PIONEER 12-CD CHANGER: Years of Music on the Go!
Written: Feb 07 '00 (Updated Feb 05 '02)
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Pros: Great signal for clean sound. Easy user interface. Pioneer quality
Cons: Maybe a little pricier, but worth it.
The Bottom Line: Well, it was one of my favorite things until it started acting strange five years into ownership. I'm not too hot on my CD player right now...
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| vara's Full Review: Pioneer CDX-FM1257 Car CD Changer |
If your story is the same as mine, you probably purchased a car that had a tape player or just a single CD... I was a member of the first bunch, and after a very short while had had enough of such ancient technology. If you own a single CD player only, you know the hassle of trying to change CD's when going 70 on the interstate. So for your sake and everyone else's, I think this product may be for you as well!
I have owned this product for several years now. It has outlived one car and moved onto the next. As you've probably gathered, I own an older model, but the user interface and technology is essentially the same as current models. Plus, this review will also give you a long-term feel...
SYSTEM:
The first obvious advantage of a CD changer is that you don't have to throw away your cassette deck. You'll still have your radio, cassette- and now- a CD changer at your disposal.
The Pioneer 12-disc changer that I own plays through the FM on a radio station. Many changers out there work in this way: essentially you tune the CD changer to a station on your FM radio and then select that station when the CD is playing. At first, I wanted a CD changer that played directly through my system for fear that the FM systems did not sound as good. My fears were laid to rest when I discovered that sound quality was actually far superior to FM. I have never had a problem with my signal. Ever. Plus, direct-play CD changers can cost you an arm and a leg, as I found out.
As for skipping, I can only say you really have to TRY to make the unit skip. I have been amazed at how the system keeps right on playing after I hit speed bumps or ditches.
FEATURES:
Well, let's break this category up a little bit more: into features I use very often and features that I don't use that much...
Features I use often: The feature I use the most is definitely the "LIST" feature. This allows you to set an 8-character name (I wish it gave me more) for every CD loaded into the player, and then scan through the names to see which one you want to hear. Not only does this feature save time and energy, it also is good for the CD motor because it's not moving around as much. Another feature I like is the "ITS" feature, which has you select your favorite tracks on each CD. When the player is in ITS Mode, it will only play those tracks. You can also set the CD player to where it displays the name of the CD or the disc/track numbers. Having the name displayed gets a lot of "oohs" and "aahs" from people who see it. If you ever get tired of this display, you can easily go back to the conventional disc/track number display. Problem is, whenever you use the "LIST" feature, it inevitably goes back to the name display, and you have to set it back. No biggie, though.
Features I don't use that often: This CD-changer has the usual fare: random play, one-disc mode, intro mode (where you hear the first 10 sec of every track), etc. I really don't use these as much as I thought I would, but it's nice to know they're there.
Another feature that could prove useful is the FM preset and power output adjustment. Basically, you can reprogram which FM station the unit is tuned to, without going back to the unit itself and adjusting it manually (as many cheaper CD-changers would have you do). You can also adjust the output of the CD-changer, which makes the signal stronger if there is more interference. I hardly had to use it, and if it's set too high, the sound gets distorted. I prefer the default.
EASE OF USE:
Overall, I find the CD-changer incredibly easy to use. I've only had to reference the manual once.
Although I had the changer installed in my first car, I had to do it myself in the second. I spent an afternoon doing it, but it really wasn't too complicated.
It may be a pain for you to find a permanent home for the remote control, as it was for me. If you can find one, however, then great, because it comes with a velcro attachment so you can stick it somewhere and not lose it. Battery life of the remote has been exceptional: I've only changed the batteries once after three years. As for the interface with the display, I can operate it without even looking. I have a few complaints like features that require you to hold the stupid buttons down for 2 seconds, but that's it, really.
The display is very easy to read, even with sunlight glare, and navigating through it is a cinch. Other than my complaints about the remote's role, I'm perfectly happy with it.
RELIABILITY:
The unit is solid and quality is not a concern. My changer is in the back of my SUV, where it has been subject to lots of bangs and bruises. It's still tickin'.
UPDATE: 2/5/01
I have had virtually no problems with this system... up until now. Error messages pop up regularly, and my darn CD player is starting to "choose" which CDs it wants to play. Plus, the cartridges have jammed on more than one occasion. True, this CD player has got some mileage on it by now, but for the price I paid (and the name I paid for)m I expected better.
IN CLOSING: THERE MAY BE CHEAPER MODELS, BUT PIONEER IS A SURE BET
That statement pretty much sums up my feelings on my CD changer. I highly recommend it to you, but warn you that not all things last forever... and don't be swayed by name brands too much. You could save some money.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400 installed
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Epinions.com ID:
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 in Cars & Motorsports |
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Member: Daniel Ramirez
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Reviews written: 121
Trusted by: 449 members
About Me:
You want a 15 word autobiography? Are you mad, sir?!
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