Pioneer  AVH 2300NEX Review in 2024 – Is This Your Dream Head Unit?

UPDATE: The last time I’ve checked this head unit was out of stock. The best alternative would be the Pioneer MVH-300EX. If you want a stereo that has a fresher look, better sound quality and an awesome display this is the winner you’ve been looking for.

Pioneer MVH-300EX

 

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Have you ever experienced: “How cool is this?” moment?

I had it when I got the brand new car stereo installed. I always loved new gadgets. So no wonder I felt this good.

Thanks to the new double din head unit, I have modernized my car. Come to think of it car manufacturers make weak stereos. Even if you are looking at the top of the line segment, the head units are not that great.

This is why I’ve written this Pioneer AVH-2300NEX review. By reading this post, you will know if this is the right fit for you.

Here’s the preview. It’s filled with a bunch of apps. Yes, it supports both Android and Apple phones. And yes this stereo has drawbacks as well. If you are interested in that, you can jump to the “shortcomings chapter”. I promise I won’t disappoint.

It has two USB ports so you can connect two phones at the same time. HDMI port is available, but that’s more for the future. What’s the best about this unit is that it loads fast. For example, the backup camera starts within 2 seconds.

Let’s get this Pioneer AVH-2300NEX review started.

Here’s the bird’s eye view for this DVD receiver head unit.

Does it fit in my car? Click Here to Check
Click Here to Check

Who is the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX for?

Finally, a car stereo for Android and Apple phones. So no matter what kind of phone you have, you will be able to connect.

This unit is a bit upscale. Besides the standard radio and built-in Bluetooth, it comes with a few extras.

As I mentioned, Apple Carplay and Android Auto is a good addition. The sound quality instantly got better with this stereo upgrade.

This head unit works best for people who want to enjoy a variety of music sources like Spotify and Pandora. Thanks to the apps you can do audio streaming with ease. You can play pause songs as you please. Besides these apps, you can have your personal assistant in your car, let it be Siri or Google Assistant.

The Bluetooth is synced fast and picks up where you left off.

What can the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX do for you?

The list is long, so I will try to shorten it.

With the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX car stereo, you will be able to take and make hands-free calling a breeze. Also, having your assistants by your side, you will be able to reply to texts.

This head unit made driving much safer.

The digital receiver comes with a 7” screen size.  I love it because it’s fast touchscreen display. Also, you can personalize the background.

Hot tip: the display resolution is 800X480 pixels. You need to resize your image to this exact dimension. If not, your artwork might not work.

It’s super simple to control. You don’t need to study the manual because you can pick it up easily.

Heads up: you have to choose between Bluetooth connection and music apps. The car stereo won’t allow you to run them both at the same time. It’s odd, but you can live with it.

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Pioneer AVH-2300NEX shortcomings

As you have probably guessed, the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX has shortcomings. I feel it’s my civic duty to share it with you. Maybe it’s a deal-breaker, so you need to know this before you buy it.

The main software tends to be buggy. Luckily the latest firmware fixes it. Make sure you get the latest one. If not, you will see many glitches.

Brace yourself the firmware is 2gib. Have a sufficiently big SD card or pen drive. In case you were wondering, yes, it takes a while.

For some reason, there are some choppy animations on this car stereo. I wonder if I could delete them.

Here’s a first-world problem that I had. The faceplate can only be ejected when the car is still on. If you have shut it off, you can’t remove the plate. It’s annoying, but you will get used to it. With this negative reinforcement, you can learn it faster.

The biggest problem comes with the Appradio mode. It doesn’t work. Don’t try it because it’s that bad. Pioneer makes great stereos, and software isn’t their thing. I hope they either outsource this or get better programmers. At this moment, the AppRadio mode is a sorry excuse for software.

I’m confused about this unit. After the installation, it’s not flush. The car stereo sticks out a bit. This is by design. Don’t know why they have chosen this.

One more problem with this digital receiver is that after disconnecting the battery, everything is reset. All your presets and saves are gone. You need to redo it. There must be a solution to it.

Also check out: Pioneer AVH-2330NEX Review – Worth the Buy?

How To Get The Most Out Of Pioneer AVH-2300NEX?

Getting the right installation is crucial. I mean, there are a lot of wires to connect. I don’t have the patience for it, so I let a pro to do it. I had never had a bad experience with a pro install.

The next step is the firmware update. As I mentioned above, the file is 2gib, so it will take some time.

I highly recommend installing a backup camera since there’s camera input for it. If the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX double DIN stereo supports it, why not make parking safer? This will add extra wires to manage. Plus there are no cameras included in the package they are sold separately.

It’s illegal to watch movies while driving. But you can hack the system with a bypass. Now I’m a big advocate for safe driving. I mean videos are captivating, so make sure you’re not watching them. Hitting another car because you focused on a movie is not fun.

Also, this hack is crucial. I was for me because certain settings won’t work while the car is moving. For example, you can’t change the EQ settings on the go. You need to pull over and pull the brake. Those are the rules.

Here’s some good news. You can keep your stock steering wheel controls. All you need is an additional device. I have used the iDatalink Maestro. Again there will be some wires to cut, but it’s all worth it. Your DVD receiver will greatly benefit if you are getting the iDatalink Maestro. Besides the mentioned hands-free controls you will also get vehicle diagnosis info like temperature and tire pressure. Don’t forget it’s not included in the package it’s sold separately.

Pioneer AVH-2300NEX Review Conclusion

As you can see, the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX is a versatile car stereo. It has many good parts and a few bad parts. You can listen to the standard radio, and it’s SiriusXM ready. You can drive safer thanks to hands-free controls. You can make phone calls without looking at your phone.

Also, you can make parking safer by adding a rear view camera.

This is the end of the review. I hope you have learned something valuable about this head unit. Does it meet your needs?

Share your experiences with this unit below. Also, I’m doing custom reviews. Hit me up if you have ideas.

Catch you next time.

Does it fit in my car? Click Here to Check
Click Here to Check

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Does the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX have HD radio?

This in-dash receiver doesn’t have the HD radio option. Although it can pick a lot more radio stations then my old stereo did.

How many USB connections does this Pioneer DVD receiver has?

There are two rear USB inputs. To reach them you need to buy USB cable. Those are sold separately. Since it’s input rear you will need to navigate the wire inside the dash.

What kind of navigation can I use with this DVD receiver?

If you prefer free navigation there’s Google Maps or Apple Maps depending on what kind of phone you have.

Does this stereo come with a remote control?

There’s no remote control in the package. If you want to use a remote control you need to buy it separately.

How’s the sound quality for this DVD receiver?

This Pioneer DVD receiver has excellent sound quality. Old speakers perform better. Thanks to 13-band graphic Equalizer if you have iPod iPhone it will truly sing.

Can I use Apple CarPlay compatible Android Auto compatible phones?

Yes most phones are supported by Apple CarPlay Android Auto. Bluetooth audio streaming will work with the mentioned apps.

What can iDatalink Maestro do for this DVD receiver?

As you probably know you will be loosing steering wheel controls with your DVD receiver once it’s installed. The iDatalink Maestro it gives it back and much more. For example you are getting vehicle diagnosis info as well. The iDatalink Maestro is not included in  the package it’s sold separately.

Does this DVD receiver have audio video input output?

Yes it has both audio video input and output.

What can I do with the USB input?

You can connect any USB compatible device. Let it be iPod iPhone or Android phones. The USB port works with any USB type 2 device.

Last Updated on November 2, 2023 by Brian Beasley