m48xhp 10+ year member
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This is my decision. Ive been sold on the Z series for a couple of years, but bought an Eclipse instead and have not regretted it. But now I want a double din and Eclipse doesnt make a double din unit that I like as much as these. So I went and played with the 8120 and Z3 yesterday for a while. Ive never played with the F series, so I can only decide based on reviews:
Navigation:
Z: Features a decent zoomed in view. Outlines of buildings and some 3d buildings in driver view in most big cities. Low resolution seems to make it hard to read street names at certain zoom levels. Features a kinda cool dynamics processor, but doesnt do that much cool stuff. Has the smart route learning thing, which I know could be handy since the user is sometimes smarter than the nav system when it comes to finding routes. HDD Based.
8120: One word: Garmin. Works seamlessly and accurately. easy to read. UI is not as pretty as either pioneer and doesn't feature as many viewing options, but still easy to use for the most part. No dynamics processor, but does have an awesome GPS trip computer. Flash Based.
F: Seems to have many of the same options as the Z. Doesnt have the smart learning, but it should be something to get over. Especially for people that already have Nav systems. Also does not have vehicle dynamics processor. It does have a better resolution screen and looks like it has an elevation factor to its 3d nav screen. kinda cool. Also has 3d buildings as other goodies. Flash Based.
Advantage: 8120
DVD Playback:
Z: ...It works. Nothing special. It is harder to bypass than the Kenwood. 7" screen
8120: Again, nothing special, but can be bypassed simply. Plus, you can play movies from your ipod. Divx. 7" screen
F: Higher resolution screen. Seems to have to be bypassed like the Z series. Divx. 5.8" screen
Advantage: Push 8120 and F.
Audiophile:
Z: 3 band graphic EQ, 2 volt pre-outs. Sub control and crossover. About the same as a $130 pioneer.
8120: 15 band graphic EQ for front, back, and center. Digital Time Alignment. 5 volt pre-outs. Surround Sound settings. Lots of cool stuff all over!
F: 3 band parametric EQ, 4 volt pre-outs. A little bit better that the Zs other features, but nothing like the Premier name is known for. Really needs a Pro-Mode like the old 860mp and 960mp. (After writing this, I found a picture of the F90Bt that shows a 12 band EQ. I'll have to figure this one out. Pioneer's website says its 3 band.)
Advantage: 8120...by a lot.
Other Audio Sources (not externally controlled):
Z: Sirius, XM, ipod, HARD DRIVE LIBRARY!
8120: Sirius, XM, HD, ipod, SD card, USB
F: Sirius, XM, HD, ipod, SD card, USB
Advantage: Push 8120 and F.
User Interface and Ease of use:
Z: It looks great. Easy to read. Problem might be that there is too much stuff in too many menus. Nevertheless it looks great and has tons of features to control. Negative is that it has push button volume and small buttons. Has Customizable Wallpaper
8120: Doesn't look as pretty as the Pioneers, but it gets the job done. Also has push button volume and touchscreen volume with even smaller buttons. Has customizable wallpaper and Ipod album art
F: Prettiest looking UI and it is supposed to be 'less is more', which is the opposite of the Z. I cant go to in depth, cause Ive never played with it. Good is that it has rotary volume and bigger buttons. It has ipod album art, and I think has wallpaper.
Advantage: Z...only because I don't have any experience with the F to say it is better.
Bluetooth:
Z: Needs an option adapter.
8120: Built in.
F: Built in.
Advantage: Push 8120 and F.
Exclusive features:
Z: 10 GB Hard Drive
8120: Real audio options. Customizable control buttons (for garage opener, etc.), RDS
F: Can change backlight color of buttons. 2 year manufacturer warranty.
Advantage: Push Z and 8120.
Price (MSRP):
Z:$1800
8120: $1599
F: $1200
Advantage: F
Score:
Kenwood Excelon DNX 8120: 6
Pioneer Premier AVIC-F90BT: 4
Pioneer AVIC-Z3: 2
This is the best information I can give for my comparison of the 3. If anyone else wants to add something, please do. Hopefully this helps others as it has helped me. I think I'll be getting the Kenwood, but I really would like to put my hands on the F first.
Navigation:
Z: Features a decent zoomed in view. Outlines of buildings and some 3d buildings in driver view in most big cities. Low resolution seems to make it hard to read street names at certain zoom levels. Features a kinda cool dynamics processor, but doesnt do that much cool stuff. Has the smart route learning thing, which I know could be handy since the user is sometimes smarter than the nav system when it comes to finding routes. HDD Based.
8120: One word: Garmin. Works seamlessly and accurately. easy to read. UI is not as pretty as either pioneer and doesn't feature as many viewing options, but still easy to use for the most part. No dynamics processor, but does have an awesome GPS trip computer. Flash Based.
F: Seems to have many of the same options as the Z. Doesnt have the smart learning, but it should be something to get over. Especially for people that already have Nav systems. Also does not have vehicle dynamics processor. It does have a better resolution screen and looks like it has an elevation factor to its 3d nav screen. kinda cool. Also has 3d buildings as other goodies. Flash Based.
Advantage: 8120
DVD Playback:
Z: ...It works. Nothing special. It is harder to bypass than the Kenwood. 7" screen
8120: Again, nothing special, but can be bypassed simply. Plus, you can play movies from your ipod. Divx. 7" screen
F: Higher resolution screen. Seems to have to be bypassed like the Z series. Divx. 5.8" screen
Advantage: Push 8120 and F.
Audiophile:
Z: 3 band graphic EQ, 2 volt pre-outs. Sub control and crossover. About the same as a $130 pioneer.
8120: 15 band graphic EQ for front, back, and center. Digital Time Alignment. 5 volt pre-outs. Surround Sound settings. Lots of cool stuff all over!
F: 3 band parametric EQ, 4 volt pre-outs. A little bit better that the Zs other features, but nothing like the Premier name is known for. Really needs a Pro-Mode like the old 860mp and 960mp. (After writing this, I found a picture of the F90Bt that shows a 12 band EQ. I'll have to figure this one out. Pioneer's website says its 3 band.)
Advantage: 8120...by a lot.
Other Audio Sources (not externally controlled):
Z: Sirius, XM, ipod, HARD DRIVE LIBRARY!
8120: Sirius, XM, HD, ipod, SD card, USB
F: Sirius, XM, HD, ipod, SD card, USB
Advantage: Push 8120 and F.
User Interface and Ease of use:
Z: It looks great. Easy to read. Problem might be that there is too much stuff in too many menus. Nevertheless it looks great and has tons of features to control. Negative is that it has push button volume and small buttons. Has Customizable Wallpaper
8120: Doesn't look as pretty as the Pioneers, but it gets the job done. Also has push button volume and touchscreen volume with even smaller buttons. Has customizable wallpaper and Ipod album art
F: Prettiest looking UI and it is supposed to be 'less is more', which is the opposite of the Z. I cant go to in depth, cause Ive never played with it. Good is that it has rotary volume and bigger buttons. It has ipod album art, and I think has wallpaper.
Advantage: Z...only because I don't have any experience with the F to say it is better.
Bluetooth:
Z: Needs an option adapter.
8120: Built in.
F: Built in.
Advantage: Push 8120 and F.
Exclusive features:
Z: 10 GB Hard Drive
8120: Real audio options. Customizable control buttons (for garage opener, etc.), RDS
F: Can change backlight color of buttons. 2 year manufacturer warranty.
Advantage: Push Z and 8120.
Price (MSRP):
Z:$1800
8120: $1599
F: $1200
Advantage: F
Score:
Kenwood Excelon DNX 8120: 6
Pioneer Premier AVIC-F90BT: 4
Pioneer AVIC-Z3: 2
This is the best information I can give for my comparison of the 3. If anyone else wants to add something, please do. Hopefully this helps others as it has helped me. I think I'll be getting the Kenwood, but I really would like to put my hands on the F first.
