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Sony xav-ax5000

14K views 38 replies 21 participants last post by  ammacdo 
#1 ·
Who has one? How is it? Where did you get it?

Why is there such a price jump? I see the Biketronics looks encased in a different shell. And comes with the aluminum bezel and a cool cover. Considering selling my 6.5 Boom and getting this.

Volunteer Audio Sony XAV-AX5000 2014-2017 Harley Davidson Aftermarket Radio Installation Kit with Bluetooth Android Auto Apple Carplay

Biketronics

Biketronics Sony XAV-AX5000 Turnkey Rushmore Radio
 
#2 ·
Some good reviews on the other forum. If it had built in nav I’d have one already. The biketronics version is waterproof. You have to buy it from them, they won’t sell just the enclosure.


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#3 ·
I had one on my list for Christmas this year and got one but after installing it, I realized several things that I liked about the factory radio were missing:

1) You can't use wired headsets for comms. The rider and passenger audio plugs are disconnected.
2) Listening to music and using an iPhone for navigation via Waze didn't work so well. The music would play through Bluetooth headsets but the audio from the navigation app wouldn't. Nav works best if you don't always have to look at the map.

I ended up returning it. The company (Fathead Cycles) was great about the return and took it back for a full refund. They even sent me a prepaid return shipping label.

If you're fine with the issues that I had, it's a great radio and having Apple Car Play was a nice upgrade. I just couldn't justify keeping it with the things that I had to give up from the Boom Box.
 
#4 ·
Like any audio upgrade one question is goals/expectations. If your #1 priority is significantly better sound quality the clean signal, built in crossovers and equalizer are a huge plus.


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#5 · (Edited)
Who has one? How is it? Where did you get it?

Why is there such a price jump? I see the Biketronics looks encased in a different shell. And comes with the aluminum bezel and a cool cover. Considering selling my 6.5 Boom and getting this.

Volunteer Audio Sony XAV-AX5000 2014-2017 Harley Davidson Aftermarket Radio Installation Kit with Bluetooth Android Auto Apple Carplay https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CVP38B6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4nuoCb95K8FKD

Biketronics

Biketronics Sony XAV-AX5000 Turnkey Rushmore Radio
Reading around it seems that this kit work fine with the handlebar switches, but the only thing you miss is the “info” page (oil press and air temp).
Some say that plugging the original stage 1 amp is also an issue, this in case you have one like I do.
The biketronics kit seems better because of the frame/visor protecting the unit, that is not waterproof. Just because of the picture showing some glare on the screen, I wonder if that is an issue and what may happen in the long term when scratches and weather dull the screen.

In my view it is a good opportunity if the Boombox fail, the Sony piece cost a quarter. Until then boombox is not that bad....
 
#7 ·
So I have one on my 18 RGS that I wrecked a few months ago. I loved the radio. Had no issues with losing the "info" screen and all of the other buttons did what I needed them to do once I go use to them. That was the hardest part. Plus the radio was completely touch screen which was nice and easy to use as well.

The one thing I didn't like and am still searching for a solution to would be the ability to use a bluetooth headset with the radio. I wanted The ability to plug in my phone using CarPlay and then hook up my UClear headset to the radio to have the comms coming through the full face helmet but there is no solution to that which I could find as of yet.

Otherwise, the radio worked fine. I always used Waze and Google Maps with no issues. I use them all the time on the bike and they always worked. I had a USB Drive with music hooked up to one USB port and my Phone to the other so I could use CarPlay. I also had the XM Radio installed along with it and never had an issue at all.

I think for the guys that have an Ultra or a CVO it wouldn't be worth it. For a guy that has a Custom or a Special it is a good choice if you are looking for something different that has better options than the HD radio and for cheaper prices too.

I got mine at Fathead Cycles. I rode up there and talked with Chris while he installed mine and then rode home. Great guy, great service and Great Price! Would recommend them to anyone!
 
#8 ·
I have one sitting around right now waiting to be installed. I got it from Fathead Cycles, truly a great place to deal with. I was going to install it, but 1. it's pretty fucking cold in the garage and me and cold aren't exactly friends and 2. I have a couple of pending bike deals to move me into an M8. More on that one later, but I can't believe how difficult a dealer will make it to buy a bike these days. Eddie, you stay out of this for now. Back to the radio, Fathead personally warranties the radio for 1 year. They told me the first install they did with this unit the guy who's bike it was had to drive quite a ways from their shop to get home. On his way home the sky opened up on him and rain came pouring out all over his brand new radio. He has never had an issue with it. But what they did say negatively is that through shipping and handling and what not, they have had some bad units right out of the box. Big whoop, they will get you another no questions asked. I would love to have gotten the BT version, but I think I could possibly buy 3 of these for the price they are asking for theirs if I remember right.
 
#9 ·
Considering Sony XAV-AX5000

I’m considering replacing the stock Boom HD deck with the Biketronics Sony XAV-AX5000 (waterproof) unit on my 2018 RG Special too. I already have the Biketronics 2250 amp and Hertz Mille Legend 6.5s so it already sounds pretty good, but I generally use the navigation from my phone over the Boom Nav feature so it would be nice to have the route display on screen. I also like that it appears to be a brighter and clearer display, so I’m hoping it will make it easier to see in sunny conditions than the stock deck. Lastly, I think it will start up faster than the stock unit.

If anyone that has one can speak to these points I would appreciate it.
 
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#10 ·
I’m considering replacing the stock Boom HD deck with the Biketronics Sony XAV-AX5000 (waterproof) unit on my 2018 RG Special too. I already have the Biketronics 2250 amp and Hertz Mille Legend 6.5s so it already sounds pretty good, but I generally use the navigation from my phone over the Boom Nav feature so it would be nice to have the route display on screen. I also like that it appears to be a brighter and clearer display, so I’m hoping it will make it easier to see in sunny conditions than the stock deck. Lastly, I think it will start up faster than the stock unit.

If anyone that has one can speak to these points I would appreciate it.


Im also looking at this unit but im going to get mine from Fat Head. They're insanely cheaper and plug and play, but one thing i may wait for is the AX7000 bc it has more power which means i may be able to bypass an amp. I did talk to them about the hand controls and they said you'll only have volume and track skipping accessibility and that the right and left would mirror each other. So there's that.
 
#11 ·
Ciao from Italy first of all.
I want to install it on my RG 2017. How can I avoid glass reflections, especially when I use Apple Play. A friend of mine installed it 10 days ago, the radio is simply perfect, but visibility is limited by the reflection of light. It seems that he tried to install a glossy glass, but due to the low light emitted by Sony, the result was not so effective. Any suggestions ?

Thank you
Mauro
 
#35 ·
Can you elaborate? Links for this?

I know Sony supposedly used to offer an add-on NAV module, but their site shows that it's discontinued.

It could be handy to have a dedicated GPS-based NAV option for when cell service fails (common in the Adirondack Park in Upstate NY).
 
#36 ·
The new Android Auto update is a game changer on this unit best thing so far

As far as GPS it works with or without cell service I had zero issues in the black hills during Sturgis if you type a destination in while you have service it will guide you regardless. If you just want a map it will track you and show upcoming roads without service you just cant type an exact address/location ect

I use Waze and Google maps
 
#39 ·
Yeah, that's what I did for SWIX. Used Android Auto on my phone screen since I have the older radio and it worked great, could even do basic interaction with my gloves on. I also downloaded a ton of music from Google Play Music before I left home and never had a problem due to lack of signal.

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