Pack a weeks worth of music in your trunk.
Written: Jun 20 '01 (Updated Sep 12 '01)
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Pros: Plenty of mounting options, IP bus, inexpensive.
Cons: "Extra" wires for power and ground. Somewhat slow changing disk.
The Bottom Line: Great value in CD changers. Every bit as reliable as an Alpine, just maybe not as fast.
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| cspu's Full Review: Pioneer CDX-P1250 Car CD Changer |
If you've never had the pleasure of a cd changer, you don't know what you are missing. It is one of life's little luxury's that can make the drive to work a little more enjoyable, not to mention safer if you swap your cd's a lot while driving.
After having a changer in my truck for 3 years, when I got a new Pioneer cd player in my Civic, I knew I was going to need a changer. There just isn't anywhere in a 91 Civic to put cds! Fishing for them behind and under the seats is WAY too dangerous while driving. Luckily, Pioneer came out with the CDX-P1270 in 2001 so the price of the CDX-P1250 dropped considerably. I stole mine for $129!
Will this wonderful life changing idea work with my radio?
Not unless you have a Pioneer head unit that is IP bus capable. The IP bus is a proprietary interface that Pioneer uses so that all of their components can work together. If you don't have a Pioneer deck, or you have one without changer controls, you will need one of the "FM" (instead of P) models or the add on CD-P75M module.
So what can it do?
The CDX-P1250 holds 12 standard CD's. It will not read MP3 file formats, but you can "burn" your own CD's in standard format and it will read those CDR's. You can mount the changer at any angle from 0 to 90 degrees with the supplied hardware. It has the capacity to store 100 cd names if you are inclined to put them in. You can select any cd in the changer by simply pressing that cd's slot number on the control (head unit or control module). You can also scroll through all of the CD's with the up and down arrows on the control. The random feature on your control enables you to play songs randomly from ANY disk in the changer.
Ok, I want one, how hard is it to install?
If you've installed stereo equipment before, this is pretty tame. Much easier than an amp or deck, if you haven't this is an easy project to learn on. You have to be willing to take your car apart and do some wiring, but it's pretty easy. The changer and controller are connected by the IP bus cable which also has a power wire running the length of it. Each end looks similar to a telephone cord one is blue (controller) and the other black (changer) so you know which end goes where. Connect the power to a constant 12V source on the controller end and then to the power plug on the changer. Ground the changer to the body of the car and you are set. The controller will automatically recognize the new changer and you are on your way.
Well how does it work?
It works great! I haven't had a skip yet, even on some VERY poor roads. All of the controls are easy to find, you have to press a function key to change to disk in slot 7-12 (there are only 6 buttons on the control deck). The magazine that holds the CD's is easy to load and the slots are captive so you don't have to worry about dropping them when changing the disk. The door on the front of the changer has a small latch that you lift to keep it closed.
I've got some minor issues with the CDX-P1250 otherwise it would get five stars.
1. Change time is slow (compared to my Alpine). The Alpine seems to end the last song on one CD and start the first song on the next one instantly. There is a noticeable pause when the CDX-P1250 changes disk.
2. The IP Bus cable isn't the only connection you have to make. Again, comparing to the Alpine, which only needed one cable for data, power, and ground. I figured Pioneer would be able to make everything into one cable.
3. The door latch will close on its own. When you slide the door open, the latch tends to fall shut (vertical mounted). If you open the door with the latch down, you get that "stuck zipper" syndrome, you can't reach the latch without reaching inside the changer and moving the door a little.
Summary
Other than the three minor things that I have just listed, this is one great changer. It seems to be every bit as rugged and relaible as my Alpine, but it cost 1/2 as much. Extra 12 disk magazines are available for about $30 each so you could load your whole collection up and drive for a year. At $129 the CDX-P1250 is a great buy!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 129
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Epinions.com ID:
cspu
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 in Electronics |
 - Top 500 |
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Location: The Island of Misfit Toys (Alabama)
Reviews written: 116
Trusted by: 97 members
About Me:
Sarcastic car audio enthusiast, motorcycle rider, and hunter... and I make NO apologies for it!
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