OEM Audio/Navigation/Bluetooth phone and Rear Seat Entertainment

I just bought a 2012 Tahoe Hybrid and am VERY underwhelmed by the vehicle's electronics. It seems that GM has almost totally crippled the system most probably in the interest of limiting their liability for potential accidents as a result of using the system while the vehicle is in motion.

The Bluetooth phone is clunky at best. I can't call voice mail via my BT connected phone and enter a passcode (very possible I am just not doing it correctly though, I haven't had it 2 weeks yet). I can't even load or transfer my phone book to the system and call from there. Somehow, On Star is possibly involved even though I have no plans to activate it. I have enough subscriptions eating away at my finances. I can't even stream music to the system either wirelessly or through the included USB port in the center console. I only have an Android device and have no interest in an Apple based solution.

The navigation system is no where near the sophistication of a $150 Garmin. Ideally I would love to use Waze. To upgrade the maps, they want to charge me $179 and it still won't give me a 3D navigation perspective. The POIs are for the most part useless. A random pizza icon does not give me much information and of course I can't click on it since anything useful is disabled while in motion.

I'd consider a HU change out but it seems there are trade offs and compromises. Steering wheel controls is a big one and I have a rear view camera system that I would need to integrate. I'd like to keep the factory mic (since I have no idea where it even is but it seems to work well). The rear entertainment system is a concern as well. Also, being a hybrid, the system has the hybrid components display when I push the 'i' button (a second push brings up the XM weather option) that I would prefer to keep though it is not critical since I don't really need to display that regularly. I would love to have android auto and/or screen mirroring.

Does anyone know if the system in the 2015-2017 vehicles could easily be straight up installed in the vehicle? Presumably they are better as far as these shortcomings? Has anyone possibly tried flashing a new OS on to the box or maybe a car PC installation to the aux input? I'm trying to think outside the box to get what I want/need. I really wish that Chevy would make a firmware update to give the system some basic functionality though I know that is probably never going to happen. I can't even find any hidden menus or any software/firmware versions that I can check to see if I need to update the software. What are most people doing? Am I crazy just wanting too much in a factory solution?

I was wondering the same thing, any luck ?

My experience not just with the Tahoe but cars in general, you can NOT beat aftermarket. The newer Tahoe unit (if able to get it working) should perform much better than the original but still will have its limitations. I took the outdated HU out my car and put in a pioneer 4200 nex. Retained everything and gained so much more. You have to install a new mic but one of the easiest parts of the install. What I gained is listed below:

1) Updated mapping through my phone using Android Auto (stock navi is outdated and the process to update is $ and a PITA. I would have enjoyed a navi built into aftermarket HU but its still a process to update maps and having to search when a new one comes out. Connecting to map on phone is long term best way to know you are up to date.

2) Bluetooth - not going to say its better than stock but retained this and yes my car has 2 mics now and 2 bluetooth setups but you'll never use the one that came with car once you delete your phone(s) from its memory.

3) Entertainment - Biggest factor of all, you have unlimited options for entertainment. Phone audio, memory cards, usb, you name it. Also adds HDMI now and that means options for Chromecast, Amazon Firestick, etc. You can literally mirror your phone and watch anything and everything your phone can watch. Anything the stock HU could do is immensly amplified with less limitations on formats, etc. Its not even fair, the stock unit was built so long ago. Technology keeps changing, ofcourse aftermarket will be better in this category.

4) Entertainment on the move - there may be ways to play movies, etc with stock HU but there are definite ways to fix this on aftermarket.

There is one disadvantage. Looks and complications. You can be overwhelmed with all the options and it makes this setup more complicated. Someone going into your car for the first time may have a lot more trouble navigating around to get to the correct media whereas the stock navi setup was so simple, it takes little time to learn. If this is a car you plan to have for a long period of time, its worth it to learn the complication.

Hope this helps.

Have one of these in both the Suburban and the Tahoe ('09). Works well and adds all the features mentioned above. PNP setup too, works with the steering wheel controls and includes the speaker to retain the chimes. Runs Android too.

Have all the parts. Just waiting to have the install done. Look at Amazon for "gmc yukon android 2 din head unit" or similar. I purchased my HU from www.eincar.com and all the connecting parts from Amazon. The Android units from China are pretty sweet. Reviews on Youtube as well. They'll do everything your looking for. At about a third of the price. Although I didn't skimp on the steering wheel wiring harness or back up camera etc. I got all that from Amazon.

If cheaper, OEM camera works very well but may be a PITA to remove from a car? If your car didnt come with this in the first place, might be a good idea to look up. I never heard of anyone having to replace a back up camera, ever. I wonder what they go for used or new?

Meccanoble said:

If cheaper, OEM camera works very well but may be a PITA to remove from a car? If your car didnt come with this in the first place, might be a good idea to look up. I never heard of anyone having to replace a back up camera, ever. I wonder what they go for used or new?

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The best unit on amazon is 20 dollars. Plus 15 for the wireless connections so you don't have to run wire all the way.

SidewaystheSeven said:

Have one of these in both the Suburban and the Tahoe ('09). Works well and adds all the features mentioned above. PNP setup too, works with the steering wheel controls and includes the speaker to retain the chimes. Runs Android too.

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Hello - I have an 07 Yukon with a stock radio and I am looking to replace it with an aftermarket radio that looks like the OEM nav radio. The one you recommended looks like what I want but I was hoping you could answer a couple of questions. Here they are:
1. Can you plug in an XM antenna to get satellite radio on the radio?
2. Do the steering wheel controls still work with this radio?
3. Not sure what kind of phone you have, but does the Bluetooth work with an iPhone?
4. Does the OnStar still work with this radio?
I think that's it...I have been searching high and low for a good radio that will meet all of my "demands"...THANK YOU in advance for your time and response!

BobbyG said:

Hello - I have an 07 Yukon with a stock radio and I am looking to replace it with an aftermarket radio that looks like the OEM nav radio. The one you recommended looks like what I want but I was hoping you could answer a couple of questions. Here they are:
1. Can you plug in an XM antenna to get satellite radio on the radio?
2. Do the steering wheel controls still work with this radio?
3. Not sure what kind of phone you have, but does the Bluetooth work with an iPhone?
4. Does the OnStar still work with this radio?
I think that's it...I have been searching high and low for a good radio that will meet all of my "demands"...THANK YOU in advance for your time and response!

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Hello,

To answer all of your questions, yes, everything still works. The only thing I cannot confirm is the OnStar since I never use it and I'm unable to check at the moment. I'll check in the morning and let you know for sure.

Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

I just had a Pioneer Avic-Nex 5200 installed in my '09 Tahoe. It beats the stock setup by miles. I was able to retain my factory steering wheel controls, back up camera and rear seat DVD. I can now BT music from Pandora straight from my phone and the call quality is better than the stock equipment.

The maps are more accurate and the updates from pioneer are much cheaper (like free) as well.