I FINALLY was able to get time to get the Galaxy1000 installed last weekend and have used it all week and can give a good report/review of it's function and operation.
INSTALL :
Install was VERY easy. The OnStar module is located on the passenger side of the trunk. To access you just need to remove 6 screw down fasteners that hold down the trim peice that is on the rear most part of the trunk and side trunk liner. After that, you can pull away the trunk line on the passenger to access the OnStar module and wiring. To install the Galaxy 1000, you unplug the only two connectors that go into the OnStar unit ( both are white AND are different shaped/keyed so NO WAY to get them confused/connected wrong) and plug them into the Galaxy1000 unit.
Mounting the unit is going to be an owner by owner decision. For me, I found that I could "wedge" the Galaxy 1000 between the trunk floor and the OnStar unit/wiring very solidly. I placed a peice of adhesive on the top/bottom of the Galaxy1000 where it would contact the trunk floor and OnStar unit. After 1 week, I last night checked on the unit. Still solidly in place. No rattles or otherwise were heard at all during normal operation so I am happy with this solution. Others may choose use the mounting tabs formed into body of the Galaxy 1000 case (3) or otherwise.
SETUP :
This was an absolute breeze and the Galaxy comes with excellent included instructions as well as being available to print from their website.. Hold down the OnStar key for 5-10 second to put unit into paring mode. Go into your cell phone and find the unit labeled "ARGUS GALAXY" and connect. Password is "1234". Done and Done.
OPERATION :
I am an IT consultant/technician and am in/out of my car all day. Galaxy 1000 powers up/connects when I start the car, turns off/disconnects when i shut off the car. Have had ZERO issues this week and I talk a good 500 mins or so in the car on average per week. I had a Motorola T305 ( VERY nice external solution) and find that the Galaxy outperforms it in all aspects. I REALLY enjoy how it lowers the music volume when a call comes in (sometimes I crank out my Alice in Chains a bit loud ) and turns off the music when a call is accepted. Had to do this manually with my Motorola external unit. Same goes for turning the Motorola unit on/off when I got in/out of the car. Alot of times I stay within range of the bluetooth and when I would pick up a call onsite, it would transfer to my phone and I'd have to change over before talking to the client. PITA at times. The integrated OnStar microphone seems to be excellent. My car has a Corsa exhaust and not one person has complained or mentioned any increase/decrease from my previous setup. Most people say I sound better when comparing it to my Motorola unit.
At this time, I have not a solitary negative thing to say about the Galaxy 1000. I wish it was cheaper (isn't that true of every modification) but for me, it's was 249.00 WELL SPENT. Would not hesitate to buy it again. I will be ordering another unit for my wife's Tahoe.
That's kind of strange. I don't see what variable we all share that could have changed recently.
I will say that I continue to be pleased with the performance of the unit. I'm glad you guys used premium components. I used it with my windows down again and while the caller can definitely hear that I am driving with my windows down, I can still carry on the conversation. Pretty amazing, since this is beyond what is realistic for a usage scenario. I guess keep the thread updated as your engineer figures things out.
Just to keep you updated, the plot thickens more! I just hung up with a customer (he wanted to thank me again and get advice for a new phone) that has a 2007 CTS without NAV. When he shuts off his car the phone immediately disconnects from the Galaxy 1000. His unit was purchased around the same time as yours and was from the same "batch" as yours. I'm really scratching my head over this one now!
The plot thickens, they bench tested a few units and had the same result you have. I do not understand why/how the other gentleman is not having the same result. I received the following back a few minutes ago;
" I think we found the bug in the sw that caused the phone not to get the call back when shutting the car off. You can test my theory if you want. When in a call, shut off the car, then turn the ignition back to accessory and then back off. I bet when you do it a second time it goes off and transfers to the phone. We are working on it now...."
Ok I'll try. That's interesting because power to the unit won't change, but I guess it reads a state off the bus and shuts down accordingly. I'll let you know what happens.
I tried doing it exactly as you said and it made no difference. When I opened the door to kill RAP, it did the screen-stay-on thing at which point I turned the key back to accessory and back off and the nav screen immediately went off and the phone call was back on the handset. I did this while the door was open. This is what I thought your engineer meant, and I think this confirms his bug. While we're talking about bugs, I've also seen the system pause audio and light the OnStar indicator as a result of me turning bluetooth off on my phone (not in call). This has happened a few times, but isn't consistent. I am willing to assume it's the phone somehow, but I thought I'd mention it.
Thanks for the input. I'm sorry for the crossed signals. The Onstar system itself may be looking for a phone when you turn off your bluetooth and therefore flash the audio. I know if I forget my phone the Galaxy will still pair to it as it is usually on my desk which is only 20 feet from my truck, then as I get down the street I hear a beep and the radio does "flash". This has reminded me on more than one occasion to go back and get my phone....
I think Frank called me to tell me he is in the works of getting the firmware fix done. Actually, I forgot exactly what he told me. Mine has been working nice, though. I also am able to send phone audio to the Galaxy 1000 through bluetooth by forcing my phone's audio gateway to turn on, even when not in a call. I use it for pod casts. Sound quality is TERRIBLE and definitely is optimized for voice. Even if it supported A2DP I don't have much faith that it would be worth anything. The EQ is locked in OnStar mode, also.
Just posting on a sucessful install. I put the galaxy 1000 in the other night and it paired up with my blackberry torch w/o any issues. I made some test calls from the garage and everyone said I sounded fine.
I emailed Fred about the talk button on the steering wheel and he said they weren't able to get that working but if they come up with a fix he will email. Thanks Fred for the quick response as well.
As for the install it was a definite piece of cake. I actually removed the entire OnStar unit though where I see others left it in. I figured the unit is pointless now anyway since it was an analog unit in my car(2003 CTS). I then used Velcro to put it in the same exact spot as the OnStar.
Just wanted to post a quick update on the steering wheel controls, they have been much more difficult than we ever thought. We're still working on it but I don't want to give any time frame if ever.
The unit still works great with the mirror buttons!!!!
Most people are unaware that the CTS-V steering wheel is different. The regular CTS has programmable buttons. and as an aside, I really miss the rotary volume knob from the CTS. That was sheer design brilliance.
Most people are unaware that the CTS-V steering wheel is different. The regular CTS has programmable buttons. and as an aside, I really miss the rotary volume knob from the CTS. That was sheer design brilliance.
OT, I know... But as a first time Cadillac owner ('07 CTS w/Nav) I think that nob is going to take some getting used to.... LOL! See, I am the type that when parallel parking I slide my hand along the horizontal portion of the three point steering wheel to back in to a space. Sof far, 90% of the time I end up blasting the radio because of this when my hand hits that dial... LOL~! Picture me with my head turned to the rear of the car when this happens...
Anyway... Back on topic.
So, let me ask. This Galaxy1000 is the best solution for these CTS vehicles that do not come stock with bluetooth? They beat out the Parrot systems? I mean, I can see that they do installation-wise, but the point that you lose the Onstar option entirely.... Granted, I do not USE the Onstar, but still the idea of DISabling rather than ENabling.... I don't know.
Has any thought been put into a plug and play harness that can "integrate" the galaxy1000 with the onstar? I mean, with a "Y" connection of sorts in the trunk... Provide a "remote" pairing button to the galaxy1000 module for pairing phones only (to eliminate a need to push the onstar button to pair phones and thus leaving it for use with the onstar system).
I'm probably overthinking it. As a new owner I'm just hesitant to do mods that "disable" in order to "enable"...
Saying all that to say.... I'll most likely be purchasing one of these very soon.
Does anybody have pictures of a galaxy 1000 install on a 2008 CTS? I just bought a pre-bluetooth 2008 and am seriously considering buying one of these, just worried about tearing apart my new car.
I've heard some say i just pull back a trunk panel, and others say i have to take apart the entire rear seat...
Also, when they say the steering wheel button doesnt work, is that just the steering wheel phone button? My other steering wheel controls will keep working right?
We are still working on our next generation product for the newer systems, it has proven to be a challenge! We just WILL NOT release a product that does not work properly.
Kick ass. I've been missing my BT functionality from my radio in my Impala.
But, for $250, that's a good chunk on the way to building a full featured carputer with BT/Nav/MP3/DVD/games/browsing/etc. After I get thru the repairs, I'm debating on what my 1st mod will be. Carputer or double DIN touch screen or engine.
This box replaces your onstar box (so you do lose onstar service if that matters to you)
it does not have anything to do with voice navigation. That's part of the radio, not onstar.
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