Well after I cooled down I got back at it again. I did not connect the GPS antenna for I didn't think I needed it. So far things are working. Will see what happens in a few days. Reversion Raceworks has been very patient and very helpfull.

 

Anyone got new updates on gen2 version?

Also for the audiophiles here; sound quality vs a pioneer / kenwood head unit?

TIA and Rock On 😎🍻

 

I just finished the install using the gen 1 head unit (HU), PAC ROEM-VET1 harness and the Reversion adapter bracket. I'm happy with the results. The install went pretty straightforward with a little confusion over the blue wire issue (amp turn-on / remote output vs power antenna). The PAC instructions say in bold that the blue wire of the interface (power antenna) should be connected to the blue/white wire (remote output) of the HU. The vehicle has only one turn-on wire for both the factory amplifier and the antenna. There is a blue/white wire on the interface, but that's for a downstream optional amp. The issue is that there is no blue/white wire on the gen 1 main harness. There is a solid blue power antenna lead, so I ended up connecting this to the blue on the harness and it worked fine. I think it's a 12V trigger signal, so it's not that critical.

Initial audio quality was a bit muddy, but I adjusted the sound via the harness box using this procedure in post 18 https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1580366836. This and adjusting the sound to my taste with the head unit DSP worked best.

Other tidbits:
The Reversion instructions show the tabs to bend that holds the metal cage to the adapter bracket. This seemed a little looser than I liked, so I bent out extra tabs that were available on the cage to make it more snug.
I routed the CarPlay USB adapter down into the cigarette lighter area in case I may need it, although I'm not sure what for.
I haven't gone for a drive yet, but I was in the garage and the HU CarPlay auto-paired with my phone which I left on the second level of my home. I was surprised by this. I did make an effort to straighten and separate the two stubby yellow wires on the HU which are the antennas.

Z

 

I can't seem to be able to access the link without being in that Facebook group. Any chance you can copy what they wrote or which Facebook group?

 

Does anyone else have the issue where the automatic antenna activates immediately on start up and won’t retract even if the unit is powered down? Only time the antenna lowers is when the car has been off for about 30 seconds.

Also, does the amp wire in the Axxess harness plug to the blue wire on the amp connector or the ant wire on the main head unit harness. If I plug it to the amp wire and leave the ant wire free, will my antenna still function.

 

My Joying stereo behaves like this with the antenna, except it comes down a couple minutes after the car is turned off. Mine also has the Axxess.

I suspect it won't work to use the blue amp turn-on wire for the antenna. The antenna needs power to retract, which won't be the case if you use the amp turn-on wire. You're making me curious how that antenna wire works, haha... maybe it reverses the polarity to retract the antenna?

 

Wow! I'm just seeing this. I'm really tempted by this. My sound system is currently completely stock. I use a Bluetooth radio adapter to play music from my phone, but I'd love a good backup camera and android auto. I really haven't been super happy with other options. I may see if I can get this for my birthday.

As far as the retractable antenna, I actually cut the pink wire that runs to it on the stock setting. This keeps it down 100% of the time. I have found absolutely no difference in the quality of radio reception in my area. I don't know if this would have any impact on installing this system though.

 

Hey all,

I recently installed the gen2 of this head unit in my c5z with the factory Bose system. I opted to purchase the Axxess AXDI-VET1 and backup camera separately from Amazon. The install was relatively easy once you understand the wiring digram.

My honest thoughts on this head unit - It's a massive improvement over the factory head unit, but if you're and audiophile you're going to be throughly disappointed. I'm not entirely sure if the audio quality is a result of this headunit's output strength or the bose system or both. At higher volumes the sound and bass get pretty muddy. With some tuning of the built in EQ and choosing the sound profile "Rock", I was able to get decent sound out of the system. However the refinements, sound quality, performance of the mainstream systems from Pioneer, Sony and etc are not there. The head unit does feel very cheap, the screen quality is subpar compared to other known brands, and the volume **** feels like it could break off with heavy use. Also it's worth noting you have to manually launch the app "car-link" to get carplay started, it doesn't start automatically on boot up.

An improvement over stock, and the mount from Reversion Raceworks is quality, however the head unit is very cheap and you could probably source a similar one from Amazon for less than $100. I'll probably end up selling mine and going the double din route with a Pioneer unit.

 

@se3jay …thanks much for your honest review. Your note was timely as I’ve been reading reviews on FB for this unit and many echo your same thoughts. Reversion Raceworks meets a market that allows owners to retain their original console along with a no cut install. Their installation instructions are fantastic which makes for an easy install that is easily reversed down the road.

 

I thought I would provide an update as a Rev1 user (installed for about 1 year now) since I have experienced a couple issues that I was able to resolve that may help others and just some general comments.

Issue #1: CarPlay Audio playback would periodically drop out and come back.

• Fix: Set the CarLink 2.0 app to only connect via 5G. By default, it is set to Auto which will select either 2.4G or 5G. What I noticed is that it would almost always connect via 2.4G which inherently is a busier/noisier frequency so by only allowing it to connect via 5G, no more audio issues at all! To make this change, select the gear symbol (Settings) within the CarLink app when it is first trying to connect to your phone and that is where you can make this selection.

Issue #2: I lost the mic input when trying to talk on the phone via CarPlay. Basically, I could answer the call, I could hear them, but they could not hear me. The mic worked for everything else...weird!

• Fix: After EXTENSIVE research with ChatGPT's help, I uncovered the fact that there is a known issue with the version of CarLink that comes with these units and the chipset used with these units. To compound the problem is that these units are pretty locked down by the manufacturer so you can't really update any of the pre-installed apps by just going to the PlayStore. So, I reached out to Reversion and Tyler got back to me the next day stating he would look into this. The next day he provided a firmware update for me to try to see if it would fix the issue and it did! The firmware update he provided updated CarLink to a newer version, still 2.0 but a newer variation that fixed the problem. That is great customer service! Thank you Tyler (if you're reading this!) If you were to purchase a random but similar unit off Amazon, would you have this type of customer service???

Those have been my only issues.

I see a lot of questions about audio quality, and I will state that in my opinion and for the price point (key point), the audio quality is good/great. I say equal or slightly better than the factory unit if you were listening to a CD. Is it audiophile grade? Hell no! Do you actually think it would/should be at this price? Come on...?? I did adjust the EQ settings in the mid-range a bit to remove some of the muddiness, but it really wasn't too bad. But then again, I don't listen to the audio too much when I drive, the main reason for me to purchase this unit was to gain Navigation via CarPlay and that is a FANTASTIC add IMO and a Backup Camera. My Vette is not a DD, I take it to the track a few times a year (HPDE) and we take a few road trips in the summer all up/down the West Coast so adding Nav was my main goal. The addition of a backup cam is nice as well for safety and to help see what I can't see in my mirrors when backing up. I would also like to add a front camera, but I just can't find a clean looking way to add a front camera yet.
And slightly off topic, if you too like road trips and you often use the Interstate, take a look at the app called iExit. It allows you to see Food/Gas/Etc. at the upcoming exits based on the Interstate you are on AND how far off the Interstate (and which direction) it is located! It's pretty useful for us...

So that is my 2 cents...FWIW.

Eric

 

@ericba ....great review!

As I look back and forth on Rev1 vs Rev2 installations, it appears that I see more border of the 3D printed mount adapter that Reversion Raceworks provides. In other words, the screen size of the Rev2 seems smaller and does not fill the radio opening in our C5 consoles as well as the Rev1 unit does. Has anyone else noticed this?