Well I went browsing on the CES site and found two new products from Alpine--real cool. Here is a link:

http://www.cesweb.org/shared_files/i...nphoto6207.jpg


http://www.cesweb.org/shared_files/i...nphoto5617.jpg

The first one is the IVA-w205 w/ the pmd-b200 (my guess updated blackbird) wich fits into the top part of the IVA and acts as its NAV.

The second, is an Alpine display for your Ipod w/ all text and album art!

So, does anyone know if Eclipse is releasing their dual AVN or 4DVD HDD unit?

And is Pioneer updating the Z1---the D3 has new ipod control like the ipod--the circle w/ controls and it seems it will play pod casts and video!

Let me know!

I had been talking to a sales rep for a retailer and he had mentioned that Eclipse is coming out w/ something next year.

 

I played with the D3 at SEMA, and it is awesome. It's by far the best head unit Ive ever seen, but its not suppose to be out till march.

 

One of the units in the first link looks like the Blackbird nav unit. It was rated quite low. It has been out for about 6 months now.

 

Why was it rated low?

 

I'd have to find the review on in again. For nav, I'd just stick with Garmin.

 

It was rated low because it was slow, crashed, and just had a bunch of bugs. Alpine just released a software update which solved all of those problems and is actually a very nice piece.

 

ditto ont he blackbird, i have read several similar reviews and know people who has it that has had issues...

i still dont understand why alpine wnats you to pay over 400 dollars before offering a 4volt output?

but i think wiating till CES for a big releases is probably better

b

 

looks cool eiter way, especially if they worked out all the bugs. I woder if the ipod piece works with their units or is a seperate unit iteself.

 

i looked at Alpine Japan and they mave an HDD unit also next year for the US. Two units in Japan are VIE-xo78 and the VIE-x075. Generally it takes two years for new stuff in Japan to be released here.

 

stuff looks pretty good. hopefully its better than what alpine put out for 2006.

 

yeah, but we'll see. They need to update their graphics and bluetooth. I used to think they were on top, but Eclipse and Pioneer took the lead--even Kenwood.

 

i saw the blackbird debut at CES '06 ... looks interesting. i'll cehck it out in Jan for CES'07 .. anyoine goin?

 

I am interested in what they are doing with the Z1 updates...the bluetooth is in sad need of repair.

 

I want to get the Z1 now, I have the 5435, but I know what is going to happen: Pioneer will upgrade the Z1, Eclipse will come out with their Dual AVN ( rumored for 2007) and Alpine will have a kick *** one.

 

Unless someone has a Z1 used in mint for sale? ( I am looking between 800-1000.00)

 

I looked in Alpine Japan, looks like this unit will have cool graphics and features---if it is the same; just the US version.