Definitive answers on replacing the stereo and Steering Wheel Controls

[Michael James]

Just got my black H2 3 days ago.
Looking to replace the Bose speakers and head unit (frankly, very disappointed in sound quality of the LUX edition).

1) What are you doing with the existing headunit/stereo? Are you keeping it but dropping in behind the console? (need to know location it ended up in). or did you remove it completely? Some have indicated you must keep it in the car, but "hide it". What remains hooked up?

2) When you replace the stereo, what overall functions do you loose? (door chimes, onstar, etc..) be specific if you could.

3) What aftermarket interfaces are you using with the new headunit to allow steering wheel controls? For example, if you went with the Alpine, are you using Peripherals brands of PESWIX, PESWIV? (these are IR based read/send units) or what are you using??? (by the way, read the article from Blitzsafe, saying they are NOT going to release an interface due to issues regarding the airbags and OnStar). Overall, heard a lot of people saying they were getting it done, but no followup posts regarding whether it worked or not.

Steering Wheel Controls includewhich do you loose right away and what interface brings it back)

(left side)
a)On-star
b)Prog
c)Source Up/Down
d) Trip Info
e) Fuel Information

(right side)
f)Seek
g)Volume
h)Personilization
i) Select