Good value! Worth consideration!

I've owned quite a few different car stereos over the years, and I consistently find that double DIN size models are preferable. The single DIN units simply don't have enough space on the front plate to fit all the buttons, knobs, sliders and/or display information needed to control all the features they have.

This Pioneer stereo, being double DIN size, further illustrates that point. It has a good sized knob for controlling the volume, and it even feels smooth, like an older analog knob, when turned. A backlit, rectangular button in the center lets you make EQ changes or turn on one of several DSP sound processors (giving you a "nightclub" sound, for example). A circular 4-way selector control lets you move among options by pressing the left or right sides of it, and change the current settings of a selection by pressing up or down on it. Practically all of the other features on this stereo work in the same, straightforward manner. Press a button corresponding to the general function, followed by navigating the menus and changing selections with the 4-way selector.

It is capable of playing both MP3 sound files and Windows Media format (WMA) sound files from recordable CDR discs, as well as having an AM/FM stereo with 3 banks of presets, a cassette player, and standard CD player. It also supports Pioneer's optional interfaces to attach an Apple iPod and remotely control it from the stereo, and either a Sirius or XM Satellite radio interface. (I don't yet own any of these options - but I'm told the iPod interface works well, except the stereo can only display the first 8 characters of song titles.)

Pioneer claims the power output is 50 watts by 4 channels. I have no way to verify the accuracy of this claim, but I can say that it makes a BIG improvement in both the clarity and maximum usable listening volume of the factory speakers in my car.

So far, I've had absolutely no problems with music CDs skipping when driving over bumpy roads, and proper tweaking of the integrated 7-band EQ, coupled with use of the "Loudness" button (to enhance bass frequencies) has resulted in the ability to squeeze surprisingly good sound out of my stock, factory speakers. I'm sure it would be even better with good quality, aftermarket speakers.

My only complaint is the amber display. It tends to be hard to read when you'er not looking at it straight-on. (With some modern cars having a "cockpit" style dash that aims the stereo towards the driver, this can mean a passenger can't see the stereo's display well at all.) It would also have been nice if Pioneer allowed you to toggle between several colors, so it could match the lighting of the gauges in a larger variety of cars and trucks.