I have a 2011 Maxima with the Bose Nav unit. My stereo performance has really started to fall off. The Bluetooth takes longer and longer to connect and it frequently loses connection while I drive. The Nav function takes so long to process it's not even worth using any longer. I use my phone now instead which defeats the purpose of having an in dash nav unit. I decided it was time to look into purchasing an aftermarket replacement.

I visited Crutchfield which has always been very helpful and informational. Much to my surprise, when I plugged in all of my car's information, all of the feedback indicated that replacing my head unit was not recommended. So I started a chat session with one of the techs to ask why.





He informed me that there isn't a proper adapter available, that Nissan has made it incredibly difficult to change out the stereo, and that if I did I would lose all functionality of my climate controls. Something to do with the fact that the climate controls are wired into the head unit.





So basically I'm left with no option to replace my really crappy stereo. Thus, I've turned to this site to see if there are people who have found a way around this situation. I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Scott

 

No work around exists for those of us with nav.
You can instal a new HU in the glove box and wire everything sound related to that if you really don't want to do a new OEM unit.

 

^^ what he said, I have see a few (online). Move the factory HU to the glove compartment to keep the AC controls and install a tablet. But I think it would probably better to install an aftermarket HU in the glove box instead.

Or maybe there is a way to just add an amp to the factory HU, just replace factory speakers, etc. to get a better sound.

 

Can't move the factory one to the glove box if you have nav.
Adding an amp for the speakers doesn't address the blue tooth or gps, but is easily done.

 

So frustrating. It seems that at 5 years old we should have some work around available. Right now it's a system that Nissan has created making it impossible to use anything but their equipment. And right now their equipment is failing!

I talked to a tech at Nissan yesterday. He said "Bring it in and we'll scan it to see if there's an update. That costs $160. And the map/nav part, you can write to Nissan and buy a current update to the maps. That costs $300.00 plus an hour of install, another $70-80."

So that would put me at roughly $550 to "update" my current stereo. I could easily purchase a nice new one for that amount. Very frustrating!!

 

I've had my Nav Stereo act weird at times. During those times, I was able to get it working correctly by resetting it. I did this by cutting the power to it for a little bit.