Anyone notice with the AVIN unit...
1) when using onboard navigation programs Sygic, Navigon, or Copilot (all USA or North American versions from Google Play) other audio is disabled?
--For example, if listening to the radio during GPS-navigation, the radio (or BT or USB) audio will cease as soon as the text-to-speech directions are broadcasted by either Navigation program listed above. Vice versa, if the radio audio dominates, then the navigation audio ceases (perplexing). The audio of thes Nav programs work well my phone Android 4.x. Note: these programs no longer have option to adjust their audio separately, even though the instructions on their respective websites indicate such. Navigon, simply states adjust the navigation audio using the separate media volume control on your phone--this is not an option for the AVIN headunit.

I have not tested with WIFI-dependent Google maps. I want to use this unit without paying extra for WiFi streaming through my phone, since I know of other NAV head units that don't require paying extra for superb onboard navigation. See Pioneer unit options below:

AVIC Pioneer options:
Touchscreen Display; Onboard Navigation
Built-in Bluetooth; Disc/SD/USB Playback
iPod/iPhone Control; Android Connectivity
HD+Internet+SiriusXM Radio; Audio Section
AV Connections; OEM/Remote Control

2) occasionally, upon close observation, Chinese characters appear on USA AVIN unit in radio broadcast identification?
--I took a picture of this phenomenon and will post it if interests dictates.

3) Ipod song loading is slow (Ipod Classic 160 GB with 9000+ songs). One song loads over 30 minutes and that one song will cycle over-and-over. MP3 media on USB drive is workaround with default media player or Google Play app, but the caveat is this audio will cease if running a Nav app with maps loaded to the memory card. If your IPOD device loads songs quickly, please kindly inform on the type of Ipod unit you are using, its capacity, and estimate number of songs loaded...Thanks.

4) while the warm bootup is seconds fast, it only lasts for 2 days (if that option is user-selected, shorter times are available. I am not sure why "infinity" time or "never cold-boot" option is not available). Thereafter, the next start up is a cold boot (the cold boot time (30-45 sec) is on par with big name competitor 2-DIN units. However, the reverse camera software does not work during the cold boot). NOTE: the warm boots will again last for 2 days; the cycle is repeated when I use my car each weekend. What's your opinion on this feature? Probably none, if you use your car everyday.

5) large phonebooks (500+ contacts) upload slowly in the bluetooth function? Has anyone used this function, or is your phonebook relatively small? The built-in microphone works great and external mic option is great for conversation, but playing music via bluetooth only shows the BluetoothTM symbol; no title nor artist is displayed.

6) the stylus works consistently better than the finger, especially when scrolling through menus.

The unit looks great in the 2-DIN space in the car and the visual eye candy is excellent. There are cool accessories, such as OBD 2 readouts and the Radar detector interface But the slow IPOD interface and the audio bug with the onboard navigation virtually negates the "navigation" feature of the AVIN: I might imagine users who use their phones to stream data to the AVIN may experience better navigation.??? Any feedback from those who stream data through your phone would be invaluable. Photos or videos by users in 2014 in the US showing a tethered phone device (on the highway) serviced by one of the BIG providers (ATT, Sprint, Verizon etc) would be helpful to some members on the XOUTPOST community.

For me, I give it one for the decent visual radio UI, and one : for the limited EQ function and the other non-existent audio tweaks for the audiophile. For casual listener, the audio adjustments, while minimal, are satisfactory--but the OEM unit's sound adjustments were satisfactory.

I give two :: for the Onboard Navigation and IPOD interface that does not meet expectation of an $800 stereo that advertises these functions.

I realize that other aftermarket 2-DIN units needing a faceplate to mount the unit removes some of the visual appeal that AVIN unit showcases. But the cohesive programs installed on for example a 2014 Pioneer, Sony, Alpine, Soundstream, Kenwood (particularly those which offer fast Nav, BT, and Ipod interfacing) might outweigh what is lost aesthetically (not saying necessarily these are the best alternatives, but I would definitely explore these as options based on commentary by a company such as Crutchfield).

Would I recommend the E53 Full Android [2.3.4] "GPS" Navigation AVINUSA unit to a friend...? Likely NOT