[f5fstop]

You can use all the features on the Z1 if you learn how to bypass. On older models, produced before mid-July, all you had to do is flash the dimming circuit three times real fast during startup. A guy over on the AVIC411 forum sold an electronic relay that went in the illumination circuit wire, that automatically flashed the circuit the required three times upon startup. This gives you full use of the AVIC even when traveling at 90 mph.

Models produced after mid-July required a wire to be added and grounded, and it bypassed the system to allow full use.

As for the voice recognition, it has a few faults, but overall it works better than any voice recognition model I have ever had.
One of the problems is, if you have not accepted the map screen disclaimer, you cannot use the phonebook via the voice system. The other fault is I find you cannot use the phonebook from the MAP screen, only the audio screen. Confused me to he** at first, but if I'm going to use the bluetooth, I just make sure I accept the disclaimer, and I'm usually on the audio screen anyway.

As for the other voice recognition features, I very seldom use them, being that I usually only have XM on, but when I do use them, they work great. As with any type of voice system, if the mic is near the window and the window is open, it gets confused (so does Onstar).

Only problem I have had with the AVIC is the echo in the bluetooth at the other end of the conversation, and I have almost eliminated this with changes to the mic, and using only the front right speaker.

Rumor on the AVIC411 site is that Pioneer will be releasing a software update to cure the bluetooth echo (I guess with cancellation software), and possible fix some of the other minor problems such as described under the information on accessing the bluetooth.