Advent Navigation Review For 2007-11 Gm

wottenad · July 27, 2011

Hi all,

I thought that since I get a lot of calls from the guys in this forum, I'd take some time and introduce myself and our company so everyone would have an idea of who they're dealing with.

I'm Walt Ottenad and own ADC Mobile (www.adcmobile.com), a dealer expediter in Lake Tapps, WA. I've been a car stereo installer for 35 years and have three other installers with about 115 years experience between all of us. You can read our cover article in Mobile Electronics Magazine from last year: http://adcmobile.com/magazines/me-mag/me-mag_8-10.pdf

We sell Advent/Rosen/JVC/Kenwood/Pioneer/Sony, etc to local new car dealers. We also sell gear online, though it's really not our "day job", more a sideline. We do take the same attitude towards internet sales though - we do things a right as we can, all the time.

I know a lot of people have mentioned the Advent & Rosen navi systems here and I wanted to chime in with a few observations myself. This is not meant as a sales pitch, but just to answer a few questions we get asked almost every time. If any owners read this, please feel free to comment on my comments - I want to tell the truth here... :- )

ADVENT GM NAVI:

Fit & Finish: Spot-on. This looks like factory stuff. In our opinion, it is the best option that we've come across in terms of the all-around package because you don't have the theft risk, or have to give up features, or have to use hundreds of dollars in adaptors to "try" and make everything work (and even then, lose some features like XM radio).

Installation: PLUG AND PLAY. All the cables are in the box and it configures itself to the vehicle you plug it into. IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH CENTERPOINT SYSTEMS AND NEVER WILL BE. Most BOSE system vehicles (those with a center console mount radio) should take 60-90 minutes to install. Vehicles with upper dash mounted decks (bench seat vehicles) should take under an hour. Very easy to do yourself, but if you're unsure of the process ALWAYS talk to a professional installer to get a quote. You can probably get it installed for $100-150 in most places and it might save you a ton of grief later (professional installers are cheap insurance)

Updates: Firmware updates are posted online at www.adventproducts.com. We are in direct contact with the factory (as a matter of fact, we got the first unit they ever released, right off the show floor at the 2011 Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show), and we give feedback weekly. Some firmware updates have been as a direct result of our input, so it's refreshing to see that the feedback really does pay off. Navi updates are at www.horizonnav.com

Navi: The navi interface itself leaves a "little" to be desired in terms of refinement, but it certainly gets you from point A to point B without issues, and has a ton of cool information features to boot, but graphically, it feels a little "clunky". Not bad, but not the best. It does allow you to customize it to the "nth" degree though - you can add or remove on-screen icons at every zoom level and show or hide other data at will. In my opinion, the setup is not as "right" as other units out of the box, but with a little tweaking, you should be able to get the unit to display EXCATLY what you want to see. Having said that, the other parts of the unit KICK ASS!

Bluetooth: Latest Parrot chipset that does full phonebook, A2DP streaming audio, voice recognition dialing (with the latest firmware update), pairs five phones, and comes with a separate mic, which you DO have to run. Seems to be decent quality, though MAY be noisier than factory on some phones. Don't count on EVERY feature being available with EVERY phone - they don't guarantee compatibility with every phone on the market. Your mileage may vary... : -)

iPod: Apple certified interface so album art and data are all there, and artist/album/genre/etc. searches are very easy. Can use standard iPod cable for audio-only playback, but needs JLINKUSB cable to do iPod video, and will output video from just about any iPod or iPhone

USB: Has a separate "pod" that contains both USB/AUX input that usually will mount in center console or glovebox. USB 2.0 interface can play MP3's and video (though I'm not sure of compatible video formats - maybe owners can help with this?) Uses standard browser type interface for file selection and displays ID3 tags for data (factory USB port, if present, is NOT supported - the new pod takes over USB function)

AUX: Has 1/8" mini jack AUX input that will function as audio AND video input. Audio only with standard 1/8" Male to Male cable, video with 1/8" to RCA adaptor.

DVD: plays DVD/MP3/CD with full touch-screen and steering wheel (track up-down only) control and can run rear entertainment output from navi unit (need a PAC-GMRV adaptor cable to interface with FACTORY rear monitor). Yes, it monitors e-brake for DVD lockout (search and you will find out how to override it...)

Camera: Will accept rear camera (either aftermarket or factory) but the camera screen comes on whenever it senses video, meaning if you hook it to the factory mirror camera, it will stay on for 20 sec. or so AFTER you take the vehicle out of reverse. One solution is to wire the factory camera power lead to the factory reverse light, then it will go off immediately when you take it out of reverse. You can also wire the power to the camera to a SPDT switch, with one leg to factory reverse lead, one leg to ACC and the output to the factory camera, so with the switch "up" you get factory reverse action, with the switch "down" you get the ability to turn on the camera any time the vehicle's key is on (trailering, etc.)

XM: Retains factory XM radio, with all data fields present (and even better, has a screen that shows 20 or so stations per page with all the channel data, so you can see what all the stations are called) If your vehicle didn't come with XM, you can add it.

Factory Backup Sensors: Has an icon on the camera screen that provides a graphical representation of the factory backup sensors - it will actually show you which sensors are working and represent how far away the obstacle is, which is MUCH better than the factory's audio only warning!

Steering Wheel Controls: Present and accounted for

Rear Console Controls: Present and accounted for

Splash Screen: Has the ability to add a "splash screen" on bootup. Only Advent dealers have the software (sorry, I can't share it), so if you buy one from us (or have already bought one from us), we can convert your artwork to the format required and tell you how to load the graphics. Best resolution is an 800x480 jpg.

You can watch a half-dozen videos showing the operation of each section of the unit here: http://www.adcmobile.com/video-training/na...on/gm-vehicles/

Hope this answers some questions and give everyone a sense of what the unit can do.

Gotta go to work right now, but I'll return with opinions on the Rosen unit shortly...

Walt Ottenad

ADC Mobile

www.adcmobile.com

redjewel2ss · July 27, 2011

nice write up! i believe i was one of the first from this forum to order one from you! Link to my review

i agree with everything you posted above! i'll have to play with the nav display setting later, i haven't messed with that yet.

the only problem i've had was a couple of bugs with the XM functions, because XM changed all their stations between updates and the transmission of the stations is a little different. i've addressed the bugs with Advent and talked with one of their engineers and they said they should have it working with the next update. i just checked their website and it looks like they just came out with one on the 20th!!! so i'll update to that one when i get home.

so your saying i can change the splash screen, ehh?? AWESOME! i was thinking a nice chevy bowtie that pops up when i turn the truck on. have you done any of those yet? if not whats the best way to reach you and get one?

wottenad · July 27, 2011

nice write up! i believe i was one of the first from this forum to order one from you! Link to my review

i agree with everything you posted above! i'll have to play with the nav display setting later, i haven't messed with that yet.

the only problem i've had was a couple of bugs with the XM functions, because XM changed all their stations between updates and the transmission of the stations is a little different. i've addressed the bugs with Advent and talked with one of their engineers and they said they should have it working with the next update. i just checked their website and it looks like they just came out with one on the 20th!!! so i'll update to that one when i get home.

so your saying i can change the splash screen, ehh?? AWESOME! i was thinking a nice chevy bowtie that pops up when i turn the truck on. have you done any of those yet? if not whats the best way to reach you and get one?

Send your jpg to me via email to walt at adcmobile dot com and I'll email it back with instructions to install it...

agrats84 · July 27, 2011

I have been back and forth with ordering one of these for a few months because the two most important features to me are the NAV and reverse camera. I am used to the Nav from Honda and Ford and both I find are very intuitive and accurate. I have the mirror mounted camera now and am looking for a local shop to install the whole unit and the SPDT switch because I trailer a lot and like the idea. I am going to watch the videos when I have time and hopefully that will ease some of my hesitation. My other concern is the bluetooth with an iPhone. Does anyone know if the sound quality or any features are lost with the iPhone?

Thanks for the great write-up Walt and all others who have shared their experiences.

redjewel2ss · July 27, 2011

I have been back and forth with ordering one of these for a few months because the two most important features to me are the NAV and reverse camera. I am used to the Nav from Honda and Ford and both I find are very intuitive and accurate. I have the mirror mounted camera now and am looking for a local shop to install the whole unit and the SPDT switch because I trailer a lot and like the idea. I am going to watch the videos when I have time and hopefully that will ease some of my hesitation. My other concern is the bluetooth with an iPhone. Does anyone know if the sound quality or any features are lost with the iPhone?

Thanks for the great write-up Walt and all others who have shared their experiences.

i have an iphone 4, and i opted to use the external microphone that comes with the unit. the call quality is great. i keep the microphone volume at max, and people on the other end can hear me loud and clear. the cool thing is the call log and contacts buttons if you want to call someone without finding their number in your phone. one thing my wife noticed is the radio volume stays muted until the call ends if you change audio sources on the phone and you don't want someone else in the car to hear the conversation.

airomero83 · July 27, 2011

nice write up! i believe i was one of the first from this forum to order one from you! Link to my review

i agree with everything you posted above! i'll have to play with the nav display setting later, i haven't messed with that yet.

the only problem i've had was a couple of bugs with the XM functions, because XM changed all their stations between updates and the transmission of the stations is a little different. i've addressed the bugs with Advent and talked with one of their engineers and they said they should have it working with the next update. i just checked their website and it looks like they just came out with one on the 20th!!! so i'll update to that one when i get home.

so your saying i can change the splash screen, ehh?? AWESOME! i was thinking a nice chevy bowtie that pops up when i turn the truck on. have you done any of those yet? if not whats the best way to reach you and get one?

Hey 2010TexasEdition - Mind sharing the Chevy Bowtie image/instructions when you get it back from Walt?

I too have this unit and love it. Like Walt mentioned, Nav needs some work but is extremely accurate. Also have an iPhone4 and people can't tell the difference when i'm on the phone and via Bluetooth! Looks like I will have to update the latest firmware as well.

redjewel2ss · July 28, 2011

i can't find any good bowtie logos with a background i like. i'm just going to hold off on that for now. if anyone comes up with some neat ones please post! i might also consider an autobot logo, but dunno if that would be too nerdy or not!

i just updated to the newest firmware... i dunno if its just my head, but the resolution looks clearer. i tried to muff up the xm functions and couldn't get it to do what it was doing before... so hopefully that is permanently solved! from the little i've seen it looks like they added a time zone selector in the setup menu.

agrats84 · July 30, 2011

Do you know if it uses the latest NavMate software- version 5? If not, is it possible to download and install this version?

Also, while driving can you put in a destination and use all Nav functions because many nav systems disable some features until the vehicle is in park. I understand this for safety reasons, but it is really annoying if I am driving and my wife wants to put in a destination.

redjewel2ss · July 30, 2011

Do you know if it uses the latest NavMate software- version 5? If not, is it possible to download and install this version?

Also, while driving can you put in a destination and use all Nav functions because many nav systems disable some features until the vehicle is in park. I understand this for safety reasons, but it is really annoying if I am driving and my wife wants to put in a destination.

yeah, its version 5. just checked the system info on mine. and yes, you CAN input destinations while driving, unlike factory navs.

johnnyz71 · August 4, 2011

I have a '11 NON-BOSE system, but I have the Bluetooth feature and I also have USB port in my console. I have a few questions:

1. You said that we have to use the Parrot Microphone--is that true with the trucks that have Bluetooth built in?

2. Can I still use the factory USB port in my center console with this system?

3. Does it use the factory XM antenna?

wottenad · August 4, 2011

I have a '11 NON-BOSE system, but I have the Bluetooth feature and I also have USB port in my console. I have a few questions:

1. You said that we have to use the Parrot Microphone--is that true with the trucks that have Bluetooth built in?

Yes - As I understand the factory system, the factory Bluetooth uses the same mic as the OnStar system, and the Advent doesn't disable the factory system, so you actually COULD still use the factory system, but I don't know anyone who still uses it after the Advent's installed...

2. Can I still use the factory USB port in my center console with this system?

No - The Advent uses its own USB/AUX input

3. Does it use the factory XM antenna?

Yes - Nothing changes on XM at all