Time to upgrade the stock stereo

[5280_Blazer]

I've been looking around, and of course the options are nearly limitless.. I am looking at double din for sure, obviously ipod/usb/aux hook ups, LCD touch screen, something with 3 4v preamp outputs, and I would like a detachable faceplate if at all possible . I have found tons of different results online, and I want to install myself to save what seems like would be a couple hundred bucks after pricing my price, to a an estimate given to me by CarToys (They wanted to charge me $120 for just the wiring harness alone). This forum has given me tons of advice and ideas before, but I haven't yet found much info and/or testimonials of after-market stereo upgrades/installations. I have never bought anything from SonicElectronix or Crutchfield, but both have been recommended to me. Any feedback from these two sties? What aftermarket stereo do you have? Has anyone run into difficulties installing the wiring harnesses or spacers? Thanks for any input or advice!

I don't have the Bose system, and do not use the OnStar

These are a few I am considering

JVC KW-AV61 6.1" Touchscreen DVD/MP3/USB iPod/iPhone Car Receiver

JVC KWAV61BT 6.1" Touchscreen DVD/MP3/USB Bluetooth Car Receiver

 

[Grimor]

If you're gonna drop $300 anyway, and don't mind a little startup wait.. You might want to checkout an Android Based Head Unit

 

[Ed H]

There are actually 2 parts to the wiring harness if you want to keep your chimes and steering wheel controls. You can find them much cheaper on Ebay.

Metra GMOS-01 GM Factory Integration Adapter Retains OnStar® and factory door chime with aftermarket radio in select GM vehicles at Crutchfield.com

Axxess ASWC-1 Steering wheel control interface — connects your car's steering wheel audio controls to an aftermarket stereo at Crutchfield.com

I went with this unit. Very nice. The 7" screen, HD radio, bluetooth, and back-up camera sold me. I use them all, everyday.

New Pioneer AVH P4400BH DVD CD MP3 WMA Player 7" Display Bluetooth HD Radio 884938146906 | eBay

Have fun! The install is not that difficult at all. The worst part is removing the dash trim (one piece from drivers door to the radio).

 

[ghenny440]

I suggest the kenwood ddx790 we sell it at my shop for 450$ the ddx 470 is around 350$ both have BT ipod controls i personally have the 790 and loveit

 

[5280_Blazer]

If you're gonna drop $300 anyway, and don't mind a little startup wait.. You might want to checkout an Android Based Head Unit

I haven't even looked into those, and I have an Android, and not an iPhone. Most of the Head Units I've been looking at seem to be more guided towards iPhone owners. The Android based head units look pretty sweet tho, if we are on the same page..

something like this?

[video=youtube;XGQlX-TGIwM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGQlX-TGIwM[/video]

 

[5280_Blazer]

There are actually 2 parts to the wiring harness if you want to keep your chimes and steering wheel controls. You can find them much cheaper on Ebay.

Metra GMOS-01 GM Factory Integration Adapter Retains OnStar® and factory door chime with aftermarket radio in select GM vehicles at Crutchfield.com

Axxess ASWC-1 Steering wheel control interface — connects your car's steering wheel audio controls to an aftermarket stereo at Crutchfield.com

I went with this unit. Very nice. The 7" screen, HD radio, bluetooth, and back-up camera sold me. I use them all, everyday.

New Pioneer AVH P4400BH DVD CD MP3 WMA Player 7" Display Bluetooth HD Radio 884938146906 | eBay

Have fun! The install is not that difficult at all. The worst part is removing the dash trim (one piece from drivers door to the radio).

Thank you for the advice on the wiring harness. I really like your Pioneer. I don't have steering wheel controls, I'm guessing that that matters?

 

[dmanns67]

I suggest the kenwood ddx790 we sell it at my shop for 450$ the ddx 470 is around 350$ both have BT ipod controls i personally have the 790 and loveit

Does the ddx790 work well with Sirus XM radio or do you need to purchase an adapter/wire harness to use Sirus XM with this head unit?

 

[ghenny440]

You will need to buy the sirrius add on basically its an antennae that just plugs into the back of the radio we sell it for like only like 70$ and it works awesome!

 

[5280_Blazer]

I suggest the kenwood ddx790 we sell it at my shop for 450$ the ddx 470 is around 350$ both have BT ipod controls i personally have the 790 and loveit

Thanks for your advice. The ddx470 was actually on my radar. I like the 790 one a lot as well

 

[ghenny440]

Thanks for your advice. The ddx470 was actually on my radar. I like the 790 one a lot as well

2 awesome radios! For our trucks i suggest the 790 because of the dash we get horrendouse sun glare and being able to angle it out i dont have that problem at all anymore

 

[5280_Blazer]

Axxess GMRC-01 (gmrc01) Non-Amplified, Non-OnStar Interface

This is the wiring harness that SoundElectronix keeps wanting to bundle with any Head-Unit that I look at.
It clearly says in the specs that it isn't made for TrailBlazer, or any GM for that matter after 2006. What gives?
I like the idea of saving money on the harness and antennae if I also buy the Head-Unit but now I think I'm just confusing myself

 

[5280_Blazer]

2 awesome radios! For our trucks i suggest the 790 because of the dash we get horrendouse sun glare and being able to angle it out i dont have that problem at all anymore

I didn't even notice that you can angle the screen. That's a great idea. My windows are pretty tinted so I rarely have that issue, but with the windows down, that is quite convenient.

 

[ghenny440]

Axxess GMRC-01 (gmrc01) Non-Amplified, Non-OnStar Interface

This is the wiring harness that SoundElectronix keeps wanting to bundle with any Head-Unit that I look at.
It clearly says in the specs that it isn't made for TrailBlazer, or any GM for that matter after 2006. What gives?
I like the idea of saving money on the harness and antennae if I also buy the Head-Unit but now I think I'm just confusing myself

Not true i use them call metra tech support they will tell you, and if you dont have the onstar or anything use the LC-GMRC 01 its like 20$ cheaper

 

[ghenny440]

I think we sell the lc-gmrc01 for like 58$

 

[5280_Blazer]

Not true i use them call metra tech support they will tell you, and if you dont have the onstar or anything use the LC-GMRC 01 its like 20$ cheaper

Awesome. That's what I figured, but I always like to do thorough research before making a purchase like this. I'm also dealing with customer support, but this audience is just so much more responsive!!

 

[dmanns67]

I like the idea of an android based head unit. Check out the video for those of who use the Torque app and want to see the real time gauges.

[video=youtube;xwXyrxHbuNs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwXyrxHbuNs[/video]

 

[Grimor]

I like the idea of an android based head unit. Check out the video for those of who use the Torque app and want to see the real time gauges.

I've been looking at this unit
[EBAY]370689069966[/EBAY]
but will probably go with one of the head units with the detachable tablet but that still has radio controls
In Dash Car CD DVD Player 1Ghz Android 2.3 WIFI 3G GPS Head Unit Detachable Tablet PC-in Vehicle GPS Units & Equipment from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com

a few others
Android Head Unit Price,Android Head Unit Price Trends-Buy Low Price Android Head Unit at Factory Price on Aliexpress.com