Adding Nav to 2008 GT with Shaker 500

ChelseaMustang · Apr 16, 2010

What is the best way to add nav to a 2008 GT with a Shaker 500 system? I am thinking about adding nav and I am trying to find out what my options are. I asked a guy at CarToys and he was saying I would need to have all the wiring replaced. Is this true? Is there an alternative? What nav units will work best with the existing Shaker 500 setup? I currently have Sirius installed too, but I never used it enough to justify the subscription cost so that is currently unused. I want to also get iPod connectivity and was originally looking at just adding that, but if I am going to change things I should go with the nav initially. Any suggestions on the best approach, best unit etc? I am hoping to stay around the $1000 mark but a little more is OK.

stanmckinney · Apr 16, 2010

Try Crutchfield.com
There are many units to select from and the wiring does not have to be changed. A good install person can do it easily. I had a Kenwood unit with ipod controls, rear camera, navigation, satellite, etc. in a 2007. Just traded it for a 2010.

ChelseaMustang · Apr 16, 2010

Thanks, I will take a look.

ChelseaMustang · Apr 20, 2010

So, I took a look at Crutchfield and saw the Pioneer AVIC u310BT listed for $399. It looks like it will do what I want. My question now is how do people deal with the installing/positioning of the GPS antenna, the microphone, and the USB connector for the iPod? It sounds like the best positions for these items are on the top of the dash for the antenna. In the glovebox or console for the USB connector. On the driver's sunshade for the microphone. Is there an easy way to route the wiring for these? As a mechanical imbecile is it something I could do, or should I get it professionally installed? If a professional install is the best option what is the approx cost for such an install?

stanmckinney · Apr 20, 2010

I would hire someone to install it. Your dash panels scratch easily, especially if you do not know what you are doing. I would put the ipod in the console. I had a microphone at the top of the guages. It worked well.
I think it cost me about $200 to get it installed, but I saved myself $500 in grief.
The price you quoted sounds pretty cheap.

ChelseaMustang · Apr 20, 2010

Thanks for the info. Do you have photos of your install? If so I would love to see what it came out like.

The link to the unit on Crutchfield is

Pioneer AVIC-U310BT Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com

stanmckinney · Apr 20, 2010

I traded the car about a month ago for a 2010, so I do not.

pesj · Apr 20, 2010

about $8 a month extra on Verizon = VZ Navigator. Complete Nav system with turn by turn and spoken directions on your phone, and maps etc. I assumed other carriers provide the same option. Don't waste your money messing with the stock system, when you can get the functionality and mobility of Nav on your phone for much much cheaper.

ChelseaMustang · Apr 21, 2010

I am also looking for iPod integration, so a new head unit makes sense to me.

pesj · Apr 21, 2010

oh ok, sounds good then. I was running into the same issue with our SUV, wanted a new head unit but was confused about interacting with the OnStar and the Sat radio. Bottom line, I left the stocker in place, didn't want to screw up the system.

Nav is so "cheap" and readily available these days, it always makes me laugh when luxury cars promote "with navigation" like it's some thousand dollar upgrade...when it costs less than 10 bucks a month on a phone or can be purchased as an external unit (Garmin TomTom etc) for a couple hundred.

Good luck in your quest.

ChelseaMustang · Apr 21, 2010

I am less interested in navigation as such. I am an old fashioned kind of guy and like to use a map. So the map display is more important to me than turn by turn directions. I like being able to see that a mile or so off my current route there is a lake etc. To me that is the biggest benefit of built-in nav. I guess I am also stubborn and don't like being told which way to go. Now if I was a business man who traveled all the time as part of my job, then I agree the VZ Navigator would be the way to go.

ChelseaMustang · Apr 21, 2010

stanmckinney said:
I traded the car about a month ago for a 2010, so I do not.

No problem. How do you like your 2010?

pesj · Apr 21, 2010

ChelseaMustang said:
I am less interested in navigation as such. I am an old fashioned kind of guy and like to use a map. So the map display is more important to me than turn by turn directions. I like being able to see that a mile or so off my current route there is a lake etc. To me that is the biggest benefit of built-in nav. I guess I am also stubborn and don't like being told which way to go. Now if I was a business man who traveled all the time as part of my job, then I agree the VZ Navigator would be the way to go.

So, if that is the case, buy a AAA Atlas and you are good to go? I agree maps are good, but navigating through an unknown busy city or other places where time is of the essence and no 2nd guessing means you don't miss a turn...the voice directions are great. I agree for the most part I don't like the voice, I just turn it off until I know I'm going to need it.

A short story:

Went on a business trip about a year and a half ago with 2 guys. We got to our destination airport, still had about 50 miles to our destination through unknown territory. They both pull out their printed Mapquest directions. I'm in the backseat, tell them we should just plug in the destination to my phone and let it do the work, they are very suspicious. We set the phone up front but they constantly check their precious 4 pages of Mapquest directions. We finally arrive, but they still aren't convinced.

Later that evening we are at the hotel in/near the city. We are talking about where to go for dinner, we settle on BBQ but...where oh where is a BBQ place? BAM, pull out my phone, enter the search data, all the BBQ places within a 10 mile radius come up. We settle on one based on the description, and let the phone direct us through town to the restaurant (flawlessly I might add). They are convinced....but I'm sure still use Mapquest when they aren't around me.

ChelseaMustang · Apr 21, 2010

pesj said:
So, if that is the case, buy a AAA Atlas and you are good to go? I agree maps are good, but navigating through an unknown busy city or other places where time is of the essence and no 2nd guessing means you don't miss a turn...the voice directions are great. I agree for the most part I don't like the voice, I just turn it off until I know I'm going to need it.

A short story:

Went on a business trip about a year and a half ago with 2 guys. We got to our destination airport, still had about 50 miles to our destination through unknown territory. They both pull out their printed Mapquest directions. I'm in the backseat, tell them we should just plug in the destination to my phone and let it do the work, they are very suspicious. We set the phone up front but they constantly check their precious 4 pages of Mapquest directions. We finally arrive, but they still aren't convinced.

Later that evening we are at the hotel in/near the city. We are talking about where to go for dinner, we settle on BBQ but...where oh where is a BBQ place? BAM, pull out my phone, enter the search data, all the BBQ places within a 10 mile radius come up. We settle on one based on the description, and let the phone direct us through town to the restaurant (flawlessly I might add). They are convinced....but I'm sure still use Mapquest when they aren't around me.

I agree, navigation definitely has it's place. Having it as a back up plan is a good idea. I have an old Garmin Pocket PC with built-in GPS that I have used in a similar way to you. I just figure that if I am going to add iPod integration to my car, I may as well go the extra yard and add Nav, Bluetooth etc. at the same time. I just know how I will use the unit most.

pesj · Apr 21, 2010

and what matters is how YOU will use it...right on.

In my line of work, we have some of the coolest gadgets known to man, but always have to know how to do things "the old fashioned way" in case something fails. Pisses me off, but I guess it's relevant.

stanmckinney · Apr 21, 2010

I love my 2010. I only wish the factory navigation system wasn't $2,000. Got a great Garmin with lifetime maps for $250.

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