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That's the retail price (and who says they have to justify it). You can find them for a little less than $600 on eBay and other retailers.

You don't have to buy all the sensors they bought for CarPlay to function. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/AVIC-5000NEX.

CarPlay is one feature of the Pioneer receivers. The units are still fully functional navigation / stereo systems even without an iPhone.

Agree. But its seems those features will not be used as much. This highlights a market opportunity for a simple CarPlay-only client that is significantly cheaper.

Probably, but since it is the one of the first to market, if not the first, it's not unusual for it to cost more than what is really reasonable for most people.

It's first to market?