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Adding map/navigation to a base C6?

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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 09:28 PM
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Default Adding map/navigation to a base C6?

Is it possible to add/install/retrofit the navigation system to a base 2006 Corvette?

Asking because I'm admiring one that has the panel, but doesn't mention the nav system.

Not a deal-breaker by any means -- I'm not only comfortable with using paper maps, I used to make them in the first 25 years of my career. But if I get the C6, with that map-capable display, it would be great to have the maps, too.
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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 09:40 PM
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You don’t want the OEM navigation unit. It’s 17-year old technology, and was honestly outdated when it was introduced in ‘05. You would need to pay a dealer or someone with a Tech II to unlock it and match it your car. The last map update was 2016, which means it has maps from 2015.

Your best, and most cost-effective options is to replace it with an aftermarket head unit.
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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by JABCAT
Your best, and most cost-effective options is to replace it with an aftermarket head unit.
^^^ This ^^^
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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by JABCAT
You don’t want the OEM navigation unit. It’s 17-year old technology, and was honestly outdated when it was introduced in ‘05. You would need to pay a dealer or someone with a Tech II to unlock it and match it your car. The last map update was 2016, which means it has maps from 2015.

Your best, and most cost-effective options is to replace it with an aftermarket head unit.
Completely agree with this. Get a modern head unit and don't mess with an OEM head unit that was outdated when it was first introduced.
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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Corvette_Ed
Completely agree with this. Get a modern head unit and don't mess with an OEM head unit that was outdated when it was first introduced.
Thanks, JABCAT, Corvette_Ed. I'm looking at a 2006 base coupe, and as I say, I am completely comfortable with paper maps, or Google Maps on my phone (as needed).

I've got a long, long history with GPS ... my former employer (Defense Mapping Agency) was a principal driver for the GPS system. GPS was the foundation of the World Geodetic System of 1984, which has been refined and tightened to a millimeter-level model of the Earth's surface.

Last edited by Westy R; Jan 8, 2021 at 10:09 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Westy R
Thanks, JABCAT, Corvette_Ed. I'm looking at a 2006 base coupe, and as I say, I am completely comfortable with paper maps, or Google Maps on my phone (as needed).
The best thing you can do for yourself is to get a modern head unit that you can connect via Bluetooth to your phone so you can get verbal directions through the speakers via Google Maps, or even better yet through Waze, which gives you directions through Google Maps plus it tells you where cops, potholes, road obstructions, and other road hazards are.
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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Westy R
Thanks, JABCAT, Corvette_Ed. I'm looking at a 2006 base coupe, and as I say, I am completely comfortable with paper maps, or Google Maps on my phone (as needed).

I've got a long, long history with GPS ... my former employer (Defense Mapping Agency) was a principal driver for the GPS system. GPS was the foundation of the World Geodetic System of 1984, which has been refined and tightened to a millimeter-level model of the Earth's surface.
I thought I was the last person on earth that actually could read a paper map. I still carry an atlas in each one of my cars.
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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 09:06 AM
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As the others said...one of the best mods to do is to change the head unit. I just did it the past few days. It took 2 days because I took my time. I did a lot of research and a preliminary overview on the whole thing. So I am not caught with any surprises. Went smoothly. Head unit and backup camera.
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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 09:11 AM
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Kenwood Excelon DDX9907XR DVD/CD no GPS.


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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 10:32 AM
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I have an iPhone and Apple car play on my daily driver. It’s great, the map comes up on the screen and voice directions come through the radio
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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 10:43 AM
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Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Certainly sounds as though a new head unit is my best option, if I choose to do anything ...

Woops -- I took a closer look, and the head unit is marked "SONY". So a previous owner agreed with you!

(Now I just have to give this car a test-drive. It looks like a good deal -- $4000 below KBB average, 44K miles, Monterey Red coupe with tan interior. It's at a Jaguar dealership, and the salesman said they want to get it out of the way to make room for another Jaguar.)
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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Westy R
Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Certainly sounds as though a new head unit is my best option, if I choose to do anything ...

Woops -- I took a closer look, and the head unit is marked "SONY". So a previous owner agreed with you!

(Now I just have to give this car a test-drive. It looks like a good deal -- $4000 below KBB average, 44K miles, Monterey Red coupe with tan interior. It's at a Jaguar dealership, and the salesman said they want to get it out of the way to make room for another Jaguar.)
That's a line. They don't need the room, they just want to sell it. At 4k below KBB, expect issues. KBB is notoriously lower than reality for these cars.
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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Patsgarage
I thought I was the last person on earth that actually could read a paper map. I still carry an atlas in each one of my cars.
There is one more person like that.

Last edited by 88redconvert; Jan 9, 2021 at 07:31 PM.
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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 07:40 PM
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Kenwood DNN992 Excelon



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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by FAUEE
That's a line. They don't need the room, they just want to sell it. At 4k below KBB, expect issues. KBB is notoriously lower than reality for these cars.
Then I dodged a bullet. They sold it five minutes before I arrived to check it out!

And - remarkably - they'd taken an '09 convertible in trade, earlier in the day. I gave it a look-over, but not a test-drive ... and late this afternoon, the salesman who had taken my first call told me the sales manager would let me have it right away for $21K. But it isn't quite what I want; it's got 90K miles, with a manual trans (clutch issues?) and a "performance" (loud) exhaust ... and a problem with its stereo head; it was folded out horizontal, exposing CD and DVD slots.

There will be another "better deal" tomorrow, or next week, or later this month, or maybe next month. I just want to have my very own 'Fiberglass Mistress' ready to go cross-country to California and back, in time for the Great Southwest US road-trip I'm planning for April.
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Old Jan 10, 2021 | 02:43 PM
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I bought a stand-alone Garmin back in '08. Had a couple newer ones since. Simple, low cost, effective, free updates, and easy to carry in the hotel room to plan the next day's route. I still use it, since the display is larger than my phone and the program works better. Easy to swap it into one of the other vehicles too.

Several years ago, I bought a 1954 road atlas to complement the 2008 one and the several State maps I reference on road trips. I use the 1954 one to avoid the Interstate system, because I want to "See the USA in my Chevrolet" at a leisurely pace.
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Old Jan 12, 2021 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Corvette_Ed
Kenwood DNN992 Excelon


Corvette Ed,

Do you run the DNN992 stand alone or did you run amp and subwoofer? I installed the same head unit in my 07 with the stock Bose system and it left me wanting more. looking for suggestions. Thanks
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Old Jan 12, 2021 | 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by sdskpa
Corvette Ed,

Do you run the DNN992 stand alone or did you run amp and subwoofer? I installed the same head unit in my 07 with the stock Bose system and it left me wanting more. looking for suggestions. Thanks
I also installed a JL Audio 900W 5-channel amplifier, two 10" subs in the trunk, and replaced all of the Bose speakers in the interior with JL Audio component speakers in the doors and 5-1/4" speakers behind the seats.
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Old Jan 12, 2021 | 01:12 PM
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Wow!! It must sound great. I better get on Crutchfield and get to ordering. I can't take it any anymore.
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Old Jan 12, 2021 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by sdskpa
Wow!! It must sound great. I better get on Crutchfield and get to ordering. I can't take it any anymore.
It really does sound amazing! I can actually hear my stereo when I have the top down at highway speeds. I couldn't do that when I first bought my car. The Bose system didn't last a week.
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