Typically, the products we review at Off-Road.com enhance our vehicles for off-road use. However, as recent land closures force off-road enthusiasts to travel farther from home to enjoy their hobby, more time is spent driving on the highway. To help pass the monotony of commuting to and from our favorite ORV areas, an upgraded stereo can be the ideal solution.

Pioneer Electronics, a long-time giant in the car audio industry, has been creating some of the world's finest car audio components since the early 1970's. With a reputation for originating many of the industry's most popular products, such as the first CD player for the car (1984) and the first multi-disc CD changer for the car (1987), we have come to expect only the most innovative ideas from Pioneer Electronics.

The Premier DEX-P98R, one of Pioneer's new top-of-the-line CD players for the car, is certainly no exception. Most people are familiar with Pioneer Electronics and the fact that they are, well?a "pioneer" in the car audio industry. But not as many people are familiar with Premier, Pioneer's elite line of car audio products created for the serious car audio enthusiast. Features such as Hi-Volt RCA preamp outputs and a two-year warranty are exclusive to the Premier line of Pioneer electronics.

A sleek, low-profile appearance makes the DEX-P98R aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The unit's CD slot is hidden behind the multi-color display panel, which folds down at the push of a button. The larger display area is easier to read and contains more information than previous models. An EL (electroluminescence) display is brighter than typical LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and provides excellent optical qualities, even in direct sunlight. A 16-band Spectrum Analyzer provides a dancing "light show" in three entertaining modes: Peakbound, Rainfall, and Twin Peak.

The DEX-P98R comes with a wireless, full-function remote control that enables the driver to control the unit without taking his or her eyes away from the road. Ergonomically designed for easy use, the remote serves as a safety feature as well as a convenience. When combined with a Pioneer multi-disc CD player, an arsenal of compact discs is at your control ensuring hours of continuous play. Pioneer's "cross-key" buttons on the remote and display panel contain the unit's most popular functions.

Pioneer Supertuner V circuitry provides unmatched AM/FM reception, and Pioneer's most advanced tuner to date. For the first time ever, data such as traffic announcements are automatically conveyed through your vehicle's audio system. In addition, the DEX-P98R can display song title and artist information when tuned to a station capable of transmitting Radio Text broadcasts.

Radio Data System (RDS), a service that is incorporated into the DEX-P98R, allows FM radio stations to send data signals at a rate of 1,200 bits per second directly to your vehicle. These signals carry information such as radio station content, emergency alerts, and Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

Imagine being able to scan the local airwaves for radio stations playing a particular music format. The DEX-P98R does exactly that using ID-Logic technology. Within the Supertuner V circuitry is a static database containing information on all radio stations in North America. Geographical location, radio station call signs, and music format are all picked up by the receiver and can be displayed at the user's discretion.

Auto Position Set (APS) is especially useful for those who travel longer distances. By simply plugging your location into the DEX-P98R and pressing the APS button, the unit automatically scans all of the local radio stations and compares the data to the ID-Logic database. Auto Position Follow (APF) then monitors the tuner's location when traveling outside the normal listening area. The system automatically updates the ID-Logic's database and keeps the user in tune with local radio stations playing the selected format, regardless of the vehicle's position.

Inside the DEX-P98R resides an advanced CD mechanism that is responsible for reading the compact disc and maintaining uninterrupted playback. Here, digital information is transferred from the audio disc to your vehicle's speakers via a 3-beam laser pickup. The integration of multiple components in the CD mechanism allows Pioneer to use fewer parts. Ultimately, this results in a more reliable unit, lower production costs, and better performance. To make this possible, Pioneer utilizes a hologram device to route the laser between components. A 1-bit D/A Converter combined with an 8x over-sampling filter provides an exceptionally smooth reproduction of audio signals.

Pioneer's Automatic Gain Control (AGC) system monitors each CD that is inserted into the head unit and automatically makes adjustments for tracking error, offset, focusing error bias, tracking error balance, and radio frequency signal. In layman's terms, this simply means that the unit compensates for any inaccuracies that come between you and uninterrupted disc playback. An improved version of Pioneer's Double-Floating Anti-Vibration System does an excellent job of dampening the CD mechanism. By using both springs and silicone-filled dampers, the DEX-P98R is a perfect choice for the vehicle with a less-than-perfect ride.

Distinguishing between compact discs is no longer a mystery with Disc Title Memory. The user can program each CD with a description (up to 8 characters) that appears on the display panel each time the disc is played. When a multi-disc CD changer is connected to the head unit, this feature allows the user to view a list of all of the discs' descriptions loaded in the changer's magazine.

Pioneer uses Sound Q technology to set the Premier DEX-P98R ahead of the competition. Sound waveforms up to 16 times more accurate than a standard CD player is capable of, are recreated by Hi-Bit Digital Processing, another feature used exclusively by Pioneer. Upper harmonics, which are often lost during the digital recording process, are restored by a Legato Link Conversion. Individual tone control allows the user to adjust bass, midrange, and treble settings to suit his or her listening preferences. Separate sub-woofer controls enable complete command over output phase, level adjustment, and cut-off frequency.

By omitting a built-in amplifier, the DEX-P98R is able to send a much stronger signal to the audio system's power source. While this eliminates the option of connecting speakers directly to the head unit, it does provide a substantial increase in sound quality when the unit is connected to a high-performance power amplifier, such as those offered by Pioneer Electronics. With the exclusion of an internal amplifier, the DEX-P98R's RCA preamp outputs, or preouts, increase in power from 500 millivolts to a full 4 volts of preamp power. This boost in power results in an audio signal that is significantly stronger, with much less distortion, than standard RCA preouts. The addition of Hi-Volt preamp outputs will be appreciated by autosound competitors and audio-minded consumers alike.

Detachable face technology has become a standard feature on high-quality head units and is included with the DEX-P98R. Pioneer takes security issues one step farther with DFS Alarm+, another industry exclusive. The DEX-P98R is equipped with a vehicle security system that sounds through your vehicle's audio speakers. Keyless entry and starter disable are two features used by the DFS Alarm+ to protect your investment, and an auxiliary input trigger allows you to utilize an optional shock sensor, glass breakage sensor, or hood/trunk pin switch for maximum security. The user can select between multiple entry delay times for convenience purposes. The system even warns you if any of the vehicle's doors are open.

A never-ending list of technical jargon may impress some people, but the average consumer is more interested in performance. Off-road enthusiasts are going to be attracted to a CD player that will resist mis-tracking when traveling over washboard roads. And price-conscious individuals want the most bang for their buck. The DEX-P98R delivers! Sound quality, performance, durability, and value are just a few characteristics that describe this head unit. With a Pioneer Premier CD player installed in your vehicle, you may find that commuting to your favorite ORV area is a pleasure in itself.