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Raxiom Navigation install and review!!!

25K views 76 replies 36 participants last post by  Minhle 
#1 ·
Well after lots of discussions on the forums and doing research online searching for the right DVD/NAV unit for my Jeep, I decided on the Raxiom Navigation unit. I ordered this unit for Extreme Terrain.com, and mainly after talking to XTRyan, because it had the features I was looking for. And Ryan gave me a 10% off code to order it as well......with the head unit, the harness needed for the Premium Audio (if you have that option), and the high camera mount, it was $829.00 shipped. I did have to buy the Sirius XM Tuner, but it was like $40.00. no big deal.

Opening the box, this is a well built unit. Everything is there and semi labeled as to what it is. The Premium Harness is not in the box, they shipped that seperate. But all of the connections are pretty straight forward. The plugs can only plug in to one spot, so it's dummy proof.

First thing you want to do, is remove the window controls in the dash. It just pops out and you have to unplug the harness. Then pull the dash pad out of your center dash console. There is a 7MM screw under that pad, and a 7MM screw where the window controls were. Remove the lower dash panel under the steering wheel, and remove the (2) 7MM screws on either side of the steering wheel. At this point, you are ready to remove the dash. Just give it a good PULL! it's in their pretty tight so you might have to tug kind of hard.

Once that is done, remove the (4) 7MM screws holding the factory radio in place. Pull the radio out and disconnect evertything. There will be a wire with a gold clip that is clipped on the top right hand side of the back of the radio, looking from the front. That is the factory Sirius XM antenna. Shove that thing back behind something and hide it. There is also a 6 PIN plug that was removed, hide that one too, you wont need it.

Now pull your GPS antenna in. As you can see in the picture, I put mine right in the middle of the dash. There was a little flat spot there perfect for it, then roll up the wires and shove them under the dash panel. the one on the right is the GPS antenna wires, the bundle of wires on the left is the new Sirius XM antenna wires. I ran that antenna on top of my drivers side roll bar, down the A-pillar, and behind the dash. Then roll up the excess and cram them under the dash panel. Leave the end long enough to reach to plug in.

Now that that is done, take your backup camera cables and run up to the radio housing from behind the glovebox. Just leave that end hanging for now. IMPORTANT: RIGHT NOW, GET THE RADIO HARNESS. On the backup camera cable, there are open ended black and red wires. Find the Ground wire and the RED ACC wire on the main wiring housing, they will have quick connects already on them.

Get some blue male quick connects and install on the backup camera wires, then plug these together!!! (I FORGOT TO DO THIS AND HAD TO REMOVE EVERYTHING)

Now, if you have a USB cord that you want to run for an Ipod, pull that in from behind the glovebox as well.

If you have a Sirius XM tuner, now is the time to install that. After you pull the antenna wire in as mentioned above, run the antenna connector back behind the dash display. This is were I mounted my Tuner module. Then plug the Sirius XM cable that came with the Raxiom radio in to the XM tuner cable and run to the radio housing.

Now get the other cables, the AV-2 out, etc and sort of run them where you can, leaving the plugs hanging in the radio housing. Take the Raxiom wiring harness (NOTE: IF YOU ORDERED THE PREMIUM HARNESS, REMOVE THE CAN BUS MODULE FROM THE HARNESS IN THE BOX. IT WILL BE TIE-WRAPPED TO THE OTHER HARNESS. INSTALL THIS ON THE PREMIUM HARNESS). Then plug the factory harness in to the Raxiom Harness.

Take out your radio, and install the two small mounting brackets. Test fit them first before screwing them in. Each one will have a pointed tab on it that needs to be towards the top, not the bottom.

Now, hold the radio up and begin plugging in all of the harnesses, and the USB. Don't forget the FM antenna (the white factory weird looking plug) and the Blue GPS antenna.

You're gonna have to maneuver all of that wiring in and behind somewhere to get the radio to fit, but it's doable. Once the radio is flush with the mounts, TEST EVERYTHING.
Once you've verified everything works, start putting it all back together!!!

Here are some screen shots:

The back up camera finally installed. Not sure I like it here because I can't see my trailer hitch, but it has a very clean picture. You'll have to go to camera settings on the head unit to make sure it comes on when you put it in REVERSE.

The Sirius XM screen. It says no signal because I was in the garage, it was sprinkling! But it's working now

The FM screen. There are 3 FM selections for a total of 18 FM presets, and 2 AM selections for 12 AM presets.

The Ipod screen. As you can see the background is different. There are a few options for changing the background. I don't think you can put custom backgrounds on here though

As you can see, it has a clean factory look.

I forgot to get a screenshot of the GPS, but the GPS is very cool on here. Several custom preset vehicles(mine is now a Jeep). It says it as off-road mapping but I haven't tried that yet. Guess a trip to Barnwell should try that!

Overall I'm pleased with this unit. Lots of good features and it fits exactly what I was looking for. On a side note, i upgraded my speakers earlier this week. This head unit WOKE MY SPEAKERS UP!!!! It jams now and sounds 150% better than it did with the factory 130 unit with the Alpine system. As of now, i would highly recommend this Nav unit. It does have a REAR ZONE, but I'm not sure if that will work with the DVD, being that to play the DVD on the head unit, you have to have the E-brake set. My rear screens should be here Monday so I'm going to try that out and see if it works!!

Hope this helps you guys out! if you have questions or need help just let me know!
 
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#3 ·
Yes sir. I'm glad now that i didn't get the factory Navigation. I would have been disappointed!
 
#5 ·
The more i mess with it the better i like it. You can also customize the splash screen like on the Rosen units. Pretty cool
 
#6 ·
I was able to try out the Navigation this weekend. This has a very good navigation setup. Aside from the multiple options for the "car", which i'm using the Jeep icon now, there are lots of features about the nav that I like. I had saw on some previous posts that it will constantly tell you when you're speeding. I normally drive like an old man (65-70) so I wasn't concerned about that but I had to try. If you are speeding, it will let you know until you drop back below the speed limit!

The backup camera is nice as well. If you are running an aftermarket tire carrier, install will be a little tricky but it's doable. You also will not be able to have the trailer hitch view if you install it using the high angle mount for the spare tire carrier, but you have a very good view of the back of the jeep. I've got a metal aftermarket rear bumper so I didn't want to mount it to where I could see my trailer hitch, as that would be pretty much all I would be able to see. I may move it later if I'm not happy with the current location.

All in all, this is a great head unit. Thus far I am very pleased with it and the mulititude of functions that it has!
 
#16 ·
I was able to try out the Navigation this weekend. This has a very good navigation setup. Aside from the multiple options for the "car", which i'm using the Jeep icon now, there are lots of features about the nav that I like. I had saw on some previous posts that it will constantly tell you when you're speeding. I normally drive like an old man (65-70) so I wasn't concerned about that but I had to try. If you are speeding, it will let you know until you drop back below the speed limit!

Can the "you're speeding" alert be turned off? Not that the Jeep is built for speed but I wouldn't want to be notified everytime I may go over the speed limit. I've been thinking about ordering my Jeep with the 430n but I'm really leaning towards the Raxiom. I know this may not be a big deal to some people but it could be a deal breaker for me. I feel I would be annoyed if it happen even once.

Another question, Is the XM antenna like the aftermarket ones you see people usually place on their roofs? (The small black box looking thing) If it is where did you place it? On the hood area so you can take the hard/soft top off? Thanks in advance.
 
#7 ·
Thank you for the write-up and review! This will help a lot of forum members who are on the fence about installing a nav in their rig.

If anyone has any further questions about the system or would like a quote on one, just shoot me a PM!

-Ryan
 
#8 ·
Sharpie, Great write up and Thanks so much for the step by step instructions. They will come in handy for my install. I do have a few questions:

1. The Red Acc wire and the black ground- you mentioned getting blue connectors to connect them to the camera wires. If I understood correct, the red and the black come out of the radio and connect to the red and black wires from the camera. Am I correct? what are the blue connectors for?

2. you mounted the GPS antenna on the flat spot int he middle of the dash. Where did you mount the Sirius Antenna?

3. Did you hook up the bluetooth mic, if so, where did you position it?

4. Does the camera work best mounted by the spare tire or do you think lower by the hitch is better suited?

Thanks again for all your help.
 
#10 ·
Sharpie, Great write up and Thanks so much for the step by step instructions. They will come in handy for my install. I do have a few questions:

1. The Red Acc wire and the black ground- you mentioned getting blue connectors to connect them to the camera wires. If I understood correct, the red and the black come out of the radio and connect to the red and black wires from the camera. Am I correct? what are the blue connectors for? Yes that is correct. The red ACC wire and Black ground on the RAxiom harness have pre-installed FEMALE pin connectors. I put MALE connectors (as pictured) on the camera Red and Black wires to match up with the connectors on the Raxiom harness. you very well could cut the FEMALE ones off and use butt splices to connect the two wires but I had the connectors laying around.

2. you mounted the GPS antenna on the flat spot int he middle of the dash. Where did you mount the Sirius Antenna? I mounted the Sirius antenna on top of the roll cage on the drivers side. I have since found out that has not given the best reception, so I'm going to move it to the outside of the jeep somewhere. You may be able to connect the factory Sirius antenna(it will have a gold connector on it). But you will have to take that connector apart to get it to plug in to the Sirius tuner. I may try that to see if it works better.

3. Did you hook up the bluetooth mic, if so, where did you position it?
yes I did hook up the mic. I ran it to the A-pillar on the drivers side. I'll take a picture of that and send it to you. Send me a PM to remind me.

4. Does the camera work best mounted by the spare tire or do you think lower by the hitch is better suited?
You will get a better view installed on the spare tire carrier. Since it is mounted higher, the viewing angle is better. But with that said, up there you can't see your receiver hitch.

Thanks again for all your help.
Couple of questions.

1. How is the EQ? Flexible? Is decent or just basic treble mid and bass.
The EQ is decent. It has several presets (JAZZ, Rock, country, etc.). And it has a USER setting where you can set the Treble, Mid, High, and BASS outputs
2. Does the factory compass still work on the EVIC?
To be honest, I'm not sure. I haven't checked that yet. I do know that the EVIC is saying VES AUX. I need to check in to that.

3. You may be using all factory amps and speakers. Any word on the output voltage on the pre-amp outputs?
I can't say about the pre-amp outputs as far as the output voltage. But I can say that the amp in the unit is far better than the amp that was in the factory system. My speakers woke up when this unit was installed.
Thanks

Let me know if you guys have other questions.
 
#11 ·
2. Does the factory compass still work on the EVIC?
Thanks

Checked on the way to work this morning.........Yes, the compass is still working on the EVIC, along with the temperature beside it!
 
#12 ·
And yes the instructions to change the splash screen on the Rosen Pirahna series units will work on the Raxiom



Multimedia Vehicle Car Electronics Technology
 
#14 ·
The more that I use it and become familiar with it, the more I like it. The audio output on it is amazing. it sounds wwwaaayyy better than stock radio.
I'm going to try to hook up my rear screens this evening to see if it will actually output the DVD to the rear, while listening to the radio or Sirius, or whatever. Extreme terrain says that it doesn't have a Rear Zone, but the option is there on the menu and the cables are there......just need to see if actually works.
 
#15 ·
Just an update. The rear zone functions well. I was able to hook up my rear screens to the unit today. With the jeep in park and parking brake set you can watch a dvd on the Raxiom and output to the rear zone. The audio will not go to the rear zone. It will only play through the speakers in the jeep.

When you set the rear zone to dvd, and then switch to say sirius or ipod on the head unit, you can then hear the audio through the wireless headphones in the rear. And the kids are quiet and happy!
 
#18 ·
Just fyi the gps antenna is the same small black box. I mounted it in the center of my dash in front of my cubby hole
 
#21 ·
Well there's not much documentation that comes with it. I'm not sure how big of a drive it will read. I did put a 32 gig microSD card in and it read that. I don't know if it will read movies from the external drives. I haven't tried that yet.
 
#26 ·
Until Sparkie has time to reply, I can say I've had mine installed now for a few weeks and no issues at all. Nav has worked great and backup cam is quick and doing a good job. I think the SD card has skipped a couple of times but it could have been the RDS trying to interrupt with a false blip. Don't know. All-in-all I don't have any complaints.
 
#30 ·
Enjoying my first Jeep ever, but I too found that pretty much the entire dash is hard to see in the bright sun. I'm looking to pick up a shade (Spiderweb) when I get some time. Are you using a shade of any kind? Just wondering if that will help or not.
 
#35 ·
Unfortunately, no specs came with my Raxiom. Just looked and I still don't see any on Extreme Terrain either. I see there is now a Raxiom for Mustang owners (or maybe I missed it before): ( Raxiom OE style, Mustangs ) and I see no specs there either.

It's my understanding that the Raxiom is just a rebranded Rosen Piranha so when I Google around for specs on that HU I see something like this: 12-14 watts RMS CEA-2006/50 watts peak x 4 channels. This seems comparable to the Pioneer NEX mid to lower units but who knows since the Raxiom doesn't say specifically that it is RMS CEA-2006 certified. I can say that it gives more than enough punch for me. Hopefully it will handle the Kickers ok or I may have to pick up an amp.

Can't comment on the sub since I don't have one. Yet. ;)
 
#37 ·
can anyone tell me how the Raxiom unit with included backup camera is at night?
 
#38 ·
I'm happy with it. I can back into parking places ok if there is at least some lighting. I've compared to a couple of friends and it's typical of the lower end cams. The more available light the better visibility but still a noisy image. I've heard adding brighter backup lights can help. The good thing is that when installing, the break away in the cable can be put in an easy to get to place. Mine worked out to be inside the back panel on the swing gate. If I want to swap out for a better camera in the future (as prices drop) it will be a fairly easy process.

hth
 
#39 ·
Just had this unit installed in my 2012 2 door. So far I'm pleased with it, with the exception of 2 minor nuances that may be related to the install vs the actual unit so I'm hoping someone can weigh in here.

First, the fader doesn't seem to work. All speakers are going at the same output at the same time. When I try to push the sound to just the rear speakers, it simply cuts the sound off all together. Anyone else experiencing this? Really a minor issue as the system sounds great, but I would like to do some fine tuning. EQ settings all work, as does the balance.

Second, the installer left the nav antenna buried in the dash, which I think is fine for a '12 as the later models have UV protection on the windshield. So the issue is that it sometimes takes as long as 5 mins to get a GPS signal. It was cloudy yesterday and sometimes it found it right away, another time later in the day it took about 2 minutes, and another it took past five mins. Any feed back on whether this is normal?
PS-haven't called extreme terrain yet as I wanted to check here first. They were VERY fast shipping on this unit and it is a Rosen unit rebranded for ET as Raxiom.
 
#40 ·
I haven't heard of either of those issues coming up before but I'd be happy to get you in touch with someone over at Raxiom if no one on the forum has any advice. I imagine they'll want you to move the antenna to gain better reception and have quicker connection times, but the fader I'm not sure about. Just PM me and I can get you in touch with the right people!

-Ryan
 
#41 ·
Nice write up OP! I am close to getting this as well.

A couple of questions I still have remaining I hope someone can answer:

1) Can you share a pic of the mic? Key point: can it be out of sight or is it a clip on type of mic for the visor?

2) How does this unit get its maps and POI updated?

3) Can it work with any camera? I learned that it can take on more than one camera. Thus, could I just get my own cameras and hook them up. Standard RCA connection?

4) Steering controls still work?

5) There was some mention of DVD player inoperable unless parking brake is released? How do you hook it up to the parking brake to install this functionality?

Thanks!!
 
#44 ·
1)


2) Naviextras.com is where you'd get your map updates from. You'll load the file onto a USB drive or SD card and upload it to the Nav in the dash.

3) It will work with any 12V back up camera. The connections for the camera are standard.

4) Yes, the steering wheel controls will still work!

5) That would be safety issues so I can't speak to it, but I'm sure someone has done it!

Let me know if you have any other questions!

-Ryan
 
#49 ·
I just purchased a 2016 Jeep Sahara with the Standard Radio. Was going to order the 430N and started to do more checking. Found the RBZ 430 by OEM but you have to purchase the camera separately. I like the reviews on the Raxiom and that it comes with the camera but had a couple of questions.

First, can you mount the camera somewhere else besides the spare tire? Got a tire cover and would like to keep it on. Second, wasn't sure if the premium harness was required or if you can get by without it.
 
#50 ·
First, can you mount the camera somewhere else besides the spare tire? Got a tire cover and would like to keep it on. Second, wasn't sure if the premium harness was required or if you can get by without it.
Mount the camera anywhere you'd like. Most will drill a hole and mount it in the rear bumper. All needed harnesses come with the radio.
 
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