Pioneer CD-MR80D

This is the second MR80D I have had to replace. The LCD display fails after a few months. At first I thought it must be a "one in a million" thing, then the second one failed in the same way.

Decent product, although it's out of date with current Pioneer head units, but reliability issues mean I can't recommend it.

Awesome Product! BUT... Be Warned that if you want to use just one of these - they work great - and that if you need an extension Data cable to mount this thing a few more feet away from the Head - it's pretty pricey!
Now... If you want to use 2 or more remotes - you can only use the CD-MR70's at this point - verified this through installation issues and 3 calls and 2 emails to Pioneer - as well as a few other well known customer service lines. Even Pioneer did not know the first time I called, the 3rd time they said they had tested it and all their techs had a list that told them that of course you could use only one of the cd-mr80d's - but for multiple remotes - they show up to 3 of the cd-mr70's would work fine!
The difference seems to be in the data transferred through the Earphone jack cable that is used on each of the 80 and 70.

Bummer - cause I want the screen!
I will post updates if I find this information changes!

So... In Summary:
Want One Remote - use either the 80 or the 70!
Want More than One Remote - Use ONLY the 70's!

I have very pleased w/ this remote. I installed it in a 1955 Chevy Belair w/ the radio installed in the trunk out of site. It works great and I have had no problems w. it. My only suggestion would be for Pioneer to have maybe a couple of different degree angle mounts in the package so when you are mounting it on a flat horizontal surface, you could get the angle to where you could see it better.

Prior to purchasing this unit for my boat, I read the tech specs to ensure it would work with the DEH-P401HD head unit, as it had a USB port. The specs were vague, so I contacted Pioneer tech support and received an email with three words: "It will work". I then purchased the CD-MR80D and DEH-P401HD together. The 401 came with an auxiliary HD radio unit.

After hours of running cable, then debugging after not seeing a display for the USB or HD radio, just the regular (non HD) radio, I called tech support. "No, it won't display anything. The USB and HD came along after the MR80D was designed".

I emailed tech support, cited my earlier call to them, and asked for relief. I received an email back that says "We were correct when we said it works. It still controls the unit, you just don't have any display". Try tuning a radio or switching tracks on a USB when you can't even see you've selected that input, let alone the song/artist/station.

After lengthy emails with tech support, I finally wrote and mailed a letter to Abe Hiroshi and eventually received a call from a Pioneer rep who said simply "You're right" and offered to refund my money if I returned the unit. Unfortunately, I had already mounted the d**n thing in my navpod face, didn't want to buy a new head, controller, and navpod face, or I would have taken them up in a heartbeat. I asked if there was a newer model, they said no and, to his knowledge, none were in the works.

I'm just waiting for it to die completely then will change out the entire system. At least I can change tracks on the USB and control volume from the helm in the meantime...for only $90 plus cables.