackbird had very poor response time and lagged a lot, but this has supposedly been fixed with the new upgraded software...

 

I was seriously looking at this unit awhile back, but when the Pioneer AVIC-D3 came out, I knew I had to have it.

The price is under a grand, and it is a great unit with 3 RCA outs for adding amps later on.

I really dig mine.
It is posted in this same section.

 

I just really wanted to have the navigation separate from the cd drive so i didnt have to switch all the time.

 

That is what a lot say about the AVIC-D3 only having one slot, but no problem for me.

Every CD I own is burned to my iPod, that is my main music source.
I never throw a CD into the headunit.

 

The Alpine selection is a good way to go, I have put many of them in and they have been great for the customers. The portability of the blackbird will be great when you are out somewhere and want to find your way around.

 

Agreed, I recently bought a Blackbird on Ebay with the docking station for a great price. I used it on a trip last month and it worked very well. I think that with the docking station and external antenna it will work even better. I has some issues on placement on the windshield and satellite reception. I've been meaning to order my IVA-W200 to complete the package...

 

Well mine is in now and I LOVE it! Its much faster with the new software updates and i have it docked with the external antenna. Used it all weekend down where i got my new townhouse and didnt get lost at all! Its got very user friendly setup!