Phoenix Tesla Style Radio installation & tutorial - 07-12 Chevy Avalanche / Tahoe / Suburban

Here is a video showing the installation of a Tesla style radio made by Phoenix in a 2012 Chevy Avalanche with the Bose System.
The link for this particular radio is here: phoenixautomot...
I purchased the one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It is very responsive.
Please note that from the time I ordered on their website until the unit arrived at my door, it took about a month and a half. There was little to no communication from the company during this time, even after I inquired about a shipping date. Patience is key.
Currently, there is a code to save 30%, which is "ST2024" I'm am not affiliated with Phoenix, so I'm just doing this to inform fellow enthusiasts of this great product.
I realize that I'm probably all over the place in the filming of this video, but that was just because I was excited. The radio really is fantastic and does everything I need for the time being.
A couple of times you'll hear me say SD Card, but I actually meant USB stick.
The video from Phoenix that I referred to in the video regarding making all your wiring connections is here: • 13" Android 10 Radio f...
Also, I was able to get OEM mic to work......under the android apps, there's a VEHICLE app with a bunch of settings. The mic was one of them. There are a few other options there too.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

[@Stormmy314]

I have an 07 Avalanche I just placed my order for this radio earlier today so I am super anxious for it to get here

[@cadmonkey928]

for the constant on battery drain concern.... you can look into a smart battery isloator to save your car battery from long periods engine off, like if you left it at airport and forgot to turn it all off. some of the isolators read the battery voltage and disconnect if it drops below certain voltage to save the starting ability, but will maintain connection until then for radio and ecm memory. p.s i just picked a 2012 avalanche LS (limited stuff) also. ;)

[@dolphin80]

Thanks. So far it hasn't been an issue at all. If the car sits for more than a couple of days, the unit seems to power off completely. I've been gone for 3-4 days at a time recently and there hasn't been any battery drain issues, for me at least. Congrats on your purchase. Great trucks.

[@dolphin80]

I've had no issues with battery drain thus far. Unit seems to shut off completely after a few days of inactivity. I've been gone for 3-5 days at a clip recently and there's been no problem. Very happy with this unit. Congrats on your purchase. These trucks are rock solid.

[@royrcampbelljr8923]

Thanks for this video. Based on your review, I'm ready to buy this unit for my 2011 Yukon Denali. Earlier iterations of this unit, based on Android 9 and 10, left me discouraged. So many reviews were negative. This unit appears to be a major improvement, so I think I'll bite the bullet and order one now. It's August, so maybe, I'll get mine by Thanksgiving! 🙂

[@WhoMikeO]

Welcome to the family 🎉. I just upgraded 2011 avalanche with the same radio you got for about 2 weeks now. For the past 3 or 4 years i had the older andriod 9 px6. Even tho it still works as good when i first got it..... It was noticeable slower than the SC7862 system i have in my other cars. Great review im looking forward to see how you resolve the video out problem.

[@dolphin80]

I'm still working on it.......I keep discovering new settings every day. Just got factory mic to work. Thank you for the kind feedback.

[@dustin4406]

How did you get the factory mic to work?

[@csmatuse]

Awesome video Bro!!!! I think I am doing this no doubt....

[@dolphin80]

I say go for it! Some people have expressed annoyance at the amount of time it takes where you have to wait from ordering the unit to actually getting it delivered, but it eventually does get delivered and that's when the fun begins. DO IT.

[@leojuninocencio]

Thanks for making a video for this unit. I think I wants it❤❤❤

[@dolphin80]

You’re welcome 😊

[@AntoineFinch]

the battery drain is the OnStar on most of these units

[@abuelb]

I have one for my lexus GX460 and its more useful to use hotspot and bluetooth instead of android auto so I can still use my phone independently. Also the unit can have 2 screens at once (2 apps displayed) which is very convenient.

[@spurs5677]

Hell yeah new truck just older year and brand new screen just need some big rims and tires now good sht

[@dolphin80]

Right on

[@MiniDigging]

Was your factory back up camera display screen on your factory radio or in the rear view mirror? I want to buy this unit but am unsure of the camera and what I would have to do because my factory back up camera screen appears in my rear view mirror on my 2012 Tahoe. I don't have the DVD system radio that you had, it's just the plain CD/Radio with Aux input.

[@21stbreakdown]

Is there on screen volume controls? Or do you only have to use the steering wheel controls

[@chipporter3194]

You seemed to insinuate you were going to use the Agama Launcher to change your car picture from the Jeep to your Avalanche (Tahoe in my case). Am I mistaken? Thanks!

[@dolphin80]

I think that was my initial plan.....then I just liked the Agama launcher's default screen where I didn't worry about changing the picture anymore.

[@chipporter3194]

@@dolphin80 Thanks - when I loaded the Agama L:auncher, I noticed that the only choice was the Chevy bowtie (which is fine). I'm still having a lot of trouble getting basic stuff to work. I could use a tutorial on setting up Navigation, Carplay, etc. Thanks for all your help!

[@JDLCustomz]

Are you still able to use the steering wheel option ?

[@jefffer]

Very Cool, thanks. How did you reverse your volume buttons on your steering wheel?

[@jackofalltradesmasterofnon7860]

I am looking at a Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX, but this radio you have looks pretty tempting. How has it been 4 months into it?

[@reinaldoveitia4261]

I have some questions, when installing this new screen will the car's factory backup camera continue to work? And the other thing I would like to know is if all the different colored plugs and each of the cables will end up connected to the van's connections or will there always be cables left unconnected?

[@shanekareed943]

I need u to do my truck

[@raymondpratts8208]

I would like to know if the buttons to turn on the air conditioning light up at night. And I would like to know if you could only use Bluetooth for calls and GPS

[@dolphin80]

the buttons do light up and you can change them to match the rest of the dash, etc. In terms of only using BT for calls & GPS, I'm not sure. I'm assuming you can, just need to set it up that way.

[@abuelb]

Not OP, but yes you can use just Bluetooth for calls and media and works fine. But you need internet connection for gps or Android auto or carplay enabled.

[@fc3smurray]

Any issues with your AC controls on-screen locking up and not working?

[@alejandrorueda5696]

Did you lose the ability of turning on your car with the key, as well if you turn your car on with the key and let it sit for a few seconds before heading out the unit will be working just fine or you need to wait a few seconds in the car for the back up camara start working ? Not the end of the world but just checking before i buy this unit

[@dolphin80]

so it has a feature where it will stay on - I think I talk about it in the video - fast boot or something like that. I keep that option ON......if I'm actively driving the truck, I don't have to wait at all. Backup camera comes on quickly. If I let the truck sit for a week, the unit will shut off, and the next time you start it, the radio will take a small amount of time to fully boot.

[@victoriaketter]

Any idea how install works if I’ve got an a aftermarket system consisting of 2 amps, 2 15” subs, and aftermarket mids and highs all the way around? Do you know what the sound output is like? I recently replaced my double din, Moving from a JVC to a Sony and the difference in the sound that it made was incredible! I have been eyeballing this unit for a few years now, But after my recent head unit switch and seeing the difference that it made… I am skeptical that I will be taking a hit in the sound quality of my set up. Any insight into this? Install video is great and answered a bunch of questions for me so thanks for that! I am curious to hear your thoughts, if any, about adding this to an existing aftermarket speaker/amp set up.

[@dolphin80]

It's an interesting question. When I was scouring a couple of FB groups to do research on these radios, one for Avalanches and the other for the Phoenix radios, it appears that the common theme was that people with set ups like yours were not too happy with the sound quality. There's no doubt the radio can handle your setup, but I from what I read, I sensed disappointment in the sound quality area. For me, I just kept the stock BOSE setup and I'm honestly very happy with the sound quality, especially at volume. There's no distortion, the bass is full, and it suits my needs. I'm in love with the radio, honestly. Good luck with your journey.

[@franknolasco4220]

I have same unit and I love it. I kept factory Bose system and added 1 JL Audio 250 amp and 10 inch subwoofer. Not totally satisfied with bass. There are lots of settings in head unit . I’ve taken it to stereo shops for help but not to many people know enough about them to make adjustments. They did mention something about volt output of head unit may be to low. There is a big learning curve with this unit but I still love it.

[@johnjabbia3599]

You can set up an appointment with Tech Support. They will do a video call and go with you step by step on how to.

[@Robert-ki7sw]

Thx.

[@dolphin80]

You're welcome!

[@brooklyn6foot4]

Do you kno how to change the car logo on the screen?

[@hinkle77]

Did you have to buy any other adapters or was everything you needed in the box?

[@dolphin80]

Pretty much everything was in the box. They didn't sent me a USB to RCA adapter which I needed to retain rear screen...but if I'm being honest, I never use the rear screen anyway....I just wanted to keep it functional. Just make sure you tell them if you've got manual or automatic A/C controls, and you'll get everything you need.

[@juliancamilomanrique8541]

Hey, how's it been for you so far? Any problems or issues you've come across? And would you recommend it?

[@dolphin80]

100% recommend. I love this unit. So far it's been fairly rock solid. Minor issues with wireless carplay, but nothing that would make me take this radio out. (had to restart my phone a couple of times to "reset" it.)

[@juliancamilomanrique8541]

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll have to go through with this deal then.

[@mrwatsonn]

Can you use a front facing camera along with a backup camera?

[@AntoineFinch]

yes even 360 cameras

[@curtiswlkr]

Did you figure out the rear screen situation?

[@dolphin80]

Not really. Something is up with version 12 of Android where the rear screen options are limited. Right now, my rear screen does display, but it just duplicates what is on my main screen, that the resolution is way, way off. However, this wasn't a major concern for me. My kids are older and they'd rather stare at their darn phones, then some ancient screen from 2012. It stays up all the time. I wanted to maintain functionality, but really, it was probably a waste. If I could take it down and put something there to cover the gap, I'd probably think about it seriously.

[@theblacklovefamily9737]

So a video working the heat and air

[@kaylee_42]

How does it work with the factory dvd screens in the back of my suburban?

[@dolphin80]

This was a bone of contention for me, cause I wanted to maintain functionality. However, as I mentioned in response to another comment, the screen NEVER gets used, and it was just me wanting to keep things working properly. My rear screen will display - but its just a duplicate of what the main screen is showing. I never figured out how to say, put on Netflix so that it just shows in the back and not the front. Also, I never even tested the headphones for the screen either. Phoenix says it support rear entertainment screens, but honestly, I gave up and if I could remove the screen without leaving a huge hole in the overhead liner, I'd take it out.

[@kylernichols5101]

Does it Work with factory camera ? If so does it have wonky lines

[@dolphin80]

I used the factory rear camera. Did not replace. No wonky lines whatsoever. Works great.

[@kylernichols5101]

@@dolphin80got mine head unit installed the camera doesn’t work the camera yellow seems to go to a plug that isn’t used ? How did you hook yours up ? It should be similar I have a 13 sierra denali

[@gregshawphotography8828]

I was planning on adding a 360 view camera system with multiple cameras. I wonder if this unit will support that.

[@johnjabbia3599]

How do I stop the touchscreen beep without the Agama laucher. Or, how do I get to the Android apps shown on 16:57?

[@dolphin80]

it's been a while since I looked at the native launch screen - I have to imagine the same settings exist under the settings option. Agama isn't adding anything, but rather just being a front end to the settings.

[@johnjabbia3599]

@@dolphin80 thanks I did find it in car settings using the 3368 passcode... still getting used to it but I love it. I appreciate your video it helped alot.

[@johnjabbia3599]

Now I'm working on changing the picture to one of my vehicle!

[@brooklyn6foot4]

Hey let. Me know cuz I want to change that red car ​@@johnjabbia3599

[@MrLuis-oq9ix]

Where did you purchase the radio from?

[@dolphin80]

phoenixautomotiveinc.com/products/13-android-10-0-navigation-radio-for-chevrolet-silverado-tahoe-suburban-gmc-yukon-sierra-avalanche-2007-2014 Pick the one that best suits you. I went with the 6GB of RAM model. Very responsive. Takes about a month and half to ship, and you'll get little to no communication from the company.

[@junebugspadetherenegade9591]

Does it work on 2008 Tahoe

[@dolphin80]

YES!

[@blackman9038]

Where do you charge your phone now???

[@dolphin80]

I installed a wireless charger in the armrest - however, I still integrated the factory USB port in the armrest that will charge the phone, as well as still have one available USB on the side I can also use for charging.