Pioneer SPH-DA01 with NavGate Drive

Price: £349.99 (SPH-DA01); £79.99 (NavGate Drive)

Contact: www.pioneer.eu

The newcomer has the latest version of Pioneer’s App Mode feature, giving you maximum control over your iPhone.

Unlike some rivals, it doesn’t replicate the device’s display when you plug in – instead there’s a unique, easy-to-use interface that splits your content into four sections: Radio, iPod, Apps and Phone.

Apps is the most interesting area, as lots of software has been adapted to work on the SPH-DA01 – this ranges from Google Maps to StreamS (which provides digital radio) and InRix Traffic, to keep you up to date with jams.

We were keen to try NavGate Drive – Pioneer’s European sat-nav app. You have to download it to your phone first, but it works well on the head unit’s 6.1-inch widescreen – you can even pinch to zoom, as on your iPhone. It’s a simple-looking but effective sat-nav that will reroute you in seconds if you take a wrong turn.

Our main gripe is the cost: the head unit is competitive, at £350, but the NavGate Drive is £80 and in-app purchases are extra, too. We’re not keen on the aftermarket look, either, and the system is held back by the fact it doesn’t work with non-Apple phones.

Verdict

Rating: ★★★★
What is it?
Unit gets best out of iPhone, and has Pioneer sat-nav app.
What's good?
Great iPhone functionality, sat-nav reroutes very quickly, head unit is well integrated.
What's bad?
No support for Android, Blackberry or Windows; downloads are pricey.