tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post8908658918598287179..comments2024-03-12T18:11:24.514-04:00Comments on Meryl and Me Hit the Road : Eclipse II Dashboard RadioWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-44406075245071348082023-02-25T15:52:02.784-05:002023-02-25T15:52:02.784-05:00We did not replace the Eclipse and have used it ju...We did not replace the Eclipse and have used it just as a radio and CD player. We use an app RV GPS for routing. The Eclipse is a "Double DIN" size radio which is one of the standard dash radio sizes. There are various out there at car stereo shops and have many features. I can't recommend any specific one - as we have never shopped for one. The Roadtrek forums have many who have made the change. If the wiring harness from RT is used there should be no difference in connectivity to the speakers. front and back. The wiring of the Eclipse needs to be followed in wiring the new radio. If the new radio has a back uo camera function, the wiring should be there at the Eclipse for the back up camera. My advice is to not get a radio with GPS but rather get one of the Garmin RV specific GPS standalone units - as these will route you around roads that even an RV as small as the Roadtrek cannot drive on. TWriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-1603752911132854552023-02-25T10:46:16.189-05:002023-02-25T10:46:16.189-05:00Soon after becoming frustrated with the Eclipse To...Soon after becoming frustrated with the Eclipse TomTom GPS radio system in my 2012 Roadtrek popular 210, I took it to a car radio shop and had them isolate the radio power from the ignition switch so I can listen to the radio at night without the dashboard lighting up or going on and off each time I open a door. I rarely use the GPS since it's outdated but would finally like to completely replace that system. Question: What new latest and greatest 2023 technology radio GPS systems would you recommend that works well with the surround sound speaker systems rear switch etc and fits well in the dashboard??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-55393301394659103342021-11-11T17:45:37.270-05:002021-11-11T17:45:37.270-05:00YES - the radio antenna on the hood screws off. O...YES - the radio antenna on the hood screws off. Ours came loose years back and I tightened down and it has been fine since. As I recall, there is a flat on opposite sides of the shaft going into the hood and you can put a wrench on that and unscrew it or screw it back on - and it will lift right off. Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-8893468270694878982021-11-11T08:36:50.291-05:002021-11-11T08:36:50.291-05:00Now Does the radio antenna on a 2013 come off as I...Now Does the radio antenna on a 2013 come off as I want to put a cover over the rv for the winter Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05712619926029565721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-66405110105886548832020-12-07T01:01:39.175-05:002020-12-07T01:01:39.175-05:00ALSO - in the glove compartment there are two radi...ALSO - in the glove compartment there are two radio connections just floating on their wiring to the radio - one is a USB connector and the other is an Apple Ipod/Iphone connector. These have to be pulled out the way they went in if the radio is removed. I know that some have gone to radio installation shops including Best Buy to have the radio replaced. Choose one that is reliable as they are pulling apart the dash and you do not want them disconnecting or messing with anything that RT installed that is not stock Chevy Express van. <br />Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-31822610061691577062020-12-07T00:56:04.006-05:002020-12-07T00:56:04.006-05:00The Eclipse is a standard size DOUBLE-DIN car radi...The Eclipse is a standard size DOUBLE-DIN car radio. Any Double-Din radio or combination GPS/Radio/etc should fit. Roadtrek said in the past that when replacing the radio use the current wiring - and the wiring includes the open door chime. It is only able to come out if you pull out the dash. And the Chevy Express dash is fragile so removal and putting it back needs to be done very carefully. The Eclipse was discontinued in 2012 - weren't we lucky! All that remained of it was sold to a distributor who in 2012 told me that accessories (such as the aux input that was a separate component not included by Roadtrek which I was looking for - was gone and already no longer available. He also said once his inventory was gone that was the end of the Eclipse. We have an installation manual - so if you contact me by email (link in the right column) - remind me of what you need - I will email it to you. Since it shows how it is installed - reversing that will remove it . Part of it is on the floor under the dash toward the middle - but on the driver's side of the middle and that is the Sirius component. That has to be removed also if you are removing the radio. Also the back up camera installed by Roadtrek is connected to the radio. Send me an email and you will get the installation manual as a PDF file. Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-76545142165372567172020-12-07T00:30:32.555-05:002020-12-07T00:30:32.555-05:00Worst Radio Navigation system ever! Thins stay on ...Worst Radio Navigation system ever! Thins stay on well after shutting off. Goes into sleep mode but, wakes up & has mind of its own... It’s killing my battery somehow... I narrowed the dead battery issue to a paraisite drain on the radio navigation system which, I suspected. Did draw test myself but, my meters malfunctioning inconclusively so, I took it to Chevy Dealership & they found a .800 ma draw with the engine off. Wow!<br />You should have less than a .050 ma draw or less total for everything best scenario. They suspect something going on with the radio. but, everything works Radio/CD/GPS etc. Dealership claims it should be just the Radio/CD Navigation system on that Line but, in fact it could be something with wiring installation. also. Pulled fuse everything looks good at least a lot better... If somehow If I could wire in an ON/OFF switch for the 12volt power going to the radio system & turn off when not driving. Maybe I could wire in a switch off the radio fuse that's what I'm thinking also but, not sure what that would do to the system. Need wiring Chevy Diagrams but, Dealership not helpful here. Books online not detailed enough. <br />Took it to radio/ alarm installer they don't want to touch it and they wont take unit back if buy another if not the problem... ouch! Could get expensive...<br />Any thoughts would be appreciated!<br /><br />So, I would like to get a replacement if someone would want to install it. for. Or, replace it with something similar that will fit. Does anyone know where I can get this Roadtrek component if I have to? Does anyone know how this Radio comes out? I had heard its a Eclipse Navigation system but, couldn't find online or confirm. I would like an exact fit(at least dimensions wise) so, I don't have to mess with jury rigging stuff.RJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17480510215368663477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-64952487731750518262016-12-08T12:53:00.793-05:002016-12-08T12:53:00.793-05:00Any Double Din sized radio should fit in the Chevy...Any Double Din sized radio should fit in the Chevy Express 3500. There are advantages to separate units as if one goes bad you are not replacing everything. A stand alone GPS enables an RVer to get an RV specific GPS unit that will route around low overpasses and RV restricted roads and some will connect to a backup camera. A very new Garmin GPS (NOT RV specific)is just out that has a built in dash camera that incorporates this into directing as one drives plus has alert warnings for getting too close to the vehicle in front, lane assistance, and more. Not cheap but worth looking into. Too bad it does not have RV routing.Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-56093683736043741762016-12-08T08:09:26.248-05:002016-12-08T08:09:26.248-05:00It's Dec. 2016, two years since the last post....It's Dec. 2016, two years since the last post. Seems that the most reliable thing would be to buy a radio/music player, GPS and backup camera as separate units. Messy maybe, but at least will work. And maybe a GPS that's up on the dash is safer to glance at anyway. Any suggestions on newer after-market solutions for a 2003 190 Versatile? (Don't care about satellite radio).Robert Maierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04299111599085662935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-30311092662537729842014-11-08T00:19:26.686-05:002014-11-08T00:19:26.686-05:00That is there is nothing I can do about being rout...That is there is nothing I can do about being routed on these roads by the Tom Tom other than NOT to get on the road it is sending me on. It gets the idea when I go another way but if there is another entrance further along to that same road it will tell me again to get on. Any GPS intended for a car will do the same thing. You must have an RV specific GPS unit to have it route correctly for restrictions like this. Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-75162433637939016262014-11-08T00:14:34.519-05:002014-11-08T00:14:34.519-05:00I have never submitted a warranty claim on this - ...I have never submitted a warranty claim on this - I am not sure who that claim would be submitted to as I stated in the comment reply two above. If this is an issue with the Chevy wiring it would have to go to Chevy who I am guessing will say go to Roadtrek because they installed the radio - and if it is the radio then the warranty needs to go to Eclipse who will likely ask to have the radio taken out of the dash and shipped to them by the Roadtrek service center which could mean a lengthy wait to get it back (or maybe not). I have never taken the Roadtrek into Canada but if you are concerned about routing with the GPS as it is, there is no problem in that regard. The Tom Tom routes as well as a Tom Tom routes. It will pretty much get you from point A to B - maybe not the way you might go but all GPS units have their own way of calculating routes and this one is no different. The Eclipse coming on and going off when the Roadtrek is not being driven is more of an annoyance and a nuisance than anything else. I have often wondered if it does this when we are not inside and it is parked. I have no way to know if it is unless I put a video camera in there and have it record several hours - but that is really taking it too far to find out. I have not noticed any problem with the engine battery holding its charge so there does not seem to be a concern that this behavior is draining the battery. It is important to understand that this is not a GPS that routes specifically for RVs - it is a calculating car routes. It can take you on roads with too low a clearance allowance for overpasses or on roads that do not allow propane. You need to keep watching signs for this as you get on and off limited access roads. Whenever we leave home in the Roadtrek the Tom Tom wants to put me on a parkway that the Roadtrek is not permitted to travel on - and there is nothing that I can do about it. I know the sign at the entrance says no vehicles over 7'10" but a car GPS does not know that. Just be alert for restrictions on road signs about height and propane. <br />Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-23354978077331076562014-11-08T00:02:13.975-05:002014-11-08T00:02:13.975-05:00Another 210 owner has written about the same probl...Another 210 owner has written about the same problem with the radio coming on when it shouldn't. I accepted the comment to be published but for some reason it is not showing up. Here is the comment -<br /><br />I also just a choir 2012 Roadtrek popular 210 andI have the same gremlins in my Eclipse radio,coming on for about 15 seconds every time I open the door. Did you try to submit a warranty claim for this? I plan to do that. I'm also right on the Canadian border and plan to travel north, and concerned about the GPS. Have you found this problem to be consistent all over Canada? Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-7830213332641815372014-11-07T20:59:56.901-05:002014-11-07T20:59:56.901-05:00I also just a choir 2012 Roadtrek popular 210 andI...I also just a choir 2012 Roadtrek popular 210 andI have the same gremlins in my Eclipse radio,coming on for about 15 seconds every time I open the door. Did you try to submit a warranty claim for this? I plan to do that. I'm also right on the Canadian border and plan to travel north, and concerned about the GPS. Have you found this problem to be consistent all over Canada?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-29953522578568227082014-11-07T18:02:42.042-05:002014-11-07T18:02:42.042-05:00A Note on SIRIUS - The problem with Sirius in the ...A Note on SIRIUS - The problem with Sirius in the Roadtrek with this radio is not the fault of Sirius but with the radio or the location of the Sirius antenna from the radio which is under the dash coiled up on the floor. We traveled the same roads in PA and NJ in a car with Sirius radio and the reception was perfect. On a free Sirius weekend we were on those roads again with the Roadtrek and AGAIN - reception was spotty and more off than on. The antenna needs to be in a much better location if that is even possible. I really am not sure how that could be achieved.<br />DeleteWriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-77680839198815928462014-11-07T17:29:25.351-05:002014-11-07T17:29:25.351-05:00Part of the problem is the way the Chevy is wired ...Part of the problem is the way the Chevy is wired to leave the dash radio powered for a time after shutting off the engine. The only way to cut this off is to open and close the driver's door. Unlike radios with actual knob that will turn it off, the Eclipse even when pushing and holding the PWR button to shut it off, comes back on when the engine is started again. I still have the problem of the Eclipse coming on for no known reason and then shutting itself off - I have the angle of the screen set so that it is slightly pointing up when it is on and we will be in the Roadtrek maybe an hour or so after going into it for the night and then suddenly we hear the mechanism for the radio that lifts it to the angle activate, the radio rises up, the screen comes on - remains silent and then shortly later it closes down flat and goes off. Strangest thing. We have tried to link it to certain activities. It has done this if we have opened the side door but not right after the door has been opened and closed but not always. It may be triggered by something in the Chevy wiring but that would make more sense if it happened right as the door was opened and the dome light went on but it doesn't. As to warranty - I am not sure if this would be Chevy or Roadtrek and if Roadtrek since they installed the radio, if it is the radio itself, that is through the company that distributes Eclipse and you would have to check to see how long that warranty is good for. We just live with the gremlins and it has become a joke between us when it happens. Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-6610900519711921862014-11-07T14:42:00.898-05:002014-11-07T14:42:00.898-05:00I just bought a used Roadtrek 2012 Popular 210 and...I just bought a used Roadtrek 2012 Popular 210 and running into the same problems with the radio. Especially the gremlins, where the radio comes on when you open up the door and stays on for about 15 seconds.did you ever solve this problem? I see where the previous owner also documented and maintenance records but never scheduled for repair. I still have 2 years warranty left, is this covered?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-45125914077189781572013-09-21T09:37:23.380-04:002013-09-21T09:37:23.380-04:00We've got a 2012 190 Versatile. The Eclipse i...We've got a 2012 190 Versatile. The Eclipse is awkward to say the least. We found the Sirius service drops out all of the time. I inquired with RoadTrek and found out the antenna is mounted under the dash. The manufacturer says it was designed to be mounted outside of the vehicle. Relocating it to the roof helped significantly. (Poor engineering decision.) Changing channels is very frustrating while driving. Anyway, this is not the best navigation / radio system for an expensive vehicle. Save up for a decent product replacement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-44573563947459596032012-08-19T12:53:09.747-04:002012-08-19T12:53:09.747-04:00The Eclipse II in my 2012 RS is the biggest bust o...The Eclipse II in my 2012 RS is the biggest bust of a product that I have ever seen. The IPOD controls only allow you to see the first 5 or 6 items in the various categories. If you have more playlist that that or more albums in a play list than that you cannot navigate to the ones not displayed. Th<br /><br />The full GPS controls are not avaliable when the GPS is installed in the Eclipse, and some of the controls periodically disappear and require a reset of the GPS to get them back. And heaven forbid if you want to stop the navigation while enroute. There is no way to do it and the voice keeps nagging you. If you decide to change the route it will insist you turn around. If you want to enter routes or destinations, you better attach it to a computer or you will get very frustrated.<br /><br />As an experienced Software Engineer I can confidently say this is the poorest job of microcode design, implementation, and testing I have ever seen.<br /><br />A total bust, well not quite, the rearview camera is good. Roadtrek should fire the person who selected this.Jim Bradynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-69602405310138834212012-06-23T07:46:09.361-04:002012-06-23T07:46:09.361-04:00I hate the Eclipse,No problem with Sirius, hard ...I hate the Eclipse,No problem with Sirius, hard to function,, by the way Robert , we stored our rear table and support post after our first trip ,, totally useless table.. we have it in our shed and it will stay there ... Thanks for yor input <br />Mike LongAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-38208300245551656962012-06-21T18:59:01.582-04:002012-06-21T18:59:01.582-04:00I agree also. I am happy to read that I am not th...I agree also. I am happy to read that I am not the only one discovering these problems! I just keep my CD's going and that keeps me happy!Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04218252806649608638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801217063323814316.post-54471267108599247622012-06-21T17:08:56.199-04:002012-06-21T17:08:56.199-04:00Right on! We just acquired a 2012 210 Popular and ...Right on! We just acquired a 2012 210 Popular and we absolutely HATE the Eclipse. The TomTom does not work for Canadian addresses (seems to require a subscription, no freebie), the power is always on with the screen coming alive whenever a door is opened, etc. Yes, it IS a disappointment but it shouldn't turn anyone off buying a Roadtrek. It should, however, encourage Roadtrek to find a system that is better and that does not act as a battery drain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com