[sunshinefc3s]

Hey guys,
About to buy a new HU. I used to use Alpine almost exclusively back in the day before bluetooth, mp3, GPS, etc... So back then, firmware was not an issue. The last HU I bought was a Pioneer AVIC-x910bt with Navi. It was manufactured in 2009, I bought it late 2010, and installed it in 2012 (custom car build). By the time it got installed, it was practically obsolete. Pioneer did one firmware update in 2010, and thats it. No additional BT support unless you start hacking the unit. Not something I am comfortable doing. That makes me not very happy with Pioneer.

However, are the other companies any better? OR do they all just abandon you after a year or so. I'm looking for a single-din (so nav is not an issue), but this is going to be mostly for digital media and HD radio (I may still get a mech unit) so I need all that to work flawlessly with the smartphones of the future.

Any thughts on these decks staying current?

 

[evo9]

Alpine is no better. Ask anybody who have owned the 505 & 910 DD HU just to name a few. At least Pioneer did one for your HU. Alpine did none for any of the units I have owned, even though they promise to. I do know Pioneer & Kenwood shows firmware updates on their sites. So use that as a measuring guide.

 

[BlackHHR]

I have a new Alpine W957HD and all is good so for. But I do not use all of the features with this unit. I am sure there is something that it is not shaking hands with and I am unaware of . Before that was the NEX4000 from Pioneer and I had no issues there either.
So take it for what it is worth to you. Both units worked well for us.
Adding content
Also used the 80PRS, cd mech worked great as did the zip drive.
NEX4000 cd mech worked great as did the zip drive.
W957HD Nav, cd mech worked great as did the zip drive.
As for firmware updates, you may be onto something as to you last experience.

 

[mooch91]

Kenwood DNX7100 bought in '08. One firmware update soon after I bought it (fixed a single problem with some iPods I believe) and nothing since. Sadly very obsolete, but I think that's the way it is.

Head units need to get more like phones; new software could bring new life to an old unit.