Pioneer AVIC-S1 Automotive GPS Receiver

I know, I know, I sell 'em, but really, this product is terrific! I'll tell you why...

I have had this product in my own car for over a year now. I liked it so much that I bought four more for my family and friends as gifts. The product is soooo easy to use, I gave one to my mother (whom, does not know squat about electronics)she uses it every day as a traveling home health nurse. She has made it to every patients house without fail. I also gave one to a friend of mine who is a flight attendant and travels all over the United States. She takes it with her on trips and uses it in the rental cars while on layover. She has been able to enjoy her layovers and hasn't missed her plane yet!

The AVIC-S1's are very inexpensive and can be taken from car to car etc.. It comes with a handy suction cup holder and car charger. (which by the way, you will need; so don't leave it home.)

What it has, POSITIVES: This compact navigation has voice guidance, turn by turn instructions, bluetooth capabilities (so you can hook it up for handsfree use of your cell bluetooth cell phone) and shows on screen your stats, such as the speed your car is traveling, the time, the estimated time you will reach your destination at, which satellite is tracking your car and what direction you are headed in. You can choose from Fastest Route or Shortest Route in the setting category. You can also overlay gas stations and food stops in the map screen. You can store address' in an address book to give you quick access to places you visit often. It also has a quick access button for returning home. AND... if you do end up taking a wrong turn it will reroute you and recalculate the best route to take you from your wrong turn.

The only thing that is NEGATIVE: The battery doesn't last that long. You will definately need to bring your car charger with you. The battery doesn't last longer than an hour or two. So if you are going on that long trip, make sure you take that car charger.

I most recently used it to get to eBay live in Boston!! Got right to the hotel without any problems, was able to stop for gas and lunch at the most convenient locations and was able to talk to my friends the whole way there on the bluetooth wireless handsfree!!

Definately recommended... I urge you to put it to the test!! You can purchase one on eBay at hifiaudioonline! You won't be disappointed!

An update 8/13 from Pioneer direct:
August 9, 2007

Dear Valued Pioneer Dealer or Distributor

Re: Free Firmware Update for AVIC-S1 to Address Recurring Pop-up Messages

We would like to inform you of the availability of a free AVIC-S1 firmware update to address recurring pop-up messages notifying users of the availability of the 2007 Map Data Upgrade, which is scheduled to be available for purchase on SD card in September 2007.

Pioneer has become aware that beginning on or about July 1, 2007, AVIC-S1 users began receiving recurring pop-up messages advising them that the map data on their AVIC-S1 was older than one year and recommending that they upgrade to more current map data, i.e., purchase the 2007 Map Data Upgrade.

These pop-up messages may cause confusion and/or annoyance to some AVIC-S1 users. However, the performance of the AVIC-S1 is not otherwise affected and the 2006 Map Data that came with the AVIC-S1 will continue to operate normally, even if the 2007 Map Data Upgrade is not purchased.

To address the confusion about and potential annoyance with the pop-up messages, Pioneer is offeri

I am completely in love with my Pioneer GPS! I would literally be lost without it. When I go on road trips to unfamiliar places it really gives me the confidence that I need to get to my destination quickly and safely. I recommend that every woman have one. I've bragged to all of my girlfriends about it and if I had the money, I'd buy each of them one as a gift. I'm going on a trip this weekend and I'm renting a car. I love that it's portable so can take it from car to car, and it's so easy to use!

i use the gps for work. its a great tool to have and extremely useful. the only downside is the battery life. the battery runs out in about 4hrs and fully recharges in 2-3hrs with the dc plug. the handsfree bluetooth is an added convenience. i bought this product because it was offered (and received) as a brand new, not refurbished, product with a 1yr warranty and no other site on the net sold it for less. the only other improvement i would like to see is a longer battery life. thanks for reading.......

Pioneer AVIC-S1 is a compact, handy powerful GPS receiver with built-in bluetooth.
Pros: The location is accurate and fast, it has an SD card slot, it is very compact, and it is equipped with bluetooth functionality which can connect to bluetooth enabled phones.

Cons: Sometimes the routing is not the best, (i.e. I know how to get to my home using the quickest way, and when I use it, it takes me from an unusual path) the built-in phone functionality could become easier accessible. There is no POI search by name functionality either.

What I would add: MP3 playing functionality, Weather and Traffic functionality, trip statistics and summary, remote control.

All-in-All this is a very good device for the price, but I was expecting a really really fantastic device from the creator of AVIC X1, and other great in car GPS systems.

This is a very nice GPS. The problem is that Pioneer only provided one update in 2008. For the price this unit costed new, they should provide some support and new updates. This unit is better then the S2 model. I have both. For $50 it was a good buy. The built in maps allows for sd slot use without loosing your navigation capability. The S2 has to keep the sd card in the unit to use the mavigation.