Amcor 3600B Review

Hands down, this may be one of the cheapest GPS navigation units out there. Given the price, it is pretty basic but it does have a series of crucial features that will set this above other lower-tier GPS navigation systems.

The Amcor 3600B is priced at under $190, a very affordable price for anyone to drool over. This GPS device features a compact 3.5" LCD screen that is above average in contrast and clarity, with a brightness rating of 300 cd/m2. What's nice about the compact screen is its incredibly thin chassis, measuring at only under 3/4". The Amcor 3600B could fit in anyone's pocket or purse, or even tucking it away in the glove compartment or the center console.

The Amcor 3600B has a built-in Centrality Atlas II processor, clocked at 300 MHz. The processor is a little bit slower than most of today's portable GPS navigation devices that feature 350 MHz or 400 MHz processors. To compensate for it, Amcor designed the 3600B with a built-in 64MB RAM that would be able to handle greater demands by the user. It also has a high-sensitivity SiRF STAR III GPS receiver chipset, an identical chipset found in most major brands GPS systems such as Garmin, TomTom, or Magellan. The SiRF Star III is also capable of locking on to 20 different GPS orbital satellites, allowing for maximum coverage and accuracy while navigating. The internal map database is TeleAtlas-based, so you know you're navigating with accurate readings and pre-loaded maps. However, Amcor never specified how many points of interest it has. We suspect that for the price, it probably features anywhere from 1.5 - 3 million points of interest (POI).

The Amcor 3600B features audio and video playback capabilities through its SD/MMC card input. The unit supports MP3, WAV, AVI, BITMAP (BMP), JPEG/JPG, GIF, and even PNG. What's amazing about the Amcor 3600B is of course its price, but with such a low price, it's amazing to find that the Amcor 3600B features a built-in Bluetooth interface for hands-free calling capable of displaying call status and caller ID on the screen. It also features a mini-USB port for updates or SD/MMC card access through PC, as well as a 3.5mm audio output to connect the unit to your existing car audio system.

For the price that it's set at, it's almost too good to be true. It is a compact and smaller than most GPS units, but the Amcor 3600B packs so many features and even a Bluetooth feature that is definitely hard to resist. If you're looking for a basic and cheap navigation device with Bluetooth capabilities, you'll likely to find it in the Amcor 3600B.

Pioneer AVIC-F700BT / AVIC-F900BT / AVIC-F90BT Review

TO BE RELEASED JUNE 2008

When the AVIC-D3 came out last year, the car audio industry was deeply impressed by Pioneer's ability to seamlessly integrate an aftermarket in-dash navigation system to make it look like an OEM system. Consumers and experts alike agree that the AVIC-D3 looked as good as it performed. However, many were still skeptical about its cumbersome DVD navigation system-- forcing users to shuffle for discs while switching from media playback to navigation.
On April 19, 2008, Pioneer had a press release that announced the upcoming release of the AVIC-F series. They boast a truly innovative navigation with feature-packed media playback capabilities. There will be three levels of the AVIC-F release: AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT, and Premier AVIC-F90BT.

Intelligent Voice Recognition
All of them feature a voice-recognition system that is both intelligent and conversational. You may be annoyed by the voice command system of your phone... you know what we mean because you've experienced trying to dial a friend by saying his or her name 4 or 5 times before you get it right. The voice command system is a lot like that found in the new Ford Fusion. Just like the Fusion, you could tell it to play songs from a specified artist. In addition,

"The AVIC-F Series systems also allow conversational elements from the user’s speech such as stumbles and pauses without failing the command. For example, when the user says, “I want to, ah, play artist, um, Black Eyed Peas,” the system distinguishes the command phrase from the extra unwanted words to perform the desired function. In the hands-free phone mode with a compatible Bluetooth enabled cell phone, the system utilizes intent recognition. From a command such as, “Call Robert Smith,” the AVIC-F systems can identify the contact without specifying the category it is stored in the phone. These units will prompt users with additional information by responding, “I have three numbers for Robert Smith – home, mobile and office. Which would you like to call?” The user can then provide the additional information without restating the command." -- Pioneer USA Press Release 04/19/2008

Similarities and Differences Between Each Model
The AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT, and AVIC-F90BT all feature the same 5.8" LCD touchscreen monitor. The screen is smaller than the AVIC-D3, but not by much. In exchange for the smaller monitor, users will also experience (what seemed to us) a much clearer display and a greatly improved graphical user interface. All three in dash navigation units are capable of receiving Satellite and HD Radio with additional, but optional, accessories. The AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT, and AVIC-F90BT also features AAC, MP3, and WMA playback capabilities through USB, SD, and standard CD medias. However, the AVIC-F700BT does not feature any DVD playback capabilities. On the other hand, the AVIC-F900BT and the AVIC-F90BT could play DVD movies. Without the DVD playback capabilities, the AVIC-F700BT is rendered much more affordable at an MSRP that is set at $850. But expect retailers worldwide to sell them at around $650-$700.

All three double DIN receivers have built-in Bluetooth technology and could also control and receive audio and video signals from iPods or iPod Videos. However, only the Premier AVIC-F90BT includes the cable adapter that interfaces the iPod to the unit. The Premier AVIC-F90BT also features 3D landmark icons and a built-in MSN receiver which allows the unit to receive traffic conditions, fuel prices, local weather information, and personalized local city navigation by the MSN network. The Premier AVIC-F90BT also features an enhanced high voltage RCA preamp outputs as well as a 2-year warranty. The list price for the Premier AVIC-F90BT is set at $1200.

The borderline unit, AVIC-F900BT also features DVD playback, and an MSN receiver. However, it does not feature the 3D landmark icon. It comes with standard preamp outputs, iPod audio/video capable but without interface cable, and a 1-year warranty instead of a 2-year warranty. The AVIC-F900BT is set at a list price of $1100.

Navigation Features
A greatly feature aspect of the AVIC-F series from any previous Pioneer AVIC units is the implementation of a built-in navigation system instead of a DVD navigation. You will no longer need to shuffle for discs or stop listening to your favorite CD while navigating, but instead you could do everything virtually at the same time. The unit features a TeleAtlas map database of all 50 states of the US, as well as Canada.

The built-in navigation system also features 12 million points of interest, which should cover all your favorite hot-spots and hang-out places. Of course, what good would all these features be if it doesn't have Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology, right? Don't worry, the AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT, and Premier AVIC-F90BT all feature TTS technology that give drivers instructions with real street names being spoken instead of distance to turn which could be hard to determine.

More navigation features will be reviewed here as soon as we get our hands on the products

Seamless Integration
What the AVIC-D3 excelled in was integration. It truly amazes every AVIC-D3 owner when they see how great the AVIC-D3 could fit into any dashboard of any vehicle. So Pioneer did the right thing and kept the feature for the AVIC-F series. The AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT, and AVIC-F90BT will all feature up to 32,768 user selectable colors. There is not a dashboard on this planet that the AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT, and AVIC-F90BT will not fit into.

Other Features
As we conclude, we'll also point out that the AVIC-F units could also display any secondary source audio and video including back up cameras. You could even wire up your favorite gaming console or any other external sources you want to hook up.

In the end, the AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT, and AVIC-F90BT will highly be anticipated. Though our review here is limited to what Pioneer has released, additional information will be added as soon as actual products are released. With all the great features, improved software and interface, built-in GPS navigation, and a highly intelligent voice command, it seems that the AVIC-F could sell itself with these features. If you're looking to get the better version of the AVIC-D3, this is it!

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