CarAVAssist 4+

I like the head, but for all the time spent developing the on board systems, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of effort developing the interface app. It works, but it is finicky. One may have to repeat a process more than once before it will actually take. Also, for the firmware updates, save the drama and just use a thumb drive. I tried several times to use the app to transfer, but it would almost complete, then report a communication error. The thumb drive method was relatively straight forward. Completed the transfer without issue. Honestly, I’m not that surprised. The apps for like products often have these issues. I’ll keep the app, maybe eventually they’ll develop it fully.

I finally figured this out and hit many of the similar problems described in these reviews. I just don’t understand what all the the phone connection options are but figured it out for the iPhone finally. You use the iPhone hotspot feature. In the head unit, you will connect using the WiFi hotspot tool, and set it up to connect to your phone. Next open the CarAVAssist on both devices. It should be able to connect on the phone app once you are connected to the head unit using the WiFi hotspot. Then make your changes using the phone app. Then hit the phone-to-unit transfer button on the head unit. This actually initiates the transfer from the phone app to the head unit. The transfer should occur, and you can (and maybe should) also change the screens on the head unit while this occurs. This seems to help make the transfer happen, perhaps because it’s on the screen where the images would be that you loaded on your phone. The head unit is looking for differences. Anyway, it works and I like all of the features. If they made it so all of this could be done with the head unit itself, then it would be a lot more expensive. So I have no complaints. It was a challenge to learn but it happens. Hope this helps.

If I could go back I wouldn’t even consider purchasing a Pioneer car stereo. I have the DMH-W4660NEX and I spend more time trying to figure out how to keep it connected to Bluetooth; Wi-Fi; USB; Hotspot; etc, etc. than I do getting to actually use it. It just never works. I spent a good part of a 30 hour drive trying to keep my music and navigation connected, which defeated the purpose of why I chose this product. Even after I get it to connect to Bluetooth when I try to use it I get errors stating that I must connect to Bluetooth. Ugh!!! I dislike everything about it. And this software. Again I have had constant problems getting connected. When I am connected to Bluetooth on the head unit and I try to connect to AVCarAssist I get errors every time stating I must connect to Bluetooth to use the software. I F&$*#*NG am connected!!! Then I have to delete and clear all network settings on my phone, head unit, and program to start over. These problems aren’t exclusive to me as I see many complaints from other users stating the same issues. All for a very hefty $750 price tag! If only a I could go back I would do things much differently! Pioneer needs to recheck this and stop selling products that are so unreliable and aggravating!