Pioneer FH-P8000BT install

For me, the selling points are:

- Bluetooth on-board

- Fitment issues (I thought the Scion units may require slight modification of the center console to fit properly)

- RF interference. Since I'm using mine with iPhone now, the previous setup I used was an AUX input through an older Pioneer Premier unit, via Belkin 12v amp/adapter, to charge the unit as well as play line-out. With this setup, I'm able to use the iPhone seamlessly, with ZERO RF interference, where the previous setup would get radio noise. I also added on the XM tuner a few weeks later, and everything sounds fantastic.
 
nothdsw, thanks for the information. So if I understand you correctly, you can setup the Pioneer to allow you to control the IPOD through the headunit with full text or through the ipod without text? This sort of seems cheap to me as I think I'd prefer to control through my ipod also however losing text has gotta suck.

As for RF interference, the AUX adaptor I was looking at was onot an RF modulator but rather a direct connect uning RCAs to my XM unit. I imagine the signal would be as clean as possible this way. Right now I use the tape deck in a factory stereo so anything but RF would sound better.

Also, how good is the bluetooth. Ive read a lot of reviews where people said it works absolutely great. Thank you.
 
1st part... correct. The older interfaces (Pioneer as well as other vendors) you were forced to use the headunit interface for iPod. Given that I keep a respectable amount of music on the pod, it's much more convenient to have more than 3 lines of display to work with, so I always avoided it. Now, if I just want random I can kick it to headunit control, or switch back to iPod control if i want to navigate that way. It's just a button on the front that allows you to switch, so it's really no inconvenience.

For my setup, I have a bracketron custom bracket mounted, so the iPod or iPhone faces me at all times, just below and to right of the headunit. I can take pictures later if you'd like some illustration?

And I suppose I should clarify... I used a Griffin adapter that took charged through dock, and took line-out sound and sent through amplifier in cigarette lighter base. a 3.5mm cable then connected this with an aux input on the Pioneer HU, either directly 3.5mm-3.5mm, or via IPBUS adapter, thereby running 3.5mm-RCA, then RCA-IPBUS. Both experienced noise issues.

With the iPhone, it's GSM interference, not modulator-related. Very well-known issue with GSM phones, severity varies from model to model. When you plug an iPhone into this headunit, it'll ask you if you want to enable airplane mode to reduce noise for these reasons. You'll also hear noise if you have the phone close to speakers, speakerphones, etc. With the setup now, i get NOTHING. Totally silent :)
 
Thank you again. Great information all around and I hadn't even considered there being a button to switch back and forth between the ipod and headunit. How convenient and useful...especially when at a stop light and in need of a different playlist.

For me I am thinking about getting a nano so I'll just hide it away in the little swivel pocket at the bottom of my dash. Thank you for offering to take pictures but its ok.

So does the headunit display the song/artist info when you switch to the ipod control? Do you use the headunit to cycle through your phone book to call friends from your iphone?

BTW, if I buy this unit I plan to get the XM and HDradio upgrades. Have you heard anything about either?

Thank you again and I think I am finally running out of questions.
 
Yeah, it's just one of the 3 buttons on the left-hand side of the display... the bottom one I believe. Hold it for 3 seconds or so and it alternates control. If the iPod's playing already, it'll pause for a second, but then pick right back up once control is switched. And I agree- i think it's a REALLY convenient feature.

If you're using iPod control (AKA Passenger control), it only says USB - IPOD on the display, so no track info.

As far as the phone book, I do use it occasionally, but again, since I keep the phone display on all the time, I prefer to use the touchscreen to do it, or the remote control.

I picked up the XMradio tuner that interfaces via IPBUS and installed it a week or two after the head unit. Works great, IMO. I was using an external portable unit before hard-wired, so my console was a bit of a mess. But the newest unit (GEX-P920XM) is fantastic. I mounted the tuner unit in the rear cargo area, inside the right-hand storage panel (or where the JBL factory sub lives, but I am not running JBL). The IPBUS cable is plenty long enough to reach the dash, tucked away behind body panels on the side of the car. You may choose to mount it somewhere else, but I didn't want to clutter up the front part of the cabin (especially since I'll eventually run an amp or two to feed the Infinity components). Just be sure to plug the cable into the correct port on the XM unit, otherwise it'll LOOK like it's working but you'll get no sound :) Silly instructions... should have read 'em first instead of just trusting myself!

Hope all this helps!
 
Thanks again and it all has helped. I still have some time to think it over since I am not returning from overseas until August however you've made a believer out of me. Have a great day.
 
Ok, I have two more questions if it isn't too much trouble. How is the AUX ran into this unit. Looking at a picture of the back of the 8000BT, it looks to be a 3.5mm port but I wasn't sure. I guess I have the habit of thinking of AUX as in RCA connections.

Second, any opinions as to if I'll get a lot better sound quality on the XM using a direct system versus my Roady2 through the AUX? Ideally I'd like to keep my Roady2 since I am already used to using it however if the sound quality is worth the $100, I am more than willing to shell out the extra cash for a direct system.

Thanks again and hopefully I'll order the 8000BT later next week so it's ready for me to install once I get home. I am currently planning to install just the headunit for now (as I've heard bad things about the HD Radio) and then consider buying an AMP and new speakers.
 
No problem at all, man. There are 2 ways to get AUX-in, actually... the 3.5mm jack you see on the back is one, but you can also get RCAs in with an IP-BUS adapter. I was using the RB10, but there's also ways to hack the bus and make your own connections (http://stereophonik.com/gutterslide/IP-BUS_Hack/ is one example). Since the IPBUS interface has been used for a LONG time, there's a lot of stuff out there for it, and lots of knowledge. As far as sound quality between the 3.5mm vs. RB10, the RB10 was PROBABLY a little bit better, but I honestly couldn't tell a difference. Since you're dealing with compressed music typically, you'd be hard pressed to pick one over the other, so I'd run with the free one :)

To your 2nd question... I was in the same boat. I was using an external receiver previously (a Samsung unit, in my case). But I noticed that regardless of the manufacturer, the XM external units seemed to have dirty power supplies, and I ended up with electrical noise pretty regularly, regardless of how well grounded I had everything. Since I don't surf through all 100-whatever XM channels, I figured the 3-line display would be sufficient, and in the interest of cleaning up things I got the Pioneer unit I mentioned before. Sound quality IS better, and the convenience factor is pretty big. I didn't like replacing something that was working, but it's worth the investment, in my opinion. And it's modular and can be used on any Pioneer system, so it's fairly useful (and resellable).

Hope this helps!
 
Ok, well I've pretty much made up my mind. I am going to get the 8000BT with the HD and XM radio add-ons and the PAC adapter to retain the use of my steering wheel controls. All came up to $600 on Crutchfield. It's very tempting to get an amp and new speakers however I am going to wait and see how I like the sound with the existing factory speakers. To be all honest...I liked them just fine before.

I'll be sure to take pics but this project will have to wait 3 or so weeks because my car in with my family in the US and I am overseas.

Thank you for all your help and have a great day.
 
Sounds good! I did also upgrade the speakers all around at same time, but haven't amped yet. But you should be happy with the whole kit. I'd imagine you'll have a bit of extra IPBUS cable though, so when you're planning out installation, expect to have to hide a bundle of it somewhere. Keep us posted!
 
Txt - You're a life saver, I was banging my head against the wall trying to figure out why the AM didn't work after I installed an Apline DVD player in my 07.

After I read your posts I realized my some of my FM stations were fuzzy too. I'm going to pull it apart again tomorrow and hook up that wire, I am sure that is my problem. Thanks.
 
Question to those with this HU. How do you access your radio channel presets? I don't have steering wheel controls on my 4runner, so would it a be pain to change channels frequently?

Thanks
 
How to run microphone cable

Can you please tell how exactly did you run the microphone cable? I'm wondering if you just tuck it under the trim or did you actually release some of the screws to make it possible to tuck under the A pillar?
 
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