Audio upgrade - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

suzbndt · 09-22-2020, 08:40 AM

After 10 years of ownership I'm finally getting around to installing some audio products. Looking for suggestions on a head unit and install Kit I've looked at a couple but none really caught my eye. What are you guys running currently installed a digital antenna sub to go with my factory stereo that he did his less-than-stellar to say the least. Scosche or the new kit that crutchfield.com has? Anybody have experience with both.

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DMan918 · 09-22-2020, 09:21 AM

Take a look at my thread in audio.

Basically, the two big ones are PAC and iDatalink Maestro. If you want to keep a factory look, go PAC. If you don't mind losing them and going to buttons/on screen air and heat controls, the iDatalink has more features and is arguably better.

I went PAC for the stock look, but I've gone back and forth about it quite a bit.

ragtop1 · 09-22-2020, 09:47 AM

If you have a HUD and go PAC, I believe you retain the HUD but, loose the ability to see audio information on the HUD.

suzbndt · 09-22-2020, 09:52 AM

I don't like the sunken in look of the pac. The data link isn't too bad. I really like the look of the scosche with the single screen but the reviews seem hit or miss with the first gen of those. And I have been looking at headunits.

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suzbndt · 09-22-2020, 10:00 AM

Mine is 2010 ss no hud. Datalink unit seems ok too

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the85darkknight · 09-22-2020, 10:59 AM

I just upgraded my head unit to a Kenwood DDX9906XR with the iDatalink Maestro interface and the PAC dash kit. You retain your factory look, and all of your HUD information is retained with this setup. The only "issue" I have is that the climate controls on the touch screen are not working, but I don't care because I still have the PAC physical controls. I love my set up!

InFiD3ViL · 09-22-2020, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzbndt

I don't like the sunken in look of the pac. The data link isn't too bad. I really like the look of the scosche with the single screen but the reviews seem hit or miss with the first gen of those. And I have been looking at headunits.

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I have the single screen Scosche. They don't make it anymore and it's now a dual screen for climate controls and system settings. It's ok at best. I mean it works and does what it's supposed to do, but the touch screen is of subpar quality and sensitivity, imo. It's also so bulky that it blocks a good portion of my 4 pack gauges.

When I upgrade I am definitely going with the iDatalink Maestro CAM1 kit. The functionality and features are vastly superior when paired with a good head unit. I am tired of the sluggishness of my Chinese Android head unit (8 core, 2GB Ram, 32GB). Yes, I can load and use nearly any app I want on it and customize the daylights out of it. But what's the point if the hardware is so out of date and slow that it is nearly useless? I had to load a custom ROM on it just to make it somewhat tolerable.

suzbndt · 09-22-2020, 01:10 PM

I think the best solution out right now is the datalink setup

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Cheap Guy · 09-22-2020, 03:36 PM

The audio section is still relatively active compared to other areas of this forum. Lots of good info there. As far as the dash kit, I think the PAC is the best looking. No, you don’t have the maestro stuff but I have it on my other car and I rarely use it and the other kit looks pretty ugly. As far as head unit, my suggestion is to really go with a short chsssis radio no matter what brand you go with.

TommyTheCat · 09-22-2020, 05:11 PM

I went with the PAC unit, which has been updated to come with the A/C knobs so you don't have to take apart the old ones. Looked the best imo

suzbndt · 09-22-2020, 06:38 PM

Finished installing this now to find a grill that fits over it.

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kcox2010 · 09-23-2020, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyTheCat

I went with the PAC unit, which has been updated to come with the A/C knobs so you don't have to take apart the old ones. Looked the best imo

Where did u buy it pac kit that has knobs already install so u don’t have to remove the original thanks

Vicster · 09-24-2020, 06:27 AM

These are my upgrades, the stereo stuff is in the middle of the post.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...=571243&page=2

DMan918 · 09-24-2020, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcox2010

Where did u buy it pac kit that has knobs already install so u don’t have to remove the original thanks

Abt has it. Model number is RPK5-GM4102.

09-22-2020, 08:40 AM	#1
suzbndt Drives: 2010 Camaro SS 2011 Mustang GT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Huntington WV Posts: 356	Audio upgrade After 10 years of ownership I'm finally getting around to installing some audio products. Looking for suggestions on a head unit and install Kit I've looked at a couple but none really caught my eye. What are you guys running currently installed a digital antenna sub to go with my factory stereo that he did his less-than-stellar to say the least. Scosche or the new kit that crutchfield.com has? Anybody have experience with both. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

09-22-2020, 10:59 AM	#6
the85darkknight Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS Green Flash Edition Join Date: May 2017 Location: Warner Robins, Ga Posts: 130 View My Garage	I just upgraded my head unit to a Kenwood DDX9906XR with the iDatalink Maestro interface and the PAC dash kit. You retain your factory look, and all of your HUD information is retained with this setup. The only "issue" I have is that the climate controls on the touch screen are not working, but I don't care because I still have the PAC physical controls. I love my set up! __________________ StarSaber Mk. II IG: StarSaber85(https://www.instagram.com/starsaber85/) Performance Mods: CAI, Inc. Cold Air Intake; ADM Racing Scoop; Bo White Ported Throttle Body; GPI Ported Rod Mod Intake; Kooks 1-7/8" Headers with Catted Connections; Solo Mach XL Axle-Back Exhaust

09-22-2020, 03:36 PM	#9
Cheap Guy Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 679	The audio section is still relatively active compared to other areas of this forum. Lots of good info there. As far as the dash kit, I think the PAC is the best looking. No, you don’t have the maestro stuff but I have it on my other car and I rarely use it and the other kit looks pretty ugly. As far as head unit, my suggestion is to really go with a short chsssis radio no matter what brand you go with. __________________ My Little Mid-Life Crisis Cure! First - 1997 Camaro 3800 Y87, M5, Green - Gone \| Second - 1997 LT1 Z28, M6, Silver - Sold \| Third - 1999 LS1 Z28, M6, Pewter, Almost Stock! - Sold Current - 2011 Camaro SS, M6, black, 1LE suspension parts - Current

09-24-2020, 06:27 AM	#13
Vicster 1000hp is NEVER Enough! Drives: 13' ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Seattle Posts: 662 View My Garage	My stereo upgrades These are my upgrades, the stereo stuff is in the middle of the post. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...=571243&page=2

09-22-2020, 09:21 AM	#2
DMan918 Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Convertible 6MT Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 258	Take a look at my thread in audio. Basically, the two big ones are PAC and iDatalink Maestro. If you want to keep a factory look, go PAC. If you don't mind losing them and going to buttons/on screen air and heat controls, the iDatalink has more features and is arguably better. I went PAC for the stock look, but I've gone back and forth about it quite a bit.

09-22-2020, 09:47 AM	#3
ragtop1 Drives: 2012 2ssRS convertible Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Mentor, Oh Posts: 44	If you have a HUD and go PAC, I believe you retain the HUD but, loose the ability to see audio information on the HUD.

09-22-2020, 09:52 AM	#4
suzbndt Drives: 2010 Camaro SS 2011 Mustang GT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Huntington WV Posts: 356	I don't like the sunken in look of the pac. The data link isn't too bad. I really like the look of the scosche with the single screen but the reviews seem hit or miss with the first gen of those. And I have been looking at headunits. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

09-22-2020, 10:00 AM	#5
suzbndt Drives: 2010 Camaro SS 2011 Mustang GT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Huntington WV Posts: 356	Mine is 2010 ss no hud. Datalink unit seems ok too Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

09-22-2020, 01:10 PM	#8
suzbndt Drives: 2010 Camaro SS 2011 Mustang GT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Huntington WV Posts: 356	I think the best solution out right now is the datalink setup Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

09-22-2020, 05:11 PM	#10
TommyTheCat SHKE BKE Drives: 2013 Camaro Join Date: May 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 3,108	I went with the PAC unit, which has been updated to come with the A/C knobs so you don't have to take apart the old ones. Looked the best imo

09-22-2020, 06:38 PM	#11
suzbndt Drives: 2010 Camaro SS 2011 Mustang GT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Huntington WV Posts: 356	Finished installing this now to find a grill that fits over it. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk