Database Users

NEW 2018 Subaru Outback

Hello Everyone,
I traded in my 2014 Subaru Outback for a new 2018 Outback. In my 2014, I removed the original stereo unit and put in a fantastic Android HU with SYGIC GPS, that unfortunately won't fit in my new car. (The old unit is for sale, just sayin')
For the past two weeks, I've been looking to replace the crappy "Starlink" unit in my new 2018, but I'm having difficulty finding one that will install with the current faceplate. I contacted the company that I bought the original one from, and they said that their engineers are working on it, and will take about 6-8 weeks to come up with one. Has anyone found a suitable HU for a 2018 Outback? The issue I have with the HU that came with the car is that the only way to communicate with it is through Bluetooth using a smart phone via the USB input or with Bluetooth. That means wires. It also means having a smart phone, which I don't and NEVER wanted to have. I use the original Motorola V3 RAZR Flip Phones for a number of reasons, and they work just fine.
OR - Does anyone know how I can hack into this "Starlink" unit that came with my car? All I want to do is perhaps root it, or at least install some of my own apps and also to be able to use my hotspot and download stuff. There has to be a 'code' or certain buttons to press to get into this machine, but I haven't been able to find anyone smart enough to figure this one out. I'd be happy to compensate anyone who can help. I did just that with the older HU, so if you can help, just let me know.
Thanks in advance.

Hi justacafe,
I'm in the same situation (OB 2018).
Did you succeed to solve this issue?
Thanks,
Yoni
justacafe said:
Hello Everyone,
I traded in my 2014 Subaru Outback for a new 2018 Outback. In my 2014, I removed the original stereo unit and put in a fantastic Android HU with SYGIC GPS, that unfortunately won't fit in my new car. (The old unit is for sale, just sayin')
For the past two weeks, I've been looking to replace the crappy "Starlink" unit in my new 2018, but I'm having difficulty finding one that will install with the current faceplate. I contacted the company that I bought the original one from, and they said that their engineers are working on it, and will take about 6-8 weeks to come up with one. Has anyone found a suitable HU for a 2018 Outback? The issue I have with the HU that came with the car is that the only way to communicate with it is through Bluetooth using a smart phone via the USB input or with Bluetooth. That means wires. It also means having a smart phone, which I don't and NEVER wanted to have. I use the original Motorola V3 RAZR Flip Phones for a number of reasons, and they work just fine.
OR - Does anyone know how I can hack into this "Starlink" unit that came with my car? All I want to do is perhaps root it, or at least install some of my own apps and also to be able to use my hotspot and download stuff. There has to be a 'code' or certain buttons to press to get into this machine, but I haven't been able to find anyone smart enough to figure this one out. I'd be happy to compensate anyone who can help. I did just that with the older HU, so if you can help, just let me know.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Resolution
yonihertz said:
Hi justacafe,
I'm in the same situation (OB 2018).
Did you succeed to solve this issue?
Thanks,
Yoni
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Yoni,
Yes, but I haven't installed the unit yet. Here's what I did:
1) I ordered the dash face plate (#95-9909), wiring harness (#70-1761) and antenna adapter (#40-LX11) from metraonline dot com
2) The Android head unit I finally decided on is the Pumpkin Android 9.0 Universal Quad-Core 7" TouchScreen Car Radio DVD Player RAM:2GB/ROM:32GB
I've spoken with the folks at Metra about their parts and they guaranteed the fit, and indeed they do. I'm waiting on delivery of the Pumpkin Android 9.0 unit from China. The good news is that I've been consulting with Matthew at 4diyers.com who has a great review and installation video of the Pumpkin Android 8.0 unit and says that the 9.0 Android OS has some major new features and upgrades. You can see his video at: youtube dot com/watch?v=fyeewMstsjo[/url]
I'm not anticipating any major hang-ups in regard to the wiring part of the installation, but I'm not opposed to changing out the amplifier if that's what it takes. The speakers should be okay. So......I do plan on doing a video of the install procedure and I'll send you a link to it once it's finished. In the end, even my Subaru dealer thinks that Starlink 'infotainment' unit really sucks. No one likes it. I belong to the outback forum and the same there......they hate that unit. Good luck.
Mike
P.S. They wouldn't let me post an actual url…...hence the 'dot com'

COOL!
Very useful information - Thanks.
Looking forward for the video / to hear how the process was.
BTW, did you mean #95-8909 instead of #95-9909?
Good luck,
Yoni
justacafe said:
Hi Yoni,
Yes, but I haven't installed the unit yet. Here's what I did:
1) I ordered the dash face plate (#95-9909), wiring harness (#70-1761) and antenna adapter (#40-LX11) from metraonline dot com
2) The Android head unit I finally decided on is the Pumpkin Android 9.0 Universal Quad-Core 7" TouchScreen Car Radio DVD Player RAM:2GB/ROM:32GB
I've spoken with the folks at Metra about their parts and they guaranteed the fit, and indeed they do. I'm waiting on delivery of the Pumpkin Android 9.0 unit from China. The good news is that I've been consulting with Matthew at 4diyers.com who has a great review and installation video of the Pumpkin Android 8.0 unit and says that the 9.0 Android OS has some major new features and upgrades. You can see his video at: youtube dot com/watch?v=fyeewMstsjo[/url]
I'm not anticipating any major hang-ups in regard to the wiring part of the installation, but I'm not opposed to changing out the amplifier if that's what it takes. The speakers should be okay. So......I do plan on doing a video of the install procedure and I'll send you a link to it once it's finished. In the end, even my Subaru dealer thinks that Starlink 'infotainment' unit really sucks. No one likes it. I belong to the outback forum and the same there......they hate that unit. Good luck.
Mike
P.S. They wouldn't let me post an actual url…...hence the 'dot com'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

yonihertz said:
COOL!
Very useful information - Thanks.
Looking forward for the video / to hear how the process was.
BTW, did you mean #95-8909 instead of #95-9909?
Good luck,
Yoni
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes....sorry, the 95-8909. The inside dimensions are a perfect fit for that Pumpkin Android 9.0. Have you had a chance to check that unit out? By the way, I was going to get an Android head unit from Seicane dot com. It's a 10.35 Inch Touch Screen, but I would have had to change out the heater/air control unit (3 dials instead of the two in my car) because it wasn't long enough by about 15mm. It seems it fit the years 2015-2017. If you go to their web site, check out the unit, Model:S081992K. I went round and round with these people about updating that product to the latest Android OS and I would have gladly changed out the heater controls. The other thing I didn't quite like about the unit is there's no SD card slot and only 16GB ROM. That meant that my maps program would be internal, instead of the on SD card, (I use SYGIC) which would have eaten up a lot of that 16GB. Otherwise, it's a nice unit and I definitely like the 10.35 inch screen, however it's twice as expensive as the Pumpkin. There ya go....!

DIY Android Head Unit?

So it seems like all the android head units come from China - and we have to go through a lot to get them to operate how we want them to, I'm just wondering why not make our own head unit as a community project? Something that allows us to install ROM's of our choice and then we just have to build a launcher or something to fit our aesthetic desires.
Maybe get an old head unit for cheap to recycle the housing and hardware buttons - gut it, and then throw in something like the UDOO X86 or something with a lot of power + pinouts and hook it up. I don't think it would be cheaper but definitely we could get more power...
Personally I use my head unit for regular stuff, but I also use it for off roading related stuff. I have giant map files mainly... but also I want to hook an SDR dongle up to do APRS and get satellite data (weather/imagery) when I'm out of range. It's not really super practical but I think it's neat... And there are other reasons a more powerful unit would appeal to me. Also I'd like to just open up the units to be more friendly to customization so it's not just a couple guru's who are working out the hard stuff.
What do ya'll think?

Hello from Michigan

i'm new to the forum but have been lurking and reading up for quite a while on these android head units.
I need to replace the head unit in my 2009 Subaru Forester. I kind of a gadget freak, so these android units caught my eye. I was interested in the DSP units from androidautoshop.com but they warned me away from them and recommended their FX8 units (though they didn't really say why except that they were better quality).
The option I was looking at before the DSP unit was a new XTRONS unit which I could get from amazon. They seem to be well regarded from what I've read and the sound quality sounds like it's pretty good with the new amp chips they are using. Now just the other day I ran across a Dasaita unit on amazon that is specific fit for my vehicle so it wouldn't need an installation kit and BONUS has a 9" screen!
Does anyone have any insight on these units? If I go with an android unit it's going to be to satisfy my tech geek so I'm going to want to be able to customize it.
I need it to have good sound. Doesn't have to be audiophile quality, but good.
Decent to good FM reception.
good connection for Bluetooth (i've heard in particular that some of these units have both connection and sound quality issues with bluetooth)
ability to connect to an ODBII sensor for my car. One that I choose, not dictated to me by the head unit company prefereably.
ability to connect to an aftermarket rear view camera.
able to use Waze and Google maps. preferably with audible directions. also offline mapping for those occasions when I don't have a cell connection.
Ideally I would be connecting these direct to speakers, with the possiblity of adding external amplification down the road.
AndroidAutoShop.com FX8 - I have concerns about them and they don't really say much about why this unit is the best.
XTRONS - seems to be popular from what i've read, though i'm not sure about the bluetooth
Dasaita - love the look of the 9" screen with no ugly install kit. Quite a bit more expensive but possibly worth it? I just can't find much info about these. I think I read somewhere on this site that they were pretty good, but I don't know where and it wasn't about this specific unit.
I'm not allowed to post links to the 3 units above yet, but the first one is on androidautoshop and the last 2 are readily available on Amazon.
Are any of these a good choice for me? or possibly a different recommendation? or should I just forget it and go with a higher end Kenwood or Pioneer head unit with Android Auto and use an HDMI for any video needs? I'm not against tinkering and these seem like a really cool option (possibly saving money over traditional head untis as well) but I don't want to get a giant headache that just never works right.
any help from you guys is greatly appreciated.

In search of a head unit

So I have breezed through the forums up till about page 10 just looking around and seeing what folks have to say. I still don't know where to start LOL.
Here is what I want to accomplish and hopefully the experts here can give me some guidance. I see so many manufacturers and I just want to find the best option for me.
I have a 05' Dodge Ram 2500 that is in desperate need of a new radio. I am coming from a a new car with android auto and want to keep that going plus add more functionality. Here is what I would like to do, keep in mind that this is also getting an upgraded sound system as well.
Customize the UI to my liking / other then stock
ODBII for Torque / basically ability to monitor diesel stuff
Reverse camera input
If possible front and rear dashcam input / even if using dashcam with wifi live viewing with app on head unit. Is there a unit / that will act as a dvr to record video input to sd card? (this would be nice)
Sirrius XM radio (not a deal breaker if not able)
Use android phone for internet service for apps
I would like to be able to use my security cam app / in my mind this shouldn't be an issue if i can load apps from store or sideload
Other options I have not thought about or thought that I need LOL
I have seen the new 10.1 joying head unit and that looks nice but i know there are many out there and many that might suit my needs better or maybe not. Thanks for any input you give.

I would look at the biggest (RAM and storage) that you can afford. I would also make sure it has an mtce mcu as there is more aftermarket support. Check on here I wrote my initial impressions of a new Vanku unit I got..px6, 4/64 mtce
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

motoapx said:
So I have breezed through the forums up till about page 10 just looking around and seeing what folks have to say. I still don't know where to start LOL.
Here is what I want to accomplish and hopefully the experts here can give me some guidance. I see so many manufacturers and I just want to find the best option for me.
I have a 05' Dodge Ram 2500 that is in desperate need of a new radio. I am coming from a a new car with android auto and want to keep that going plus add more functionality. Here is what I would like to do, keep in mind that this is also getting an upgraded sound system as well.
Customize the UI to my liking / other then stock
ODBII for Torque / basically ability to monitor diesel stuff
Reverse camera input
If possible front and rear dashcam input / even if using dashcam with wifi live viewing with app on head unit. Is there a unit / that will act as a dvr to record video input to sd card? (this would be nice)
Sirrius XM radio (not a deal breaker if not able)
Use android phone for internet service for apps
I would like to be able to use my security cam app / in my mind this shouldn't be an issue if i can load apps from store or sideload
Other options I have not thought about or thought that I need LOL
I have seen the new 10.1 joying head unit and that looks nice but i know there are many out there and many that might suit my needs better or maybe not. Thanks for any input you give.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note that none of the Chinese head units like sold by Joying, xtrons, dasaita are Android Auto. They provide a hacky 'screen mirroring' app usually supported by hardware/dongle. They are all problematic.
If you want Screen mirroring and don't need a Android, suggest staying with a certified Android Auto head unit.

The Atoto Pro A6 or S8 might be worth looking into. The pro versions offer more ram and rom over the non pro versions.

motoapx said:
So I have breezed through the forums up till about page 10 just looking around and seeing what folks have to say. I still don't know where to start LOL.
Here is what I want to accomplish and hopefully the experts here can give me some guidance. I see so many manufacturers and I just want to find the best option for me.
I have a 05' Dodge Ram 2500 that is in desperate need of a new radio. I am coming from a a new car with android auto and want to keep that going plus add more functionality. Here is what I would like to do, keep in mind that this is also getting an upgraded sound system as well.
Customize the UI to my liking / other then stock
ODBII for Torque / basically ability to monitor diesel stuff
Reverse camera input
If possible front and rear dashcam input / even if using dashcam with wifi live viewing with app on head unit. Is there a unit / that will act as a dvr to record video input to sd card? (this would be nice)
Sirrius XM radio (not a deal breaker if not able)
Use android phone for internet service for apps
I would like to be able to use my security cam app / in my mind this shouldn't be an issue if i can load apps from store or sideload
Other options I have not thought about or thought that I need LOL
I have seen the new 10.1 joying head unit and that looks nice but i know there are many out there and many that might suit my needs better or maybe not. Thanks for any input you give.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you will find anything with quite that much on it but what comes to mind for most of it is Dasaita. I know Joying has almost what Dasaita has but they don't provide as many preloaded apps.
Dasaita comes with front dvr cam app as well as a specific front dash cam input for their dvr cams (which contain sd card for recording). It's a horrendously old and awful looking ui... but it works.
Front and rear cam inputs with app for manual override of rear cam (viewing rear while driving forward)
Torque (pro) will run though bluetooth or usb (usb is fast!)
UI is completely customizable
They all can hotspot connect to an android phone
They all can download apps from google playstore. With a few exceptions, anything that can run on a tablet will run on these things
Don't know about your particular security app, but I can control my house alarm and thermostat from my dasaita
None of them are siriusXM ready. You either have to plug a separate xm tuner into the AUX input, or run surius from an app
None of them come equipped for rear (Recording) cam

thanks
Thanks for the replies and the assistance. I have a little more research to do now.
Thank you ,

Confused with options for a Highlander

I found this site from a comment on a youtube video where I was researching options for getting a head unit that is better than Toyota included for my Toyota Highlander Limited Hybrid. I'm sorry for the length of this post but I spent hours reading and watching youtube and I think I'm on right path, but I feel like I just need a little validation...
For reference, I'm an Apple mobile and tablet user but I owned a Samsung phone for about 3 months so I know what an Android launcher and the marketplace is. I know there are stores for hacked products, but I ended up with ads all over that phone so I prefer not to go that route. I'm not a big tinkerer - once I get something set where I want it, I won't usually change the settings unless I find a need.
I think my post will give you a good idea about what level of knowledge I have - at least you know I tried. If there is highlander or hybrid specific feedback I'm overlooking somewhere, please let me know. If I'm missing something key to decide between systems let me know.
1. When I look at the forum categories, they are broken up into terms I'm not familiar with. I believe FYT Android is where I need to focus because I see references to the units I'm researching there. But I don't understand why they are considered FYT.
2. I'm trying to stay in the $500 range and get something that works well enough that I'll use it for more than just the radio - without breaking functionality but the canbus thing is new to me. I get the concept - my car's personal IoT/LAN. But does the dash operate independently of the headunit? I sort of feel like somethings will be independent and others will not. For example, I suspect the dash display will know my speed, trip miles, direction (compass), when I need an oil change. But I feel like the option for the radio is fed from the head unit. I feel like anything that appears on my dash when I'm using the GPS (like turn next left) is fed from the head unit. Is that correct? If yes, do those functions usually stop displaying on the dash with a replacement head unit?
3. I have buttons on the dash for different features on the car. I suspect most of those work independently of head unit - like the mirror heaters. But what about accident avoidance features? Those tend to display on my dash - are those possibly affected by a different head unit? And I have a button so I can turn on 360 video - I mainly use it to see how close I am to the car in front of me when parking in a tight space. I suspect that button will work with any head unit that has front camera and/or 360 degree integration.
4. From my research, I have been focusing on units that are 4 GB/64 GB although it sounds like 2 GB/32 GB would work just fine as long as I don't store over 32 GB of apps and data.
5. Items that don't differentiate: I expect these options to be the same result across all units. Please let me know if you know differently.
-Apple car play - All have it & should function exactly the same. (I don't need android phone integration but I know this does differ on units)
-Phone call integration - looks like all use same default android app. I am very interested in how clarity of calls might differ, but I think all are using same default android function and all are able to use an included external microphone.
-Toyota OEM microphone integration - it's unclear if any will integrate with existing Toyota mic but I suspect this won't yield a result I'm happy with in either case.
- Toyota speaker button on wheel control - I think this button fails to work on every integration. I would like this to work but even the Toyota system is so unreliable I don't use it.
- Marketplace apps - All should integrate with marketplace apps exactly the same.
6. So here is my list of options I came up with in order of most likely to least. Is there another brand I should research...
- Teyes CC3 (for highlander 2015-18) - It looks like it matches integration with the best out there. I don't care about the "Porsche simulator", but it still looks like the easiest to use launcher on the market & they are actively updating it. I cannot find the same level of highlander specific details I find on the SYGAV, but reviews seem overwhelmingly positive so I suspect it'll work just as well. My concern is that I have to order directly from alibaba and wait a month to receive and they seem to send wrong parts. I haven't used alibaba but it looks like the customs costs are included in the price of $435 (364+70.76). Does anyone know if this is accurate or if there are other fees? The main complaint I hear with this unit is that it is locked down, but I think that means for adding launchers and the like that I am not interested in.
- SYGAV (for highlander 2015-18) - I don't really love the user interface on this one. But this one is the one I have found most highlander related data on and it gives me some comfort I might have less issues getting it to work. I can find nothing close to this level of detail on the other brands about highlander installs.. I have read user responses that Carplay & android auto require no additional parts to install, 360 degree camera works as well as front camera view, Hybrid info displays. For the camera inputs, it sounds like I can use my OEM cameras but I may need a camera cable adapter (unclear if included in package). One user stated that to get it to work in a highlander, I need to get the Motorola 1 M 2 F & GM adapter to Motorola (for reception). One user states that they have TPMS working, but it's unclear if they connected to the TPMS already in tires or if they had to buy separate TPMS tire plugs. The main complaint is the GPS mapping if basic IGO.
- Dasaita (for highlander 2015-18) - This brand seems like the next most popular after Joying. It looks like they have 3 launchers they develop and you can install whichever you like best. In regard to the UI, I feel like this brand comes in 2nd after Teyes. But I can't find as detailed user experiences with highlander and which functions work and which do not.
- Joying - I am not actively researching this one but everyone seems to be using this one. I was considering this one but I couldn't locate any highlander option anywhere - not even from their website (joyingauto.eu). That sounds like I'd have to figure out the canbus thing on my own and find the plastic frame to put it in my dash & I don't feel like I'm knowledgeable enough to go that route. I really don't understand why this one is so popular above competition - it is one of the highest priced if I buy from the US markets. Everyone that uses it seems to add a separate launcher which makes me question whether Joying's UI development isn't all that great. I know some others lock down their products so you can't tinker as much. Is that why it's popular - because it isn't locked down? If so, I see similar hardware on cheaper units. It sounds like the UI development/support/upgrades is quite a bit of what one is paying for when buying these.
7. Maps - this is one of my major complaints from my Toyota unit . I do not see anything that makes me feel that the maps included with ANY of the units are any better. Most seem to use IGO GPS which seems to get the same complaints I have when using my GPS. I believe the only solution is a unit that includes apple car play. Or am I overlooking any with better mapping functions?
8. JBL audio - I know I have the JBL system in my car and on regular car head units this seems to make a difference with integration, but from my list above, I can't find anything to indicate that any will not work with the JBL system. I'm assuming it is because the car based units have hardware incompatibilities that android based do not, but it's really unclear to me. Can someone provide clarification? On the SYGAV unit, I read a review that it needs an amp to sound as good as an OEM unit, but I think that would apply to all of these units equally. In either case the Toyota JBL system has an AMP under my center console. I can't find this level of integration information but I think all units will connect to the amp.
9. 12 speakers - I feel like this will determine which system is best if I can figure it out... The JBL audio has 12 speakers (one of which is a subwoofer) in 10 locations in the highlander. I can't locate specific details on any of these if anyone gets all the speakers to connect successfully. I did see that one of these brands have 5.1 outputs but I don't really know what I need to be looking for in descriptions to figure this out on each unit. Any suggestions how to figure this out.
10. Video playback - All of these support video playback but it sounds like auto carplay may block mirroring while the car is actively moving. Is the behavior going to be the same across all units? I sort of feel like this is something that works differently across different brands, but I can't find details to figure out which allow video playback when car is moving.
11. Hybrid integration - SYGAV is the only unit I've seen where someone has hybrid info working on a highlander, but I feel like all the systems may work very similarly. I believe the dash display will work independent of the head unit so I can always switch the dash display when I want to see what the hybrid system is doing. I think another brand states it has hybrid integration but I couldn't find any responses where someone had it working successfully.
12. Daytime/Night time modes - I need to validate across all, but I know multiple have tried to integrate this. I do not think any have integrated without a bug. I feel like the ones that are likely to get this right first are Teyes and Dasaita since they are actively developing their UIs. Since these are all android based, I feel like all will have an android setting to dim the display even though the color scheme may not change.
I'm really leaning toward the Teyes because if I imagine myself driving, it looks like the easiest interface to use and they are actively developing. When looking at default display, it looks like the most 'modern' design also.
In case someone else reads this thread trying to figure all this stuff out, XM and HD radio integration may differentiate these units also. I know it doesn't work on some but I don't use either of those so it isn't important to me.

I'm mainly responding to my own post in case someone else is considering a T'eyes unit. I purchased one and I highly under estimated what is involved with getting these units to work. The T'eyes cc3 in my car may go up for auction - just too much of it is unusable.
Note that if you do not like tweeking your cell phone, you might not like these units to begin with - don't expect they'll just work out of the box. Consider hours if not days to configure these things. Also, look at the back of the units - this one came with a 'Toyota" harness which is a bunch of wires to convert all the cables in the back. And it isn't a single harness of wires - it's multiple bags of cables that you have to pick and choose from. You have extra cables and I'm pretty sure the set is missing cables. My car has 2 cables where I only have one adapter that matches them in all harness wiring. So one is unplugged. I have no idea what each cable from my car is used for. But most of the wires only have a single place they can connect in the primary harness. It's all a confusing mess even though I think I have 90% connected to the correct spots.
Not all units are made this way. There is going to be something converting the cables, but some units have some sort of box on the back that has all the cabling converting done for you - so it looks like the cables from the car attach into the unit directly. After my harness was attached, I did not have cables that match everything coming from the car. I feel like that is why things like my my surround cameras do not work. I also have no back up camera working now. That is a pretty big deal.
Also, car play isn't all I thought it would be. It seems to only mirror Apple written apps to the device. I can install apps onto the unit and connect to my phones hotspot, but the connection is very flaky. Unless you are willing to connect the unit with its own sim card, you may be severely limited. I wanted to be able to stream youtube and such while making a weekly 90 minute drive I make. Well, this just doesn't happen because half the time the unit will not connect to my hotspot. It usually connects within 30 minutes of me driving, but I haven't found a reliable way to get it to connect to the hotspot. Usually I'm driving with my phone playing through my phone speakers because audio streaming won't work with wifi/hotspot.
All in all, I wouldn't purchase this again. If I were going to attempt again, I'd go with one of the models that removes the 'harness' from the equation.