Upgrading to Premium Factory GPS Nav Radio

[gmartin1215]

I am considering to upgrade my standard radio to the premium factory GPS Nav Radio. Infotaintment has units available that they will preprogram to my VIN, so it will be plug and play, mostly, except for installing the parts I don't have, like the GPS ant and Bose amp.

Would it be worth upgrading to this unit, or are there better options to consider? Any reason not to use this radio

I want to be able to continue to have the CD/DVD drive like my standard radio has. Having the GPS will be nice because I am just using my phone now.

 

[Bigburb3500]

I am considering to upgrade my standard radio to the premium factory GPS Nav Radio. Infotaintment has units available that they will preprogram to my VIN, so it will be plug and play, mostly, except for installing the parts I don't have, like the GPS ant and Bose amp.

Would it be worth upgrading to this unit, or are there better options to consider? Any reason not to use this radio

I want to be able to continue to have the CD/DVD drive like my standard radio has. Having the GPS will be nice because I am just using my phone now.

Can you install CarPlay/Android auto? I’m sorry I don’t know the older tricks super well but does it have a screen that can be used for this integration?

 

[gmartin1215]

Can you install CarPlay/Android auto? I’m sorry I don’t know the older tricks super well but does it have a screen that can be used for this integration?

This is the one I am looking at:

https://infotainment.com/shop/interior-accessories/infotainment-radio-upgrades/gm-premium-factory-gps-navigation-radio-upgrade/

I am kinda leaning toward factory options over after market, unless after market much better than the factory units.

 

[gmartin1215]

I called Infotainment and asked how maps get updated on premium factory unit. The rep said that maps are updated through 2018, and unfortunately, GM stopped supporting it. Any maps newer than 2018 cannot be installed on this unit. That's dealbreaker for me. The rep suggested looking at aftermarket units that have Google Maps or Wayz.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I called Infotainment and asked how maps get updated on premium factory unit. The rep said that maps are updated through 2018, and unfortunately, GM stopped supporting it. Any maps newer than 2018 cannot be installed on this unit. That's dealbreaker for me. The rep suggested looking at aftermarket units that have Google Maps or Wayz.

If you want an upgrade, get yourself a Kenwood or Pioneer head unit and an interface unit (to keep your steering wheel controls) and then you can use Wayz or Android Auto or other apps for navigation.

Give Crutchfield a call and discuss your desires and budget, and they will give you some options, and they are price competitive.

 

[ZKWBQD]

I am considering to upgrade my standard radio to the premium factory GPS Nav Radio. Infotaintment has units available that they will preprogram to my VIN, so it will be plug and play, mostly, except for installing the parts I don't have, like the GPS ant and Bose amp.

Would it be worth upgrading to this unit, or are there better options to consider? Any reason not to use this radio

I want to be able to continue to have the CD/DVD drive like my standard radio has. Having the GPS will be nice because I am just using my phone now.

I have that premium system in my Tahoe. I NEVER use it. I use Apple CarPlay. I normally will use Waze and occasionally Apple Maps. I like Waze because it's aggressive about avoiding traffic problems. All you need is Apple CarPlay.

 

[swathdiver]

I am considering to upgrade my standard radio to the premium factory GPS Nav Radio. Infotaintment has units available that they will preprogram to my VIN, so it will be plug and play, mostly, except for installing the parts I don't have, like the GPS ant and Bose amp.

Would it be worth upgrading to this unit, or are there better options to consider? Any reason not to use this radio

I want to be able to continue to have the CD/DVD drive like my standard radio has. Having the GPS will be nice because I am just using my phone now.

The trouble with the 2012+ navigation radio is the same as the older one, GM will not authorize the map maker to update the maps. We're stuck with 2016 maps when using them. The unit you are looking at does have the capacity to learn new routes but I do not remember any more than that.

The trouble with the aftermarket navigation radios is that they come and go. Nobody makes one and services it for the long haul. They all contract for X amount of units at an overseas factory and when they run out, it's over with.

If I had a regular radio and wanted a navigation radio, I'd still do what you are considering. I like using the navigation unit. If someone made a quality unit and supported it for seven to ten years or more, I'd probably get it.

 

[petethepug]

Nav radio (GMT-900 'UYS')

Navigation radio module programming for 2012-2014 GMT-900 trucks/SUVs. Exclusively available from CCE, this programming will allow you to customize parameters in your vehicle’s navigation radio. The only model nav radio that is currently supported is the "UYS" nav radio (check your glovebox...

www.customcalibrationengineering.com

If you do go with 12-14 OEM the software has been broken and you can have a blast.

I added an A2DP BT device on our 12-14 SuperNav in our 09 Esky. It allows Google or Waze to run simultaneously with the existing Navi audio or in its place to guide you. You can also stream music or audio while Waze or Google maps runs in the background with existing maps to cover any gaps needed for updates.

 

[gmartin1215]

Nav radio (GMT-900 'UYS')

Navigation radio module programming for 2012-2014 GMT-900 trucks/SUVs. Exclusively available from CCE, this programming will allow you to customize parameters in your vehicle’s navigation radio. The only model nav radio that is currently supported is the "UYS" nav radio (check your glovebox...

www.customcalibrationengineering.com

If you do go with 12-14 OEM the software has been broken and you can have a blast.

I added an A2DP BT device on our 12-14 SuperNav in our 09 Esky. It allows Google or Waze to run simultaneously with the existing Navi audio or in its place to guide you. You can also stream music or audio while Waze or Google maps runs in the background with existing maps to cover any gaps needed for updates.

I have an 09, so I don't know if a 12-14 unit would work. I am guessing no.

 

[gmartin1215]

Thanks for all the information.
At this point, I am leaning more to keeping the standard radio, and using external GPS nav like have been doing for the last 12 years I have had this truck.
I am keeping the truck - way cheaper than getting a newer used one - and doing this upgrade would be a nice to have since it has a built in nav, but seems like it may turn out to be more headaches than its worth. The unit at Infotainment is no longer on sale, and way too much money for nav system that can't be updated past 2018, so that is a deal breaker for me. I make look at some of these aftermarket units, but swathdiver makes a good point, too, about they more than likely have a limited life span on updates. But for now, I am going to keep it simple and keep doing things the way I have been doing it. It's not a pain point. I still use the CD player on mine.


I need to save the money to spend on re-gearing over nice to haves, but saw this was on sale for Black Friday and thought it might be an opportunity to get one.

 

[Doubeleive]

that factory nav unit was the 1st thing I yanked out of mine, it was outdated before it hit the production line, get yourself a double din kenwood or pioneer, doesn't even have to be a new one mine is from 2018 and can do everything even a brand new can (or more) except alexa is not built in, for that I would need a 2019 unit and I can still purchase updated maps if so desired.
kenwood has garmin nav built it
pioneer uses here maps
I have the pioneer with wireless android auto, wireless carplay, dvd, nav, dual zone/rse, streaming, hdmi, usb, bt, it plays movies off of thumb drives or sd cards, you name it, vehicle integration, obd ii integration, it also works with maestro rr which offers a ton of other integration options if so desired. like 360 camera, radar, all kinds of crap.
the only thing I have been wanting add is the heated seat function to the head unit which I will probably do after Christmas

 

[swathdiver]

I have an 09, so I don't know if a 12-14 unit would work. I am guessing no.

That was a common upgrade on the 2007-2011 trucks and can be done relatively easily. Then you can do the update Michael suggested.

 

[gmartin1215]

That was a common upgrade on the 2007-2011 trucks and can be done relatively easily. Then you can do the update Michael suggested.

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[gmartin1215]

that factory nav unit was the 1st thing I yanked out of mine, it was outdated before it hit the production line, get yourself a double din kenwood or pioneer, doesn't even have to be a new one mine is from 2018 and can do everything even a brand new can (or more) except alexa is not built in, for that I would need a 2019 unit and I can still purchase updated maps if so desired.
kenwood has garmin nav built it
pioneer uses here maps
I have the pioneer with wireless android auto, wireless carplay, dvd, nav, dual zone/rse, streaming, hdmi, usb, bt, it plays movies off of thumb drives or sd cards, you name it, vehicle integration, obd ii integration, it also works with maestro rr which offers a ton of other integration options if so desired. like 360 camera, radar, all kinds of crap.
the only thing I have been wanting add is the heated seat function to the head unit which I will probably do after Christmas

What is the model of your Pioneer? How do the maps get updated - through sd card, or something?

 

[gmartin1215]

I have that premium system in my Tahoe. I NEVER use it. I use Apple CarPlay. I normally will use Waze and occasionally Apple Maps. I like Waze because it's aggressive about avoiding traffic problems. All you need is Apple CarPlay.

I don't have an IPhone. Does Android phones work with Apple CarPlay? I can probably look that up, though

 

[swathdiver]

I don't have an IPhone. Does Android phones work with Apple CarPlay? I can probably look that up, though

Android Auto.

 

[gmartin1215]

Android Auto.

Yeah. I learned my android phone won't work with Apple CarPlay. I would have to use something with Android Auto

 

[petethepug]

The 12-14 HDD / hard drive disc units show up on eBay regularly from a few hundred to over a grand. Installation in an 09 is straightforward if you have the Bose (center) speaker in the dash.

When you’re not looking to buy one, that’s when they show up. The (07-11) DVD based and 12-14 (HDD) units look similar. Don’t buy the wrong one.

I pieced the HDD system together in our 09 Esky by slowly plucking the deals off eBay. If the BTdieselwork autosync goes on sale for Xmas, snag one. On top of unlocking a bunch of features on the truck it’ll pair/unlock unlimited pre-loved navigation units to the truck.

Down the road it can be resold or used to unlock all the features GM kept locked on the HDD navi.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Yeah. I learned my android phone won't work with Apple CarPlay. I would have to use something with Android Auto

Buy an Android phone, and you already have Android Auto capability. As @Doubeleive suggests, but a reasonably priced Kenwood or Pioneer unit, and you will have navigation through Android Auto, and there are no maps that you will have to update.

Full transparency ===>>> If you live way out there where cell phone tower reception is highly questionable, then a cell phone based navigation app will be dependent upon the local cell phone tower reception availability.

 

[Doubeleive]

Yeah. I learned my android phone won't work with Apple CarPlay. I would have to use something with Android Auto

avic-w8400nex, it's now a older model, they do pop up on ebay from time to time usually around $400-600
maps are updated with a pioneer utility via a sd card, you insert the sd card in the headunit, have it transfer some data to the card, then you take the card and put it in your pc and run the utility, buy the update and it downloads onto the sd card, then you go take the sd card back to the headunit and install the new maps.
you would have to have a pretty old phone for it not to work with android auto since it has been around for over 10 years, there basically is only 2 phone software out there and that is apple and android (the pioneer does both wireless), very few others run anything different, samsung is android, motorola is android, and a crap load of others.