Rant: IVA-W205 and Blackbird PMD-200

[silver_maxim]

I was originally going to purchase a similar model from Eclipse for a GPS/DVD player for my 2din space in the Charger a few years ago. The salesman talked me into my first Alpine, the IVA-W205. The high point was the detachable GPS and it's seamless integration. I have nothing short of a horrible experience with Alpine products.

The first installer gave me a great install job with the head unit flush with the car's console. A month later, it jammed up and wouldn't open or close. I can't blame Alpine directly for that. Since that shop went bankrupt, I had to find another Alpine recommended or supported dealer. For way too much money, they reinstalled the unit and it now sits about an inch beyond my console and looks like very unprofessional.

The blackbird has always been a poor purchase. Unreliable directions. Poor satellite tracking. No map (or feature) upgrades. And now, I am getting some white screen display when I try to view the maps with docked!

I am MORE than ready to get rid of the whole unit and either buy another competing unit or even replace the stock set-up. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif If anyone reading these has advice, wants to deal for this unit, or has a similar story, I would be interested to hear it.

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[djarmy2004 10+ year member]

Sorry to hear it man i was looking into those HU's also just with out the blackbird, My Nuvi works just fine.

 

[silver_maxim]

I actually just purchased a formal GPS system on Friday. (Against my better judgement, I went with a Tomtom model, although I've heard more good reviews about Garmins.) Either way, I had to buy something else to replace a product that I already own because it's many problems.

 

[Ferendon 10+ year member]

Those two pieces are a KNOWN tragedy. Both pieces have also been replaced, which is why the sales guy dumped one off on you.

Looky here.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/series-c.php?category=AV_HU

See the 205? That's because the 203 replaced it months ago.

Hope you didn't pay more than $500 for the combo, not including install. Even my Alpine rep is using a DNX9140.

 

[silver_maxim]

Agreed and unfortunately, I did. A couple of years ago, this was supposed to be good buy. Hindsight, tho...

I have had pretty good experience with Kenwood. I'll check that out. Thanks for the lead