2013 Sonics

[Larry]

It is not the same in the Sonic.
The radio itself has 4 'physical buttons':
Vol up/down, Power, Home
(These are soft buttons like on an Android phone, but not on the screen)

I'd agree that someone at Chevy has failed to properly utilize screen space in the tuning mode.
Tune/Scan selectors are relatively small when there is so much screen space.
That being said, I don't have any problem making my way through stations then setting my favorites.
The steering wheel control lets you cycle through your favorites or select the source as well as control volume.
(I am unaware if holding the wheel in the desired direction forces it to simply move up/down through the radio band, though the manual doesn't state it.)

There are some other ways to scan for stations as well, such as holding and dragging the station on the screen will start scanning in that direction.
You can also go into the "station list" in the FM menu and you can look through a list of available stations.
(Likely vulnerable to any radio's scanning faux pas, signal is too weak so a station isn't found though it's perfectly fine)

As long as I can find the stations I need to preset I don't mind it, I really never look for stations once I have them set.

 

[MicroEngineer]

Do the 2013 models still have the composite sway bar links like the others? I ask because I was wondering if Chevrolet revised that design (hopefully) due to the number of cases where those had to be replaced.

Thanks.

 

[CoHPhasor]

Sorry, don't have a lift at home and certainly haven't crawled under it.
I'm trying to meetup with some other Sonics @ Sonic today, maybe someone will be curious enough to crawl under there for you.

 

[Eric Smit]

If at least three of you are there, two can lift the front and one can crawl under. ;P


-Eric Smit

 

[jennie421]

Do the 2013 models still have the composite sway bar links like the others? I ask because I was wondering if Chevrolet revised that design (hopefully) due to the number of cases where those had to be replaced.

Thanks.

No idea...I don't even know what I'd be looking for.

I'm off to work on my MyLink videos. If all goes well, I'll post something later.

 

[CoHPhasor]

Preloader reached under the front end and says they feel like plastic still.

Also, I turned the radio up for the first time and I can say that under 50% it sounded really good so unless you guys are looking for a killer stereo in the '12's, MyLink kicked up the wattage.

I also appreciate the 3-band/preset EQ as well as the ability to select a type of volume increase at speed, it works really well.
(Off, Low, etc)

 

[Larry]

Preloader reached under the front end and says they feel like plastic still.

Also, I turned the radio up for the first time and I can say that under 50% it sounded really good so unless you guys are looking for a killer stereo in the '12's, MyLink kicked up the wattage.

I also appreciate the 3-band/preset EQ as well as the ability to select a type of volume increase at speed, it works really well.
(Off, Low, etc)

Would you say the stereo sounded as good or better than the cruze?

 

[jennie421]

MyLink Brief Overview Video

Brief and broad overview of the MyLink Touch Radio in the 2013 Chevy Sonic. My first video, hope it's helpful! If this is well received, I will dive more in-depth into the features in future videos.

SonicMyLinkOverview - YouTube

 

[CoHPhasor]

Would you say the stereo sounded as good or better than the cruze?

Can't say, never got into a Cruze.

 

[MicroEngineer]

Thanks Jennie that's a great video, clear and well-spoken too. Finally someone provides a helpful video, not just a manfacturer promo.

Whoever did the work on the MyLink did a much better job than the company who worked on the Ford Sync system, with all the bad software with bugs, locking up, and more. But I've forgotten the name of that company. I wonder who worked on the MyLink? Looks nice!

 

[RS Turbo]

The Japanese did that is where this radio is produced! Notice the date and Time formate in the Video....

 

[jennie421]

Thanks Jennie that's a great video, clear and well-spoken too. Finally someone provides a helpful video, not just a manfacturer promo.

Whoever did the work on the MyLink did a much better job than the company who worked on the Ford Sync system, with all the bad software with bugs, locking up, and more. But I've forgotten the name of that company. I wonder who worked on the MyLink? Looks nice!

Thank you so much for the feedback! I've had 17 views, not known if they are all from the forum. If it becomes popular, I'll have to do a second installment.

 

[FastEddie]

I appreciated the video, you were very clear and to the point and made the video interesting, thank you!

 

[sonic_xena]

thanks for the video. it was way more helpful than the dealer promo -- more what i was interested in seeing.

 

[SuperFudd]

I have no experience with anything like a MyLink Touch Radio.
Looks like it might be swell when parked but how is it posible to acurately manipulate it while driving? On traditional radios you can do it by feel. You quickly learn where the buttons are and what they feel like.
With MyLink, even if I look, I would be missing the intended "button".
Are there the regular radio controls on the steering wheel?
Can I replace it with the '56 Chevy radio I have in the garage, somewhere?

 

[CoHPhasor]

I don't appreciate the lack of physical buttons on newer devices either.

That being said, you can change the source, move between favs and change volume on the steering wheel.

I did discover a pet-peeve today when using the MyLink:

This pertains to Android devices, not necessarily iOS devices.
I like the turn-by-turn navigation on my DroidX and use it often.
Decided to laminate my window sticker (yes, I do that) by heading to the Kinko's.
I used my phone to get the nearest location and told it to use the T-B-T directions.

Normally in Android turn-by-turn it talks to you so you don't have to look at the device.
I noticed it wasn't speaking. (sometimes malfunctions) Once I got to a light I turned up the volume just in case.
I notice instead of it saying "speaker volume" it was "bluetooth headset".
In a shot of inspiration I change sources to BT audio and it was playing one of my MP3's and just then a direction command was spoken - through the radio.
Apparently because I allowed BT to be on while using the car the turn-by-turn directions are fed through the BT audio source only.
I have yet to find a way to make them separate. (I was listening to FM before that and it's what I wanted)

Why do I really hate this? On short trips I've ALWAYS hated T-B-T on my Android, it warns and speaks way too much. (great on the highway but terrible on surface streets)
It just kept interrupting music pissing me off.
(I always yell when it speaks too much anyway; "Shutup bitch! I'm turning already!!")

Make no mistake, still love MyLink, just dislike this feature. (Hopefully BringGo hits soon and I won't need it)

 

[Johnny Alien]

There are only two ways to play audio through the radio and that is through bluetooth or USB. Since the directions are just audio from your phone then it needs to be connected through Bluetooth to play. No way around that as far as I can see. Now, with MyLink there is an app for navigation that GM has worked with to bring TBT and that might behave differently I'm not sure.

After seeing the video I agree that while nice it would be way to distracting to me. Touch is cool but intent needs to be the #1 thing that is considered and making someone stop looking at the road to fool with a touch screen doesn't make much sense. A nice large screen but with standard dials would be MUCH better IMO. And that is coming from an iOS/Apple/iphone junky.

 

[Eric Smit]

and the 3.5mm input next to the USB plug.


-Eric Smit

 

[Johnny Alien]

and the 3.5mm input next to the USB plug.


-Eric Smit

Oh yeah. That too.

 

[Bogus]

Are any of your 3.5 jacks loose? I always have my ipod hooked up and it seems like it's getting loose already..