Navigation system w/ motorized display

[sourornage]

I have used Pioneer AVIC-N1 (installed in 2004 Toyota Camry SE V6) for a few months now. If you have any navigation system with motorized display, you may be interested in reading more or even offering your opinion/experience....



Over all the system is great. However, on Monday morning, I started the car as usual, the navigation display pulled out horizontally as usual but then didn't go vertically as usual. I pulled out the user manual and started pressing all the keys, and nothing worked. Pressing "open/close" button a few times didn't help. So I called up Pioneer even though I really didn't want to due to previous experiences with their *quality* customer service.



Anyway, I called 1.800.421.1404 regarding the issue. After a few phone calls with Pioneer associate representatives who didn’t sound like they wanted to help, finally a nice lady gave me instructions of mailing the unit to Long Beach, CA which is the only service center in California (or maybe in the U.S.). (Of the phone calls, one guy talked to me very slowly and instructed me as if I never used the unit before even though I did tell him I have used the unit for several months; I surely hope he didn’t treat me that way just because I am a girl and sounded helpless.)



Here are a few questions.

1. How do I take the unit out of the deck? Or should I have professionals do that? How much will it cost to take it out?

2. Even though the unit is under warranty, Pioneer is going to pay for fixing the unit and shipping it back. I will have to pay for all others. Does this sound right? Is it the same for other companies?

3. Is there any reputable local shop that can fix car navigation units? Or do they also send the system back to the companies?



If you have or are going to purchase navigation system with motorized display, please make sure you know the repair procedures/costs. I am one of those careful people; before I use any electronics, I make sure I read the manual. I never abused my navigation system, and it still breaks…. I thought the hid-away display is great since I don’t need it all the time so I don’t accidentally scratch it….

[klaymen333]

pioneer is going to be the only one who will fix it.
the units are full of proprietary moters and servos that are exclusive to pioneer...you dont want to risk putting the wrong components in, you risk destroying the unit

and if pioneer is paying to repair it, and paying the shipping, what else would you need to pay for?

whoever installed the system for you, should take it out at no charge

hope that helps

[dan1701z]

Hi, I have a question for any stereo guy here on a similar topic as this. I am considering buying a pioneer AVIC-D1 and was wondering if anyone has any complaints with it. I know it's new but lately I've been hearing alot of bad things with pioneer's quality. I have owned many pioneer systems and have had some that work great and some not so great so I am having some doubts with their quality.

Thanks

Dan

[sourornage]

Thanks, Klaymen333. You are right; I should just let Pioneer repair it. It is just that taking out the unit, wait for it to come back, and reinstall it seem so much trouble; I guess I was looking for a *quick* solution. My friend’s friend’s friend’s shop did the installation for me at no charge; I am thinking if there is a way not to bother friend’s friend’s friend again. As for the charges, Pioneer says that I have to pay for shipping cost/insurance to the service center and labor costs for taking out/re-install the unit.



dan1701z, I like the navigation system as much as the factory-installed navigation system on 2004 Lexus ES330. The GPS signal is out occasionally, but this is the same issue with other cars, with factory-installed or after-market units, seem to have here; maybe it’s a geographical issue. Also, the map doesn’t seem to be as updated as Lexus, but then, of course, Lexus gives you free upgrade every year or so. Another feature I have used is to play DVD movies a few road trips, and it worked great. One good thing about AVIC-D1, unlike AVIC-N1, it has no motorized parts to be broken as easily. Hopefully someone else on the forum can better answer your question. You can always go to shops, like Circuit City and Best Buy, to play with the actual units.