Pioneer DEH-X8700BT Car Stereo with Bluetooth, CD, USB and Aux-In

I bought this to replace the standard radio in my 2008 Mitsubishi Colt as it had no facility to connect my phone. Installation was easy enough, but bear in mind that if you are replacing a factory-fitted stereo you will probably need a wiring harness to adapt the connector in your car. I like the clutter-free front face, thanks to the menu-driven interface and the fact that all the connectors plug into the back of the unit. It comes with a USB extension lead so you can route the connection to wherever is convenient, and the hands-free microphone has plenty of cable to trail around the dash and clip onto the sun-visor. The only other thing you may need to buy is an extension cable for the AUX input. This is also located on the back of the unit, but no cable is supplied. Not a problem really as cables are incredibly cheap.I managed to pair the unit with my iPhone using Bluetooth very easily, and it automatically connects every time I get in the car, meaning I never even need to take my phone out of my pocket. The microphone is good enough that I can use SIRI commands with my phone with no misunderstandings, and makes music selection a breeze when selecting tracks using iTunes. The menu system allows you to select artists, playlists or songs directly from the screen. Spotify users will need to select songs or playlists directly on their phone as the menu won't give direct control, but you can still skip tracks and shuttle through a song.Making calls is very easy, and I've been told that I come through clearly on the phone even when driving at speed on the motorway, so background noise doesn't seem to be an issue for the microphone. The head unit syncs with my iPhone's contacts, so I can select a stored contact from the screen on the head unit. It even flashes with pretty colours when I get an incoming call.The screen is very easy to read, and I love being able to customise the colours for the keys and display. Operating the menus is a little bit distracting for me right now, but once I get used to it I expect it will get easier, and that's what voice control is for anyway, isn't it?As for sound quality, I love this thing! OK, I'm 40-something now and I've never been a connoisseur when it comes to high-fidelity sound systems, but I can tell you that it sounds a lot better than the radio Mitsubishi fitted. The car is about the only place I can listen to my music nice and loud, and I've been blasting out ACDC and Foo Fighters tracks every time I go out and I'm loving it. I'm playing it through the standard speakers right now, but now that I've started making improvements I'm tempted to look at upgrading the speakers too.I haven't tried the AUX input yet, nor have I tried connecting a USB flash drive, so can't comment on how well they will work, though I'd expect them to be just as good as the Bluetooth I've been using. One other thing I haven't played with yet is the Mixtrax function, but I'll get around to it once I've bothered to read the manual. (Bear in mind that the operating manual for this head unit comes on a CD to read on a computer. There is no printed manual in the box.)I originally looked at cheaper stereos, but now that I've got it I'm extremely happy with it. The simplicity of the front face makes a nice change from the trend of covering everything with buttons you don't need, the sound is fantastic, and it connects easily to everything I want it to. You could probably get more by spending more, but at this price point I couldn't be happier.

I love these radios, I just love everything about them, especially their display. I used to have the DAB version in one of my cars, but this FM version with bluetooth was fitted in an HGV primarily for it's bluetooth capability.If you fit in an HGV check if you need a dropper, if your old radio has a 24v sticker you know you'll need one. I've had vehicles with droppers already fitted and ones without.Even without the DAB though the hands free function is excellent and it can still play a wide variety of audio media, MP3, AAC, AAC+, FLAC, you name it and given some suitable speakers can belt out some decent sound. Bluetooth a phone with VLC and a playlist copied from the PC with some internet radio URLS (with a decent data allowance) and you've got yourself an internet radio you can control from the head unit itself.I love the Pioneer DEH series, I love the look and feel and its capabilities.

Love this machine: looks really nice, elegant and uncluttered, so unlike all the garish machines vying for our attention. The sound quality is a huge improvement on the JVC it replaces and having bluetooth/usb in and hands free phone is all fantastic. The lack of maddening buttons does mean that it takes a little longer to find out where all the options are but eventually you realise that it's actually easier and quicker to press one button then scroll through the options - as on this stereo - than it is to remember which of 20 buttons is the one you need to press on a regular unit. Really happy.

The looks is far better than most of these flashing light style systems and for the most part the functions work well for calls, music, radio etc.Build quality is what you should expect from something like this being mostly plastic but the custom light colours you can set means it can really fit into the cars interior even on my 1987 BMW.HOWEVER, the most annoying thing which if I had know I may not have bought it, is that if the battery becomes disconnected it forgets everything.... Time, radio station presets, colour settings, sound settings etc....this proves tiresome when you're dealing with a project car

This is my 5th Pioneer unit and best by far. Sound quality is brilliant, really easy to use, controls with two rotary dials and a few buttons..I love this idea as it makes the unit look neat and classy, exactly what it is.People who wrote it's difficult to use, I have no idea what they're on about☺ It's a premium unit and of course it is going to have a few extra features and customisations.I am setting up two Amps so needed 3 RCAs. It does that and more. The squarish clock font in standby looks cool whole scrolling through menus is a breeze with single dial. The main reason I bought this was excellent Sound quality, rest is all bonus.

Terrible one power channel does not work and will not keep memory or station settings so every time you use it it has to be set up from scratch rubbish

Needed a MP3 player for my wknd car. Only used it a couple of times but easy to install, looks and sounds good.