Trying To Decide!

gmercury · August 10, 2009

I am trying to decide on which I want to buy! Right now I have a reg single disc. I would like either but I am leaning towards the 6CD due to the fact 1, it's cheaper and I have tons of cd's. On the other hand I think the Nav system is just a neat thing to have. I don't go on any real long trips though. Just looking for opinions of what you guys think! Also, Is there anything in particular I need for either one I go with such as a specific part# or can I just buy one that came out of a 900 series truck and have it programmed to my vin?

Darkanion · August 10, 2009

I opted for the Nav in my truck and I like it. Originally, I was annoyed with the single CD setup. But, I started burning MP3 CD's, to have more choices, and it doesn't bother me to only have one disc in there.. MP3 CD's also seemed to git rid of my urge to want an iPod adapter, too... Another thing that greatly increased my enjoyment of the Nav was a recent Nav Disc update that allows you to scroll up & down through the list of music while you're rolling..

gmercury · August 10, 2009

So one of the things w/ the nav is the ability to update the software? Thats cool. Yeah also at the same time I have an iPod. If you dont mind me asking what does the nav system run approx. I know depending on what sys. you have depends on the price as well. My truck is non Bose. I havent looked into it deeply yet. I am just browsing around. I just know they are not cheap!

C. Charles Hahn · August 10, 2009

I specifically didn't want NAV in my truck when I first bought it, because I didn't figure it was worth the extra cost. Shortly thereafter, we got our '09 Envoy that has a NAV system in it and after using it for a while, I decided I couldn't be without it in the truck and added it. I regularly have to go on location to meet with customers and it comes in handy when trying to find them in unfamiliar neighborhoods, etc. as well as on long trips.

The other nice part with the NAV is the ability to easily add the rear view camera to help lining up to trailers/etc. and being able to watch DVDs while sitting around waiting to pick people up.

It really just comes down to how you're going to be using your truck and what your habits are.

gmercury · August 10, 2009

I know it's been brought up in the past but how hard is it to add the back up camera? I know they are things I dont really need but they are neat to mess with! I intend on keeping the truck for a couple years so I figure I can add some of these features.

Darkanion · August 10, 2009

So one of the things w/ the nav is the ability to update the software? Thats cool. Yeah also at the same time I have an iPod. If you dont mind me asking what does the nav system run approx. I know depending on what sys. you have depends on the price as well. My truck is non Bose. I havent looked into it deeply yet. I am just browsing around. I just know they are not cheap!

Yeah, you can update the software, but it has to be with one of the GM Nav DVD's... Those things are a little pricey. When I got my truck, they gave two free updates. I guess I'm due for my second update now.. I'm going to wait another month or two, to see if maybe the 2010 DVD's are released before I tell them I want my new disc. (I temporarily borrowed one to update my Nav's software to allow for the scrolling and then put the old disc back in for maps, points of interest, etc.)

I really don't remember the price difference on the Nav. I believe all of the Sierra Denalis for that year came with the Bose system. So, I think the difference in price was $1500-1700.. something like that. You can go to the GMC or Chevy website and spec a truck out the way you want it, to get all of the prices before you go talk to the dealer.. You can also use sites like CarPoint to price one out and they'll give you the invoice price, too. That way, you have a better idea of whether or not the dealer is feedin' you a bunch'a bull, when they say they can't go any lower..

Oh yeah! And rebates and things apply AFTER you negotiate your price, not before! The dealer is going to get that rebate money, no matter how much or how little they charge you. So, whether they keep $2k in profit from the vehicle or $2 in profit, they still get the $2k (or however much) rebate, in addition to the deal they cut with you. So, don't let them lie to you that way, by saying the rebate is all they can do...

SparkySparks · August 10, 2009

I'm not sure how the factory Nav unit is but if it lets you play MP3s from a DVD thats 4.7GB of music, I would take that plus Nav over a 6 disc.

Spurshot · August 10, 2009

I thought about the Nav for the entire time I was considering a new truck (a few yrs). In the last yr before I bought my 08, I decided against the Nav. It was the data update costs and technology choices that drove me that direction, along with the nearly $3k, and the fact that I had used a Garmin GPS for a few yrs by then. I realized that I only used the GPS a handful of times a yr. $3k will buy a good portable GPS and new set of wheels, tires, tune and enough left for lotsa beer. I do think built-in is neat and cool, but it's a solution that I didn't want.

BTW,

I see no reason for a 6 CD changer. I just made my move to the 21st century and bought an Ipod today. No more stinkin CDs in my truck.

dlewis1111 · August 10, 2009

I thought about the Nav for the entire time I was considering a new truck (a few yrs). In the last yr before I bought my 08, I decided against the Nav. It was the data update costs and technology choices that drove me that direction, along with the nearly $3k, and the fact that I had used a Garmin GPS for a few yrs by then. I realized that I only used the GPS a handful of times a yr. $3k will buy a good portable GPS and new set of wheels, tires, tune and enough left for lotsa beer. I do think built-in is neat and cool, but it's a solution that I didn't want.

BTW,

I see no reason for a 6 CD changer. I just made my move to the 21st century and bought an Ipod today. No more stinkin CDs in my truck.

Funny, I added the factory 6 disc changer and a buddy of mine got in and saw my "ancient" cd case. He said "What century are you from anyway?" He has an 08 like me, but uses an Ipod for music. I am now thinking about adding a nav system......it's only money, right?

Darkanion · August 10, 2009

I'm not sure how the factory Nav unit is but if it lets you play MP3s from a DVD thats 4.7GB of music, I would take that plus Nav over a 6 disc.

I've tried that once or twice. It never would read the DVD's. Actually, the drive in my '07 doesn't even seem to like the "long play" (over 650MB) CD's for MP3's. Every time I try one, it starts skipping around and acting goofy. If I use 650's, it seems to work great.

Darkanion · August 10, 2009

Funny, I added the factory 6 disc changer and a buddy of mine got in and saw my "ancient" cd case. He said "What century are you from anyway?" He has an 08 like me, but uses an Ipod for music. I am now thinking about adding a nav system......it's only money, right?

One of the reasons I was leaning towards factory Nav was for touch-screen control of my iPod via an add-on device. The adapter I ordered was defective and they sent me two more defective ones, after that. So, I finally gave up, burned some CD's with MP3's on 'em and decided that was handy-enough...

Phazer_II · August 10, 2009

I'm not sure how the factory Nav unit is but if it lets you play MP3s from a DVD thats 4.7GB of music, I would take that plus Nav over a 6 disc.

I've tried that once or twice. It never would read the DVD's. Actually, the drive in my '07 doesn't even seem to like the "long play" (over 650MB) CD's for MP3's. Every time I try one, it starts skipping around and acting goofy. If I use 650's, it seems to work great.

Keep in mind there are Nav units that are CD only, and others that are DVD capable for the rear seat entertainment systems. The wife has a DVD Nav in her Acadia w/RSE, and I can burn a DVD with hundreds of MP3 songs that will play just fine while showing the track information. I retrofitted a factory DVD Nav radio into my truck, expecting the same, but a MP3 DVD wouldn't work. Turns out it says so right in the manual. Her radio is made by Delphi while the truck radios are made by Denso. While they are virtually identical, the software discs are incompatible.

Any of the Lambda platform (Acadia (red lts), Outlook (yellow lts), Enclave (blue lts), or Traverse (? lts)) should work in a late model truck with the correct software. So, if lots of music is important, and you're in a position to look for a factory radio to swap out, I'd be looking for a DVD Nav radio from a Buick Enclave, or maybe a Chevy Traverse.

dlewis1111 · August 11, 2009

I'm not sure how the factory Nav unit is but if it lets you play MP3s from a DVD thats 4.7GB of music, I would take that plus Nav over a 6 disc.

I've tried that once or twice. It never would read the DVD's. Actually, the drive in my '07 doesn't even seem to like the "long play" (over 650MB) CD's for MP3's. Every time I try one, it starts skipping around and acting goofy. If I use 650's, it seems to work great.

Keep in mind there are Nav units that are CD only, and others that are DVD capable for the rear seat entertainment systems. The wife has a DVD Nav in her Acadia w/RSE, and I can burn a DVD with hundreds of MP3 songs that will play just fine while showing the track information. I retrofitted a factory DVD Nav radio into my truck, expecting the same, but a MP3 DVD wouldn't work. Turns out it says so right in the manual. Her radio is made by Delphi while the truck radios are made by Denso. While they are virtually identical, the software discs are incompatible.

Any of the Lambda platform (Acadia (red lts), Outlook (yellow lts), Enclave (blue lts), or Traverse (? lts)) should work in a late model truck with the correct software. So, if lots of music is important, and you're in a position to look for a factory radio to swap out, I'd be looking for a DVD Nav radio from a Buick Enclave, or maybe a Chevy Traverse.

i searched ebay with silverado nav radio and a factory replacement for 699 came up. says plug and play

Phazer_II · August 11, 2009

I'm not sure how the factory Nav unit is but if it lets you play MP3s from a DVD thats 4.7GB of music, I would take that plus Nav over a 6 disc.

I've tried that once or twice. It never would read the DVD's. Actually, the drive in my '07 doesn't even seem to like the "long play" (over 650MB) CD's for MP3's. Every time I try one, it starts skipping around and acting goofy. If I use 650's, it seems to work great.

Keep in mind there are Nav units that are CD only, and others that are DVD capable for the rear seat entertainment systems. The wife has a DVD Nav in her Acadia w/RSE, and I can burn a DVD with hundreds of MP3 songs that will play just fine while showing the track information. I retrofitted a factory DVD Nav radio into my truck, expecting the same, but a MP3 DVD wouldn't work. Turns out it says so right in the manual. Her radio is made by Delphi while the truck radios are made by Denso. While they are virtually identical, the software discs are incompatible.

Any of the Lambda platform (Acadia (red lts), Outlook (yellow lts), Enclave (blue lts), or Traverse (? lts)) should work in a late model truck with the correct software. So, if lots of music is important, and you're in a position to look for a factory radio to swap out, I'd be looking for a DVD Nav radio from a Buick Enclave, or maybe a Chevy Traverse.

i searched ebay with silverado nav radio and a factory replacement for 699 came up. says plug and play

eBay #140338765323 is the radio I have, and am familiar with. The mapping software is on a DVD disc. I think the radio you're referring to is #400066246124. I must say it looks very interesting, and the mapping software is on a SD card. I'm anxious to see somebody buy one and report back on how the swap went!