Hey guys,
Just spent the last couple of hours taking my interior apart again to upgrade my PA15-VETTE (which I highly recommend) to a PA50-VETTE that I bought from SolidSignal here. First off, that package doesn't include the optional Bluetooth module. That module doesn't exist anywhere--I've checked.
Anyway, the PA50-VETTE turned out to be a flaming pile. Not only did one of the power connectors feature a high impedance fault (almost wrecked my battery), the Ethernet cable that the unit uses to connect to my iPhone is several orders of magnitude worse than the crappiest Ethernet cables I've gotten from Comcast or bundled with junky wireless routers. I had to wrap the connection to the included Ethernet extension cable with electrical tape to maintain a solid connection.
Once I recharged the battery and locked down the connectivity, I discovered (to my dismay) that the audio quality on this thing is miserable. Not only was there a persistent, high-pitched whine, but when the unit was in anything except direct mode, the PA50-VETTE would emit bursts of static at 1-2 Hz. Adding insult to injury, despite advertising 2004-2007 CTS compatibility, the PA50-VETTE's interface required me to use buttons that were hard-coded to other CTS-V functions, making it nearly impossible to do what the PA15-VETTE does with ease.
In summary: don't buy this thing. Ever. I tried calling USA Spec for support, but they didn't answer the phone, and their answering machine is set to record for approximately 10 seconds. Screw them. Back to the PA15-VETTE.
Just spent the last couple of hours taking my interior apart again to upgrade my PA15-VETTE (which I highly recommend) to a PA50-VETTE that I bought from SolidSignal here. First off, that package doesn't include the optional Bluetooth module. That module doesn't exist anywhere--I've checked.
Anyway, the PA50-VETTE turned out to be a flaming pile. Not only did one of the power connectors feature a high impedance fault (almost wrecked my battery), the Ethernet cable that the unit uses to connect to my iPhone is several orders of magnitude worse than the crappiest Ethernet cables I've gotten from Comcast or bundled with junky wireless routers. I had to wrap the connection to the included Ethernet extension cable with electrical tape to maintain a solid connection.
Once I recharged the battery and locked down the connectivity, I discovered (to my dismay) that the audio quality on this thing is miserable. Not only was there a persistent, high-pitched whine, but when the unit was in anything except direct mode, the PA50-VETTE would emit bursts of static at 1-2 Hz. Adding insult to injury, despite advertising 2004-2007 CTS compatibility, the PA50-VETTE's interface required me to use buttons that were hard-coded to other CTS-V functions, making it nearly impossible to do what the PA15-VETTE does with ease.
In summary: don't buy this thing. Ever. I tried calling USA Spec for support, but they didn't answer the phone, and their answering machine is set to record for approximately 10 seconds. Screw them. Back to the PA15-VETTE.