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Which Android head unit ?

I am new to android head units, I have had a kenwood one and can't justify buying another for £800, I want something decent that I can use with amp and front and rear speakers, DVD, good UK DAB. What will you guys recommend a novice like me?
Many thanks

One of the Joying 2GB Intel units;
https://www.carjoying.com/new-android-car-radio/quad-core-2-din-android-car-audio.html
My personal preference is the UL128N2, which is an all glass 7".

doitright said:
One of the Joying 2GB Intel units;
https://www.carjoying.com/new-android-car-radio/quad-core-2-din-android-car-audio.html
My personal preference is the UL128N2, which is an all glass 7".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, will check it out now...why do u like it?

Nolia said:
Okay, will check it out now...why do u like it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do some reading on the various threads and/or other forums, in my experience there seems to be less complaints about Joying products. I have owned 2, and the new 2GB units are the best for sure

How do they compare to the Ownice C500?

Regardless of any brand or model, I would highly suggest to get a head unit with physical buttons and a volume knob.
The 'touch' panel-like buttons such as on the AutoPumpkin Android 6 model are very small and hard to operate while driving. Not really safe when in dense traffic...
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Unless of course you can fully rely on the steering wheel buttons, but not all models work flawless with them.

Jerry_R said:
Regardless of any brand or model, I would highly suggest to get a head unit with physical buttons and a volume knob.
The 'touch' panel-like buttons such as on the AutoPumpkin Android 6 model are very small and hard to operate while driving. Not really safe when in dense traffic...
Unless of course you can fully rely on the steering wheel buttons, but not all models work flawless with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The button ones are no good. Android is designed such that there are a number of "drag from outside" gestures, that require unimpeded access to the edge of the screen, which the DEEP PLASTIC BEZEL on the ones with buttons do not permit.
The capacitive buttons (or steering wheel buttons) are not needed anyway, since they are all duplicated on the Android status bar (and big!)
Also... avoid pumpkin like the PLAGUE. They say "Android 6", but it is really Android 4.

i dont actually use regular radio, but that Radio interface on that Pumpkin looks cool.

CadillacMike said:
i dont actually use regular radio, but that Radio interface on that Pumpkin looks cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks are deceiving, it's rubbish. Stations can only be stored as frequency, not the RDS Station name. (my old Pioneer from 4 years ago does this just fine)
Also AF (Alternate Frequency) doesn't work, it is meant to find a better/stronger frequency for the *same* station but it always comes up wit some random other station...
doitright said:
The button ones are no good. Android is designed such that there are a number of "drag from outside" gestures, that require unimpeded access to the edge of the screen, which the DEEP PLASTIC BEZEL on the ones with buttons do not permit.
The capacitive buttons (or steering wheel buttons) are not needed anyway, since they are all duplicated on the Android status bar (and big!)
Also... avoid pumpkin like the PLAGUE. They say "Android 6", but it is really Android 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The duplicated buttons on the top Android status bar are often hidden under certain Apps so you do need the capacative ones. Also there is no volume button on the status bar itself, you have to pull down the right part of the bar to find a slider to control the volume. By the time you have finally managed to do this (imagine bumps in the road) will have you park your car in a ditch or have it folded around a tree.
To avoid all this I ordered a steering wheel controller for my car but that requires removing the airbag to install it so that will have to be outsourced to the dealer...

Also there is no volume button on the status bar itself,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there is. Its near the right end of the bar.
you have to pull down the right part of the bar to find a slider to control the volume.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you don't.

Thread cleaned of some squabbling.
Please keep things respectful folks. And the only person that can dictate what's off topic would be the OP.
Thanks!
Darth
Senior Moderator

doitright said:
The button ones are no good. Android is designed such that there are a number of "drag from outside" gestures, that require unimpeded access to the edge of the screen, which the DEEP PLASTIC BEZEL on the ones with buttons do not permit.
The capacitive buttons (or steering wheel buttons) are not needed anyway, since they are all duplicated on the Android status bar (and big!)
Also... avoid pumpkin like the PLAGUE. They say "Android 6", but it is really Android 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I heard that pumpkin say they do Android 6 and yet its something else. On that reason alone, I had ticked them off the list. I have checked the UK joying site, so will do more research with google.....

Seicane 10.1 inch Android 6.0 head unit in a Jeep Wrangler

So I have used Joying for over a year, but when my last unit died, I decided to pick up a Seicane and see how it compares. I had my eye on this unit for awhile:
10.1 inch Jeep Wrangler head unit
I made an unboxing video:
https://youtu.be/mHTSLw4HBUw
be warned it is pretty shaky, but i think I fixed that issue on the install video (which I will post in a day or so).
I also got my Joying replaced with 10 inch unit, so I plan on doing a comparison of the two units.

pics of the back of the unit:
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Images from the unboxing:
Installed:
i have only had it a few days, and mine does not have a MicroSD card slot, but it will treat a USB like a microsd card:
As you can see in this screen shot it appears to have the SD card icon for my Samsung thumb drive. The name is "Samsung USB", but that is just what I named it.
Google Play Music and Google Maps both recognized it as external storage like they would with a MicroSD card

Here is the music player using MP3s on a USB, weird how some and some did not show album art
Here is the video player playing music videos from the same USB

Here is my About Device page, I am generally only familiar with Joying devices, anyone notice anything interesting?

My friend is very interested in buying this unit. We're you able to keep the steering wheel control through the canbus?

yes all the steering wheel controls work.
left rear side buttons:
track forward
mute
track back
right rear side:
volume up
source change
volume down
front buttons:
VR = mute
phone = opens up phone app.
the only issue is you can't change them to anything

Nice setup. Can't wait to hear your take on the usability. They offer a similar one (probably the same internals) for a Cayenne I want to try.

More info:

Part 1 of my install video is up

If you are going to order, use the following coupon code for a 5% discount:
5after12

Part 2 of my install video is up

So how is the functionality compared to a Joying?
Looks nice.

It has some benefits over Joying. I think the screen looks better, but that could be the placebo effect. Android looks more like 6 as opposed to 5. I have had no problems with apps, everything seems to install smoothly. Never had a problem with Google Maps.
Across the top notification bar, you can see multiple icons instead of the one icon like you see on Joying.
Joying has the dormancy which this one is lacking. However others say the newer one has it. And i think Joying sounds better

Here is the overview of the unit

Thanks. That was very helpful. I noticed there was a fan setting in the advanced settings that I think you skipped over. Did you open the thing up before you installed it?
There is a blank section of video starting just before 30min.

pounce said:
Thanks. That was very helpful. I noticed there was a fan setting in the advanced settings that I think you skipped over. Did you open the thing up before you installed it?
There is a blank section of video starting just before 30min.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did not open it up, but I dont think there is a fan in it.
and that blank spot is just me being lame at video editing

Seicane upgraded my customer account to an Affiliate account:
Get 5% discount at https://www.seicane.com/ by using Coupon Code:
5after12
This is the unit from the video:
https://www.seicane.com/inch-hd-tou...-s301171?acc=8f14e45fceea167a5a36dedd4bea2543

please not: seicane has very bad/no service if it brakes down..
Consider before you order with this firm, you mostlike find a simular device from an other seller cheaper and with better service/support.
---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
please note: seicane has very bad/no service if it brakes down..
Consider before you order with this firm, you mostlike find a simular device from an other seller cheaper and with better service/support.

Here is a video about wiring a PAC harness to a Joying.
The same principles would apply to Seicane or Dasaita. And if the default harness doesn't work with the Alpine and/or Infiniti, it will definitely work with a PAC.

Chinese XHD-8000 Android 8.1 10.25“ Head Unit

Hello,
I need help with my system I bought in China.
The software it came with isn‘t nice at all. I can‘t change the background and the boot logo looks **** aswell.
After I bought it and looked for instructions to change this I found the system from „skandinav“.
My question is, can I change my system to the skandinav software? If not can I change the software to something else? That is a bit more personalized?
Mcu: Tsadi.190122
Modelname: XHD-8000
Android 8.1
Build-Number: android-truncat-m0-V1.1
Kernel-Version: 3.18.19
Thx for some information

Can noone help on this?

Agama Launcher
tommy0o said:
Can noone help on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a XHD-8221 in my Audi Q5
My front end is the Agama Car Launcher..I think its the best one, very well behaved.
Just like any Android Head Unit in a Can-Bus platform, there are "tweeks" to be done...I can Help.
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Solution
Hell have the same model and same problem it is limited to personalized.Did you find any solution for this.All i want is to move Apps in Apps Page.Thank you!

clint3142 said:
I use a XHD-8221 in my Audi Q5
My front end is the Agama Car Launcher..I think its the best one, very well behaved.
Just like any Android Head Unit in a Can-Bus platform, there are "tweeks" to be done...I can Help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I've an XHD-8000 in my Audi Q5, can you tell me some "tweaks" that I can do?
Can you also tell me what is the code for unlock the "secret menu" in machine settings - version information ?
Thank you in advance

For me it was 8888.
Try one of these
1983
126
7890
123456
000000
8888
3368
3010
8520
44320

I have the same model in my Benz but I could not find the big hidden menu.
If you press Car Info and then press and hold the first row of settings (function selection) than after 5 seconds another 2 setting rows appear.
In the settings part -> software version and then on the small gear wheel I have to enter a code. For me it works with 12345678 but after entering this code the screen is black with a lot of Chinese letters...
For Bootanimation change the code 5678 worked for me.
If you have other experience or found other menus and feature or even better firmware etc. please post it here!
Thanks
Daniel

Android 10,25
Hello.I have the same unit and I have android 8.1 instaled.
I' d like also update and make some improvments.It has a lot of bugs.
Has somebody any information where find update and how to do it?
Thanks

Is anyone in USA using a tmobile data sim card? I have a data only plan sim card in mine and it doesnt even recognize the sime in there? I hear there is maybe a APK tonallow it to see USA sim cards.

Hello, I bought a 10:25 android 8.1 car gps navigation system BT for audi q5 2011 low class. This message appears on the screen for a few days. Google Play Services has stopped and does not work.Help with thanks
Device specifications
1:XHD-8000
2:HMI: Audi.2F01
3:MCU: TASADI.18100
4:Android: version: 8.1 /8 core

I tried all the methods of Rast, I did not get an answer. the head unit needs an update program. Those who have an update address and can help me. thank you very much.

hghflyrjd1 said:
Is anyone in USA using a tmobile data sim card? I have a data only plan sim card in mine and it doesnt even recognize the sime in there? I hear there is maybe a APK tonallow it to see USA sim cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a Consumer Cellular SIM that uses AT&T and it works just fine.

clint3142 said:
Agama Launcher
I use a XHD-8221 in my Audi Q5
My front end is the Agama Car Launcher..I think its the best one, very well behaved.
Just like any Android Head Unit in a Can-Bus platform, there are "tweeks" to be done...I can Help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love some help. My system keeps crashing. I have reset it to factory settings and deleted all content multiple times, just to set it up again with fewer and fewer apps. Now down to Navigation (Sygic) and a screen dimming app (Lux). It still crashes on a regular basis, especially when it's trying to display the original MMI info screen. And like everyone else I'd love a better (stable running) ROM.

Please by mistake install wrong rom. Now it is hard brick, usb cable does not work, sd card does not work and screen does not start or show logo. Please help, what to do?

BMW e90 10.25inch screen - android 9 (Help customize it!)

Hi all,
This is my first thread in android head units. And it was a long time ago I was busy with custom roms on phones (Sony xperia) :crying:
But I just bought and installed a Android 9.0 BMW e90 unit in my car
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After a week I thought the software should become much better to really enjou the device.
So I make up a list and maybe with the help off others I can get them fixed with apps or actual coding.
- idrive button should work in apps like Google maps/Spotify it only works in the Apps the softwarebuilder created
- when I am in main UI and use idrive button I cannot move from big tiles to sidebar. And if I am on sidebar I can't move to big tiles?
- when I open phone menu my sounds from Spotify or any other music app goes silent. Even when there is no intend to make a call
- you should be able to progam idrive buttons. Like opening Spotify if I push idrive media button.
- Configure steering wheel buttons (example: Speech button on steering wheel I want to launch Google assistent) < now my phone and car are answering on "ok google" at the sime time
- can't the unit switch audio input? Like when I listen FM radio on BMW unit. And android unit receives call it will change input to aux?
- Android is last updated on 2018! That's pretty long time ago. Can we update this ourselves?
Maybe some topic are really easy to answer with it's not possible or there are already apps to do this. Let me know and on each topic I will give a status/update. Hope you can give me input otherwise I would love to get help on how to do this myself. Or where to look.

I would also like to see more activity regarding the BMW units!
Regards another Snapdragon user

BluntP6 said:
I would also like to see more activity regarding the BMW units!
Regards another Snapdragon user
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try here:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1639676
there are few guys with Snapdragon units.

seaman5705 said:
Try here:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1639676
there are few guys with Snapdragon units.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnx, My first review is that's a lot off talk about latest version but nothing about changing things yourself.
If we wait on our suppliers with updates it would take years. Haha mine said after the weekend I have update.. and then still it was the same haha.

I also have this headunit. Works pretty well except for navi instructions, when google maps speechs the background music is pretty garbled and with a lot of noises. Any hint?

guap said:
I also have this headunit. Works pretty well except for navi instructions, when google maps speechs the background music is pretty garbled and with a lot of noises. Any hint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same system, but for an E93 (8,8"). I also had these noises on google maps, but after playing with some settings (under factory settings, aux, rear camera etc.) the noises stopped. maybe it was just a reboot after that.
BTW: I have tried different apps from the playstore to reboot the device directly, without success. Does anyone have a solution that?

Technolo-G said:
I have the same system, but for an E93 (8,8"). I also had these noises on google maps, but after playing with some settings (under factory settings, aux, rear camera etc.) the noises stopped. maybe it was just a reboot after that.
BTW: I have tried different apps from the playstore to reboot the device directly, without success. Does anyone have a solution that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For rebooting without root install a Terminal emulator and enter "reboot", all ready made apps require root.
For my rooted device i`m using "Simple reboot" from Play store.
Chri

Technolo-G said:
I have the same system, but for an E93 (8,8"). I also had these noises on google maps, but after playing with some settings (under factory settings, aux, rear camera etc.) the noises stopped. maybe it was just a reboot after that.
BTW: I have tried different apps from the playstore to reboot the device directly, without success. Does anyone have a solution that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not a solution, but a workaround: boot the unit, start the proprietary mediaplayer, close it, then une google maps and/or your music player. Works like a charm and no background noise. You can set a tasker profile to do the procedure.

Generic head unit fader doesn't function

Hi all,
Just installed an ebay android head unit:
For Kia Optima K5 2011 2015 9 Android 10 1 RAM 2GB ROM 32GB Car Stereo Radio for sale | eBay
Find great deals on eBay for For Kia Optima K5 2011 2015 9 Android 10 1 RAM 2GB ROM 32GB Car Stereo Radio. Shop with confidence.
www.ebay.ca
It of course has the settings page with a sound settings tab where there is then an EQ and a speaker button that opens another page where there is an image of car interior and you can move a dot around to adjust speaker focus. The balance seems to work fine but there is no front to rear change. Had thought it was because i was using a different launcher with poweramp but have since done a factory reset and it also doesn't fade forward or rear using stock launcher and localmusic app.
When I pull the screen down from top there is an amplifier shortcut. Have tried with on or off.
Any other suggestions to try or do these just not actually have a fader ability?
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You have to go to factory settings and choose "without amp"

Bob_Sanders said:
You have to go to factory settings and choose "without amp"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Unfortunately I dont seem to have that function to be found. There is an amplifier page in factory options but it only offers level change between 1-100. Made no difference at 1.
I contacted seller and they advise they will send settings file updates to me to load. I thought fader was working when first installed but then stopped after I had installed agama launcher and another music player but cant recall 100%. Will see what seller sends and if fixes the issue. Other than that and the slight hiss at low volume im pretty happy with it for the cost.

No fix from seller yet. File sent thiugh different version # was same issue. Second update wouldn't instal. Waiting on further.
Seems it is also one of the fake info models. Info apps show is just 1Gb Ram not the 2Gb it tries to claim. 8227l it seems from cpu-z info given.
So should I just be rooting and changing ROM? Will that be fixing fader? Or would root and use of that Viper app provide for a fader setting that should function?
Will see what seller does next but I intend to discuss discrepancies found and likely see a partial refund.
Thanks for any further guidance

Suby6 said:
No fix from seller yet. File sent thiugh different version # was same issue. Second update wouldn't instal. Waiting on further.
Seems it is also one of the fake info models. Info apps show is just 1Gb Ram not the 2Gb it tries to claim. 8227l it seems from cpu-z info given.
So should I just be rooting and changing ROM? Will that be fixing fader? Or would root and use of that Viper app provide for a fader setting that should function?
Will see what seller does next but I intend to discuss discrepancies found and likely see a partial refund.
Thanks for any further guidance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a factory amplifier on board?

No speakers are powered by the head unit itself. My car just has the base model stereo. I've seen a walkthrough to load a rooted rom with viper loaded. Just waiting on a male to male usb to arrive so I can connect my laptop and try loading that on