Aftermarket Head units question

[rick1024]

Hey guys,
just picked up a 2015 LTZ. The oem navigation head unit is ok but I want to install a pioneer unit, most likely one of the NEX series units. I am looking to use the iDatalink harnesses and control box (maestro) but when I look at the options there doesnt seem to be a way to retain BOTH the factory amp and the vehicle settings. Its either or. Has anyone installed an aftermarket unit using the metra harnesses and retained both the factory settings menu and still use the factory amp?

 

[rick1024]

No one? No one has installed an aftermarket unit??

 

[Fless]

@Doubeleive @adriver ?

 

[k_arnold72]

Most people these days go with the plug and play tesla style headunits. Not as big a market for Alpine and Pioneers since they don't always retain all the factory functions. That might be why nobody can answer the specific question asked?

 

[Doubeleive]

Hey guys,
just picked up a 2015 LTZ. The oem navigation head unit is ok but I want to install a pioneer unit, most likely one of the NEX series units. I am looking to use the iDatalink harnesses and control box (maestro) but when I look at the options there doesnt seem to be a way to retain BOTH the factory amp and the vehicle settings. Its either or. Has anyone installed an aftermarket unit using the metra harnesses and retained both the factory settings menu and still use the factory amp?

The maestro rr retains most vehicle settings, regardless of what you may have been led to believe. You won't get everything but you will get the basic stuff. You can go on the idatalink website and put in the options for your vehicle and headunit you want and it will show you what is retaines

 

[jets]

Why go through all that hassle? Upgrade the stock unit to a Carplay unit for $900 with no nav and be done with it? You can use apple or google maps and the audio quality from the phone is very good. You can also add an AI box that piggy backs onto the Carplay and make the connection wireless Carplay with ability to run apps like google maps, netflix, whatever. I upgraded my wifes 2015 Escalade years ago and worked great.

In my 2016 setup I already had carplay but used the NAVTV M650-GM to get a pure digital 2.0 signal to my JL amp which has a digital input. Best system I have ever had in any of my 10+ vehicles. Cost a mint but the SQ is unparalleled.

 

[blackelky]

Hey guys,
just picked up a 2015 LTZ. The oem navigation head unit is ok but I want to install a pioneer unit, most likely one of the NEX series units. I am looking to use the iDatalink harnesses and control box (maestro) but when I look at the options there doesnt seem to be a way to retain BOTH the factory amp and the vehicle settings. Its either or. Has anyone installed an aftermarket unit using the metra harnesses and retained both the factory settings menu and still use the factory amp?

Maestro actually does more than stock. You can monitor engine, trans, data etc. I'd get a sony, alpine over pioneer personally

 

[rick1024]

Why go through all that hassle? Upgrade the stock unit to a Carplay unit for $900 with no nav and be done with it? You can use apple or google maps and the audio quality from the phone is very good. You can also add an AI box that piggy backs onto the Carplay and make the connection wireless Carplay with ability to run apps like google maps, netflix, whatever. I upgraded my wifes 2015 Escalade years ago and worked great.

In my 2016 setup I already had carplay but used the NAVTV M650-GM to get a pure digital 2.0 signal to my JL amp which has a digital input. Best system I have ever had in any of my 10+ vehicles. Cost a mint but the SQ is unparalleled.

I like the idea because it seems to be less troublesome and cheaper than tossing a pioneer in it, but my question is using that navtv unit, is it really a flat response curve? i had a vw golf gti with the fender unit in it and added sundown subs and sundown amp to it, using the audiocontrol lc2i, and while the car had tons of fun bass, i could also tell it wasnt hitting certain frequencies. i have been an avid basshead since i was a kid, and love stuff like bass mekanik, so i know what the songs are supposed to sound like, and with that audiocontrol line out converter there were certain frequencies that simply were not present with that system. I actuall would love to go with the navtv, but do you think i will have that same issue?

 

[jets]

I like the idea because it seems to be less troublesome and cheaper than tossing a pioneer in it, but my question is using that navtv unit, is it really a flat response curve? i had a vw golf gti with the fender unit in it and added sundown subs and sundown amp to it, using the audiocontrol lc2i, and while the car had tons of fun bass, i could also tell it wasnt hitting certain frequencies. i have been an avid basshead since i was a kid, and love stuff like bass mekanik, so i know what the songs are supposed to sound like, and with that audiocontrol line out converter there were certain frequencies that simply were not present with that system. I actuall would love to go with the navtv, but do you think i will have that same issue?

Yes it is flat. My setup uses a M650 feeding a toslink 2.0 signal directly to a JL Audio VX800/8i for all mids, highs, center channel. I piggy backed an amp onto the VXi to power the stealthbox with a 10" sub off the VXi and the truck pounds. I'm using 7 channels on the main amp with the second amp handing the 8th which is the sub. The DRC knob is installed in the compartment in front of the cupholder and controls mid/hi volume, bass level and presets. Bluetooth connection for an iPad to adjust frequencies, presets, eq curves the whole deal. Freaking amazing. The ONLY thing I lost was front/rear fader since the 2.0 signal is left and right. If I really wanted I could setup a workaround through the VXi for fading but it doesn't matter to me. No line out converter in the world can ever compete with a pure untouched digital signal directly from the vehicle.

A neat thing is the DRC knob now controls the turn signal and other chimes so if I want silence I got it

I don't think you'll have the problem you had before.

 

[jets]

Dammit. I went down the rabbit hole with this head unit business.

14.4" Screen. Newest version is a lot faster than the old one many negatively reviewed. However, I do know most people can barley manage to use a phone let alone install something like this.

It appears to have RCA line outs and this unit directly interfaces with the factory stereo so I suppose this would be the next best as far as a clean output signal...

 

[rick1024]

Dammit. I went down the rabbit hole with this head unit business.

14.4" Screen. Newest version is a lot faster than the old one many negatively reviewed. However, I do know most people can barley manage to use a phone let alone install something like this.

It appears to have RCA line outs and this unit directly interfaces with the factory stereo so I suppose this would be the next best as far as a clean output signai

i kind of like the idea of this, but i wonder about reliability and the sound. i read on another forum somewhere for bassheads that these tablet stereos dont sound very good

 

[blackelky]

i kind of like the idea of this, but i wonder about reliability and the sound. i read on another forum somewhere for bassheads that these tablet stereos dont sound very good

Yeah the chinese android auto units aren't great at all. I know they make a jl clean sweep for stock radios. I dont know if they make it for your particular model though.

 

[rick1024]

Yes it is flat. My setup uses a M650 feeding a toslink 2.0 signal directly to a JL Audio VX800/8i for all mids, highs, center channel. I piggy backed an amp onto the VXi to power the stealthbox with a 10" sub off the VXi and the truck pounds. I'm using 7 channels on the main amp with the second amp handing the 8th which is the sub. The DRC knob is installed in the compartment in front of the cupholder and controls mid/hi volume, bass level and presets. Bluetooth connection for an iPad to adjust frequencies, presets, eq curves the whole deal. Freaking amazing. The ONLY thing I lost was front/rear fader since the 2.0 signal is left and right. If I really wanted I could setup a workaround through the VXi for fading but it doesn't matter to me. No line out converter in the world can ever compete with a pure untouched digital signal directly from the vehicle.

A neat thing is the DRC knob now controls the turn signal and other chimes so if I want silence I got it

I don't think you'll have the problem you had before.

Im not seeing it as an option for the navtv though, got a link?

 

[jets]

i kind of like the idea of this, but i wonder about reliability and the sound. i read on another forum somewhere for bassheads that these tablet stereos dont sound very good

Actually the place that sells these units is not too far from where I live. I dropped in today as I was in that area and asked about how it connects to the truck and etc. I’m not sure how the audio from this system actually gets into the stock system; it’s basically a second layer piggy backing onto the stock interface. Hopefully not analog. On vehicles that have the 3.5mm aux jack a dongle needs to be used to get the truck to ’activate’ the audio but on my 2016 there is no aux jack; rather usb aux only behind the screen in the hidden cubby. He said the signal is not analog so I guess we’ll see.

He offered to test fit the unit into my truck to see how it works with my setup with no pressure to buy it. I will certainly be there to check connections and how the magic happens. He seemed pretty confident but tech expertise was less than I expected. This isn’t new to me, I always seem to know and understand more of what is going on than people selling me things all the time. Clearly he’s used to clientele that just wants to hear sound and they don’t care how it works so not much reason to dig deep. He was surprised I knew I had an IO6 off the top of my head as he’s not used to people that know these details. He’s getting a unit in next week for Yujons and if I have time I’ll drop in and see how it goes.

Of note he said the unit has a built in microphone and an optional mic that can be mounted elsewhere. SIM card slot for LTE mounted in glovebox so that’s awesome.

 

[jets]

Im not seeing it as an option for the navtv though, got a link?

NAV-TV - Interfacing the Future

<p>NAV-TV’s M650-GM processor seamlessly converts GM’s MOST-50 audio bus to low level (6 channel) RCA, S/PDIF or TosLink outputs. This processor is compatible with IO3, IO4, IO5 and IO6 radio systems.</p> <p><strong>Note:</strong> Vehicle must have the Bose amplfier.</p>. Car radio versions...

navtv.com

 

[CMoore711]

Actually the place that sells these units is not too far from where I live. I dropped in today as I was in that area and asked about how it connects to the truck and etc. I’m not sure how the audio from this system actually gets into the stock system; it’s basically a second layer piggy backing onto the stock interface. Hopefully not analog. On vehicles that have the 3.5mm aux jack a dongle needs to be used to get the truck to ’activate’ the audio but on my 2016 there is no aux jack; rather usb aux only behind the screen in the hidden cubby. He said the signal is not analog so I guess we’ll see.

He offered to test fit the unit into my truck to see how it works with my setup with no pressure to buy it.

That’s a very awesome offer and great customer service. At least showing a high level of willing to work with you. I’m not sure you could ask for much more than that; Them offering to do the install and test it’s use and function with no commitment to purchase. Worst case scenario is you’re out your time and a little down time of your vehicle? I’d jump all over that.

Definitely take some pictures and let us know the details of how much of the factory functions and settings are retained and what if any improvements over stock.

 

[jets]

That’s a very awesome offer and great customer service. At least showing a high level of willing to work with you. I’m not sure you could ask for much more than that; Them offering to do the install and test it’s use and function with no commitment to purchase. Worst case scenario is you’re out your time and a little down time of your vehicle? I’d jump all over that.

Definitely take some pictures and let us know the details of how much of the factory functions and settings are retained and what if any improvements over stock.

I definitely will. He actually just called me to say the unit is in. If I have time I'll drop in tomorrow

 

[rick1024]

NAV-TV - Interfacing the Future

<p>NAV-TV’s M650-GM processor seamlessly converts GM’s MOST-50 audio bus to low level (6 channel) RCA, S/PDIF or TosLink outputs. This processor is compatible with IO3, IO4, IO5 and IO6 radio systems.</p> <p><strong>Note:</strong> Vehicle must have the Bose amplfier.</p>. Car radio versions...

navtv.com

No, i mean the knob

 

[jets]

No, i mean the knob

JL Audio | Engineered for World Class Sound

For nearly half a century, JL Audio has produced outstanding audio products engineered to deliver world-class sound for the most demanding customers.

www.jlaudio.com

 

[rick1024]

JL Audio | Engineered for World Class Sound

For nearly half a century, JL Audio has produced outstanding audio products engineered to deliver world-class sound for the most demanding customers.

www.jlaudio.com

thanks