Hi guys, I know I'm knew here but was reading a couple of your threads including this one:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1824374

and found some useful information. I still have some questions though.

I looking at getting this deck (Kenwood DNX7100) but I have a lot of questions and thought someone here might have more insight about it.


1) From what I understand, the Bluetooth adapter does not work unless you use the GXM30 (xm antenna by garmin). That is if you are going to be using XM service. Is this true?

2) If I am not using the bluetooth adapter, all I need is the TERK XM kenwood adapter to receive live traffic and XM radio?

3) Similar question- With the Bluetooth adapter, if I used the GXM30- that would be all I would need to receive live traffic and XM radio?

4) The GXM30 antenna is kind of large 3-4" and is silver. Mounting might be an issue if I decide to go that route. Does anyone have any good ideas of mounting locations for this unit? Does it have to be in plain clear-view sight of the sky?


Any help would be appreciated. I'm getting confused reading about all the different add-ons for this unit.

BTW, I don't own a corvette (even though I love them) but I have a Silverado SS with a whipple and many other mods...

 

Ill answer on one condition . . .you tell me what a "whipple" is ?

At any rate, Ill take a shot at #3 and #4

The GXM30 is a self contained XM receiver (thats why its so big), it contains the receiver, the gps antenna and the xm radio/traffic antenna.

So ya, with the 7100, nav unit, and the GXM30 you will be able to receive XM radio, traffic and gps for the nav.

Of course I believe you could get a gps antenna with the nav and buy the xm receiver with another antenna for about $100, when the GXM is closer to $300 (gotta mount two antennas though).

The car is fiberglass (yes I know its not fiberglass, im taking an editorial liberty, mainly because I cant remember the actual material...pmc?...at any rate...you get the picture) which is fairly transparent to the satelite signal....so.......we have options that other vehicles dont have.

Optimaly, it should be attached to the highest point on the vehicle and sit on at least 16 sq/in (4 x 4) of a metal surface. Thats not gonna happen on a C5 (and if you did, we'd hunt you down and beat you anyway).

Some people place the antenna right on the dashboard, or alternately under the defroster grille on the dashboard facing up. I'm not fond of this idea and dont know how you would have a metal plate under it, but people say it works fine.

Some people remove a tail light and mount it to a metal plate facing up inside the rear facia. (probably a good/easey idea)

I mounted mine onto a piece of tin (painted black) and screwed the tin to the underside of the top of the fender in the rear compartment aft of the wheel well (the regular cargo area). Its been working well for me.

Just an opinion, but I think you're doing well selecting that unit, its HDD based (rather than DVD based) Nav, so no disks to worry about.

Good luck, thats a nice unit.

 

Thanks for the info, I think having a truck might make the GXM install a little more difficult... (no cargo area). P.S. I even thought about the bed as a mounting location, but I have a hard tonneau cover so that won't work.

A whipple is a twin screw supercharger-

http://www.whipplesuperchargers.com/

 

1. Bluetooth will work with out the XM, you only need the GXM30 if you want both XM and Bluetooth... The standard XM and the BT module use the same codecs so they are not compatible with each other...

2. No, it will only receive the XM, the GXM30 is required if you want traffic as well (also weather, stocks, etc...)

3. Yes, but again, you can use the GXM30 with out bluetooth, it's not required...

4. I mounted mine in the space for the center speaker on my C6, some have also placed them on the top of the vents (when you remove the center console)... Never an issue...

Minor points:

1. The GPS antenna comes with the radio, you don't need to purchase anything.
2. I got the GXM30 off Ebay for about 150... A little less for the BT100 (bluetooth module)

 

Why not mount the antenna to the underside of the tonneau cover? It should get through the fiberglass.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Supposedly, from what some other people have said- the signal will go through the plastic dash no problem...