sorry i meant what do u know about pioneer?
As an average consumer who just performed some quick research and spent some money, I came to several quick conclusions about the Pioneer product. Naturally these are impulsive and certainly not empiracle but I believe the end result is very reflective of the average client for these products. Many years ago I thoroughly enjoyed a Supertuner HU in a Hotrod. Like many of us those were times and names that will forever be burned into our brain as "the best" regardless of why or if. So it was sort-of a shame to see that Pioneer had flushed a part of thier history by discontinuing the branding namesake. I find that horrible from a company who is supposed to be proud and should be aware about the marketability with branding familiarization.
Jumping to today...I had several shops attempt to explain to me the difference between the Pioneer/premier HU's. Most sales consultants were literally clueless. When I learned the truth between the HU models, I cringed. Do they really think we are that stupid? Looking amongst the dizzying variety of choices and options with the product line was...well...dizzying. Why? We all know why. It unfortunately sells to the masses and makes for easy profits. This kind of marketing by companies makes me feel like a fish in a tank at a lure development center. I quickly lose attention and find it difficult to take anything they say/offer seriously.
I originally did have the shop install a 700BT. The shop was touting this as an Eclipse equivelant which was back ordered. After three days of my wife and I using the HU I said enough lets try something else. I have no desire to bash the product but it certainly did not live up to my expectations of what I was personally looking for in a HU on many fronts. I know these are popular HU's so obviously there is a succesfull market for it.
What I also learned is the convulated way the specs are listed with the manufacturers. Pioneer is as bad as anyone in this regard. Why should I have to spend a weeks worth of time to wade through the smoke screen in order to make a comparable educated buying decision? Most sales consultants are not even able to decipher the marketing drivel.
I am not singling out Pioneer. There are many manufacturers my experience would accurately fit. So IMHO they do not stand out or above at all. They simply blend in with all the others that comprise the middle of the market. I personally appreciate and would rather support manufacturers that are pushing for the top of the market and being leaders in thier field. I cannot help but see the amount of dollars that go into the marketing departments by these companies that complain they need to go overseas to be competitive. I believe in most cases it in itself is a lie. They could take those marketing dollars and put them into the product then let the product speak for itself. I understand this is a very general synopsis but nonetheless the attitude from the top of many of these companies is purely profit driven. The marketing departments are the only way they can stay in business. Hence they have to re-invent themselves with smoke and mirrors continually.
I edited this for clearity as the original post was made in haste before heading out the door.
