Pioneer AVIC-S2 - It's Official
Pioneer announced the compact AVIC-S2, a GPS navigation system that offers advanced route guidance and the hottest bonus features including MP3 playback and Bluetooth compatibility. The compact unit offers a lot of features at a reasonable list price. Two things stand out:
1) This looks like a customized version of the iGo interface that's a bit more angular. You find this interface on a lot of other GPS units like:
Mio C310x - and other Mio's
V7 My Guide Navigator
and the Jensen line of navigators - (You'll have to trust me on this one; I have the Jensen NVX227 in for review right now.)
2) This is the first instance I have seen the iGo interface used with the Bluetooth Handfree capability. Cool.
“The AVIC-S2 is the ideal travel companion. Consumers get three of the best features they look for in a portable device; a full navigation system, MP3 playback, and Bluetooth hands-free,” said Karen Rubin, director of marketing and product planning for navigation products at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
In a package equivalent to the size of a wallet (approx. 3.5” X 4” X 0.7”), users get map coverage of the entire U.S. and Canada along with 1.7 million restaurants, shopping centers and other points of interest via the TeleAtlas database preloaded in the included 1 GB SD card. A built-in SiRF Star III GPS module and antenna make the system more accurate so drivers get where they need to go without stopping to ask for directions.
The 3.5-inch touch panel provides a colorful and easy to read map. Innovative graphical user interface and 2D and 3D view modes give users a clear understanding of expected turns and exits. Furthermore, advanced map compression technology allows for effortless scroll and zoom of the map.
On each trip, the system presents a route overview and allows users to change the route itinerary. This is particularly helpful when the user wants to avoid certain roads or areas.
Extras
The AVIC-S2 has Bluetooth v1.2 technology, enabling hands-free operation of cell phones. Users with Bluetooth-enabled phones can store their contacts in the system and make and receive calls through the AVIC-S2’s built-in speaker, microphone and touch screen, eliminating the need to pull the phone out of a pocket or purse to make a call.
It also functions as an audio player. MP3 music files stored on an SD card can be plugged directly to the side of the unit. The system displays all music information and let users customize their sound through its built-in 10-band equalizer with presets for 10 different genres of music.
The AVIC-S2 is available for a suggested price of $399 beginning late April ‘07.
More at www.pioneerelectronics.com.
Read More in: Automotive GPS | GPS News
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Posted by Scott Martin at April 18, 2007 5:43 PM
The Mio C510 with iGo interface also has bluetooth function, and I can tell you from experience it is definately NOT cool as you suggest. The C510 requires the user to completely exit the map program to enter the bluetooth program. The device therefore is more of a navigator OR bluetooth device. I have confirmed this direct with Mio just to be certain I was not mistaken.
Unless this deficiency had been rectified in the iGo platform used in the Pioneer model, this is a unit to avoid.
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