The purpose of this write up is to review the localized aspects, where as the YouTube video below is about the generic aspects of this unit. Got the Pioneer AVH-Z5090BT installed a couple of weeks back in my 4 yr old Honda City. There are no online reviews for the India unit in Youtube as this a new launch. Its a 7" clear resistive touch screen unit supporting both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in addition to Bluetooth and Appradio stack. The US equivalent system's review is available here:
The difference is no Sirius XM, HD Radio, idatalink Maestro input for the indian version. But the India version has offline phone navigation, internet radio and Todorki equalizer, which compensates for these missing features. This write up focuses on these localized aspects.
Why I chose this unit:
My essential requirement is that I want an OS of my choice to drive the in-dash functionality, rather than the OS of in-dash unit itself. Pioneer AVH Z5090BT is advertized as supporting phone driven MapMyIndia + CarPlay. That completes my requirement.
1. Navigation using MapMyIndia:
CarPlay navigation is not available in India, as Apple does not support both Google and Apple maps. I have a company issued iPhone which I am stuck with. My phone is the bottom-of-the-barrel iPhone 5s, on iOS 10.x.x. I have not upgraded to iOS 11 yet.
Steps to bring phone driven offline maps of MapMyIndia to in-dash:
One time activities:
- Install Navimaps on your phone using App Store (Voice guidance is about 600rs).
- Buy the car connectivity key from MapMyIndia, which costs about 1,400 INR. Right now, Pioneer offers it for free, but didnt work for me.
- Install Pioneer Appradio app on your phone (not Appradio Live App - which is a differrent story).
- Enable location services(for map), and Bluetooth (for Phone functions), and 4G data (for live traffic).
Post the above set up:
- Start your car, Unlock the Phone and Connect it to dash unit using the charge/sync cable.
- Open Navimaps on your phone. Navimaps will automatically detects the in-dash unit and projects itself to the dash unit. Takes about 5 seconds.
Its a different app on the dashboard now. You can do all the essential things such as search and select destination, and navigate. The map mode disables everything else (CarPlay, Android Auto). The phone can not be locked now. You can listen to music using the Bluetooth audio, or iPod mode. You can make and receive calls using Bluetooth while the map is running.
Some notes:
a. If you have paired an external GPS with your phone using Bluetooth, then you will face issues in maintaining BT connectivity with Pioneer Unit. Not sure which one is the weak link here.
b. If your phone is locked, and if you open Navimaps using the Appradio interface, it wont open. Thats because, iPhone would be asking your permission if Navimaps can communicate with Pioneer.
2. Todorki Equalizer:
Seems like this graphic equalizer mode was made for India. I found it functional and enjoyable. Audio sounds fantastic.
3. Navigation using Waze:
This is not an advertised capability or service. Waze comes to dashboard (closest you can come to a Google owned maps service with an iPhone) once you execute this trick. I wont mention it here, but please PM me if you want to know. I don't want the overzealous developers to fix this "bug". You can listen to iPod or Internet Radio stations while Waze is busy providing navigation services. Phone calls work using BT. I am amazed that a 4 year old phone can drive an online navigation app, while streaming internet audio, and all the while connected to BT for phone functions.
4. YouTube (and Twitter and Facebook):
You can use YouTube in a limited fashion using the Appradio Live app. I have created a playlist in YouTube, which I can access in the car. Your liked videos also appear as a playlist. I have not tried using Twitter and Facebook. Just dont expect jazzy interfaces and full functions.
5. CarPlay:
Works flawlessly. The audio is crystal clear. Siri works just fine. Please note that no navigation services are available while using CarPlay.
6. Appradio Live:
I dont want to reinvent the wheel. QMV's intro here:
This Pioneer's half hearted attempt to compete with CarPlay and Android Auto. The intention is good, but execution is random and is of limited use. Its an attempt to bring navigation, internet media and a couple of other questionable apps like weather and calendar to dashboard. Internet media works fine with some limitations (Internet Radio, Stitcher, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter). Navigation doesnt work, but displays a moving map with live location as a saving grace. Prevents screen burn-in atleast! I havent figured out who is this mystery map provider. They better disband this entire stack, or introduce some value added services, or redesign to compete with CarPlay and AA.
Pioneer's Home Screen: Internet Media Screen:
In summary, a great unit for the price (about 28,500INR). Audio quality has improved by leaps and bounds. Fantastic job by Pioneer at this price point. Disappointments are screen resolution (WVGA) and the non-capacitive touch screen. To think that capacitive screen is a 10 year old technology but still havent made it to the dashboard leaves me scratching my head.
The unit supports rear view camera and steering wheel controls can be retained with a harness (costs 3-4k). My car installer guy has botched it up currently. The faceplate is not removable. The unit supports external HDDs.
Ask me any specific questions you may have. I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge. Sorry about the poor-quality photos.