RB1 or RB4 Navigation Radio??

[PGiannetto]

I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. Which Radio do I need? I have seen both would work. Is that true? If so which would you prefer? Thanks!

 

[Jeff_K]

Both will work, but the RB1 has mapping which is nice. I got the RB1 off ebay. There are usually a few on there in the $700 range.

 

[artie]

I had an RB1 and CD Changer put in before I took delivery of my truck. I really like the maps being shown realtime as you drive. I later added the SIRIUS satellite radio into the system.

 

[Tomeygun]

Both will work, but the RB1 has mapping which is nice. I got the RB1 off ebay. There are usually a few on there in the $700 range.

Second that, the RB4 sucks with no mapping... . :{

 

[KHogan]

Tomey is right... RB-4 is a total POS and a rip-off.

 

[NDanecker]

Second that, the RB4 sucks with no mapping... . :{

I also agree. My dealer couldn't tell me the difference between the two when I ordered just that the RB-4 was my only option so I got stuck with crappy one. Looking to upgrade though..... anybody want to trade?

 

[67guzzler]

Hey guys -- I've been wanting NAV since day 1 -- is the RB1 just plug 'n play? I have the 2005 RBK AM/FM stereo w/CD (standard with the SLT) and would like to upgrade. Is there anything else necessary for the swap other than the RB1? Is there a "how to" for getting access and pulling apart the dash. TIA for the info!



Note this Interesting Link comparing the two from a seller of the RB4 on eBay.

 

[DMesloh]

When I ordered my truck I asked about the built in nav systems and my dealer gave me the same bull about not knowing anything about the difference. To say I was upset with the RB4 when my truck came in would be an under statement.



I then tried to get them to remove it and install the 6 disc changer I upgraded from, but that got me no where, for the money my Garmin IQ3600 was much better ( maps and voice).



That being said I've used the RB4 for a few months now and for major roads in large cities I would have to say I haven't gotten lost. When I'm driving at 70+ mph I don't have time to look at a map on a small screen to see a turn coming up (to much information for my pea mind and my eyes). At a glance it shows you how far off the turn is and the direction of the turn, it also gives voice prompts. It also allows you to listen to cd's after you load in your destination my understanding is that with the RB1 you will need to leave the dvd in for it to work.



I think there both over priced for what you get. I can load half the US and Canada in to my IQ3600.



Another upside to the RB1 are the updated maps. It would be nice if DC would let you download a customized map base and burn your own cd or dvd. From what I've seen with my RB4 (half the city I live in isn't here and a couple of towns close by aren't in the data base) and what I've heard about the RB1 the map base is weak for small towns at least on the west coast.

 

[evldsl]

Hey guys -- I've been wanting NAV since day 1 -- is the RB1 just plug 'n play? I have the 2005 RBK AM/FM stereo w/CD (standard with the SLT) and would like to upgrade. Is there anything else necessary for the swap other than the RB1? Is there a "how to" for getting access and pulling apart the dash. TIA for the info!



Note this Interesting Link comparing the two from a seller of the RB4 on eBay.

It's simple just one screw on the front dash and then pull off, just be carfull of the wires attached to the dash plate. Then remove the four screws holding the radio then unplug and replug your radio in. the instructions are in the box with the reciver. Just be carfull not to scratch your ashtray cover, I covered my ashtray with a towel so I would'nt scratch it.

Now the serius radio reciver is a bit more work. Just E-Mail me when you buy your serius reciver and I will inform you on the install since I installed mine along with drilling my roof for the antenna.

 

[PGiannetto]

well i guess i screwed up. i researched all weekend and the dodge or other sites never said anything about mapping. I ended up buying brand new RB4 for $600. 00 on ebay. Thanks for all info!

bellyscaper, thats good info. i will be buying sirius soon and may email you.

 

[67guzzler]

It's simple just one screw on the front dash and then pull off, just be carfull of the wires attached to the dash plate. Then remove the four screws holding the radio then unplug and replug your radio in. the instructions are in the box with the reciver. Just be carfull not to scratch your ashtray cover, I covered my ashtray with a towel so I would'nt scratch it.

Thanks for the reply. I have one question tho -- Is the removal of the dash plate the same for the 6 speeds as the automatics?



Thanks again.

 

[DMesloh]

Thanks for the reply. I have one question tho -- Is the removal of the dash plate the same for the 6 speeds as the automatics?



Thanks again.

Yes one screw behind the garbage bag hook

 

[67guzzler]

Woo Whoo. I took the plunge!

Ok -- I paid top dollar at $1k for the RB1. I don't mind tho -- This was the complete kit and was brand new. Seller has a perfect 100% rating (only 40 tho but dating back a few years) and the auction had a buy it now option so that I could get instant gratification. :-laf



Honestly -- you all gave me the confidence.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7989204105



I'm only wondering about where the GPS antenna goes. Is there a standard spot that's ideal?



Thanks again for the inspiration. This will be my first vehicle w/Nav!



You all Rock!

 

[Coolslice]

Ok -- I paid top dollar at $1k for the RB1. I don't mind tho -- This was the complete kit and was brand new. Seller has a perfect 100% rating (only 40 tho but dating back a few years) and the auction had a buy it now option so that I could get instant gratification. :-laf



Honestly -- you all gave me the confidence.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7989204105



I'm only wondering about where the GPS antenna goes. Is there a standard spot that's ideal?



Thanks again for the inspiration. This will be my first vehicle w/Nav!



You all Rock!

One thing I noticed that I consider a bonus... The system is made by Alpine, and apparently it has much more power output vs. the factory stereo and it really makes a big difference in sound quality. I'm not a stereo guy, so I can't say this with certainty, but it seems like it sounds much better to me.

 

[AlexWV]

I wouldn't mind an RB4 just for the display and nevermind the NAV. But I would lose my current 6-cd changer so I'd need an external one. I also have the factory Sirius radio and steering wheel controls.



Does anybody have a setup like that? Factory Sirius, steering wheel controls, and external CD changer? Is that plug and play? I want everything to still work the same way with the steering wheel controls.



Thanks.

 

[testraub]

Ok -- I paid top dollar at $1k for the RB1. I don't mind tho -- This was the complete kit and was brand new. Seller has a perfect 100% rating (only 40 tho but dating back a few years) and the auction had a buy it now option so that I could get instant gratification. :-laf



Honestly -- you all gave me the confidence.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7989204105



I'm only wondering about where the GPS antenna goes. Is there a standard spot that's ideal?



Thanks again for the inspiration. This will be my first vehicle w/Nav!



You all Rock!

If the instructions are anything like the one's I got with my Sirius rcvr you should have no problems installing the antenna.

 

[67guzzler]

If the instructions are anything like the one's I got with my Sirius rcvr you should have no problems installing the antenna.

Thanks man! I'm looking forward to getting the kit and getting started. Hopefully I'll have it installed by the weekend!

 

[viper700]

I have the RB4 in my 04. 5 that I picked up from Dave Smith Motors last July. I opted at the time of the new truck purchase to have the factory mounted in the dash GPS and not go after market for a Garmin to sit on the dash. I was STUNNED to say the least when I discovered that it was very weak with Canada info especially western Canada and nothing for Alaska at all, But it had a data base for Hawaii, DUH. The dealer did not have info on at the time when I ordered the truck and I thought it was a mapping GPS, dumb me. When I called them back about the POS RB4 I did not get any satisfaction from them at all, they just brushed me off. As I bought this with the idea of using it to run from Alaska to Yuma and other parts unknown it was useless for a lot of my driving. I used it last winter down south and got around with it but had to plan shorter segments to get the info for traveling. It did not have a lot of destinations in it that I wanted. A Garmin 2610/2620 would have been a better choice. They have a real good data base. I heard a few months back that they were coming out with an updated CD for the RB4 this summer for $300. Now if they do come out with an update for $300 should I get it or spend $750 for a Garmin 2610?. They should give it to us for free for the screwing we got already. I read some threads on the RB4 from this last year where it worked good for some people but I sure was not happy at all.

 

[afarmboy]

Cheap update

Hey, if 30 of us split the cost of the update, that's only $10 each!

 

[viper700]

Not a bad idea