Bluefusion vs VCIM Swap.. Thoughts?

[Dbowl]

Hello everyone,

First post but I've been around reading for months now.

I drive an 07 LTZ tahoe w/ NAV.

I would like to add some Bluetooth to the truck.

I'm confused as to the pros/cons of bluefusion and VCIM. So a little help would be greatly appreciated.

I know bluefusion will cost less and require me to run a mic wire. What about functionality? Will it show on my screen? will it allow me to do some voice calling? How is quality?

as far as VCIM swap - little more money than the bluefusion $100 vs $250. Do I get nav integration w/ the swap?

Steering wheel controls with either?

I guess I've confused myself I've read so much. Any help is appreciated!

As a note I'm picking up a GMX550 if that makes any difference in which I should get.

 

[08sierradenali]

From what I have heard, the VCIM swap will not allow music to be played from your phone to your stereo. With the Bluefusion, I hear that the GMX550 is not compatible with it. I have heard mostly bad reviews with both working together. I did hear one person on this site had bluefusion/gmx550 combination working really good. Unsure who it was. Maybe chevyfreak?

 

[Fitz08]

I'm about to do the vcim swap myself. With the vcim swap it will work with your steering wheel audio controls, when you get a call it will mute the stereo and I believe turn down or maybe shutoff the blower so you can hear. And from the reviews, works awesome as far as clarity. I've heard mixed reviews about retaining the onstar, but have heard alot more success latley not sure if its due to the newer vcim's or better onstar reps that actually care and know what there doing. I'm actually in the middle of trying to order a brand new vcim part# 20829984, we'll see if it acually goes through or gets cancelled due to the gm god's.

---------- Post added at 07:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 PM ----------

I'm also going to install either a lockpick or Pac dvd-nav unlock. So I want no problems with those.

 

[felixgun]

Hello everyone,

First post but I've been around reading for months now.

I drive an 07 LTZ tahoe w/ NAV.

I would like to add some Bluetooth to the truck.

I'm confused as to the pros/cons of bluefusion and VCIM. So a little help would be greatly appreciated.

I know bluefusion will cost less and require me to run a mic wire. What about functionality? Will it show on my screen? will it allow me to do some voice calling? How is quality?

as far as VCIM swap - little more money than the bluefusion $100 vs $250. Do I get nav integration w/ the swap?

Steering wheel controls with either?

I guess I've confused myself I've read so much. Any help is appreciated!

As a note I'm picking up a GMX550 if that makes any difference in which I should get.

I haven't done the VCIM myself but i'm pretty sure you can use the steering wheel controls with it as it's factory. The VCIM shows up through the DIC though-- NOT your nav screen whereas the bluefusion will show up through your factory nav. I tried to install the BlueFusion with my GMX550 lockpick and got a lot of static and my friend who helped me with the install said piggybacking both of them together was causing the issue so I ended up selling the BlueFusion unit on eBay... Before I bought the bluefusion module I read a post somewhere online where someone did get it to work with the lockpick but I myself couldn't get it to work...

 

[GlenB]

VCIM Swap

I have upgraded several VCIM upgrades. One was an upgrade from 7.0 to 8.1 that enabled NAV traffic. There are some tricks that you have to know before you can get your onstar working for calls and NAV traffic. If you are interested in knowing how reply to this message and I will provide all the steps you need to have a working new onstar with crash response, Handfree calling, and NAV Traffic.
Thanks,
Glen

 

[zach2011]

Can you elaborate on that Glen?

 

[GlenB]

I didn't want to go through every step if nobody is interested. I upgraded (replaced) a 2007 VCIM basic, and replaced it with a new 2010 W/BT. It installed with no problems under the dual lighters between the center console and dash. After I installed I had to set the device up using techlink the GM program the techs use to flash your BCM. When I was complete, the truck has all the streering wheel keys working as well as turning to mute button to a mute/bluetooth setup button. I called onstar, setup an account with NAV traffic, Google Maps Downloadable, and 300 base minutes for a new account. They have been using for three years now no issues even the onstar website monitors your vehicle.

 

[Fitz08]

I didn't want to go through every step if nobody is interested. I upgraded (replaced) a 2007 VCIM basic, and replaced it with a new 2010 W/BT. It installed with no problems under the dual lighters between the center console and dash. After I installed I had to set the device up using techlink the GM program the techs use to flash your BCM. When I was complete, the truck has all the streering wheel keys working as well as turning to mute button to a mute/bluetooth setup button. I called onstar, setup an account with NAV traffic, Google Maps Downloadable, and 300 base minutes for a new account. They have been using for three years now no issues even the onstar website monitors your vehicle.

Does onstar see your vehicle or the donor vehicle when you call in? Was just wondering as I just installed part# 20829984 from a 2010 tahoe, Bluetooth works great and noticed I had both green lights so called them and they said thank you for purchasing the used 2010 Tahoe would you like to set up your new account and get 3 months free? I said sure, they now have all my info, they just think its a 2010 Tahoe.

 

[Jimkjr]

I have upgraded several VCIM upgrades. One was an upgrade from 7.0 to 8.1 that enabled NAV traffic. There are some tricks that you have to know before you can get your onstar working for calls and NAV traffic. If you are interested in knowing how reply to this message and I will provide all the steps you need to have a working new onstar with crash response, Handfree calling, and NAV Traffic.
Thanks,
Glen

Glen, I have a 2008 Sierra 1500. With generation 7 onstar and factory navigation. I also have a 2009 Yukon Denali XL with generation 8 onstar and a factory navigation. The 2009 allows Destenation Download directly to my Navigation/Radio unit. My 2008 only allows turn by turn downloads to my Drivier Information Center. Can I buy the same conponents that are in my 2009 and install them in my 2008 in order to recieve Destenation Download to the Navigation/Radio in my 2008 Sierra? Any direction you can provide would be greatly appreciated . Thanks jim

 

[RichRoz]

Glen B
I'm interested in more detail as I want to do this mod to my '07 Z71.
Can u email?
- Rich

 

[R_Sharpe]

How hard is the swap? If I were to pick up a new VCIM from say GMPartsDirect, could i simply switch the units and then have B/T? Is flashing necessary? I'm not currently an onStar subscriber, but I'm planning to add the service in the near future, but I plan on subscribing to the basic "safe & sound" plan. And if I add the new VCIM, will that allow me to monitor my Tahoe via the onStar RemoteLink app for my iPhone? Sorry if these questions have already been answered.

 

[Hammer450R]

VCIM swap is a piece of cake, takes about 15 minutes.
Works flawlessly, turns down radio and blower motor when making or receiving calls.
All steering wheel controls work as they are supposed to.
Mine is an 07 LT without Nav. And i didnt care for the Onstar

 

[bjeremi]

Which part number did you order Hammer?

 

[R_Sharpe]

Now that I know it isn't a hassle to switch them out, is it at all difficult to become an onStar subscriber with the new VCIM? If I were to buy a new VCIM from GMPD and install it, would it be as simple as just pressing the onStar button after installation? Or would I need to have the unit flashed by a dealer?

 

[david999]

I installed a 2011 VCIM 22794713 into a 2007 Escalade. Easy 15 min install. Bluetooth works perfect, but red light on onstar. What procedure does dealer need to do to flash vcim. They tried a onStar reconfiguration with TIS and Onstar activation programming using SPS, but when they entered year and model, it would not recognize VCIM. Should they just flash it using Tech2 and no TIS. They are willing, but don't do this ever....

Also, the 2011 VCIM had bluetooth input, but was missing the input for GPS (blue cable)that my old unit had; I left it unattached. Is this the cause of red light. NAV seems to pinpoint my vehicle ok....

 

[MJRatliff]

David999 - yes, the GPS wire is the reason your red light is on. I tried the exact same thing in my 08 Tahoe hybrid and found this out. From 07-10 GM used two wires coming off of the GPS antenna - one to the vcim and one to your nav. In 2011 they switched this to one wire that only goes into your nav. If you talk to OnStar they will not be able to spot your location with the 2011 vcim due to it not having any connection to the GPS antenna. I ended up selling the 2011 vcim and purchasing a 2010 vcim. That way OnStar can find me if I have a wreck and I can also use their directions....it also made my red light turn green.

Hope this helps...good luck!

 

[TinyTot2]

David999 - yes, the GPS wire is the reason your red light is on. I tried the exact same thing in my 08 Tahoe hybrid and found this out. From 07-10 GM used two wires coming off of the GPS antenna - one to the vcim and one to your nav. In 2011 they switched this to one wire that only goes into your nav. If you talk to OnStar they will not be able to spot your location with the 2011 vcim due to it not having any connection to the GPS antenna. I ended up selling the 2011 vcim and purchasing a 2010 vcim. That way OnStar can find me if I have a wreck and I can also use their directions....it also made my red light turn green.

Hope this helps...good luck!

What part number did you end up buying? I almost pulled the trigger on the one David999 installed, but clearly an earlier model will work better. I keep looking for a 20829984 because I think that one will work.

 

[david999]

Combine GPS and CELL into one

Don't pull the trigger yet. I have it in a 2007 escalade and the blue tooth is perfect. Onstar light is red, presumably because GPS cable not connected. On my new VCIM (port at lower right is bluetooth) and the single coaxial input is multi-color coded (blue-gps and violet-cell) so I think that it accepts a combined signal. For the 2011 model year, changes were made to combine the GPS and cell coax connectors into one (see link below). GM sells a converter test kit which allows service department to test reception using a test antennae with old dual outputs. I need one of those units and I'm all set.

http://www.archivedsites.com/techlink/2010/10/2011-model-year-onstar-no-connection-issues.html

I am intrigued by comment above, are you sure that 2011 NAV units have separate GPS - I thought it came from VCIM....