Costar Bluestar Vs Vcim Mod

gobblerhuntr · November 28, 2010

I am looking to have bluetooth in my 2007 seirra slt but don't know which options to go with. I would like to have caller id on the radio and everything hidden to where I don't give up the stock look. I do have xm but no nav, just looking for someone to list the differences and likes/dislikes of each install. Help please?

~kyle · November 28, 2010

It's a huge thread, but it will answer any questions you have.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=78031

gobblerhuntr · November 28, 2010

yeah I have read that thread and it is very informative, I was just looking for someone to sum all the differences up in a simple post for myself and all otherrs to make a choice.

mc7719 · November 28, 2010

I did the VCIM swap. It has EVERYTHING the factory intended... except no OnStar due the a apparent "software" issue. That said, because its a software issue, there is the possibility that someone MAY figure out the programming trick to get it working. So there's a chance. I have no experience with the BlueStar, however, there is a guarantee OnStar will never work (as you've removed any and all hardware associated with it). At least with the VCIM change I have all the functions (voice commands, steering control, caller id, etc.) and the slight chance that one day OnStar may work, lol. The emergency button still works though.

It s probably the best mod I've done to my truck. I never subscribed to OnStar anyway.

gobblerhuntr · November 28, 2010

I did the VCIM swap. It has EVERYTHING the factory intended... except no OnStar due the a apparent "software" issue. That said, because its a software issue, there is the possibility that someone MAY figure out the programming trick to get it working. So there's a chance. I have no experience with the BlueStar, however, there is a guarantee OnStar will never work (as you've removed any and all hardware associated with it). At least with the VCIM change I have all the functions (voice commands, steering control, caller id, etc.) and the slight chance that one day OnStar may work, lol. The emergency button still works though.

It s probably the best mod I've done to my truck. I never subscribed to OnStar anyway.

I have noticed that the VCIM is hard to get, would you care to explain how and where you got yours. I really like that option but do not want to wait forever to have BT.

mc7719 · November 28, 2010

I did the VCIM swap. It has EVERYTHING the factory intended... except no OnStar due the a apparent "software" issue. That said, because its a software issue, there is the possibility that someone MAY figure out the programming trick to get it working. So there's a chance. I have no experience with the BlueStar, however, there is a guarantee OnStar will never work (as you've removed any and all hardware associated with it). At least with the VCIM change I have all the functions (voice commands, steering control, caller id, etc.) and the slight chance that one day OnStar may work, lol. The emergency button still works though.

It s probably the best mod I've done to my truck. I never subscribed to OnStar anyway.

I have noticed that the VCIM is hard to get, would you care to explain how and where you got yours. I really like that option but do not want to wait forever to have BT.

Off ebay... from rev281.. a few people here have bought off him (thats how I heard about him) $199.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLUETOOTH-O...VehicleQ5fParts

Was at my house in a week.

gobblerhuntr · November 28, 2010

I did the VCIM swap. It has EVERYTHING the factory intended... except no OnStar due the a apparent "software" issue. That said, because its a software issue, there is the possibility that someone MAY figure out the programming trick to get it working. So there's a chance. I have no experience with the BlueStar, however, there is a guarantee OnStar will never work (as you've removed any and all hardware associated with it). At least with the VCIM change I have all the functions (voice commands, steering control, caller id, etc.) and the slight chance that one day OnStar may work, lol. The emergency button still works though.

It s probably the best mod I've done to my truck. I never subscribed to OnStar anyway.

I have noticed that the VCIM is hard to get, would you care to explain how and where you got yours. I really like that option but do not want to wait forever to have BT.

Off ebay... from rev281.. a few people here have bought off him (thats how I heard about him) $199.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLUETOOTH-O...VehicleQ5fParts

Was at my house in a week.

That is the first time I have seen that part number, is that the one you got? Does it have the caller id, use the speak/microphone of the truck as the other model VCIM??

~kyle · November 28, 2010

That is the first time I have seen that part number, is that the one you got? Does it have the caller id, use the speak/microphone of the truck as the other model VCIM??

That's the part# I have also and I bought mine from the same seller. I have all the factory functions except that OnStar does not work as already mentioned. I believe that particular unit comes from an Escalade.

edit: and yes, it uses the same mic as the other VCIM (OnStar mic) and the caller ID shows up in the DIC just as with the other.

mc7719 · November 28, 2010

Far as I know, Yes im 99% sure it's the same as the unit ending with 77 which is the one I got

gobblerhuntr · November 28, 2010

That is the first time I have seen that part number, is that the one you got? Does it have the caller id, use the speak/microphone of the truck as the other model VCIM??

That's the part# I have also and I bought mine from the same seller. I have all the factory functions except that OnStar does not work as already mentioned. I believe that particular unit comes from an Escalade.

edit: and yes, it uses the same mic as the other VCIM (OnStar mic) and the caller ID shows up in the DIC just as with the other.

Would you mind giving me the part number of the BT antenna you purchased for this model number VCIM? I thought I read somewhere that the antenna was the same no matter which VCIM you get, but I like for things to work first try.

~kyle · November 29, 2010

Would you mind giving me the part number of the BT antenna you purchased for this model number VCIM? I thought I read somewhere that the antenna was the same no matter which VCIM you get, but I like for things to work first try.

I believe they are all the same, but the number is 15938939. The VCIM I bought from rev281 included one even though the description said it didn't, so I have a spare one now.