Raxiom OE-Style Navigation system vendor installation suggestions

[saunupe1911]

My Raxiom Navigation system shipped this afternoon from American Muscle. I'm contemplating doing the installation myself but I've never taken the front panel off or taken off door panels (to run wires for the backup camera). Hooking it up would be a piece of cake for me because I build PCs...plus it's just plug and play. But I was wondering if any of you had suggestions of a stereo installation shop that could handle it for a decent price. Especially one that his experience with this kit.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/raxiom-gps-nav-1014.html

[GTOphil]

I saw that the other day...I'm spending money on other stuff but they look AWESOME.

[saunupe1911]

I saw that the other day...I'm spending money on other stuff but they look AWESOME.

Yeah I had it on back order. I bought this using my fantasy football earnings and flipping Jordans. I like to call it un-budgeted blow off cash.

[Dan12GT]

Nice! Take some pics when you get it in! I want to get one of these eventually.

[saunupe1911]

Nice! Take some pics when you get it in! I want to get one of these eventually.

Will do! Trying to find a good installer now. I need this done right...no have half-assing otherwise I'll do it myself. It should arrive on Thursday and I got President's Day off!

[Dominic Toretto]

When installing the kit, do you have to install the camera? I thought I remember watching the video and them saying it was optional. I'd do it without the camera and install myself.

-Alex

[saunupe1911]

When installing the kit, do you have to install the camera? I thought I remember watching the video and them saying it was optional. I'd do it without the camera and install myself.

-Alex

It's optional but I want it installed. It's a cool feature

[Dominic Toretto]

It's optional but I want it installed. It's a cool feature

It is nifty. Since you have the kit though, would you say if one did not want the camera, it would be an easy install?

-Alex

[DirtyD]

It is nifty. Since you have the kit though, would you say if one did not want the camera, it would be an easy install?

-Alex
He hasn't gotten the kit delivered yet, much less installed it. lol

[GTOphil]

I'd be torn. It'd be cool to have it out back to make sure you didn't bump anything...but I think it'd also be REALLY nice to have on the front somewhere for parking stops/poles/cars in parking lots and other crap you can't see.

It's a great price though- too bad the wife has that particular $700 budgeted for a cover for her truck bed.

[DirtyD]

I'm going to go after the Maestro setup myself, just haves a wider variety of Din players to choose from that still work with it.

[saunupe1911]

I'm going to go after the Maestro setup myself, just haves a wider variety of Din players to choose from that still work with it.


You can't beat this price for all it offers. The Maestro setup is just too expensive for a car I might get rid of in 2 to 3 yrs. The DIN alone is over $600 for a good one. I don't know what an alternative Din does that this won't do..I'm guessing you want to see the diagnostic info that the Kenwoods show? Umma pass on that one

[DirtyD]

You can't beat this price for all it offers. The Maestro setup is just too expensive for a car I might get rid of in 2 to 3 yrs. The DIN alone is over $600 for a good one. I don't know what an alternative Din does that this won't do..I'm guessing you want to see the diagnostic info that the Kenwoods show? Umma pass on that one


Being I was track apps, yeah, that is one of the reason. Plus I don't know how the nav updates and such will work for the Raxiom, or who does their maps/nav.

[saunupe1911]

Being I was track apps, yeah, that is one of the reason. Plus I don't know how the nav updates and such will work for the Raxiom, or who does their maps/nav.

Their updates are free. You just download and put on a SD card. Reviews say that they are extremely accurate and the speed trap alerts are what put their maps over the top. Can't beat free.

[rlhay2]

I'd recommend Earmark Car Audio - Plano.

The guy who runs the shop has a good reputation.

[saunupe1911]

I'd recommend Earmark Car Audio - Plano.

The guy who runs the shop has a good reputation.

Thanks bro...I will give them a call on lunch. I called Car Toys a few days ago and already don't trust them...smh

[saunupe1911]

Earmark Car Audio - Plano rep said they only install products they sell so it's a no for them. Not quite sure how they make a profit...smh

[DirtyD]

There is a place in Arlington I would recommend. Mobile Sound Systems

[Luke]

Just do it yourself, car audio is extremely easy to figure out and all of the radio and trim pieces come out very easily.

[saunupe1911]

Just do it yourself, car audio is extremely easy to figure out and all of the radio and trim pieces come out very easily.

I'm cool with taking radio trim out. The GPS wiring and backup camera is what has me nervous. Just don't want to touch door panels, carpet, or A pillar trim

I'm actually contemplating just doing the radio myself and then double side tapping the GPS on the dash but I want everything done right...the first time

[NAVAG]

I've been thinking of buying one of those myself. I have it on my build list on AM and have been watching it for one of their sales.
I've actually considered running the camera to the front bumper for when I have to squeeze into my garage. Or maybe not hooking up a camera at all. (Got by this long without one) But hey, I'm a tech guy and I like flashy shit like that. Right now I'm torn between "bells and whistles" and going faster...

Try doing it yourself before paying someone else to do it. It should be pretty simple. I had the console off a few months ago. Ran the wires to my exhaust cutouts through the rubber shifter boot. Piece of cake.

Installation is pretty straight forward.
Unscrew the shifter knob.
Pull up on the center console.(it just snaps into place) Unhook the wires.
Two screws at the bottom of the radio bezel and your all set.
Make sure you get the XM radio ID off your old radio before you disconnect it.
The Bezel that comes with the kit is a direct replacement.
All the stuff you take off of the old bezel will go on the new one.
All the AC and Radio controls are just push button assemblies that are screwed onto the back of the bezel with a wire harness that just snaps on. Everything on the Raxiom one is designed to be plug and play which is why I like it.

Good Luck!

[NAVAG]

I'm cool with taking radio trim out. The GPS wiring and backup camera is what has me nervous. Just don't want to touch door panels, carpet, or A pillar trim

I'm actually contemplating just doing the radio myself and then double side tapping the GPS on the dash but I want everything done right...the first time

You might be able to run the GPS wire through the back of the center console, under the carpet, under the back seat, and attach it to the back window. Use something stiff like a wire coat hanger to fish it through. I saw a set up like that once. Let us know what you come up with. I'd like to buy one but right now I'm saving up for a beater to drive to work so I can stop putting so many miles on my car.

[NAVAG]

Just do it yourself, car audio is extremely easy to figure out and all of the radio and trim pieces come out very easily.

Nothing like the radio that was in my old fox body that's for sure...

[saunupe1911]

I think I found an installer but guess what? American Muscle is located in PA so my package is stuck in Columbia, SC. UPS is just the worst shippers.

[saunupe1911]

Finally got the Raxiom NAV installed. Its definitely worth the price. The NAV is quick and accurate with free updates. All SYNC features work flawlessly and in some ways better. Backup camera is one of the best I've seen. Audio/Video is available via RCA cables.

But my initial experience with the purchase was horrible. First of all, UPS lost the package due to bad weather. I took it to Car Toys Lewisville last weekend like a damn fool! They charged $245 for the complete install, which was still a rip off in my opinion. Also they left things incomplete such as tying off the the fragile AC and SYNC modules. They did do a good job of installing the camera which was placed right in between the rear license plate lights. But Raxiom sent me a lemon. The screen never came on. I went home took apart the dash to check Car Toys work. Everything was hooked up as shown in the instructions. I called AM and told them that I needed a replacement next day air. Also the damn things were sold out again!! I demanded some type of compensation from all the heartache so they sent me a $50 gift card. Welp AM got their next stock in this past Fri and received yesterday. I popped out the old unit with the new unit myself in that perfect weather. I routed the AV and USB plug through my glove compartment and tied everything off properly on the inside. Stay way from Car Toys Lewisville (or any other install shop) and do this install yourself especially if u don't need the awesome backup camera.

Correction video in motion is available via the AUX plugs

[Dark Pony]

Not bad looking. Sorry to hear you had problems with AM and Car Toys. There's a reason why I typically just do shit myself. No one to blame but myself if something goes wrong...and you save money.

Question for you...looking back, are you satisfied with the look and functionality? I like the layout and function of the Metra surround with a Kenwood head unit.

[saunupe1911]

Man I researched every setup available. The Alpine "Made to fit " 8 inch Setup sold by Crutchfield that's made by Scosche is by the best available....but that setup is around $1800!!! The Metra and Scosche generic setups will run you anywhere between $900 to $1300 depending on the NAV and harness setups that you choose. Also none of those setups come with a backup camera. Nothing can touch the Raxiom/Rosen setup in regards to its features, ease of installation, screen location, and SYNC integration. The Kenwood units tap into the ODBC diagnostics, but that's its only advantage. I actually played with the 8 inch Alpine and a 7 inch Kenwood at Car Toys....I was not impressed. That particular Kenwood model was actually lagging. The Raxiom unit has every feature you want out of a Nav system and it looks OEM with proper screen placement. My only gripe is that I didn't buy it off Amazon when it was cheaper.

[jmurray87]

Wow, pretty nice unit I may have to look into this down the road.

[NAVAG]

I have this budgeted for June...Let's see if I talk myself out of it by then.