New stereo time-Pioneer or Sony?

[gm350reratliff]

The time has come to replace the stock stereo in my 08 SR5 4runner. The only problem is I can't decide which stereo to get. I'm looking at either the Sony XAV-62BT or the Pioneer AVH-P3300BT. Things I'm going to add are: XM or Sirius radio, Backup camera, and Ipod hookup. Anybody have any recommendations on either of these stereos? Any opinions are appreciated.

 

[Zuke]

I hate my Sony, but then again I hate most things Sony. It has poor button designs/layout and I hate cycling through all the inputs to get to the one I want.

 

[chaz]

ive always liked pioneer, & have the avh-p4000dvd with ipod & backup camera, works for me.

 

[Sonicpilz]

I'd like to see some good feedback on this one. My head unit is my next planned upgrade and I'm looking at the Pioneer series myself. I like the 7" screen models but I'm still researching. So many to choose from.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I have Sony TV and home theater components which are great but when it comes to the vehicle entertainment they leave a bit to be desired and have always used Alpine for the last 10 years with great results. I'd go with the Pioneer.

 

[jcc4]

i'd check out the new pioneer appradio! if you have an iphone or ipod touch i think this might be the only way to go. if not i'd still check out most things pioneer before i'd go sony. just my two cents though. good luck and let us know which way you go.

-jcc4

 

[galactic_04]

I went with a clarion cx-609, but I really like the look of the Pioneer better. I would have got it if they had a bluetooth double-din radio out when I ordered. I do love my clarion, but a touchscreen would be nice next time too...

 

[krupnation]

If I had to choose between those two, I'd go with Pioneer. I prefer Alpine or Kenwood over those two options though. Might be worth shoppin a little more...

 

[2TreeManor]

Any reason you aren't considering a Scion replacement?

 

[Veritas]

Pioneer all the way, Sony sucks. The only good brands are Alpine and Pioneer, I LOVE my pioneer that I put in my car, it is incredible.

 

[aaronfro17]

I just installed a Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT and I am very pleased with it. I looked at the Kenwoods (too slow and buggy), was not interested in the Sony (due to TomTom guts, bad experience with TomTom Toyota in my Urban Runner), JVC units were less expensive, but I settled on the Pioneer when I found a good deal on an open box Z120BT with full warranty.

 

[rockwall]

You should also look at Alpine. My head unit is awesome and the i-pod interface gives you complete control. Between Pioneer and Sony, definitely Pioneer. Ditto on what others said, Sony excels in audio visual, not auto stereos.

 

[<<<<]

Pioneer is what I'd get.

 

[Krazynative]

I just installed a Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT and I am very pleased with it. I looked at the Kenwoods (too slow and buggy), was not interested in the Sony (due to TomTom guts, bad experience with TomTom Toyota in my Urban Runner), JVC units were less expensive, but I settled on the Pioneer when I found a good deal on an open box Z120BT with full warranty.

I don't fully agree... I too upgraded to the Z120, and am not that happy with it. Yes the display is rad, sound is better, ipod connection and steaming audio are all good.

The maps suck! There is hardly any street detail now matter where you zoom the screen to.

The BT sucks! People complain about the static/noise the mic creates when driving. Only a few have sucsessfully fixed the problem with a different type of mic. There are a ton of complaints about this and the mentioned above.

But I do agree about the TomTom that came in the UR's. They suck too. :biggrin2:

Not sure about the AVH-P3300BT series. Check out the AVIC411.com forum.

 

[aaronfro17]

The BT on the Z120 is miles better than the TomTom Toyota unit, that's my baseline. I've had pretty good service out of my mic, it's taped to the steering column so it doesn't pick up much road noise or HVAC wind noise. Folks on the other end of the phone could tell the improvement the first time I used it. The maps are not top-of-the-line, I agree with you there, but if maps were the deciding factor I would've went with the Kenwood and lived with the slow processor.

 

[Krazynative]

The BT on the Z120 is miles better than the TomTom Toyota unit, that's my baseline. I've had pretty good service out of my mic, it's taped to the steering column so it doesn't pick up much road noise or HVAC wind noise. Folks on the other end of the phone could tell the improvement the first time I used it. The maps are not top-of-the-line, I agree with you there, but if maps were the deciding factor I would've went with the Kenwood and lived with the slow processor.

I agree that it is miles better than the DumDum. I wasn't trying to say not too buy one, only cautioning the potential buyer of known complaints and a place to do some reaserch. A few on the AVIC forum have mentioned that the BT doesn't give them any problems, unfortunatly it does to me.

I might try a different mic and location to see if it helps. I heard that the Parrot mics make a great improvment from the stock.

 

[aaronfro17]

Poor tone on my part.

 

[Krazynative]

Mine might have been a little of too.

 

[texastony]

great thread ,my next upgrade

 

[gm350reratliff]

A big thanks to all that replied. I went ahead and ordered the Pioneer. I do agree that the upper end Kenwood and Alpine units are the cats meow, I just didn't want to spend that much now. Hopefully I have enough time to do a write-up on the install.