Stereo base 4.3" head unit upgrade: Ideas? Plans?***

[zackmd1]

I checked the part numbers on a lot of the audio stuff. It all seems to be the same except the screen. I am hoping the wiring will all be the same and certain features will just be disabled in CAN

That is what I have been thinking as well. I am really curious as to how the manual climate system will react with the dual zone climate controls on the bezel.

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[Melekith]

So for $370 are you getting both the 8" screen and the dash kit replacement? From everything I'm reading this looks to be JUST a nav display.

I don't really need nav cause I use my phone. I'm more interested in upgrading the base stereo components...starting with a new interface and then a ping speakers if needed.

I have no idea how something like this would work with an amplifier?

 

[zackmd1]

So for $370 are you getting both the 8" screen and the dash kit replacement? From everything I'm reading this looks to be JUST a nav display.

I don't really need nav cause I use my phone. I'm more interested in upgrading the base stereo components...starting with a new interface and then a ping speakers if needed.

I have no idea how something like this would work with an amplifier?

It is a large screen replacement basically. It interfaces with the OEM headunit and sync. So no swapping of radio units but it does provide the larger touch screen input.

 

[GeoffyH]

Had the same thought on the factory style dash bezel being included or not, as its not mentioned in the items list, so just sent the question to the seller!!

 

[Iceman2733]

Well I have a feeling it is going to be junk after buying 1ea I have noticed a few other sellers all in the same location have posted them up for sale same exact price. I am almost thinking to cancel the order and save myself the hassle of everything.

 

[zackmd1]

Well I have a feeling it is going to be junk after buying 1ea I have noticed a few other sellers all in the same location have posted them up for sale same exact price. I am almost thinking to cancel the order and save myself the hassle of everything.

Don't cancel!! Haha yea I noticed that as well. But this is the way of Chinese sellers on ebay. Doesn't mean the product is junk it just means that multiple sellers have the same supplier. Myself and Asonitez believe that this is actually a copy of a Raxiom unit so it should be decent. Plus if it doesn't come in/doesn't work you can return it as ebay always sides with the buyer.

 

[Iceman2733]

Don't cancel!! Haha yea I noticed that as well. But this is the way of Chinese sellers on ebay. Doesn't mean the product is junk it just means that multiple sellers have the same supplier. Myself and Asonitez believe that this is actually a copy of a Raxiom unit so it should be decent. Plus if it doesn't come in/doesn't work you can return it as ebay always sides with the buyer.

I have sent a few questions if they respond I will keep the order. Needless to say I really hope it works great!! This was the only option out of premium I wanted. Zack buddy now you have to get me some toggles to install with it when it arrives. Ebay shows Delivery Aug 10-13

 

[zackmd1]

I have sent a few questions if they respond I will keep the order. Needless to say I really hope it works great!! This was the only option out of premium I wanted. Zack buddy now you have to get me some toggles to install with it when it arrives. Ebay shows Delivery Aug 10-13

Haha! I was just thinking the same thing! I am hoping to receive the prototype 2 today and have it installed by the weekend. Are you wanting to go with tier 1 or 2?

 

[Asonitez]

Well I have a feeling it is going to be junk after buying 1ea I have noticed a few other sellers all in the same location have posted them up for sale same exact price. I am almost thinking to cancel the order and save myself the hassle of everything.

From the seller I questioned just now it comes with the bezel in the same pattern as the base model including the little "specs." Apparently its injection molded w/e that means.


From experience here's how this works if raxiom is like OGM1 or CarShow 1210 OEM replacement head units.

Raxiom never manufactured its own head unit. It stimply found a Chinese seller manufacturing a headunit and asked for tweaks and changes to the UI to make it custom. This is based on a minimum number of units initially ordered.

The US based company then tries to sell and generate as much buzz as possible to sell units. It helps to already have a established company here in the US to Legitimize the part. Payments in China are usually made up front. For custom orders usually a certain # of revisions are allowed. After the amount is paid units start shipping. IF enough buzz cannot be generated a company might try to offer units for sale at a drastically reduced amount to simply make money upfront to pay the production costs.. (this is why some things take WEEKS to come from china cause most times they aren't even built yet.)


Now then of course there are non-compete clauses between raxiom's unit and the manufacturer however, due to archiac and seldom enforced copyright laws its a free-for all over there. since the company has the money for raxiom stuff upfront they are free to undersell you by offering the same unit with a tweaked OS as generic version. Since this is released I can guarantee a big-box marked version from raxiom will launch in the next few days/weeks at a significant price increase with the premium being becaused you are dealing with a USbased company vs one in shenzen.

 

[Iceman2733]

Haha! I was just thinking the same thing! I am hoping to receive the prototype 2 today and have it installed by the weekend. Are you wanting to go with tier 1 or 2?

Heck yea I will keep an eye out on that thread. As soon as I get this for everyone I will post a detailed review of product and installation. Also I have never done one but I will try and do a youtube video showing it working and in action.

 

[Asonitez]

Heck yea I will keep an eye out on that thread. As soon as I get this for everyone I will post a detailed review of product and installation. Also I have never done one but I will try and do a youtube video showing it working and in action.

If it is using the CE version then I don't think there is much to worry about. My Carshow runs that OS with iGO navigation and its leaps and bounds above the OEM one. It uses SD cards up to 64gb to do map updates and updates are free. iGO is open source if im not mistaken and as such gets updated pretty often compared to other map packages or oem map packages.

The Processor in the system seems to be one closely related to what mobile phone manufactures on the samsung and nexus platforms use the ARM A9 not a bad processor for what its going to do.

You can be assured too that you will have an external GPS puck that will need to be installed with clear view of the sky or at least right under the front dash panel. This is because by default the vehicles don't come with a GPS installed but you can usually find out WHERE The OEM GPS receiver is mounted and mount the aftermarket one (usually the same size) right in that location.

Since the BASE SYNC stystem dosen't do any real heavy lifting and almost all of the functions are handled through the harness including backup cam there should be nothing that needs to be cut and hardwired. The ONLY thing might be a ground cable that needs to be ground somewhere on the vehicle (like to the unit itself) to enable GPS input while the car is in motion. They usually tell you to ground this to the parking brake but (f that.)

It should also be noted that my OGM unit in my GMC actually made my premium bose speakers sound better as they pushed a bit more power through them. It also had more settings to fine tune the sound over the base unit.

 

[Iceman2733]

Well sent another message never thought of when I sent the first message. I hope this works with the factory steering wheel controls

 

[aggieStang]

Well sent another message never thought of when I sent the first message. I hope this works with the factory steering wheel controls

It should if it is using all of the stock wiring. I think the wheel controls all come through the sync module

 

[mstngracer]

How much space do we have behind our stock radio? I'm curious if i could buy the unit and maybe install a pioneer stereo.

 

[aggieStang]

How much space do we have behind our stock radio? I'm curious if i could buy the unit and maybe install a pioneer stereo.

No. Behind the screen is tight. The main box is down behind where your cd slot is

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