Lately Ive been getting more and more angry at my Alpine HU and have been looking around for navigation systems. I think Im done with aftermarket HU's. Everything Ive looked at (from sony to Eclipse) seems cheaply built, JMO.

I was lookin around over at one of the Duramax forums and it seems its pretty common and easy to swap in one of the factory touchscreen navigation unit from an Escalade or H2. Has anyone done the same with a Dodge/Chrysler navigation unit? They arent too much money on Ebay, and JL Audio makes an adapter to give them pre-outs for amps. Are these units even worth the effort? They dont seem as large and user-friendly as the GM units but then again I dont have any first-hand experience with them.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

I installed the RB1 nav unit over a year ago and love it! The only down side is you need to have the nav dvd in the unit for the nav to work, so I ended up buying a factory 6-disc changer on ebay for cd's. It actually works out better that way for me About 2 months ago I installed a full audio system still using the RB1 and it works great. I used one of these instead of the JL cleansweep and I couldn't be happier. It sounds amazing, and is way cheaper

 

Jeff, thanks the quick reply. Anything else you had to get in order to get this to work? Or is it just a plug-n-play sorta deal? I dont mind having to get a changer, Id think the storage compartment under the center seat would be pretty convient. Only thing I can see that would be a major drawback for me is would the changer/nav unit be able to play MP3 cd's? Right now I use my IPOD w/ the Alpine adapter but would be ok with just burning data cds.

Thanks again,
Jeff

 

well you have the rb1 and rb4 to chose from. the rb1 has a real map view but is dvd based so you can't play a cd and use the nav.

the rb4 just shows turns and info not a real map view but is has flash memory so you can store your nav info and use the cd player.

rb1 will display sat radio song and artist info I don't think the rb4 will.

the rb4 is quite a bit cheaper though. I think you can get one for about $400

if you like listening to cd's and don't want to buy a changer the RB4 is proably a better choice even though it does not look as cool as the RB1.

they do make aftermaket input to oem units via the changer port where you could add an ipod dock of somekind and then run this addpter to the dock.

 

The RB1 and RB4 are plug and play. Just pull out the stock head unit, and put in the Nav unit. You have to mount the GPS antenna somewhere, but the install instructions I had said it could go under the dash, so that is easy. That's really about it. Pretty easy, and well worth it in my opinion. I would get the RB1 because of the mapping.

This is what I ordered for my Ipod hookup: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piex3auxconv.html

It lets you select between 3 aux inputs or the CD changer, so you can hook up pretty much anything with RCA cables Neither the RB1 or RB4 will play MP3 discs as far as I know.

 

yeah it is a love hate with both of the units for me. I like the map of the RB1 (my sister has it in her grand cherokee). hate the fact you have to have a changer to listen to a cd wile you use the nav. I am just not a changer fan. I never have the cd I want in the danm thing. my main beef with the rb4 is if I wanted to add the factory sirius mod It would not display artist and title. although I don't know I will add that. I really like the idea of a map but I have almost ran off the road staring at it once in her jeep ha ha.

that is really the main difference though you just have to decide what is more important the map display or the memory that stores the destination.

if money is no opject the RB1 with the changer is proalby the best setup. If on a tight budget the rb4 will get you where you want to go for less money.

 

Sounds like the RB1 is the one for me. Moneys always an object but I think the RB1 suits me more. Thanks again for all the advice. Havent ever really heard much about doing this on here, glad Im not the only one interested in it.

Jeff