jjradtech

I have a 2012 base coupe, with the base radio.
I am interested in upgrading my radio. I would like a unit with
Nav. and backup camera. I am not a audiophile, just a good upgrade from
the base unit. Any reccomendations?
Thanks

Koufax

Call Dennis at Double D. Tell him what your goals are. He'll make you happy.

1bdvet

Here is his website:
http://www.doubledmods.com

clearwaterms

A few things to consider

The speakers are the weak link in the chain, you won't get great improvements with just a head unit upgrade.

1. it is possible to get a flat signal out of the factory setup. This would allow you to put in an upgraded amp and speakers and get great sound from the stock appearance.

2. if what you want is the infotainment setup, then Dennis is the person to go to. he can help you with a prewired kit that makes a radio replacement literally plug and play. I did this 2 years ago with a kenwood receiver and it is great.

RicardoFors68

I do think that op will have an improvement over stock in sound quality with just a head unit swap. Even crap speakers will sound better with a nice, clean strong signal.
I do agree as to Dennis with Double D, he took the guesswork out of this upgrade.

clearwaterms

It depends if he does/doesn't have bose. the problem is that the Bose applies a bunch of filters (center speaker, mono rear signal, etc.) that is all done after the output of the receiver. So even if you upgrade the head unit, you won't likely get a huge SQ improvement.

That being said, it's a corvette (sports car) not a mercedes

bartsky

You will get an improvement in sound quality with a good head unit. I always unhook the center speaker as well.

EVRose

I kept the factory nav HU and made a set of pre-amp output leads so I could use an aftermarket amp or two. Doing that and replacing the door speakers/adding a sub in the back I get sound quality from the factory nav 100x better then the factory speakers and amp could ever dream of delivering.

LMB-Z

Too many ways of getting great sound. Most depend on how thick your wallet is. New speakers, new head unit, amps, subs. You can spend a few hundred or a few thousand, depending on what you want.

Corvette_Ed

I didn't; it sounds just like it did with the factory Nav unit.

Now I'm facing having to replace all of the speakers, and adding an amp and subs.

RagTop69

The OP stated pretty clearly that "I'm not an audiophile" meaning he doesn't give a rats butt if the quality of the sound is improved one wit, and you guys all want to discuss the sound quality that he would expect by changing out the head unit, speakers and adding amps. He just wants the Nav., the backup camera and perhaps the Bluetooth connectivity for his phone. Read the guy's post!

Corvette_Ed

You do realize this is Corvette forums, right? And you expected any different?

doomi

OP, I was looking for something similar when I upgraded my unit.

I ended up going with a Pumpkin quad-core Android 5.1 unit I got off of eBay for $250. The included GPS software works great, but I prefer Google Maps so that's what I use (along with a mobile wifi hotspot).

Since it's Android you can also install anything from the App Store. I use Waze to keep an eye on traffic/police activity. I also ordered a bluetooth OBDII reader that I pair with the Torque app to have live data for pretty much anything the car is doing.

For cameras I bought the ARECORD AR142 from Amazon ($29.99). The rear camera automatically comes on when I put the car in reverse. The front camera uses the AV in input on the head unit.

The downside to this particular unit is that it does take a minute or so to load the software when you start your car. The reverse cam still works during this time, but music will not play.

LowRyter

I don't need a rear camera on a Corvette since the back end is just about at my butt. Front camera makes sense.

anyway, this solved my nav and tunes.\

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Universa...e+holder&psc=1

. I still had to get a couple of cords.

mhatton222

I changed out my stock head unit for a Kenwood from Dennis at Double D Mods. He will hook you up with everything you need in a plug and play fashion. Highly recommended and worked great for me. Good Luck

jjradtech

Ragtop69,
You are correct.

RocketDawg

Yeah, mine didn't either. But I was glad I did it because I got new features (nav, bluetooth, USB capability, etc.). I later added new speakers, an amp, and a sub and the sound is great now.

GetRidOfWires

I had Best Buy install a Pioneer 4100NEX and a backup camera in my 2010 GS. I have been very pleased with the 4100. It has a touch screen and CarPlay for my iPhone. (It also has Android features but I don't have an Android phone). Pioneer makes several CarPlay units with a number of features, the successor to the 4100NEX is the 4200NEX, but I think you can still get the 4100 if you look around.

One of the things I liked about the Pioneer unit is that you can buy a small microphone from Pioneer and put it in your car. The unit has an auto feature that will measure the sound in your car and set the unit specifically to your car's acoustics. I put the microphone on the driver's seat.