New Aftermarket head unit kit option

[rydahog]

Originally Posted by kain929

I may sound green but who is Ofer? Yes I would stay with this unit. My opinion is bias because I didn't have Mylink and I don't know much about them.

Kain, OFER is the name of the man who owns GEN5DIY,,who makes a lot of stuff for camaro,,etc...

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by rydahog

Kain, OFER is the name of the man who owns GEN5DIY,,who makes a lot of stuff for camaro,,etc...

Gen5DIY and Phastek are vendors, they don't make anything for the Camaro. Their products are purchased wholesale from various sources and resold to you and in certain situations, dropped shipped directly from the manufacture. Gen5Diy offers radio reprogramming for swapping myLink between vehicles that Phastek does not and Phastek offers some services locally that are not advertised.

I can't say this enough, the myLink radio is less useful than a pet rock, fact. Anyone contemplating upgrading or replacing their OEM radio should go aftermarket or it's a complete waste of money.

[Low Saturn]

Originally Posted by Snoman

Gen5DIY and Phastek are vendors, they don't make anything for the Camaro. Their products are purchased wholesale from various sources and resold to you and in certain situations, dropped shipped directly from the manufacture.

Not sure about most items on his website, but Gen5DIY does make wiring harness and harness adapters he sells. He's custom made harnesses for myself and others.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Low Saturn

Not sure about most items on his website, but Gen5DIY does make wiring harness and harness adapters he sells. He's custom made harnesses for myself and others.

Aye, I got lost trying to relay my point in the second sentence. Both vendors offer limited 1 off services, neither is their core function.

[Lawdog86]

Snoman, why do you feel the Mylink is a waste of money, and useless? I like the new unit, but it does sound like there is some quality issues, are any car functions or sounds lost with the PAC unit? Thanks, I still can't decide, despite my 2011 has been stuck in storage for 4 years and it will remain so until next summer when i ship it Hawaii. I plan to do a lot of cosmetic upgrades, to include new speakers and radio.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Lawdog86

Snoman, why do you feel the Mylink is a waste of money, and useless? I like the new unit, but it does sound like there is some quality issues, are any car functions or sounds lost with the PAC unit? Thanks, I still can't decide, despite my 2011 has been stuck in storage for 4 years and it will remain so until next summer when i ship it Hawaii. I plan to do a lot of cosmetic upgrades, to include new speakers and radio.

We might be confused on the nomenclature;

PAC/Scosche/Metra = Dash integration face plate. There are about 3 more options, but are discontinued (Alpine) or not relevant for discussion here (custom installs). Right now, PAC offers the best looking while retaining the most OEM radio accessory features.

myLink = OEM Head unit, radio core, teh brain. Designed and built using the cheapest quality parts physically available on the planet. Manufacture cost on this item is close to $50 and the specs are too horrible to list. Purchasing this unit costs $400+ used and another $150 at the dealer getting it reprogrammed to bypass the anti-theft lock out. For $550, there are near limitless aftermarket radios available with 1000x the sound quality. Moving in to compare features gets just stupid ridiculous, myLink maps cannot be upgraded, no HDMI connections, no parametric EQ, no dedicated subwoofer outputs, no RCA's, inherit line noise, won't pair more than one phone, limited "mp3/flac/wmv" compatibility, ..., ...

[patternpilot]

Originally Posted by Lawdog86

Snoman, why do you feel the Mylink is a waste of money, and useless? I like the new unit, but it does sound like there is some quality issues, are any car functions or sounds lost with the PAC unit? Thanks, I still can't decide, despite my 2011 has been stuck in storage for 4 years and it will remain so until next summer when i ship it Hawaii. I plan to do a lot of cosmetic upgrades, to include new speakers and radio.

The only function I lost with the PAC install was the call button function. All other buttons and functions work as before.

[kain929]

Originally Posted by patternpilot

The only function I lost with the PAC install was the call button function. All other buttons and functions work as before.

I have been able to use my call button. I pressed the call button and called a number using both my phone and Onstar. Am I missing something here?

[Lawdog86]

Snoman, great explanation.

When using Onstar for directions does it directly link to the new aftermarket head unit, and does the aftermarket head unit still work with relaying information to the HUD? I know the name of the song and turn by turn directions pop up in the HUD.

[Low Saturn]

Originally Posted by Lawdog86

.... does the aftermarket head unit still work with relaying information to the HUD? I know the name of the song and turn by turn directions pop up in the HUD.

No. Aftermarket radios don't have the capability to do that.

[kain929]

Originally Posted by Low Saturn

No. Aftermarket radios don't have the capability to do that.

Thanks! I was gonna ask the same question. I guess onstar navigation is useless now.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by kain929

Thanks! I was gonna ask the same question. I guess onstar navigation is useless now.

One's definition of useful might be more relevant. Most would rather have real navigation offered by aftermarket developers specializing in the arena than the joke offered by Onstar.

[Lawdog86]

I apologize in advance for all of the questions, is HUD/radio interaction lost as well? What about XM/Sirius radio? Did anyone set up the iDataLink Maestro? Does the HDMI connection in the center console still work with the aftermarket system? Are there any additional add on's recommended to purchase with the PAC face plate and aftermarket radio?

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Lawdog86

I apologize in advance for all of the questions, is HUD/radio interaction lost as well? What about XM/Sirius radio? Did anyone set up the iDataLink Maestro? Does the HDMI connection in the center console still work with the aftermarket system? Are there any additional add on's recommended to purchase with the PAC face plate and aftermarket radio?

HUD is lost, no aftermarket system is able to communicate with the OEM computer module to relay a song title scrolling change. This is insignificant in the grand scheme of things but anyone placing high value on this convenience should not touch the OEM radio.

XM/Sirius is available with almost every aftermarket radio currently being offered. Some offer direct connect, others require a separate module to be purchased. This is independent of the PAC face-plate, read your owners manual.

The three primary face-plates all connect to the OEM quick connects to communicate all 'in dash' functions (minus HUD). Please explain what you are referring to by 'iDataLink Maestro'.

There is no HDMI connectivity offered by the Chevy OEM system. The center console connection is a USB port and nearly 100% of all aftermarket radios have this capability, which is independent of the PAC unit. Consult your user manual.

I recommend reviewing the PAC owners manual and your aftermarket radio manual for anything extra that might need to be purchased to take full advantage of all features. Both are explained in great detail and also in this thread.