Recommendations for New Head Unit??
 

Hi All,

After over 10 years. of ownership, I am growing tired of the stock C6 head unit. What are some good alternatives on the market with a full touch screen & bluetooth?

Thanks

Check out the Kenwood units I have a Kenwood 6980DNX on 2005 and works just fine.

I was in your shoes, holding on to my factory unit for 5 years. I even installed the factory nav unit and it served me pretty well. But with all of the new technologies (particularly Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), I just could not take it anymore and I had to upgrade. I researched Pioneer, Kenwood, and Alpine at everyone"s recommendation but wanted something that looked and felt as stock as possible and very few of those satisfied that criteria for me.

I just installed the Sony XAV-AX200. Excellent unit so far. Got it because:
- Matte finish looks much more stock than glossy black
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatible
- Extremely easy to use interface
- Has an actual volume knob instead of tiny buttons
- Steering wheel controls still work
- Plays CDs and DVDs
- Sirius/XM ready
- Has THREE camera inputs. I set up front and rear.
- Sound quality a good deal better than stock units, even with stock speakers
- Doesn't break bank at $499... other units cost hundreds more

Best of luck.

Generic Android
 

Yep, I saw that before buying too. But when I saw the fit was off by saying 0.04" (roughly 1mm) I went for it... And it absolutely fits, I did the installation myself. :thumbs:

PM me for any questions. I'm happy to help.

Did you spend the $28 for the wire harness and antenna adapter or did you have to spend$78 on the other harness with the blue box?

I'd love to see some pictures. And when you say the steering wheel controls work, would that be all of them? Radio and bluetooth calling?

I would definitely go for the PAC RP5-GM11 ($80) module instead of the CRUX SOCMG-17C ($25). This will be required with most aftermarket head units in order to preserve steering wheel controls, a door chime, and allow you to take advantage of the DVD player. They additionally offer their $25 "Ready Harness" which basically means they do all the wiring for you. Even after having learned how to do the installation myself, I still would have sprung for the Ready Harness for the time savings. If you're gonna have the unit installed by someone else then just skip the Ready Harness.

I'd be happy to do that. Of course the rainy season is upon us in South Texas (yes we do get rain too!) so I can't get any natural light shots, but here's a picture of a Sony XAV-AX100 in another Vette in the classified section which is basically the same as the XAV-AX200 but without the CD/DVD slot... the lack of said slot admittedly makes it look even MORE "stock" than XAV-AX200 but I like having the additional feature.

I'll take pics later today if I can but I hope this helps in the meantime.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...025c30ee90.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...ad769b2401.jpg

^^^ As you can see from above, the head unit itself actually matches the matte color of the factory dash. The Metra dash kit surrounding it is unfortunately ever so slightly darker, but that can't be avoided...

I dont have steering wheel controls or XM or Onstar,I didnt want to spend $80 when I dont have to so thats why I asked,the $28 package comes with some kind of gray box that is suppose to work the chimes?

I see... if that's the case then I agree with you, no need to spring for the more expensive PAC RP5-GM11. The only thing you'd miss out on is adding DVD integration. If that doesn't matter to you but you still want to preserve some of that stock look, I'd probably go for either the Sony XAV-AX100 or the XAV AX5000 with the cheaper $25 CRUX SOCGM-17C harness/Metra dash kit.

Wow...I didn't even last 5 days with the stock head unit. Changed mine to a JVC with android auto\Apple car play(no DVD). Sounds awesome with the upgraded Alpine speakers and sub.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5e73e3f5ff.jpg

Okay! They're not the best because I snapped the pics in the garage but wanted to share. Yes, the steering wheel controls totally work: volume up/down, preset up/down, seek up/down (long hold)... I do not have the Bluetooth functions on my steering wheel but Crutchfield assures me it works too.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...36fc750999.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3fcbb3cb8d.jpg
Very happy with overall look. The "Sony" moniker is one of the only signs that it's aftermarket.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b3ad3aaf86.jpg
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work perfectly.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...0cdf5107d5.jpg
Of course, gotta add the prerequisite custom Corvette background! :thumbs:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...ee58e17631.jpg
Plays CDs and DVDs... (no Blu-ray, though)

I also managed to find a way to install the rear view camera without any drilling or adhesives! I purchased the ($17), reversed the direction of the feet on the camera mount, simply used a screw for the license plate light to firmly anchor it! Someone may have already thought of this obvious solution, but I hadn't seen it, so wanted to share. The video quality is plenty acceptable for this purpose.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...54a8ebdbea.jpg
Look, Ma! No new holes! :D

Looks great, vara411! Well this thread has certainly helped me. Hopefully Vette4Lyfe has got something out of it :)

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...60a44a42b.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...465c2c2b9.jpeg

I am currently considering an AVIC-8400NEX or an AVIC-7201NEX (AVIC-7200 NEX with backup cam included) for my '07. According to my local Pioneer dealer, the AVIC-8201NEX is last year's model and no longer available (to him) and would be new old stock for anyone selling online.

Questions:
Is the capacitive screen on the 8400 that much better than the resistive screen of the 7200 to justify an approximately $500 difference in price?
What other features are included in the 8400 that don't exist in the 7200 (other than wireless Apple CarPlay and mirror casting)?

Thanks in advance for any help

The 7200 and the 8200 came out at the same time. They are both the same head unit except the 8200 has the capacitive touch screen. If you want to save yourself some money, look for an 8200. I see them on Amazon for $600 right now, great price compared to what they use to sell for. I wouldn't even consider the 7200. Your local Pioneer dealer probably still has some in stock that he is trying to sell you. Look for your head unit online. The same retailer will sell the same head unit online for a much lower price than he is allowed to sell them or advertise them for in his store. When I was shopping, I have an audio store near me that was selling the 8200 for $1150 in store but also selling them through amazon for $800 and no tax either.

I can't compare the 8400 because I haven't seen one yet, but my advice is consider the 8200 or the 8400. The capacitive screen is definitely worth it and the 8200 is a bargain right now if that's what you are looking for.