I am contemplating installing an indash NAV system in my 2011 GS and would like recommendations. I had factory NAV in my 2009 Vette and it was alright but I may want to go with something better, as long as it's a "plug-N-play" system. I'm not a teckie type person so I don't know about aftermarket brands and would like to take advantage of the knowledge of better people. Explain what you'd put into your own car and why, keeping in mind I want the On-Star, Bluetooth, XM & steering wheel controls to work, but I sure would like a back up camera.

 

Hi.

I just installed a Kenwood DNX890HD in my otherwise stock '08. I went with Kenwood specifically since they use Garmin NAV.

First, I set the unit up in my shop in order to play and get to know how it works. I also installed the lastest firmware (v1.70).

The C6 is away for a winter snooze, so I took the opportunity to install the Kenwood, along with adding sound deadening in the rear hatch area, and a Kenwood backup camera.

Sitting in the car in the garage, I've been doing more playing. I really like it.

I've got the steering wheel controls working just fine, on-star, chimes, and bluetooth work fine, but I opted not to get the XM option on the Kenwood.

I am running the rear speakers via the Kenwood amp (I had to run new Left & Right rear speaker wires to the Kenwoood), but I let the Kenwood drive the stock Bose amp for the door speakers. Down the road I may change to another amp and door speakers. If I do so, in my case, I will lose chimes and on-star (due to the GMOS04 harness short comings).

I ran the Kenwood front pre-amp cables to an area adjacent to the Bose amp - hopefully allowing me to swap out amps without having to remove the Kenwood. I ran the Kenwod USB cables into the glove box.

What I don't like about the Kenwood is the clock, and limitations in transferring planned routes to the NAV. The clock display is tiny and you can't adjust the size, font or color. Also, no clock is displayed when you shut the unit off. It won't remember radio station presets after a battery disconnect. And I haven't yet figured out if you can have different EQ settings for each preset and audio source. Embarrassing that the BOSE stock HU can (and it displays the clock when shut off).

Note that Kenwood has just released a new version to replace the DNX890HD. I haven't really looked at what additional features it has except that it has automatc volume control.



Hope this helps.


M....

 

If Nav is main consideration I would go with Kenwood. Talk to Dennis at DoubleD Mods for best deal any where.

 

Go to a local shop and play with Kenwood and Pioneer to compare the Nav interfaces. I like Pioneer better, but I'll freely admit that Kenwood Nav is more popular.