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Pioneer Double DIN goodness oozes quality and functionality.

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5 Apr 2nd, 2009 

19 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
Sexy, packed with features, smart design, easy to use

Disadvantages:
price?

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

How is the Sound Quality?

Ease of Installation

How is the Look & Design?

Range of Features

Value for Money

AgeUK

AgeUK

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I am Age! I love films, games, music (hip hop), books and learning new stuff. All the good things ...

Member since:23.09.2008

Reviews:77

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A month or so ago I purchased a new car, MK4 VW Golf 1.9 TDI. Not being brand new, I wanted to make some changes to make it feel more like mine. First thing I noticed was the out-dated sound system in the car. Despite being a 51 reg, it came with a tape deck of all things and a 6-disc CD changer. Ugly, boring and outdated. I wanted something a bit snazzier. I had seen other Golfs with single DIN units, meaning there was a horrible gap in the dash board. Opting for double-din was the only logical choice. Most double din units are expensive and incorporate a DVD player or sat nav of some sort. I wasn't after that, just something to play MP3 CD's and the radio. When i saw this one though, i fell in love. The sexy fascia, blue lights and jam packed features made it a must buy.

The pioneer FH-P80BT comes with a number of cool features. First off, filling my needs, its MP3 compatible, but better than that, it has an input (at the rear (which i ran into the glove box)) for a USB. So you can plug pretty much anything into it, in theory, ipods, phones, MP3 players. I opted for a 2gb USB flash drive, now I have loads of music at my finger tips with ease. You could in theory, (as ive seen elsewhere on the internet) attach a USB external hard drive to it and thus have many gig's of music at your disposal. If you so chose. which is nice.

Next function worth mentioning is the blue tooth hands free. The unit comes with a mic and sufficient wire to install it somewhere suitable in your car, as long as you've got nimble fingers. Once programmed, it works a treat. You can actually set it up to regonise and search for your phone automatically. I have mine setup that way, told the phone to treat the unit as a trusted source, now whenever i get in the car and turn the ignition on, the unit searches for and registers my phone automatically. You can also download your phone book to the CD player and use it to dial numbers that way, using the fascia buttons and the large convenient dial.

Clearly the sound is a big point on any upgrade like this. Let's be honest, you are forking out good money, you want good qaulity. Pioneer does not disappoint. This unit has amazing sound quality, even with my standard VW speakers and no extra amp or subwoofers (yet). Its lovely and I can't fault it. A vast improvement over the standard VW unit in every department, looks, sound, features.

The manual and user guides included make it an easy install. I was a bit worried about it, having never done it before, but its an adventure doing something like this yourself, so i bought the necessary keys, removed the old decks, unplugged the power from the battery (its recommended you disconnect the negative power lead on the battery BEFORE you start the installation), then it was just a case of working out what wires go where, its not as scary as you might think.

One thing to mention here. The standard arieal cable on the car, would NOT connect to this unit, you need to buy a seperate adapter, but it was only £5, so i was happy to do so, to keep the wife happy with her radio listening. Installs easily. Screws into place and a fascia covers it over nicely. It wouldnt be easy to steal, by any means.

comes with a remote control, but its a big one and im not sure what to do with it really so its sitting in the glove box. you can however buy a little steering wheel attachable remote from Pioneer which works with every pioneer unit. Its handy, but on reflection not completely necessary. The big silver dial on the front acts as both a skip, select and volume changing device, all in one. Its so easy to use, my wife has no trouble.

Id recommend it to perfect strangers, nevermind my friends.  
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Pioneer FH-P80BT pioneer - Pioneer FH-P80BT
Pioneer FH-P80BT

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Comments about this review »

obscuredbykep 04.04.2009 14:55

Another good review : )

SweetTooth93 02.04.2009 17:46

Sounds great.....I only ever plug my ipod in, in the car xx

Stephensj1995 02.04.2009 16:54

Great review. J

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