Pioneer Avic-D3X System Installation and Review:

After extensive searches for the "perfect radio" I came up with nothing that truly qualified.  Kenwood had some great offerings but I read bad things about their interfaces and the blue buttons wouldn't match my interior. Alpine seemed like a great choice but I didn't like that the navigation was a docked portable unit.   Sony was ruled out because they didn't appear to support Sirius which was a must because I needed the NFL and NASCAR channels.  The Pioneer Avic-D3 seemed close to perfect but their Sirius interface left a lot to be desired. 

Then luck came my way.  The Avic-D3X package went on sale for $200 off and included the BTB-200 bluetooth adapter, the iPod interface cable, and wireless remote control.  That was tempting, but it just so happens that the same day Pioneer mass released the CD-SB10 Sirius bus adapter.   No information was available about this new Sirius controller except that it worked with the Sirius SC-C1 universal tuner.   Well, I took the plung.  I ordered the D3X package from Crutchfield and the Sirius components from Amazon.

What follows is a lot of installation pictures and notes.  After that I will show screenshots of the different interfaces and offer my opinion. 

UPS GUY IS MY FRIEND....

Three days apart the UPS truck delivered everything I needed to get started.  Here are a few pictures of the equipment right out of the box.

Avic-D3x Box Containing the Avic-D3, Bluetooth Adapter, iPod Cable, and Wireless Remote

Sirius SC-C1 and Pioneer CD-SB10 Sirius Controller

Pioneer Wireless Remote Control and iPod Cable

Close-Up of the Pioneer CD-SB10

PAC SWI-PS Steering Wheel Controller

Back of the D3 with and All Connections

Front Profile Shot of Unmounted Pioneer Avic-D3

CLICK HERE to read about the installation with lots of pictures!