Rosen OEM-like Navigation & Bluetooth

[Z71Texas06]

Thought I would update everyone on my experience with the Rosen OEM-like navigation I just bought, installed and returned to Crutchfield. My original decision to spend the ~$1600 was motivated by a desire to add bluetooth and a "real" ipod controller (have the Scosche controller right now which is spotty at best) without splicing wires or adding an ugly fob to the dash board (ie bluetooth screen). This unit was almost a homerun for exactly that until I discovered one fatal flaw during installation...it is NOT plug-n-play for the factory backup camera. Literally everything else was plug and play and worked great. The turns signals, the indicators, EVEN THE BACKUP SENSORS, just not the factory back-up camera. In the end, I wasn't willing to give up the camera, something I use every time the truck is in reverse, to add bluetooth and a better ipod controller. May sound ridiculous to those who don't have backup cameras and are perfectly comfortable with sensors (used to be that way with my 02 Tahoe), but once you have a camera you will NEVER go back.

Is this the end of the world for the Rosen unit or for others out there looking for a better system? Nope. There are options to fix the camera issue. First would be to tap into the video signal wire in the factory harness and make a custom RCA jack that will plug into the Rosen unit. I was turned off by this because I don't want to splice into the factory wiring and I was worried about video quality. Second option is to run a new camera to the back door and I wasn't excited about that for obvious reasons.

The Good:
**Very nice, OEM-like look to the unit. Even the button lights match the factory
**Built in Bluetooth giving you what GM failed to. If you already have Bluetooth because you were lucky enough to wait for the 2009 model year, the Bluetooth on this unit can be disabled so that you can continue using the factory option
**iPod control functions as it should, just like an iPod (ie: 4-point controller, buttons for artist, genre, etc.
**Navigation is better (how could it not be)
**Lots of add on abilities through different video sources, customization options, etc
**Two SD card slots in the front (one is dedicated to the navigation) and a mini-USB jack
**Have the option to disable the speed-sensitive disabling of features
**ALMOST plug and play

The Bad:
**Doesn’t play nice with the factory backup camera rendering the unit not truly plug-n-play
**Factory harnesses plug into another harness that then plugs into the Rosen unit. Sounds find except there is such limited space behind the dash that it is nearly impossible to get all the wires clear to mount the Rosen unit. In fact, I was never able to get it properly seated after 90 minutes of trying
**For vehicles equipped with rear-seat entertainment systems, the audio controls on the back of the center console will no longer work with the Rosen, everything will have to be controlled from the Rosen unit (didn’t seem like too big of a deal to me at the time)
**Some might complain that the SD slots are limited to 2 GB in size, but that doesn’t bother me as I was planning to use the iPod exclusively

Would I recommend this unit? IF any of the following apply, then I would absolutely recommend it:
**You do not have a back-up camera from the factory
**Your factory backup camera is integrated into the rear-view mirror, not your nav screen. (This is where I got false comfort. A Buick Enclave forum that had helpful install information about the Rosen unit had posts about their users deciding to leave the camera in the rear-view mirror, I just didn’t realize that it wasn’t plug-n-play.
**You don’t mind splicing the factory harness or running a new camera
**You don’t use the back-up camera (doubtful)

COMPATABILITY NOTE: There are two units sold by Rosen for the GM vehicles, the GM0710 and the GM0720. The GM0720 is for vehicles that are equipped with the Bose Centerpoint system. The tell tale sign for this is if there is a center channel speaker on the dashboard just above the center HVAC vents. If so, then you need the 0720. If not, you need the 0710. Most (but NOT all) Denali’s need the 0720, most (but NOT all) regular Yukons and Tahoes need the 0710
XM VS. IPOD NOTE: Some sites say that when you buy the GM0719 iPod control module for the Rosen that the XM radio functionality is disabled. That is NOT TRUE, the XM worked fine with the GM0719 and iPod installed.

Hope this research is helpful to others out there looking to decide on replacement units.

Some Links:
Rosen Unit at Crutchfield: Link
Buick Forum describing install: Link

ps: Would recommend doing business with Crutchfield as they were very helpful during the entire process.

 

[blaqout]

I think it would be more cost effective to go with an aftermarket such as a nice double din Pioneer or Kenwood. You wouldn't have to splice any wires as long as you buy the proper bypass module(s), that way if you ever had to go back to the factory unit it is truly "plug and play". You can retain rear controls and everything else that way. The most difficult part would be finding room to mount everything, but a nice cutting job with a jigsaw or Dremel could take care of that.

 

[Z71Texas06]

I think it would be more cost effective to go with an aftermarket such as a nice double din Pioneer or Kenwood. You wouldn't have to splice any wires as long as you buy the proper bypass module(s), that way if you ever had to go back to the factory unit it is truly "plug and play". You can retain rear controls and everything else that way. The most difficult part would be finding room to mount everything, but a nice cutting job with a jigsaw or Dremel could take care of that.

Assume you are refering to something like the PAC modules or similar? It is definitely an option, but the install is tricky and it has a non-factory look that invites unwelcome window bashers. That said, there is no doubting the cool features of some of the Pioneer/Kenwood units. Was your install completely plug-n-play? Do you have a backup camera?

 

[blaqout]

My install was completely plug and play, but I did not have the factory back up camera. I installed an aftermarket Pioneer camera with my unit. I do understand about the "non-factory look" but if you have the factory navigation the double din stereos with screens tend to look very similar whether factory or aftermarket in my opinion.

---------- Post added at 01:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 PM ----------

Actually I take that back, I did have to splice into one wire for the Steering Wheel controls at the BCM module, almost forgot about that. It was a pain, LOL! **EDIT: I just replaced the Metra harness with the PAC harness and it has a place for the SWI on so it is compeltely plug and play.

 

[04silverL]

Got any pics? Hows the Rosen been since the original post?

 

[Eagle]

Thought I would update everyone on my experience with the Rosen OEM-like navigation I just bought, installed and returned to Crutchfield.

emphasis added.

 

[Z71Texas06]

Got any pics? Hows the Rosen been since the original post?

As highlighted above, I returned the unit after a small amount of actual testing. I spoke to Rosen about why I returned (to refresh, primary reasons were (1) that it doesn't integrate the factory backup camera and (2) I couldn't find a way to effectively stuff the added harnesses and boxes from Rosen behind the stereo chassis). Their response was basically that, while they understand my apprehension about the factory backup camera, most of their units are sold to customers who DON'T have navigation from the factory (and thus don't have a factory backup camera, or if they do, it is integrated into the rear-view mirror). Thus, there isn't much motivation for them to figure out how to integrate the video signal from the factory harness into their unit. It's hard for me to know how difficult this task would be, but I just don't see how it is a very big deal.

If the backup camera issue could be resolved (by Rosen or by another aftermarket supplier like PAC), I would try again to figure out a way to get it installed because I really think the features and factory look of the Rosen make it worth the investment.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

that is a very factory looking sat nav... the buttons are opposite, but it's very close... does the bluetooth show the incoming ID on the Nav unit or dash? does it sync your phone book so incoming calls show as NAMES?

 

[Z71Texas06]

that is a very factory looking sat nav... the buttons are opposite, but it's very close... does the bluetooth show the incoming ID on the Nav unit or dash? does it sync your phone book so incoming calls show as NAMES?

I believe it shows the numebr on the screen, but it does not sync with your phone's address book. To be honest, I didn't have time to test the bluetooth system as I never drove around with it installed.

 

[04silverL]

Well damn. I was looking at this unit. I may end up going with it as I do not have the factory backup camera. Ive heard good reviews on the enclave forums.