Topic: Plug-n-play NAVI from Motevo

[Critterman]

You will have the same issue with HD, a friend of mine tried both Sirus and HD, the HD cut in and out even more than the Sirus, but atleast it gois back to regular radio.

[TomatoSoup]

I don't know how hard it is to change the LED's.  It would probably involve taking the unit somewhat apart, which I would not like to do.   

Last time I tried to change LEDs in a radio was back in the 90's on a Sony.  There were quite a few and all were surface mounted.  Not for the faint of heart (and certainly not for anyone that wants to maintain a warranty).

[lil goat]

That's true but the attraction of the Motevo is that it's plug and play where the Eclipse is not.

If you know Joe and are close to Joe's garage everything is plug and play.  To me the Motevo is like all you can eat brussel sprouts, maybe good for some but not for me. The lack of satellite radio is an absolute deal breaker, I had considered getting one for my truck but not without the sat. the blue lights would have worked well in the truck.

[amo]

Well since this unit does not require the mounting bracket that the after market ones do, because it is made for our cars.  This gives them a larger surface area to have a bigger screen with buttons going down the sides.  Though it doesn't give you much more space it is still some.

If you look at the screen you can see it's not 7", if it has any kind of buttons around the perimeter it can't be 7" that is all the room there is there. I found a listing on eBay for a brand new unit for $550 that says the screen is 6.2" that is what it looks like to me. I agree no satellite no deal, not a big Stern fan but gotta have BPM!

The Eclipse AVN726e unit is on sale all over the place for $700 or just under, even Crutchfield sells it for $1299 with a $500 store credit. It does support Sirius satellite and has a 7" screen but will end up costing almost twice as much with all the bells and whistles.

[BLK GXP]

I did not see anywhere if this is compatible with the Monsoon system or base system, has anyone confirmed this? I might be interested.

[Gentleman Jack]

To the audiophiles out there:

Would running this set up with the stock speakers (non monsoon) and adding an amp and sub in stock locations with the pre amp outs be a reasonable improvement over stock?  I have a stock sub elcosure that I would look to put in with a small amp to go along with this reciever. 

Thanks.  I realize this is a debatable topic and that you can never have enough, I am just wondering if there is enough power in this reciever to power the stock speakers at least as well as the stock head unit.  The ad says 14X4, but I dont' know what the stock unit is.

Thanks,

GJ

[Gentleman Jack]

I did not see anywhere if this is compatible with the Monsoon system or base system, has anyone confirmed this? I might be interested.

In doing some more research this is quoted from the sonicelectronix website:

"* NOTE: The Motevo unit will install in place of the factory head unit and require no kit or harness unless your system has an externally mounted factory amplifier or is part of a premium sound upgrade like “JBL Synthesis system” or “Bose factory system.” Additional harnesses may be required to properly integrate OnStar or other similar factory features. Please contact us for details if you have any questions regarding compatibility and necessary harnesses for installation. "

[tekenaar]

unless I am blind in one eye and can't see out the other (which is possible),  I don't see our cars on the compatibility list:

Compatibility List:
Chevrolet:
2007 - 2008 Suburban
2007 - 2008 Tahoe
2007 - 2008 Silverado
2007 - 2008 Avalanche
2007 - 2008 Traverse
2007 - 2008 Malibu
2007 - 2008 HHR
2007 - 2008 Impala
GMC:
2007 - 2008 Sierra
2007 - 2008 Yukon
2007 - 2008 Denali
2007 - 2008 Acadia
Hummer:
2008 - 2009 H2

True, but the Chevy HHR, Sky, Solstice and Opel GT all use an identical radio wiring harness . . .

[tekenaar]

I don't know how hard it is to change the LED's.  It would probably involve taking the unit somewhat apart, which I would not like to do.  I am more concerned with the lack of satellite radio, as I need my fix of Howard Stern and 81BPM in the morning. 

. . . just disassembled the front of mine to take a closer look. The front face button and knobs illumination is done by two dozen surface-mounted micro-LEDs (~1mm²) on two "L-shaped" circuit boards, one on each side. If you know anything about surface-mounted micro-electronic componentry, you'll understand why this is 'circuit-board-level-replacement-only' technology! . . . sorry. 

[Critterman]

so you would have to have the right circuit boards, with the proper led's to change the color.

[Sly Bob]

Hmmm, I wonder if a red film over the leds would change the color to one that would match our cars. Would that be possible?

[TomatoSoup]

Hmmm, I wonder if a red film over the leds would change the color to one that would match our cars. Would that be possible?

I tried that once too.  Put deep red film over green SM LEDs.  The result was a somewhat-dimmer amber/orange color.  Worked for me 'cos my car at the time had amber lighting.  Not too good for a Solstice tho.

[TomatoSoup]

. . . just disassembled the front of mine to take a closer look.

So you actually have one of these?  Well?  How does it work?  Pros/Cons?

WE NEED A HANDS-ON REVIEW!!!! 

[amo]

. . . just disassembled the front of mine to take a closer look. The front face button and knobs illumination is done by two dozen surface-mounted micro-LEDs (~1mm²) on two "L-shaped" circuit boards, one on each side. If you know anything about surface-mounted micro-electronic componentry, you'll understand why this is 'circuit-board-level-replacement-only' technology! . . . sorry.  

I would imagine the right color would work.  Just think if you put a red film (over the existing green) then it would be yellow.  Unless my artistic color side has given up already for the day.  I want to see pictures of it installed.  Is the screen 7" Diagonal or is that only a typo on some sites?  Still can't decide between this and the Eclipse AVN-726e.

[amo]

With my logic a Yellow film should work on this unit to make it Red.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Tomatosoup,

tekenaar was the new member I had mentioned about in post 1 and now that he has announced it, we'll be able to get more info. 

[TomatoSoup]

Just think if you put a red film (over the existing green) then it would be yellow.

With my logic a Yellow film should work on this unit to make it Red.

Remember, using a filter, you are working Subtractive not Additive. 

A yellow filter blocks transmission of all the colors other than those in the ranges around the yellow spectrum.  Green LEDs do not have much (if any) wavelengths in the red end and so you won't create something that's not there already.  End result would prob be a faded yellow-green.

[TomatoSoup]

Tomatosoup,

tekenaar was the new member I had mentioned about in post 1 and now that he has announced it, we'll be able to get more info. 

Ahhh, now I see.  Thanks!

[Gentleman Jack]

Tekenaar,

REVIEW?  Any info?  Curious minds want to know.  And knowing is half the battle!  I'll be back!  also, do you get a bowl of soup with that hat?  10 bucks says the Smails kid picks his nose. 

GJ

[Sly Bob]

A review would be awesome. Too bad about the lack of red lighting but when it comes down to it, there aren't a lot of units that would have red lighting anyway. 

[BLK GXP]

With that big screen, there aren't really that many buttons to light up. I don't think it would be too bad. Red would be nice, but as Steven Wright once said; "You can't have everything. Where would you put it?"

[elff]

I have HD Radio in my Sky.  You end up having the same reception issues as Satellite radio.
When you have a clean signal, the sound is significantly better than normal radio.  When you don't have perfect reception, it drops down to an analog signal.  The one thing that I noticed around Philadelphia is most radio stations have 1 or 2 HD stations on top of their normal analog station and they do play different music.  So it's nice from a variety point of view. 

As such, I'm happy with it and it doesn't require a monthly fee, so when it doesn't work, at least I'm not paying for it.
Satellite radio reception is non existent on my work commute.  Too many dips and valleys.
Also, with Bluetooth in so many radios's, I have found FREE alternates to satellite radio that I can stream wirelessly from my iPhone to my radio.
Slacker [Free version] and Pandora are my 2 favorites.

This radio, for what you get is a killer deal.  I'll be curious to see the review.  I am positive the new owner will love it. 

[LiquidPT]

I have HD Radio in my Sky.  You end up having the same reception issues as Satellite radio.
When you have a clean signal, the sound is significantly better than normal radio.  When you don't have perfect reception, it drops down to an analog signal. 

Right, it drops back to analog... so you still hear it... With satellite, if you don't have line of sight, it's just GONE.

[amo]

I just talked with my dad who was working at the CES show out in Vegas and I had him go check out the Motevo booth.  He said he wasn't to impressed with the units they had as far looks and things go.  He said they looked cheesy, now I don't mean to bash on the guy who did get it.  Hopefully he likes the way it looks and everything otherwise why would you buy it.  Figured i would let you guys know from somebodies 1st hand experience with the Motevo units.  Again, I hope the guy likes it and gives us a review of it when it gets installed.

[tekenaar]

I just talked with my dad who was working at the CES show out in Vegas and I had him go check out the Motevo booth.  He said he wasn't to impressed with the units they had as far looks and things go.  He said they looked cheesy, now I don't mean to bash on the guy who did get it.  Hopefully he likes the way it looks and everything otherwise why would you buy it.  Figured i would let you guys know from somebodies 1st hand experience with the Motevo units.  Again, I hope the guy likes it and gives us a review of it when it gets installed.

Well, since I won't be running it by Bandito's anytime soon (~1500 miles), I guess you won't be able to look for yourself.

OK, all kidding aside, I didn't exactly arrive at my NAVI choice lightly. Looked at all the other forums to see what already had been done and didn't really care for ANY solution offered in any forum. Most solutions involved some sort of motorized face for DVD slot access which I've personally never cared for no matter the manufacturer. I also just could not understand why GM didn't offer any NAVI option in any of their Kappa 2-seaters - Solstice/Sky/Opel GT!

I decided on a 2DIN NAVI with fixed-face touch-screen, so my next thought was to see what Pontiac offered in their other models. Pontiac Division printed a very nice 2009 models brochure which I got from the dealer during the summer of 2008. The only NAVI unit shown in any of the interior shots is the one for the Torrent . . .



. . . exactly what I was looking for! My first thought was, fine . . . wiring harness should be very close for a plug-and-play installation. Didn't get any further than that thought though because everything came to a screeching halt at the dealer parts counter . . . $2,400!

So, I googled NAVI units until I found this one . . . suits my requirements!