Head unit recommendation

[fatmonk8]

Hey all,

I'm looking for a head unit recommendation.

Hopefully something that can retain most the stock features.

Tried one of the Chinese android vertical ones and didn't like it.

Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[tooleyondeck]

You can retain most of your OEM features (steering wheel controls, Onstar, etc) with just about any HU with this harness: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541RP5GM61/PAC-RadioPRO-RP5-GM61-Wiring-Interface.html

And for any double-din HU, you'll need this Metra kit: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120993015G/Metra-99-3015G-Dash-Kit-Gloss-Black.html

 

[fatmonk8]

You can retain most of your OEM features (steering wheel controls, Onstar, etc) with just about any HU with this harness: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541RP5GM61/PAC-RadioPRO-RP5-GM61-Wiring-Interface.html

And for any double-din HU, you'll need this Metra kit: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120993015G/Metra-99-3015G-Dash-Kit-Gloss-Black.html

When I was on crutchfield looking at the kit, seemed like I was loosing a couple things. Mainly the rear entertainment.

Obviously the satellite radio and navigation won't matter anymore. But my kid does use the rear entertainment and the DVD player.

 

[tooleyondeck]

Yeh if you have the factory RSE any HU will likely cause you to loose the blue ray feature. You should still have an HMDI input on the center console depending on your year/trim though. Maybe there is a work around for that if you're willing to just use streaming/phone mirroring for the screens?

 

[fatmonk8]

Yeh if you have the factory RSE any HU will likely cause you to loose the blue ray feature. You should still have an HMDI input on the center console depending on your year/trim though. Maybe there is a work around for that if you're willing to just use streaming/phone mirroring for the screens?

I have RCA, too old for HDMI.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I have RCA, too old for HDMI.

Can't you buy adapters to change from rca to hdmi?

 

[fatmonk8]

Can't you buy adapters to change from rca to hdmi?

I do, I have a Roku plugged into a adapter.

Either way, I wasn't sure if I'd lose that if I swap head units.

 

[tooleyondeck]

I do, I have a Roku plugged into a adapter.

Either way, I wasn't sure if I'd lose that if I swap head units.

Might not sound to appealing at first, but this would work: 12v to AC adapter + mini bluray player tucked neatly into the center console bottom = RSE workaround. Sound can be routed to the back of aftermarket HU with a RCA splitter or AUX adapter...

You have to get creative when going aftermarket.

 

[fatmonk8]

Might not sound to appealing at first, but this would work: 12v to AC adapter + mini bluray player tucked neatly into the center console bottom = RSE workaround. Sound can be routed to the back of aftermarket HU with a RCA splitter or AUX adapter...

You have to get creative when going aftermarket

Wouldn't the OEM blueray player still work, I just wouldn't have access to it from the front screen. I assume everything would still work on the screen in the rear.

 

[fatmonk8]

Talking to crutchfield and they say the old DVD player is removed, so it is rendered useless.

I wonder if it's possible to replace the rear screen to a aftermarket one to work with the new radio.

 

[Doubeleive]

When I was on crutchfield looking at the kit, seemed like I was loosing a couple things. Mainly the rear entertainment.

Obviously the satellite radio and navigation won't matter anymore. But my kid does use the rear entertainment and the DVD player.

View attachment 453570

I don't know of any adapters that retain rse on the k2's, your best bet is to upgrade the radio to the latest ios and if you want wireless android auto/carplay you can use usb adapters that work very well for that. you can also have the hmi programmed to allow for video in motion if so desired.
there are also usb "magic boxes" that allow various video content on the screen like youtube, etc.

 

[fatmonk8]

I don't know of any adapters that retain rse on the k2's, your best bet is to upgrade the radio to the latest ios and if you want wireless android auto/carplay you can use usb adapters that work very well for that. you can also have the hmi programmed to allow for video in motion if so desired.
there are also usb "magic boxes" that allow various video content on the screen like youtube, etc.

Yeah, I actually did this.

It's more because my screen is dying and I'm looking at options before I just replace it.

Plus that method renders the steering wheel controls useless for AA/CP without upgrading the cluster or programming it.

And for that extra money, I could just replace the radio to a better one imo.

 

[Doubeleive]

Yeah, I actually did this.

It's more because my screen is dying and I'm looking at options before I just replace it.

Plus that method renders the steering wheel controls useless for AA/CP without upgrading the cluster or programming it.

And for that extra money, I could just replace the radio to a better one imo.

my steering wheel controls work with android auto and a motorola ma1 just fine
and I have the hmi fully unlocked and added factory nav
I just don't have rse (pickup)
might be different if it is a 2015 though

 

[fatmonk8]

my steering wheel controls work with android auto and a motorola ma1 just fine
and I have the hmi fully unlocked and added factory nav
I just don't have rse (pickup)
might be different if it is a 2015 though

Interesting, what year do you have. When I got the replacement modules and got them programmed, I was told swc would not work and I need the new cluster or to program mine.

 

[Doubeleive]

if you want to just upgrade the hmi for android/carplay you can buy a used hmi and use a obd genie to unlock it to your vin, that would run you about $200-250
mine is a 2018 and the wifes is a 2016, we added the ma1 to hers also and it works just fine.
what year is yours?

 

[fatmonk8]

if you want to just upgrade the hmi for android/carplay you can buy a used hmi and use a obd genie to unlock it to your vin, that would run you about $200-250
mine is a 2018 and the wifes is a 2016, we added the ma1 to hers also and it works just fine.
what year is yours?

I have a 2015, that's what I did. I got used ones and got them programmed/unlocked.

So I have AA, just not controls

I have a 2015

 

[tooleyondeck]

That PAC kit will retain SWC. I was unaware that your front RSE screen had the blu-ray player in it (I thought it was in the head unit). You can easily replace the factory RSE for a larger screen, that's what I did (albeit mine is a GMT800 so it was simple). I have 2 7" dvd headrests and 17" fold down all linked and audio out goes to my carplay HU.

 

[Doubeleive]

when I added factory nav and unlocked the hmi I think the only thing it does not do is add the "nav" display option on the cluster, even though it is pretty much fully synced to my vehicle.
when I select nav in the cluster it just tells me it is for "factory nav" but factory nav does work on the radio. I never use it and it is just there for redundancy I would have to go try and set a destination and see if it shows up in the cluster which I think it doesn't

 

[Doubeleive]

I have a 2015, that's what I did. I got used ones and got them programmed/unlocked.

So I have AA, just not controls

I have a 2015

ya that's the difference then is the year, you would need to upgrade the cluster i'm sure

 

[fatmonk8]

That PAC kit will retain SWC. I was unaware that your front RSE screen had the blu-ray player in it (I thought it was in the head unit). You can easily replace the factory RSE for a larger screen, that's what I did (albeit mine is a GMT800 so it was simple). I have 2 7" dvd headrests and 17" fold down all linked and audio out goes to my carplay HU.

Thinking this might be the way I go. Just replace the rear entertainment to work with the new head unit.

That rear roof screen is pretty dated anyways.