I just discovered Android head units are even a thing. Are there any high quality ones that wont require constant tinkering to keep working? I would like to be able to use a backup camera, and a microphone for voicecalls and commands., and google maps nav of course.
There's no need for CONSTANT tinkering actually. You will most likely want to set up a few things the way you like them at first but after that you don't need to mess with your setup once you have it to your liking. I prefer an Android HU instead of Android Auto because it's a standalone device (Android Auto requires you to be connected to your phone in order to work). If you have a pwerfull phone it might work better than a HU though so that's something to consider, but for the kind of things people would usually use a HU, the specs on these stereos are good enough.
I haven't tried Android Auto though so you might want to do some more research and not take me for a guru or anything, but that's my opinion.
Do you have a recommendation on a good HU? Is 1024x768 about the highest res you can get? I have been looking at the NU3001, but it's about a year old, is there anything better out?
I haven't seen any unit with a resolution higher than 1024x768. There's basically 2 types of CPU on these things, the better one being RK3188 so look for that. here's a link to the one I got FYI
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XCBAXWY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
Grims said:
Do you have a recommendation on a good HU? Is 1024x768 about the highest res you can get? I have been looking at the NU3001, but it's about a year old, is there anything better out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Newsmy and HuiFei are the most popular here on XDA, and Newsmy types (including NU3001) are newer.
They may not require "constant tinkering to keep working", but they seem to be full of little "gotchas" that result in some people constantly trying to work around.
The best of these Chinese HUs are running Kitkat 4.4, with no Lollipop in sight (as Marshmallow is about to come out, groan...)
I think the quality of these HUs are such that they may fail within a year or two, and even if they don't it will be annoying to be stuck on 4.4 when 7 or 8 are out.
Don't expect software fixes, unless done by someone here on XDA.
War-Rasta said:
Android Auto requires you to be connected to your phone in order to work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Headunit app for Android Auto can run in a single device mode just fine, on a tablet or a phone.
mikereidis said:
My Headunit app for Android Auto can run in a single device mode just fine, on a tablet or a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can your headunit app run on one of these headunits?
Grims said:
Can your headunit app run on one of these headunits?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If any of them were on Lollipop there might be a chance...
DeafZebra said:
If any of them were on Lollipop there might be a chance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lollipop is only needed on the phone/Android Auto app side.
So yes, Lollipop is needed to use my app in single device mode. But not when the tablet or headunit is connected to a phone running Lollipop and AA.
My Headunit works on Android 4.1+, in theory. In practice the H.264 decoder and USB Host mode needed was optional on earlier Android releases, so it still won't work well on many pre-Lollipop devices.
Due to this, I am likely to only officially support Lollipop+ and may make it mandatory. Even the 3 year old Nexus 7 2012 has Android 5.1, albeit slower than 4.4.
Grims said:
Can your headunit app run on one of these headunits?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far, no. One device was reported to work but the video decoding was crazy slow. It appears that Chinese chipset devices are using software decoding of H.264 video which doesn't seem to work reliably.
So I'm focusing on Nexus tablets and may support a DIY type HU running a "96boards" or similar.
I was considering buying one of these units to support it, but lack of Lollipop when Marshmallow is imminent, and no promising reports of success from testers has killed that idea for now. It's a shame because tablets are not the best solution either.
Related
Did some googleing and didn't find much except for some maybes and some oddities that i'm not too sure about so I thought I might come to the experts. I would love to have a small 7" double din head unit in my car running gingerbread or better android on it and tether it to my phone. That way I could add pandora/youtube/siriusxm/navigation/market/fruitslice whatever...
Anyone know of anything out there?
There's a couple on the market I've seen. Many are out there as concepts. In the Barnes &Noble nook forums there is guy who did a write up on how he installed a nook in the dash of his jeep. It's a 7 inch screen and fits with a little Modding. I'm surprised you didn't find any on your search.
- this sig is just so I don't have to write 10char when on my phone -
Shinare said:
Did some googleing and didn't find much except for some maybes and some oddities that i'm not too sure about so I thought I might come to the experts. I would love to have a small 7" double din head unit in my car running gingerbread or better android on it and tether it to my phone. That way I could add pandora/youtube/siriusxm/navigation/market/fruitslice whatever...
Anyone know of anything out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dynavin
Ca-fi
Bybyte
Those are the main ones people have been "keeping an eye on" since last year.
After talking with some friends that are in to car audio, I've deemed them all to be subpar for my needs so i just got a 32gb sammy tab plus, 64gb microsd card, and a $30 dash kit that i will mod for mounting. I think the three key things that a real head unit has over mounting a tablet are: 1) easy back up camera solution 2) satellite radio 3) built in bluetooth handsfree. 1 and 3 are possible, just not the easiest, and i have no use for number 2 since i dont subscribe.
*edit* - just realized i had subscribed to the thread boborone is referencing Nook Color in Jeep Wrangler
There is also the more mainstream AppRadio from Pioneer. Search it since I can't post links yet.
I have the Erisin 777A for the past 4 months, generally quite happy about it but wants better sound quality.
Clarion has announced an android head unit, the mirage, http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/clarions-android-running-mirage-ivi/
This one has potential, maybe upgrade is in the works for me.
I have been search and I have decided on mounting a tablet as well I just wish there were companies who make custom mounts to make it look OEM
gpmg762 said:
I have the Erisin 777A for the past 4 months, generally quite happy about it but wants better sound quality.
Clarion has announced an android head unit, the mirage, http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/clarions-android-running-mirage-ivi/
This one has potential, maybe upgrade is in the works for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice. That's what I want. Too bad its release is in q4. :-(
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA
Has anyone tried any of these or know if they would be any good hardware wise?
How about the possibility of custom roms or even rooting them?
This one seems the better choice in the fact it's a removable tablet. Not because I want a tablet but because it would be easier to bring into the house for flashing purposes. Never heard of it's CPU mind?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321013490466
This one is quite a nice looking one with non removable screen. Has a Cortex A8 which I've heard of at least
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121016519547
So what's your views and opinions?
So no comments then? I'm really hankering for an Android unit in the car. Will beat the socks off the crappy 2din wince unit i have. The software on that is so cumbersome and doesn't match throughout the different modes.
Ok just found this Parrot Asteroid 2DIN. Looks very good but not available yet.
http://www.slashgear.com/parrot-asteroid-in-car-nav-entertainment-systems-revealed-09207612/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH3-VAfqjEw
Also after watching some video's of the unit with pad I posted previously it seems that most of the main functions are handled by an internal process in the unit (maybe wince?) which then outputs video and control via the tablet. This has kind of put me off a little bit.
So after watching some other video's of the Ca-Fi I think I am going to go with one of these. The new one is upgraded to 2.3 Android, capacitive touchscreen and a 1ghz processor. So saving my pennies now!!!!!
http://ca-fi.com/en/archives/1027
Okay all this talk of android double din, well I have a double din unit in my car, all self fitted, it has 2 sd slots, 1 for GPS and the other for sd card for media, but was wondering if any of these slots can be used to "install" new os onto the unit.
How does the Os get installed onto these, there must be a way.
CueballUK said:
Ok just found this Parrot Asteroid 2DIN. Looks very good but not available yet.
Also after watching some video's of the unit with pad I posted previously it seems that most of the main functions are handled by an internal process in the unit (maybe wince?) which then outputs video and control via the tablet. This has kind of put me off a little bit.
So after watching some other video's of the Ca-Fi I think I am going to go with one of these. The new one is upgraded to 2.3 Android, capacitive touchscreen and a 1ghz processor. So saving my pennies now!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Componentality Celebrity, it might be what you need. Do you need 2-DIN?
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015...VD-player-GPS-Stereo-Wifi-3G/32297415686.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...al-dual-system-carpad/1422130_2034998210.html
any good?
m.r.davies said:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015...VD-player-GPS-Stereo-Wifi-3G/32297415686.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...al-dual-system-carpad/1422130_2034998210.html
any good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a whole thread about the Newsmy CarPad2 here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2865525
Hey guys,
There's a bunch of Android-based devices out there in the market. I'm looking for the best one that's available - are you able to recommend some unit?
I was hoping to buy the Parrot RNB6, but it seems it's an abandoned project.
Has anyone ever seen any specs on pre out voltage on any of these units? Or even better a digital out? They seem to be all about software on the specs minus the 55w x 4 channel spec, the biggest gripe I have the with main manufacturers of hu out there right now is you either get a nice ui and imo poor pre out voltage or a really terrible ui that is almost unbearable but high voltage, which in turn leads to higher volume and clearer audio. This is what I have found at my price range anyways and am not really willing to drop $2k on a head unit at this point. Anyways i am trying to look through all the links on this page but any help would be appreciated
Edit: guess it's 2/2 pages and not 22 pages haha, guess I did check them all
Sent from my SM-N910W8 using XDA Free mobile app
Also depends on what car you have.
Erisin have a whole range of Android units with good reviews.
I have this one for Audi A3
http://www.erisin.com/erisin-es9783...-sat-nav-1080p-autoradio-audi-a3-s3_p517.html
Or one with a removeable Pad
http://www.erisin.com/erisin-es8035a-2-in-1-car-pad-unit-android-tablet-gps-3g-wifi_p389.html
Plus a whole lot of posts on similar.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2660662&page=1101
Baz
I have Audi S6 C5 and just need a regular 2DIN unit - it will fit. However, the chinese stuff I'm looking at other threads in this forum seem very crappy and of low quality.
Is there something that can be really reliable, working fast and with good audio quality?
headunit 4.4.4 quad core 3188
I have had mine for more than 6 months
Sound is great ram is only 1gb so app installs stop after pandora and waze, and one or 2 other items
I use a wifi hotspot, on tmobile, $10/month no limits.
pandora now works no matter who drives car, and NAV youtube etc
Not sure newer version of android would help, more ram would help more
I'm in the market for a new HU and I've been following a lot of threads at XDA from the Pioneer based hacks to AppRadio to the Newsmy HUs to now the new Joying 5.1.1 and the octa-core InDashNet units. I've been looking at those last two machines pretty intensely, but I'm trying to weigh the benefits of both.
The InDashNet HU have far more robust components, but they are so new that there are plenty of bugs to be worked out along the way. The Joying units seem to have decent support (for Chinese HU), but I'm a bit more concerned buying into a unit that is using components that are seem like a generation or so behind the InDash unit.
Any others out there with the same dilemma? How did you resolve this? Thx.
I think it's a matter of jumping in, I have had mine JY unit since August and have had many hours of usefulness out of it..
Thus it's coming up to 12 months.. so if I get another 12 months I am happy as Larry..by then it will be time to upgrade as this is a market segment that is only going to grow and get better and better..
It's like all tech, do you wait for the next best thing or do you suck it up, get what's hot now and and use it, then spin it around after you get tired of it.. and with luck only lose a bit of depreciation.. I know that even if I pulled mine out now and sold it for $200 I have had money's worth..
I think the key is to make sure who ever you buy off is giving you the warranty and support so that if you get a defective unit you can send it back.. as it seems the market is awash with some pretty ****ty units.. thus by dealing with someone that has got some cred already you will save yourself some heartache if the unit has a problem...
Depending on what unit you get, Joying can also be WAY cheaper than In-Dash. For example, another thread on here has a link to the Universal fit from Joying on Amazon for like $260. The IN-Dash without a sale or discount is over $400.
CadillacMike said:
Depending on what unit you get, Joying can also be WAY cheaper than In-Dash. For example, another thread on here has a link to the Universal fit from Joying on Amazon for like $260. The IN-Dash without a sale or discount is over $400.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm seeing too. I'd go with the universal fit model anyway. But having the latest processor/ample amounts of RAM is important too. I'd rather spend more if the Joying unit is choking on itself a year from now. I'd suspect I'd get a longer life out of the model with newer components.
When I bought my Joying they (along with 3 other manufacturers I was shopping at the time) told me the quadcore may not work with 5.1 or newer versions of Android - not ever. Of course they appear to work now so maybe they were full of sales fluff. Regardless, with an OctaCore to support 5, 6, and eventually 7.0 or greater (InDashNet confirmed to me that I would be able to go 6 and 7 when ready) I at least feel that I won't have to buy another unit for my current car unless I really wanted to. Plus, I get responses from InDashNet with better detail. There are slight issues as their platform is newer, but it is definitely quicker and the bugs appear easy to fix.
how often do InDashNet upgrade their platform?
ricebus said:
how often do InDashNet upgrade their platform?
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Click to collapse
Once already with another coming soon that they are already testing internally.
So which one would you recommend? The InDashNet units also have far less capable amplifiers. Only supplying 25w per output :/
ricebus said:
So which one would you recommend? The InDashNet units also have far less capable amplifiers. Only supplying 25w per output :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like InDashNet but would wait a couple of weeks to see if the latest updates solve the problems. Both are likely comparable in terms of amplification as it all boils down to RMS rating (ignore max)...you can always add an external one for $50 (plus cabling) and those are easier to install than a head unit.
I was emailed 85W x 4 by InDashNet so I don't know why is says 25W on the InDashNet forum post #1. I use 2 amps myself (1 for front/rear and 1 for subwoofer.)
Personally, I think you should always buy on the back end of technology and not go with the latest. This gets you far far more peformance/$. I would go with the $250 joying and if you want to upgrade in a few years, do it when the octocores are as common and available from as many sources as the quad cores are today and they will also then be as cheap.
If you go with pretty much the only one available today, in 1-2 years you will be sorry you did not wait because someone will come out with a better design that is more refined and has a few more features than the ones available now, but you will have spent so much on the one now, you will not want to upgrade for a long time until you get your "money's worth" out of it first.
Normally this is very true. In fact, if you buy on the back end of this market there are some great dual core units out there. However, they do not work with the latest Android 5.x either and the support from the vendor to upgrade that software is long gone not to mention Android app vendor support. I already can't use some apps who now only support 6.x products. So I did consider what you said but I'll take new if it works good enough knowing that it will see revisions that improve it. Plus, now that I've used OctaCore vs Quad the speed is so much closer to the Japanese units I grew up on.
The Joying HU seems quite fine but I'm afraid 1GB of RAM for android is not enough. Maybe I'm wrong, do you have it? How does it perform?
Also, we all take it for granted, but boot-up time for this is super crucial, if it takes more than a few seconds it's kinda annoying.
dunksalot said:
Normally this is very true. In fact, if you buy on the back end of this market there are some great dual core units out there. However, they do not work with the latest Android 5.x either and the support from the vendor to upgrade that software is long gone not to mention Android app vendor support. I already can't use some apps who now only support 6.x products. So I did consider what you said but I'll take new if it works good enough knowing that it will see revisions that improve it. Plus, now that I've used OctaCore vs Quad the speed is so much closer to the Japanese units I grew up on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what apps do you use that only support android 6? Marshmallow is on less than 10% of devices:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/android-marshmallow-adoption-10-percent/
---------- Post added at 09:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 AM ----------
ricebus said:
The Joying HU seems quite fine but I'm afraid 1GB of RAM for android is not enough. Maybe I'm wrong, do you have it? How does it perform?
Also, we all take it for granted, but boot-up time for this is super crucial, if it takes more than a few seconds it's kinda annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
outside of in-dash, very few of these head units have 2 gig, the Ownice C200 and one Pumpkin unit is about it. The S160 from RoadNavi only has 1 gig, but Kotix made a ROM that gives you more RAM
There are a few I wanted to download and try. AUPEO for one. IFTTT as well. Those come to mind. I can't remember every one that I looked to try off the top of my head but there were are good 4 or 5. Not a big deal I guess.
Lookd into Android Head units a couple of years ago (gave it up because they were all pretty terrible to be honest at the time - borderline useless). Amazing that so little has happened since 2013/2014. Most units still rely on the same old awful Rockchip SoC and comes with 1GB of RAM paired with a terrible UI and Android 4.x.
Another sad thing is that most of these units only support Bluetooth 2.1 (Joying included). Bluetooth 4.x offers better audio quality.
Thanks for pointing out the currently best units available on the market @dunksalot. I'm probably going to buy a cheap Joying 5.1.1 and simply live with the lag (?) when switching between apps. It'll probably take quite some time before anything with Cortex A15 or Cortex A72 paired with 2-4GB of RAM becomes available.
I did have Android Auto-support on my wishlist (that way the specs wouldn't have mattered), but that seems impossible to find outside pioneer and kenwood units, which are USD600-USD1900+.
Edit: Or is it better to wait a bit longer? It seems that Joying are working on units with 2GB of RAM according to their FB page, they won't say anything more about it though:
>old awful Rockchip SoC and comes with 1GB of RAM paired with a terrible UI and Android 4.x.
Actually after having a 4.4.1 for a year and now a 5.1.1 head unit for about 6 months I would dispute that.
a) The quad core Rockchip CPU is pretty capable and has run nearly everything I have thrown at it smoothly from every GPS app I have ever tried to HD movies, to Kodi streaming, Netflix, MP3's, all while recording a front dash cam constantly in the background as well.
b) The 1GB RAM is not a big deal. That is what most phones had for a loooong time, and Android is more than able to run with that ram.
c) The UI that is on the KD and Joying units is actually VERY good. It does exactly what it needs to do, and is perfect for the car. I have tried others and they all are not as good, or get in the way of use in the car.
d) Having Android 4.4 vs 5 is not a big deal either. Android 4.x is still the most used version of Android around the world, and is the most stable version as well. I have found 5.1 to be slightly better, and have noticed one bug disappear, but honestly its really marginal a difference. Android 4.x runs every single piece of software I run on 5.x just fine.
e) Android auto seems like a HACK to me so they can sell very low powered head units and push all the work down to the phone. I don't see all that much benefit compared to having a fully capable android device in the dash instead. I would rather have my dash unit be powerful enough to do everything I want it to do instead of having to juggle two devices.
I have frankly been amazed at what I have been able to get out of a $250 that is basically the same price, as if I had done what I was originally going to do and just upgrade my factory car radio to a major brand simple radio with an AUX input for my mp3 player.
nixfu said:
>old awful Rockchip SoC and comes with 1GB of RAM paired with a terrible UI and Android 4.x.
Actually after having a 4.4.1 for a year and now a 5.1.1 head unit for about 6 months I would dispute that.
a) The quad core Rockchip CPU is pretty capable and has run nearly everything I have thrown at it smoothly from every GPS app I have ever tried to HD movies, to Kodi streaming, Netflix, MP3's, all while recording a front dash cam constantly in the background as well.
b) The 1GB RAM is not a big deal. That is what most phones had for a loooong time, and Android is more than able to run with that ram.
c) The UI that is on the KD and Joying units is actually VERY good. It does exactly what it needs to do, and is perfect for the car. I have tried others and they all are not as good, or get in the way of use in the car.
d) Having Android 4.4 vs 5 is not a big deal either. Android 4.x is still the most used version of Android around the world, and is the most stable version as well. I have found 5.1 to be slightly better, and have noticed one bug disappear, but honestly its really marginal a difference. Android 4.x runs every single piece of software I run on 5.x just fine.
e) Android auto seems like a HACK to me so they can sell very low powered head units and push all the work down to the phone. I don't see all that much benefit compared to having a fully capable android device in the dash instead. I would rather have my dash unit be powerful enough to do everything I want it to do instead of having to juggle two devices.
I have frankly been amazed at what I have been able to get out of a $250 that is basically the same price, as if I had done what I was originally going to do and just upgrade my factory car radio to a major brand simple radio with an AUX input for my mp3 player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, so maybe I won't be disappointed if I go down the Joying path. It's not very expensive as you point out, so upgrading in a year or two wouldn't be a pain. Thanks.
I'm not in a big rush though, so I'll probably wait a few more months before jumping on the train.
Hello there
Last weekend I received my first Android HU, an Erisin ES3015V. I drive a 2013 Skoda Fabia RS, and the installation was very straight forward. Can bus built in to the unit meant it was just a matter of connecting the big "VW" type connector, the antennas and usb, and everything just worked. I was very impressed. After playing with it all evening, installing apps, tweaking the launcher (and killing my battery), I went to bed.
The next day I started having problems with boot loops (looping even before any logo appeared on screen). This kept getting worse until I had to spend like ten minutes trying to press and hold the power and / or reset buttons to get lucky and make it boot. Once it booted, everything seemed great until the next cold start. I also installed the MTCD malaysk rom, but it didn't help. I contacted the dealer and he asked me to send it back for replacement, as he reckons it's a hardware problem.
Now, he also sells the Eonon in the topic, so if I want to, I can get that instead. I understand that this is an older unit (MTCB I think?) and that it has a can bus box instead of built in can bus. The resolution is also lower, but it has the same amount of ram and same cpu. Eonon info page says Android 4.4.4 but the reseller says 5.1. With this unit I suppose I would be able to run a more matured rom. I'm also curious as to sound quality differences. I'd ideally like a unit that doesn't sound worse than the original Skoda Swing / VW RCD310 in the car. Would also need a dab+ usb thingy.
Please help me make up my mind!
I'd tell you to stick with any android head unit that has KitKat (4.4.4). Android 5.1, while nice and it does add a few new features, tends to be slower and the ROM is larger. Consider this video:
Android Lollipop 5.1 vs KitKat 4.4.4 - Performance Comparison (Nexus 5)
On the same hardware, things slow down with android 5.1, and you're not really going to be using a lot of the features of that OS on a car radio. If this was a cellphone, I'd say yes, go for android 5.1.
That said, I'd lean towards the Eonon. Both have the same RK3188 CPU and same resolution screen, which leads me to believe that they are the same exact unit with a different brand name on them.
As an example, here 's some stereos: http://www.autopumpkin.com/car-dvd-players/vw-car-dvd-player/vw-skoda-dvd-player
This is also for VW / Skoda. Notice how some look exactly the same as the other two. Simply stay away from any that offer Dual-core CPU's and you ought to be fine, but I simply show you for purposes of demonstration.
Having said that, here's one that is about the same price as your other two but slightly better specs: http://www.autopumpkin.com/car-dvd-...ii-3g-wifi-usb-sd-steering-wheel-control.html
This has a faster quad-core CPU plus higher resolution, so you may get equivalent performance to what you have selected above. It is Android 5.1, but with a faster CPU the performance will be about the same.
The choice is yours. Enjoy!
Thanks for your in-depth reply CaptShaft
CaptShaft said:
On the same hardware, things slow down with android 5.1, and you're not really going to be using a lot of the features of that OS on a car radio. If this was a cellphone, I'd say yes, go for android 5.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts as well. After getting the Erisin I noticed that there's a lot more stuff going on for the MTCB unilts. I'm worried about the dab+ usb stick though. Seems they aren't fully supported? What about the 3g/4g stick?
CaptShaft said:
That said, I'd lean towards the Eonon. Both have the same RK3188 CPU and same resolution screen, which leads me to believe that they are the same exact unit with a different brand name on them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the Erisin is 1024 while the Eonon is 800-something, however the rest looks to be more or less identical. The Erisin has can bus built in to the unit itself though, while the Eonon has a more traditional external can bus converter.
CaptShaft said:
The choice is yours. Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I hope I will
My thoughts as well. After getting the Erisin I noticed that there's a lot more stuff going on for the MTCB units.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Consider these threads where people discuss MTCB vs. MTCD:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...nt/mtcd-unit-preferred-mtcb-purchase-t3399173
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android-auto/android-auto-general/units-to-buy-mtcb-mtcd-t3389108
The most popular hardware gets the most development and most attention of the developers. If we use a smartphone analogy, that would be something like a Samsung phone vs. a off-brand Chinese knockoff. Everybody climbs into the biggest boat, and that is MTCB right now. That is currently the RK3188 processor (I believe) and maybe some of the CPU’s after that, like the PX3 CPU that was on the one pumpkin I showed you above. I can’t say for sure. This should bear some further investigation on your part before you make a final decision.
If you are looking for the ability to tinker with an aftermarket ROM like the Malaysk ROM’s, you probably don’t want to be on the bleeding edge of the latest hardware. That’s your call, however. There are custom ROMs for both MTCB and MTCD and both will allow you to tinker.
I'm worried about the dab+ usb stick though. Seems they aren't fully supported? What about the 3g/4g stick?
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To answer both at once, I will say it like this : I can’t comment on the DAB+ stick personally because I don’t use much in the way of radio. The Malaysk ROM’s come with an android PCRadio app built-in, which works a lot like Sirius satellite radio but does not require any subscription. It streams the “radio” music data over the Internet, and there are multiple Internet radio stations that are worldwide. My experience with the classical ones is that they are almost entirely free of commercials. This works well for my purpose, and since I personally don’t tolerate advertising of any variety, I’m happy with this. I also pack a lot of my own music and audiobooks onto a USB drive or SD card.
In my case I use my smart phone hotspot to feed the Internet to the stereo. I’m already paying for Internet connection through my smart phone, I felt I didn’t need to buy another mobile service line just for a car radio. I’ve heard a lot of consternation about the Internet USB sticks. At least over here in the US, people complain about poor reception and loss of signal. Reviews over at Amazon seem to bear this out. Your experience may vary.
Actually, the Erisin is 1024 while the Eonon is 800-something, however the rest looks to be more or less identical. The Erisin has can bus built in to the unit itself though, while the Eonon has a more traditional external can bus converter.
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At least both have the functionality, which is good. Again, however, I can’t comment on this too much because I don’t tinker with this, however it has piqued my curiosity. It seems like it is a one way functionality, namely the car sends information to the android radio only. This is good, and this allows the radio to receive certain information from the vehicle for diagnostic purposes. For security purposes, what you do not want is the radio to be sending signals back to the car. You really don’t want a virus to disable your brakes, or shut off your motor while on the highway, for example.
Again, look at that pumpkin unit that I had suggested earlier. Double check the specs on that, and see if that might not be more towards your liking, and maybe will meet your needs. Pumpkin does a fairly decent job, at least this is been my experience.
So I was reading the how can China manufacturer make you happy thread and mjdoom mentioned he'd like to see Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. That got me wondering, what's the appeal of these units? Why not just buy one of the many mainstream headunits on the market that have those features? Is it the price? OEM(ish) fitment? etc?
For me it was price and the ability to do multiple things (Dashcam/DVR is a plus).
dummptyhummpty said:
So I was reading the how can China manufacturer make you happy thread and mjdoom mentioned he'd like to see Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. That got me wondering, what's the appeal of these units? Why not just buy one of the many mainstream headunits on the market that have those features? Is it the price? OEM(ish) fitment? etc?
For me it was price and the ability to do multiple things (Dashcam/DVR is a plus).
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Simple, the appeal is that if you have android running your radio, then you can actually use it to do things.
Unlike those mainstream junk boxes that do nothing at all.
Unfortunate downside of this is the extreme buggyness of the chinese units.
luciusfox said:
Simple, the appeal is that if you have android running your radio, then you can actually use it to do things.
Unlike those mainstream junk boxes that do nothing at all.
Unfortunate downside of this is the extreme buggyness of the chinese units.
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For basic GPS maps and Streaming Music the unit I have works great out of the box. Far from what I would call "buggy". Most of the complaints or bugs I see here are with functionality that isn't even remotely possible on most head units. Bugs such as pairing an ODBII can be a pain, but it's not even possible to anything that isn't full android.
Just having google maps in the dash with a couple of real streaming music apps is a superior experience than anything a car manufacture is putting in their new cars. The big appeal for me is it is android and can be customized to do far more than most typical head units. It also helps that I am a very technical person and hacking with android is a hobby of mine.
We have 2 newer cars, a work truck with 'ford sync', and my wife just got a car with 'Nissan Connect' with GPS. A passenger can't even enter a destination in the units without the driver pulling over and stopping. She still ends up dash mounting her phone for google maps and just streaming music from it. Both are quite useless and overly restricted compared to a $300 Chinese head unit.
I prefer to drive my 6 year old car, just because the cheap Chinese head unit is far superior to anything shipping from the factory today in most cars.
gustden said:
For basic GPS maps and Streaming Music the unit I have works great out of the box. Far from what I would call "buggy". Most of the complaints or bugs I see here are with functionality that isn't even remotely possible on most head units. Bugs such as pairing an ODBII can be a pain, but it's not even possible to anything that isn't full android.
Just having google maps in the dash with a couple of real streaming music apps is a superior experience than anything a car manufacture is putting in their new cars. The big appeal for me is it is android and can be customized to do far more than most typical head units. It also helps that I am a very technical person and hacking with android is a hobby of mine.
We have 2 newer cars, a work truck with 'ford sync', and my wife just got a car with 'Nissan Connect' with GPS. A passenger can't even enter a destination in the units without the driver pulling over and stopping. She still ends up dash mounting her phone for google maps and just streaming music from it. Both are quite useless and overly restricted compared to a $300 Chinese head unit.
I prefer to drive my 6 year old car, just because the cheap Chinese head unit is far superior to anything shipping from the factory today in most cars.
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Yeah, because the "usually fails to connect the SCO stream" isn't a really important bug.
luciusfox said:
Yeah, because the "usually fails to connect the SCO stream" isn't a really important bug.
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I agree if basic BT functionality isn't working, that is a big problem. Guess I am lucky as I haven't seen that issue. BT really hasn't been much of an issue with my Joying, once I figured out how to pair my ODBII.
gustden said:
I agree if basic BT functionality isn't working, that is a big problem. Guess I am lucky as I haven't seen that issue. BT really hasn't been much of an issue with my Joying, once I figured out how to pair my ODBII.
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It usually works ok for a little while, then after some time stops working. So if you're only doing really short drives, then you might not notice it. If you're doing hour or longer drives, then you'll start to see it happen.
luciusfox said:
It usually works ok for a little while, then after some time stops working. So if you're only doing really short drives, then you might not notice it. If you're doing hour or longer drives, then you'll start to see it happen.
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I drove about 4 hours over the weekend with the headunit tethered to my phone via BT, and didn't have any issues. This is on the Sept 1 ROM. Perhaps the problem is heat related since it only happens on longer drives?
gustden said:
I drove about 4 hours over the weekend with the headunit tethered to my phone via BT, and didn't have any issues. This is on the Sept 1 ROM. Perhaps the problem is heat related since it only happens on longer drives?
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No, heat related would be impossible, heatsink and fan keeps it at a nice cool 40 degrees. Something mungs up in the software after a while -- turning the bluetooth off and then back on manually temporarily corrects the problem. Could be working for you because of a change in the sept build, everything earlier exhibits the problem. Two separate units in two cars. One running may, one running july, both with heatsink and fan.
I have a DPF in my car and I run the Torque app to show status so that I can extend it's life. I also have displays for battery condition, actual speed (not the speedo adjusted one), and engine temps. Things that help me look after the car and keep it running reliably.
The great thing is that I can customise to suit my needs or if there are more things to monitor.
Being able to play any format music without having to convert it to work in the car.
Better GPS navigation with a 8" screen, dedicated up to date maps with street speeds and speed camera locations, connection to the traffic network (no data plan needed).
The only downside would be I wish bluetooth A2DP streaming was better. For me the pros outweigh the cons of the 2" monochrome screen I had before.
I've only just bought my unit but the reasons for me are the price and the greater capabilities!
I was looking at AliExpress for 7 inch head-units, because it seems 9 inch is now the norm. Almost all headunits don't have any real buttons, or volume knob. So I actually kinda got interested in these Linux based headunits.
Anyone have some experience with these? They run on an Linux os created by Allwinner, the Chinese company which makes chipsets for these kind of devices. The interesting thing is, for € 60 you have Apple Carplay and Android Auto in your car.
If you would buy for the same amount of money a Android based headunit, than usually you don't get Apple Carplay or Android Auto. I just can't find anything about these Linux based units, for some reason everything seems to be running on Android. Even the low powered headunits, which I'm 100% sure would benefit more from a Linux based OS.
Here is the product, it's being sold by Gearelec Car Player Store.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_uA8eYj
Slow down, read not demand time.
Not Android auto, requested moderator move to Android head units forum
Well it isn't a Android Head-unit either.... I guess XDA needs to create a separate forum, for headunits based on Linux. And yes I know Android is also based on Linux.
And you can be a little bit more friendly....
DexterMorganNL said:
Well it isn't a Android Head-unit either.... I guess XDA needs to create a separate forum, for headunits based on Linux. And yes I know Android is also based on Linux.
And you can be a little bit more friendly....
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This is not even something comparable with any sort of units supported in this forum. So at least this forum is even wrong.
This is just a player with Carplay and Android Auto, nothing else.... and I also even don´t know why someone needs Carplay or Android Auto in a head unit if it is not an OEM unit... sorry, but this has nothing to do in here.
Why should XDA create a new subforum for this kind of units? Don´t see a reason at all.
rigattoni said:
This is not even something comparable with any sort of units supported in this forum. So at least this forum is even wrong.
This is just a player with Carplay and Android Auto, nothing else.... and I also even don´t know why someone needs Carplay or Android Auto in a head unit if it is not an OEM unit... sorry, but this has nothing to do in here.
Why should XDA create a new subforum for this kind of units? Don´t see a reason at all.
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Why it should be in the Android Auto Head-units? It's main feature is the ability to use Android Auto, hence I posted it there. The interesting thing is, that it runs Linux instead of WineCE.
I explained you before, why people use or need Apple Carplay or Android Auto: it's very convenient to use, it doesn't need any technical knowledge. Well people wanna upgrade their older cars, without having to buy an new car.
Why else would you be fitting an Android head-unit in your car? It's the same purpose, as why people look for a car radio with Apple Carplay/Android Auto.
Yes the specification's of this device aren't to write home about, but if you buy a JVC Apple Carplay/Android Auto 2din headunit: then you also get low specs with a low resolution screen.
DexterMorganNL said:
Why it should be in the Android Auto Head-units? It's main feature is the ability to use Android Auto, hence I posted it there. The interesting thing is, that it runs Linux instead of WineCE.
I explained you before, why people use or need Apple Carplay or Android Auto: it's very convenient to use, it doesn't need any technical knowledge. Well people wanna upgrade their older cars, without having to buy an new car.
Why else would you be fitting an Android head-unit in your car? It's the same purpose, as why people look for a car radio with Apple Carplay/Android Auto.
Yes the specification's of this device aren't to write home about, but if you buy a JVC Apple Carplay/Android Auto 2din headunit: then you also get low specs with a low resolution screen.
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It´s more or less just a radio with integrated Android Auto/Carplay... nothing else.
rigattoni said:
It´s more or less just a radio with integrated Android Auto/Carplay... nothing else.
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Running on Linux.... I wouldn't buy it either, mainly because of the low quality screen. But imagine the possibilities once it gets hacked
It will be a heap of shyte.
Avoid like closing a finger in a door, unless masochism is your thing.
DexterMorganNL said:
Running on Linux.... I wouldn't buy it either, mainly because of the low quality screen. But imagine the possibilities once it gets hacked
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Linux is the standard for most of the OEM units. Win CE are more or less gone in the wild.
Don´t even think that this is a regular Linux distribution... You won´t have the full implementation, just that what is really needed for this particular unit.
I would not even recommend this kind of unit. It´s crap, nothing else.
BTW:
At least nearly all OEM use QNX or Linux in a closed, specialized version in their cars.
User should be warned to run away if someone comes up with such a recommendation.