I have a lot going on in the car when I travel cross country in Big V. Waze is part of my "LEO countermeasures package". The feature of marking where LEOs are hanging out on the highway is very valuable to me as I tend to have a heavy foot...just another tool to avoid getting a road souvenir. Very true about the maps downloading ahead of time...that's handy as well.

 

I don’t travel in the corvette but curious for the phone nav users if it actually broadcasts through the speakers.

 

I sure does...via Android Auto.

 

My pleasure Paul, very nice meeting you also. When the weather warms we'll definitely get together for a ride. Happy and Healthy New Year to you as well!

 

I am just finishing up the installation of the Kenwood DDX9907XR plus front and rear cameras. The HU has wireless Android Auto and Carplay, and plays CDs/DVDs but no NAV. I thought hard about the NAV, and looked at the Kenwood DNX997XR but Crutchfield says it won't fit. I know that some folks on this forum say that any double DIN will fit, but taking apart the console etc. is too much work only to find out that it won't fit. In addition, adding the NAV at that level added $400 to the price, which seemed a bit rich. The one I bought was not cheap but I could justify it because I did the installation myself. I don't often go where there is no cell coverage, and when I do, I will download maps. The problem with the NAV units is that they really hit you up for map updates. Visually, the DDX9907XR looks OEM. It has all of the bells and whistles. Now I just need to learn how to use it.

 

VERY COOL! I'm getting the DMX957XR does not play CD's No nav. Placing order tomorrow. Friend of a friend is a professional installer. So we'll see. Was going to install myself. Let's see what he wants for the install.

 

Nice! I just drove it today for the first time with the new radio installed, and I love it so far. I was amazed at the high resolution display. If I had a friend to install it, I probably would have availed myself of that resource. Still, there are a number of good installation photos and videos, some of which are on this forum and some on youtube. There is no way I could have installed it without those resources. I was able to install both cameras with no drilling. The no-drilling credo added a lot to the installation time, and I don't think that a professional installer would have been willing to go that route. Among other things, I had to use a bench grinder to shave off part of the bracket on one of the cameras.

 

Awesome! I can't wait to drive it with the new unit in. The only thing is, I might do the install. I have the time but don't have the room in the garage and it's a little too cold out. I'm excited like a kid on Christmas Day!

 

I recently installed the Kenwood DMX9707S and it was rather straight forward. Get the right wiring harnesses, and make sure that's all prepared before you get the console open. Removing the console to access the stereo is actually pretty easy in the C6 compared to other cars. Just take you're time, don't force anything, and you'll be alright.

Have you considered installing front or rear cameras while you're replacing the stereo head unit as others have pointed out? These are pretty cheap, and easy to install if you're doing the radio at the same time. Definitely a nice quality of life mod.

Also, not sure if you're going to use Sirius XM, but my 2008 came with a XM antennae. I initially followed the forum instructions to use the old antenna with my new head unit, but I did buy the latest XM antennas since their reception is a bit better.

Make sure to give everything a test before closing up your console once everything is connected. Pay close attention to your door chimes, as some people do report issues with the door chimes not working after replacing the radio. Mine work fine, just passing along the advice that was given to me when I posted a similar question.

 

Just an FYI, the door chimes are retained by using the correct wiring interface. So if you used one like the Pac RP5-GM11, it will keep the door chimes.

 

Yep - that's what I used, and I had no issues with my door chimes. From some older posts, it looks like there are a few different models of the wiring interface floating around out there, and some may have gotten the wrong one.

I actually had no issues installing a new stereo, front/rear cameras, and the new XM antenna. The console in the C6's is pretty easy to remove, which is good because you'll need to do that to install your MGW short shifter .

 

I always say that installing a decent aftermarket head unit is a must-do mod for the C6. And installing a backup camera can't be any easier than it is in a C6. Those 2 mods will cost you an afternoon of your time and pay dividends for years to come.

 

Didn't place the order yet for I might get the one you have instead. It plays Cd's and DVD's is that correct? and I'm going to be doing it myself!

 

That is correct. I think that is the only difference between the 2 units. I have not tried a DVD (and probably never will). I am a relatively new convert to FLAC files, but I still like to play CDs sometimes. I believe that DVDs won't play unless you have the parking brake engaged. Of course, if one were so inclined, one could simply attach the parking brake sensor wire on the radio to a ground (thus over-riding the parking brake requirement), but I did not do that. I don't need to play DVDs in my car.

 

I think that's the way to go. How did you hook up the rear camera? Which wire did you tap into ?

 

Was the sound quality better than OEM even though you kept the OEM Bose speakers? Thanks

 

Yes, absolutely! I'd go out on a limb and say 50% better, especially when loading music onto an SD card, the music pops! Good luck...

 

not to hi-jack this thread, but its very timely as I was just about to order from Crutchfield and install myself....then stumbled on this....with all the bells and whistles.
I really like the Torque app!!

Its 'universal',but does anyone know if it would work with the correct interface?
Eonon GA2180A | 7 Inch IPS Double Din Car Navigation HD Full Touchscreen with Android 10 2GB RAM Quad Core Processor Split Screen Multitasking Universal Car GPS Stereo

I'd probably have it professionally installed

 

Stuff like this always reaffirms my faith in the Vette community. Hope both of you have a wonderful New Year!

 

Ok, I was putting together a compilation of resources that I used, plus a couple of wiring tips, but here goes as to rear camera wiring. Most people tap into the reverse light wire, and there is a good set of instructions here. The first thing you need to figure out is whether to drill or not to drill (both the camera into the car, and into the firewall for wires). I did not want to drill, so I used Matticus91's great find of the rubber gasket. You can poke a hole through it, run your wires, and the rubber seals it up very nicely. As far as where to tap in, most folks tap into the backup light wires, as did Matticus91. The you tube video linked here recommends not powering the camera from the backup light but rather tapping into an always on (in accessory mode) fuse, which is what I did. I think that either way works fine UNLESS you get a camera with lights (led or infra red), in which case you must power it with the backup light wires else the camera lights will always be on. So, for the red+ wire, I ran it from the camera to the fuse box in the front of the car (passenger seat foot well) and tapped into an accessory on fuse. I could have used the red wire that was embedded in the video cable, and that would have worked just as well (but you then need to backtrack from the radio to the fuse box with another wire). For the camera black - wire, I found a grounded bolt inside the firewall void behind the tail light, and tapped into that. I will try to go back in there and take a photo, but basically if you remove the right inside tail light it is maybe 12-18" left of the tail light opening. I tested mine with a multi-meter (and a positive cable from the fuse box) and came up with 12 volts, so good to go. In any event, I now have the option of turning on the backup camera without being in reverse. My harness from crutchfield already had a reverse trigger wired into the radio, so the radio knows when you are in reverse, hence no need to run a wire from the backup light to the radio. I'll post more within the next few days. I learned a lot, and it was kind of fun.