HandsOn review of Pioneer Car Audio with Apple Play model # AVH 8890 BT

Dear Car Enthusiasts and audio buffs,

Are you looking out for some fodder before you make that final Call to buy in your 

most awaited car audio upgrade???

What if you wanted to get the feedback from any bro who got this done before you?

          I am  you bro,reviewing my own car audio system to begin with, so that it 

          looks real for you!

Coming from Apple ecosystem, my first choice was to look out for an Apple supported audio and without much hesitation I jumped into Pioneer HU. Since I wanted to replace my stock speakers, I added Polk to compliment it. The Head unit supports both technology viz.,the latest ApplePlay and AndroidAuto

I have fitted PolkAudio DB series speakers.
( I hope by now you would have understood what is Apple or Google doing with your Car)

My Brief: Own Volkswagen Vento DSG-Comfortline 

• current audio before upgrade: Stock( as I was scared to do it in the warranty period)

To make it short and sweet, let me break the whole page into parts so that a pro-reader jumps to conclusion directly. In case if anyone wants to hear more, will add on to the blog..

Below is a quick preview of live audio set up as seen in my car.

REFER the links connected to names for their source. Pricing depends on how you do your market research.!




Why Pioneer AVH- X8890 BT:

if you are coming from a non-touch screen eco, this will the best the money can buy.

Daily work include FM/AM, AUX , SD card support, BT audio and phonebook, Video CD/HDMI

in short, it has everything which an average chap plugs

Speakers: personal choice coupled with budget. Start of from tasting the RMS values. Basis your strength of your ears, you can get audio. My choice on Polk was to get above average sound(90Rms on each of 4 speakers) without the help of Amplifier( again a personal choice). This is also a future proofs I can choose to update both amp and a woofer/Sub.

How does to functionality appear and what does each system excel( Apple vs Android)

Apple:

Upside

• simple is beautiful. it almost reflects your iPad screen
• Just connect iPhone and tadaaaa!!!
• Calls/SMS/Audio can be handled by hand or Siri
• currently you only have support to Podcast app other than the Music app.
• No crash!! Yes
• Upon plugging, you may still access phone and its apps.

Down side 

• No Map support
• additional cord to connect HDMI which will help in mirroring you device( sold separately)
• Siri fumbles to Indian accent and require lots of practise( and patience )

Android:

Upside

• Maps work seamlessly with navigation support too.
• Shows directions to your last 2-3 places, so that its a single-tap to begin navigation
• Google assistant reads all sorts of English pronunciations so you won't miss any command in realtime.( works like magic!!)

Downside

• home screen is a little cartoonish with painted picture as background on display of time and a few widgets( sorry but this is my viewpoint alone)
• Need to install additional app onto phone before beginning.
• Phone screen gets locked there by not letting you access phone(depends on how badly you need to tweet in traffic signals!!)
• the app still lacks refines as repeated commands resulted in app crashing!!( we are used to this i guess)

Lack of time limiting my detailed report. any questions on this I am there to revert back.

If you find this useful, go ahead and enjoy. Do come back for improvements to your bro's Blog.

Cheers,

Harsha