Home > Consumer Reviews > Alpine Blackbird II PMD-B200 - GPS receiver - automotive

After two years of owning this I am more than ready to move on. The idea is outstanding, being able to have your incar GPS be your on the go gps without having to invest in multiple devices. Unfortunately Alpine really failed to full execute their idea.

First, the system simply gave up on me after about two years, just gets stuck in a permenant reboot cycle and alpine wants more money than it would cost me to buy a new one of a different brand to replace it.

Second, no updates. Two years later, not a single map update for this device, further if you go to their site the information they have to offer is very rudimentary. Makes me wonder if Alipne really supports this product or is just out there to milk as much money out of the GPS market as they can leaving their customers high and dry.

For the price of this product it is a huge disappointment for what should have been one of the best GPS devices out there.

Installed mine in a 2001 Toyota sequoia with a IVA-W205 April 2009. Bluetooth works great with my Verizon Samsung phone with people telling me they can hear me clearly and I can hear them clearly also. I have never had it reboot nor have I had to reboot it. The trips I have made with it were great, put in a destination and it took me right to it with clear turn by turn directions, of course I updated the database before inserting it so routing was current. The SD card plays beautifully through the W205 along with the FM modulator being a great feature to use it in another car. My Mother is thinking about having me install the same system in her 2003 Mazda van.

Couldn't ask for anything else.This GPS unit is wonderful,bluetooth is pretty good. I do have the Alpine IVA-W205 so its even better.