Long Beach, Calif. — Pioneer introduced its second portable GPS device and a new line of high-end car amplifiers.
The new AVIC-S2 is Pioneer’s first personal navigation device to offer an MP3 player. It has a 3.5-inch screen and Bluetooth hands-free cellphone operation. It differs from the original AVIC-S1 in that it has an SD card and music player and offers maps from Tele-Atlas instead of Navteq.
Maps of the United States and Canada are preloaded on the SD card, which also stores MP3 files. The unit has 1.7 million points of interest and offers a 10-band equalizer for audio playback. It is expected ship in late April at a suggested-$399.
Pioneer’s new line of SPL competition amplifiers includes two digital mono models. The PRS-D2000SPL offers 2,000×1 watts into 1 ohm maximum or 1,500×1 watts into 2 ohms and 750×1 watts into 4 ohms at a suggested $1,100. The PRS-D1200SPL also offers 2,000 watts at 1 ohm, but delivers 1,000 watts at 2 ohms and 500 watts at 4 ohms at a suggested $700. Both models are expected to ship in July.
Pioneer also launched a unique car audio promotion in the form of a portable “night club.” The company created a 50-foot dome that houses a suspended DJ booth, two demo cars and can support 200 visitors at a time. Pioneer product imagery is projected on a 360-degree dome ceiling to provide a “club-like” atmosphere, said the company. The Pioneer Dome will travel to more than 25 events this year and a second 30-foot dome will also be available at 10 venues to be announced.
