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Rosen DS-GM1010-P11 "OEM-look", Plug & Play, DVD/Navigation Head Unit Review

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#1 ·
Rosen DS-GM1010-P11 "OEM-look", Plug & Play, DVD/Navigation Head Unit Review

Here is my full review of the Rosen DS-GM1010-P11 head unit - I've had this unit installed long enough (a few weeks now) to give a good thorough review of the unit.

I. Features/Functionality
- 7" 800x480 Touch Screen (resistive screen technology)
- Built-in Bluetooth (including A2DP profile for audio streaming)
- Built-in microphone (for hand-free phone calls via Bluetooth)
- (1) Mini-USB Port (on the front of the unit)
- (2) Full size SDHC card slots (one for Navigation app/maps and one for music/video/pictures)
- Many option input/output harnesses available to connect to the back of unit, including pre-amp outs, camera input, AUX audio/video input, etc.
- Dual-Zone support (can listen/view different sources in fron/back seats with an option harness) - great if you install headrest monitors in your Impala!
- Built-in 6-Disc Virtual CD Changer (can store up to 6 CD's in the unit as .mp3 files)
- Supports factory On-Star, factory Bluetooth and factory XM Radio (if equipped)
- High Quality AM/FM Radio with working USA RDS support
- Built-in GPS receiver (w/included external GPS antenna)
- iGo Primo navigation software and maps included
- Windows CE 5.0
- 128mb DDR2 SDRAM (667Mhz)
- Supports MPEG-4 (Divx), DVD, DVD+R, DVD-R, VCD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, JPEG, WMA formats
- 4x22 watt (RMS), 4x45 watt (Peak) amplifier
- OEM-style look and Plug & Play installation - now cutting or splicing wires.
- Retains ALL warning chimes, turn-signal sounds, steering-wheel controls (if equipped), etc.​


II. PROS
- Easy installation, OEM-look
- Unit comes with cable harnesses for both Bose and non-Bose installations
- Contains BBE sound enhancing technology (provides a noticable improvement in sound quality)
- Supports RAP (Retained Accessory Power)
- Reatins all steering-wheel controls properly
- Retains ALL warning chimes and turn-signal sounds without an addtional "stick-on" speaker
- Fully supports On-Star and XM-Radio
- Screen visibility is very good, even on sunny days
- iGo Primo installed by default - GPS software and maps can be upgraded or changed without any assistance from Rosen though
- Optional support for a backup camera (w/optional backup camera harness)
- All external device harnesses are optional and extra-cost items​

III. CONS
- Firmware is not user-upgradable - must send the unit to Rosen to upgrade firmware
- Startup Logo cannot be changed (it is a Rosen splash screen)
- No support if purchased used. If purchased new, you must go through the Rosen reseller for support - cannot get support directly from Rosen.
- No 1/8" AUX input on front of unit
- No IR remote control
- No USB port on back of unit
- No iPod or MP3 album artwork
- USB/SD card interface is pretty bad​


IV. Usage Review
Overall Fit and Look
The Rosen unit fits perfectly and looks great installed in the dash of my 2012 Impala. It looks 100% stock and at night, the button color matches the rest of the interior lights *perfectly*. On the the other hand, the button color of the OttoNavi K-Series unit was a different shade than the rest of the interior lights. Also, the Rosen unit has three different brightness settings for the screeen (normal, dim and off). You can cycle through these screen brightness settings simply by pressing the power button. Also, when the headlights are on, the screen automatically dims as well. The OttoNavi screen was either on or off.

Overall Interface
First off, this unit had two completely separate "modes" - one for Navigation and one for everything else. This way, you can instantly switch between the navigation app and all of the functions, without exiting and re-starting the navigation app every time (which can take a good 10-15 seconds). Basically, the navigation app is always up and running in the background - it starts automatically when the system is turned on. You can use the "Navi" hardware button on the unit to switch between navigation mode and "music" mode (which can be AM/FM, CD, DVD, USB, SDHC, iPod, etc). When not in navigation mode, there are "tabs" along the bottom of the screen to selet the different functions (AM/FM, SAT, iPOD, CD, DVD, MP3 and Phone). To access the USB or SD card, you press the DVD source repeatedly (first press=DVD, second press=USB, third press=SD). Unit has multiple DSP modes (Pop, Rock, etc) as well as separate Bass, Mid and Treble settings. Unit also has an automatic "Spectrum" mode which shows an audio spectrum of the playing music - pretty slick looking. There are multiple different colors and styles for this "Spectrum" mode and you can enable/disable the auto-spectrum mode. No matter what function you are actively using, an incoming call on your bluetooth enabled phone will pop-up a window showing you the number of the incoming call as well as buttons to answer or ignore the call. Overall, a very easy to use interface.

Navigation Interface
Overall, the navigation app runs *very* well on this unit. Surprisingly, the navigation app runs better on this Rosen unit than it does on the OttoNavi K-Series unit, which has twice as much RAM (256M vs 128M on the Rosen) and a faster processor! I can't explain why, but it just runs better - the navigation TTS voices work flawlessly on the Rosen unit, whereas they would constantly stutter and cut out on the OttoNavi unit. With the OttoNavi, I had to find and install "low quality" TTS voices in order to get them working properly. I also like the way that the Rosen handles navigation voices - it mutes the music on the front speakers while the navigation app is "talking" - it "talks" va the front speakers only while continuing to play music through the rear speakers. Also, you can adjust the navigation voice volume using the regular volume controls while the navigation voice is talking, which is really nice. For comparison, the OttoNavi mutes *all* speakers for navigation instructions and you also have to dig into the navigation app menus to adjust the navigation voice volume.

AM/FM Interface
Not much to say here - it's an AM/FM radio... It *does* support RDS in the USA though (unlike the OttoNavi). It also gets much better recpetion that the OttoNavi K-Series. I suspect a higher quality tuner.

SAT Interface (XM Radio)
The satellite radio interface is OK - you can set up to 18 presets for XM and cycle through them with the steering wheel controls. You can also press on-screen buttons to go channel-by-channel. The bad news is that you cannnot directly input a channel number. When you have 60+ channels, it's a pain to go through them one-by-one. Then again, with 18 presets, it's not that big of a deal, I guess.

iPod Interface
I have not tested the iPod mode, since I don't have an iPod (I'm an Android guy). I did run the iPod cable from the back of the unit to my glove box, just in case a passanger has an iPhone/iPod that we want to listen to. The iPod interface does seem kind of nice though (unlike the USB interface) - the on-screen controls look like the normal controls on an actual iPod.

CD/DVD Interface
The CD/DVD player works great - it does support MP3's on CDs (like the original head unit) and also supports MP3's on DVD's as well, which is really nice (you can fit *alot* of MP3s on a DVD!! DVD playback looked pretty damn good also. You can pick DVD menu options just my touching them on the screen too. You can also adjust brightness, contrast and color settings when playing a DVD. There is a hidden setup menu where you can disable the "brake" function so that you can watch DVD's without setting the parking brake as well. The unit has licensed Dolby Surround settings and everything for 5.1 audio ouput!

USB/SD Interface
There are no dedicated "tabs" for the USB/SD mode selection - to access the USB drive or SD card, you press the DVD tab repeatedly (first press=DVD, second press=USB, third press=SD). For the USB connection, you have a mini-USB connection on the face of the unit. Just like the OttoNavi, the USB/SD interface is pretty bad, but it gets the job done. Steering-wheel controls allow you to go forward or back songs (and you can pick specific songs on the touch-screen). I could not get random or repeat modes to work, even though I can select them (in a roundabout way). Like I said, this USB/SD interface is pretty bad - it's best used to select a folder of music and let it play (with the ability to easily skip forward or backward to other songs). Also, while there is a empty square in the USB/SD interface that would be perfect for album art, I couln't get album art to display there. It's strange - I select in image file while in SD/USB mode, it will display the image in that square, so I don't understand why they didn't display the album art there as well when playing MP3s... Unless I just don't know how to get it working... Not a big deal for me since I usually leave the system in navigation mode while playing music anyway.

Phone Interface
The "Phone" tab will take you to an on-screen dialer to place phone calls without touching your phone (via bluetooth). Unfortunetley, unlike the OttoNavi, the Rosen doesn't download your phonebook from your phone (that's about the only feature where the OttoNavi beats the Rosen!). You can, however, view receent calls on-screen (recently missed calls, recently dialed calls, etc) - it does download these from your phone (albeit slowly). There is a button in phone mode that will allow you to stream music from your phone over bluetooth (A2DP) - this works well - there are play, stop, pause, next and back buttons on-screen - so you can skip Pandora songs or go to the next or previosu track in your phones music player without ever touching your phone. Very nice. One thing that I really dislike about the bluetooth interface is that once you go above volume number 20 (about half valume) in bluetooth mode, the Rosen flashed a message telling you to make sure the bluetooth sound volume on your phone in turned up. The problem is that if you are in navigation mode and try to increase the radio volume while streaming bluetooth, it flashes that stupid message and takes you out of navigation mode! So you have to press the Navi button to get back to Navigation mode after adjusting the volume in bluetooth mode! Just stupid...

Backup Camera
I also connected an optional (extra cost) license-plate backup camera which is awsome - it even has infra-red lighting so that it works at night too. I had to splice into my reverse lights in order to power the reverve camera while in reverse. Another feature that I like on the Rosen is that the system will automatically set the system volume to a very low level while in reverse so that you can hear things outside the car. Very cool. I always found that I wanted to reduce the volume when in reverse on the OttoNavi, but the volume controls are disabled while in reverse, so there is no way to reduce the volume while in reverse on the OttoNavi - it's all done automatically on the Rosen. Also, the video quality of the reverse camera is *mcuh* better on the Rosen (using the exact same reverse camera)!​

V. Conclusion
Simply put, I *really* like the Rosen unit - it really does blow away the OttoNavi unit. The sound quality and power of the Rosen unit is reason enough to purchase it over the OttoNavi unit. It just performs better in practically every single aspect. Like I said, even though I still had a brand new OttoNavi K-Series unit sitting here (actually sending it back to OttoNavi tomorrow), I left the Rosen unit installed - it's that much better. OttoNavi is going to replace my K-Series, assuming mine was defective. If the new one has the same issues, they have agreed to give me a refund for the unit. Even if I can't get OttoNavi to give me a full refund, I will be selling the OttoNavi for a loss.​
 
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#2 ·
Here are some PICs of the Rosen DS-GM1010-P11 head unit in action....
 

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#5 ·
Bluetooth quality is excellent - if you didn't know it was connected via bluetooth, you'd never know the difference.

Centerpoint is a newer type of touchscreen system that comes in some newer GM models, I believe - the Impala never had it. You just need to make sure that whatever system you get supports the Bose setup (some, like the OttoNavi K-Series do *not* work with Bose systems - but they do have other models that will work with the Bose system).

Personally, if I were going to buy one of these systems today, I'd probably go with the Advent/Audiovox OGM-1 unit from Best Buy for $699 (refurbished). It comes with a 3 year warranty and from the research I've done it even better than the Rosen. Also, I didn't know this when I wrote the review, but apparently, the DS-GM1010-P11 model is now discontinued - their newest model is the Piranha Series. Another member here recently got one of them - it would be nice if he could write up a review of it. One thing I'm not sure about for the Advent or the newer Piranha model is if you can change the navigation software. With both the OttoNavi and the Rosen DS-GM1010-P11 models, I can install any Windows CE-based navigation software that I want. Something to keep in mind....

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#8 ·
FYI - In case anyone is in the market for this Rosen head-unit, there is a new on Ebay right now for $525, which is a pretty good deal. The longer I have mine, the more I like it. My next step is to put some monitors in the headrests on my 2012 LT - since this unit supports "dual-zone" functionality, you can actually play a movie on the headrest monitors while using the navigation app on the head-unit screen (for example - there are many other combinations as well).

Here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271275840126?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

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#9 ·
jrtrosky,
I have been following your journey for a OEM headunit and I think I am ready to pull the trigger for an Advent or a Rosen.
A couple of quesitons for you.
My 2012 does not have onstar, bluetooth or Bose. Do I need a special unit?
I found a used Rosen DS/DE-GM1010 from a GMC Acadia.
Do you think I will be able to plug and play this unit with all functions?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
 
#10 ·
Yes, the GM1010 will be plug and play with your vehicle. The Rosen comes with both wiring harnesses - one for vehicles with a Bose system and another one with vehicles without a Bose system. The Rosen unit will provide it's own bluetooth functionality (you can only have one active anyway - either stock bluetooth or Rosen bluetooth), so you will be fine.

Just make sure that the seller still has and provides both wiring harnesses, just in case.

Good luck - while no head unit is perfect, I absolutely love this Rosen unit! I have *all* of my music available at all times and it really is a great sounding head unit as well. The navigation works really well too. I have the latest maps and a custom skin that I created as well (took a skin someone created and tuned in for the Rosen perfectly), if you are interested. Can also direct you how to make it say things like "Cueman, you're speeding again!" when you are speeding, etc... Lots of very cool things you can do with it.

Really, the only things that I don't like are:
- The .mp3 interface isn't very good. Still functional, but the interface just isn't up to par with the rest of the functions.
- No 1/8" aux-in jack on the front (buy you can connect a aux-in harness which can provide a 1/8" headphone jack)
- USB port is on the front and is a mini-usb, so you need to use a cable (mini-usb->full-size female USB) to connect a thumb drive.
- No USB port on the back.

Really, that's about out - everything else works really well....

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#14 ·
Yes, it will work with a 2006 SS. The Rosen comes with plug-and-play wiring harnesses for both Bose and non-Bose vehicles (at least for 8th gen Impalas - not sure about 7th gen - don't think it works with 7th gens and these plug-and-play units always mention 2006-2013 only).

Philly is the closest major city to me, so I was just "browsing" the city to show how the 3D buildings look (3D buildings are only there for major cities).

You just missed a brand new one on Ebay for $425 - just sold a few days ago. Need to be careful - there are other Rosen models that look the same but have no bluetooth-streaming (phone calls only) and have a lower resolution screen, etc. You want the GM1010-P11 model (or maybe the 1210 model, which is somewhat different though).

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#16 ·
Not that is matters for the wiring, but what "type" of backup camera did you get (license plate frame, license plate bar, stand-alone, etc)?

For the wiring, it's pretty easy, but I did learn the hard way not to try and use "tap-in" style connectors - the wires coming from the backup camera are usually so thin (high gauge) compared to the wires used in the lights, so the "tap-in" connectors don't make good enough contact. The best way is to strip a little bit of the insulation from the middle of backup light wires and just wrap the camera wires around them. I would also HIGHLY recommend liquid electrical tape for this task since its waterproof and seals everything up nicely (I used regular electrical tape over the dried liquid electrical tape as well).

I have a picture of the wires that you need to tap into somewhere - there are three wires, so you need to tap into the correct wires (only two wires coming from the backup camera). It's actually a pretty easy task - just need to route the wires from the backup camera to the lights - the lights come out very easily (just a few screw-on do-dads hold the lights in).

Depending on the camera type, I may have some additional tips.

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#17 ·
I bought this small camera. I liked the silver color and it's small. For only 17 bucks, I figured if I couldn't figure out a good inconspicuous spot to mount at the top of the plate I wasn't out to much $$. I didn't want to go with a license frame camera because I like the college frame I have on their now.
 

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#19 ·
Actually, it was a post on right here on this (absolutely awesome) forum where I eventually found this picture and a description of which wires that you need to tap into. Luckily, I saved it as a favorite in my browser - here is a link to the thread.

http://www.impalaforums.com/chevy-impala-8th-gen-discussion/368705-reverse-light-wiring-diagram.html

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions and I'm looking forward to pics of the camera install when done! :)

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#20 ·
I realize this is a 2yr old thread, but I remember seeing it back then .. just didnt do anything about it till now .. found a GM1010-P11 on eBay for $90. It's As-Is, but powers on. Ships free from LA, Ca, so a day or two to AZ .. eh, several others I'm looking at if this doesnt work .. $90 isnt a LOT of $$, and many others I found, including the OGM-1 are lots more.

My ride is a 2012 Impala LT, Enterprise rental model, non Nav, XM or OnStar. The radio was the standard large center volume, AM/FM/CD only, swapped for AM/FM/AUX/RDS model, but still no Nav, XM or OS .. wanting to get Nav, XM and backup cam .. wish me luck. :lol:
 
#21 ·
Just be aware, that those $90 1010's doesn't come with the main wiring harness, the GPS antenna, GPS SD card, backup camera harness, etc. So basically, you'll have a $90 paperweight unless you can source those other items. That is assuming that it even works at all. There is a reason why they are $90. :)

The main wiring harnesses can cost $100-$200 alone (if you can even find one), GPS card another $80+, GPS antenna $25, etc, etc, etc. So even if the radio itself does work, you're not going to be able to do anything with it. Hopefully you didn't order it yet! I haven't seen any Rosen 1010 wiring harnesses on Ebay ever - and Rosen will not sell them to you unless you are a dealer anyway.

With all of that said, you *may* be able to somehow make a harness, but it will not be easy. You'd need to find the right connector (that goes into the back of the 1010) and then figure out the wiring - then cut your factory radio wires and "hardwire" tem. Like I said, will not be easy.

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#22 ·
Something else to consider - the Rosen units do NOT have an XM tuner in them. They simply have the ability to interface with the factory XM tuner. So if your car doesn't already have XM, installing a Rosen will not give you XM.

Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news about the missing components with the $90 unit and the fact that the Rosen won't give you XM functionality on it's own, but you're going to find out soon enough anyway.

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions about the Rosen units (especially the GM1010) - I've spent a LOT of time with these things and have even completely disassembled and reassembled them. I literally know them inside and out.

That being said, if you happen to get a wiring harness for the 1010 you bought and everything works out OK, let me know - I can help you out in building a GPS SD card at no cost (other than the cost of a blank SD card). Besides being a lot cheaper than buying an "official" one, the one we build would also have the latest version of the iGo Primo application, latest maps/pois, custom skins, redlight/speed camera database, better TTS voices, etc...

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#23 ·
Something else to consider - the Rosen units do NOT have an XM tuner in them. They simply have the ability to interface with the factory XM tuner. So if your car doesn't already have XM, installing a Rosen will not give you XM.
I have been eyeing a touch screen nav unit for a long time and what has been stopping me is XM, So I currently have XM "subscription"(not really a subscription they just never turned off my 3 month free trial and 2 years later its still going strong) on the stock radio, If I upgrade to the Rosen I will keep this functionality?
 
#26 ·
Now for the bad news - they are no longer selling the GM1010 refurbished units via the Rosen Outlet site! In fact the Rosen Outlet site is not active anymore.

Rosen was recently acquired by AAMP. AAMP *did* put up a new site where you can still buy Rosen *accessories*, but not refurbished head-units. I've sent multiple emails to them asking about the ability to purchase the refurbished head-units, but they never respond. I have a feeling that you can no longer purchase them. You might want to send them an email and ask them - maybe you'll get a response. When they were selling them, they were $325-$375.

Here is the now AAMP site for Rosen accessories:
http://aampglobal.com/catalog/rosen-replacement-accessories/


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#437 ·
That sucks about them not selling the refurbished units anymore.

That being said, if interested in a used GM1010 for a great price, PM me - I might be able to help...

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I have gm1010 problem cant get the nav maps to load from the sd card onto the nav for operation my card is a 4gb do i need a newer version thx. Fred
 
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