New head unit opinions

neumanngroup · March 29, 2012

Hello,

First time post here. Awesome forum!

I have a 2007 Yukon Denali with stock navigation and Bose. No rear entertainment.

I am looking to replace the head unit to gain the following:

Better looking navigation that I can over-ride
Speed limit display on navigation
Full route options (so I can see if the one of my options is taking a freeway, etc)
Easy and cheap upgrades for navigation (not $139/year or $199/yr, etc more like free or $50/yr or so)
Live traffic on navigation
HD Radio might be nice, but no big deal
XM Radio would be nice since I already have that
Bluetooth integration (external mic OK, but at no extra cost)
Caller ID on head unit
Phone book entries on head unit
A2DP streaming with some data on head unit
Steering wheel controls for bluetooth that are easy and not remapped like the Bluefusion
Steering wheel controls for all other functions like normal (volume, source, track, etc)
DVD player with video out to external headrest monitors if I install them later
iPhone/iPod hookup with video display on head unit
RCA or some sort of external audio/video input for non-iPod devices
Integration with stock rear camera
Ability to see rear camera while in motion (for towing)

I have an iPhone 4s and our whole family uses iPhones.

I have researched the Pioneer AVIC lines and most people like them but I hear the navigation is not so good but those are just opinions. Most people here love the OGM-1 but since so many people like that unit there are more posts about the functions not in that unit that people would like to see. I briefly looked at the JVC line and also the Sony and Alpine lines.

I was really hoping to get some input from this community as it seems you guys really know your stuff and I always appreciate feedback from fellow forum users. It really is the best information out there!

Thanks in advance!

Eric

wottenad · March 29, 2012

Hate to say it, but you described an OGM-1 almost to a tee - it does every single thing on your list except HD radio, Live traffic, no BT control from the wheel and you can't watch your trailer while driving (but you can do a mod to gain that...) Also, Pandora will be here very shortly with the next firmware update, so you'll have another source when you plug in your iPhone.

The problem you run into when you do other aftermarket navi units is that although you will have whatever features are important to you in that particular unit, you will have to buy (in your case since you most likely have a Centerpoint system in your Denali) well over $250 worth of adaptors just to wire the unit into the car and maintain steering wheel controls, then have someone install it for $200-$300. But keep in mind, you'll lose XM when you do it, so you'd then have to add a satellite tuner if you wanted to retain that function. So it very quickly becomes almost cost-prohibitive to do these types if installs just to gain the one or two features that you don't get in the Advent unit.

We do installs for car dealers every day, and since this unit arrived we have not done a single Pioneer, JVC, Sony or Kenwood navi install in a GM truck...

I'd be interested to hear from others that have used the other aftermarket navi units and compare that experience to the OGM-1 - I know I've sold at least a half-dozen to guys that were pulling out Pioneers to install the OGM-1...

neumanngroup · March 29, 2012

Great feedback Walt. I do not know you, but I have heard only amazing things about you and your company. I sent you an email asking for a price on the OGM-1.

I too am anxious to hear feedback from this group as well.

You mentioned "it does every single thing on your list except HD radio, Live traffic, no BT control from the wheel and you can't watch your trailer while driving (but you can do a mod to gain that...)"

HD Radio and live traffic I can live without, BT control from wheel is probably no biggie. How easy is the mod for the rear camera? Is it hardware or firmware?

Eric