Hello guys!
So, I have a 2005 Audi A4 B7 and I'm thinking about buying an android head unit for my car. So far I have found 2 head units that look somewhat like the factory one, or that I like. They both have Android 8.0 / 8.1, Quad-Core with 2GB of RAM. Now, are these chinese head units generally worth it? I'm really concerned about sound quality (I have an aftermarket amplifier and subwoofer installed). Now I have a Kenwood head unit and the sound output is decent, can't really complain (better than factory radio).
And I have a few questions.
One of the units is made by Mekede (the factory look-alike) and the other one is made by Wondefoo. Has anyone had any previous experience with these 2 makers?
Also, I do not see an AUX IN on these chinese head units. Do the have one? Is it possible to have one? I'd much rather play music over BT, but is generally the connection stable?
Seeing as they are Android, am I able to install 3rd party apps, such as Vanced YouTube ? Or Waze (or any other app that does not come preinstalled) ?
Generally speaking, how is the boot up time on these units?
They both cost around $210. Are they too cheap? Should I try and save up more? Look for other makers? Most of the times I'm going to be listening to music (either via USB, BT - or any way it can be connected to my phone; or YT) while, sometimes, using Google Maps / Waze. Are these cheap android head units generally laggy when multi-tasking? Does it really matter which one I buy, as they're all "cheap chinese products"?
Here are the links to the units:
1. Mekede
2.Wondefoo
Or if you guys could recommend me another one which really is worth the money, it'd be appreciated. I'd like it to have volume knobs, and the factory look-alike is a plus.
I am sorry if these questios have been asked before!
Thank you!
One thing to keep in mind - RAM amount. 1GB of RAM is not enough for these units. I'd recommend 4GB of RAM, but make sure you get at least 2GB of RAM for sure (and even that may not be enough).
Try to find a unit with PX5 (octa-core) or PX6 processor and 4GB of RAM, if possible. Android 8.0 or 8.1.
In terms of sound quality, I too was concerned. I ended up rooting and installing Viper4Android and the sound quality is great. I'm using an extenral amp, but the internal amp sounded good with V4A as well. Viper4Android gives you a LOT of flexibility in customizing the sound to your liking.
jtrosky said:
One thing to keep in mind - RAM amount. 1GB of RAM is not enough for these units. I'd recommend 4GB of RAM, but make sure you get at least 2GB of RAM for sure (and even that may not be enough).
Try to find a unit with PX5 (octa-core) or PX6 processor and 4GB of RAM, if possible. Android 8.0 or 8.1.
In terms of sound quality, I too was concerned. I ended up rooting and installing Viper4Android and the sound quality is great. I'm using an extenral amp, but the internal amp sounded good with V4A as well. Viper4Android gives you a LOT of flexibility in customizing the sound to your liking.
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Must be a PX5 or PX6 ? Most of the sellers don't list their processor model, just listing it as "octa-core". I'm aware that V4A can give you a lot of flexibility in sound customization (I've used it on my phone for a while)
Do these head units integrate well with the CAN ?
Here are the more technical names (may help identify them):
PX3: Cortex A9 (Quad-core) - 32-bit ARMv7 architecture.
PX5: Cortex A53*(Octacore) - 64-bit*ARMv8 architecture.
PX6: Cortex A72 (I'm not sure of the details - brand new platform)
From what I've seen, most Android 8.0 units are PX5 and most Android 8.1 units are PX6 (brand new). Units with older versions of Android are probably PX3, I'm assuming. Most of these units do not get "official" major Android version updates - the manufactureres just release new models instead of upgrading existing models (but some can be upgraded via custom ROM's).
Personally, I would probably look for a PX5 MTCE octa-core unit with 4GB of RAM. I wouldn't consider anything older than a PX5/Android 8.0 unit - and like I said, I'd recommend 4GB of RAM if you can find it. The PX6 units are brand new - there are no custom ROM's or anything for them yet or anything. They also seem to come with less RAM and storage from what I've seen?!?!
Only way to be 100% sure what you are getting is to ask the seller - they should be able to tell you the processor type and "MCU" type (MTCE-XXX),where XXX is the MCU type. The MCU is like the "go between" between the Andorid OS and the radio hardware (MCU type can be seen under the Android settings menu) - you may even ask them to send a screenshot of the hardware info from the Android settings to confirm what it actually is.
Just a "general" overview of some of the basics - I hope that helps.
Oh - and if you have a CANBUS car, you need a CANBUS adapter. If the seller is selling a unit specifically for your car, they usually include the CANBUS adapter. That will allow your steering wheel controls to keep working and other items.
Yes. That actually helped. These with 4 GB RAM and at least a PX5 cost more, about $350 so I'm going to wait, save up a bit more, because I also need to convert my car from 1 DIN to 2DIN and that will cost me at least an extra $70.
I also want one that looks like the factory equipped one, so, yeah, I'll just wait another month or so.
Thank you for your answers, guys!
Sent from my SM-G935FD using Tapatalk
I have a mekede unit supposed to be android 8.1..... It's not it's actually 6.0
This was from mekede official store on aliexpress
They are now not answering my messages and unfortunately I didn't figure this out until after the buyer protection time limit had ended.
Just to post an update to my original post... At first, I thought that the sound quality was great. But the more and more I used the head-unit, I found that sound quality was NOT up to par with my previous WinCE head-units. And I also ran into noise-related issues. I did everything in my power to try and resolve these issues (including using external amps for better sound quality), but in the end, I gave up and re-installed my WinCE head-unit.
Unfortunately, from my experience, these Android head-units just aren't up to par in terms of sound-quality and noise-rejection. I had noise-related issues from the LED backlighting, USB devices, wifi and bluetooth wasn't very good either. Hopefully, they continue to improve upon these units, because having the head-unit run a full version of Android is great - but sound quality is also important - and even more important to some (like me). Would be great if the big audio companies starting building full Android head-units (Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, JVC, etc).
Since my WinCE unit supports Easy Connect, I can still get the advantages of Andoid for certain things while also having fantastic sound-quality and no noise issues. Best of both worlds. Granted, the WinCE unit is significantly more expensive ($699 vs $350), but just like anything else - in most cases, "you get what you pay for". The WinCE unit that I'm talking about specifically is the Dynavin N7 - and they use high-qaulity sound components. But I also had Rosen WinCE head-units and they sounded great as well (but again, significantly more expensive).
All depends on what is most important to you - software flexibility or sound quality.
My new 2021 PX6 from Phoenix Automotive Vertical Fast Boot OEM fiber option. Had this for about 2 months. I use it with an external OEM AMP. Used in a Lexus.
AMP is not fiber. The unit is a PX6 MCU RL78c (2014 Chip-set) NCHHWY V332-0 , Framework px6-userdebug 9 PQ2A 190305.002. OS 9.
Audio is very good! I love the sound. Speakers: OEM Mark Levnson in the front, 6.5inch JBL GX600C + Sound Ordnance M2-10DVC 10inch in the back.
Tested only with stock HU.
What works on the stock PX6:
(With correct wiring harness)
1. Fast-Boot. After first 2 setup boot-ups, on is instant for 24 hours of nonusage.
2. AC controls work (Cooling).
3. Searing Wheel controls work out of the box on Lexus w/canbus included.
4. Audio player works but not a good GUI.
5. Phone works with Bluetooth.
6. Android Auto is installed and works.
7. DSP Sound works with an EQ and many settings, GUI is good.
8. Most User Settings seem to work. Wheel mapping may stop after Fast-Boot for 5 minutes (bug).
9. Navigation (Google Maps) works, GPS works.
9.5. Maps works Off-Line in Google Maps.
10. Radio with about 16 memory storage.
What is not working in a Lexus / Toyota :
1. Factory Settings. All-access is denied. Locked out! Big Issue for me.
2. GAS monitor/usage. This should work out of the box. Phoenix says it is not working and is disabled in Lexus. BUT is advertised to work on the Phoenix site.
3. Sound MAX loud setting will NOT save after reboots. After boot, the sound is all the way up, loud. After talking with Phoenix tech, no fix. However, if FastBoot is on, the audio may save to a lower setting for about 24hours. If you don't use HU for 24 hours settings are lost again..
4. Screen will reflect windshield in GS Gen3 Lexus. May be an issue in sunlight.
5. If you wear Sunglasses or have glasses that do auto shade to dark, you may not like the screen because it can be hard to see.
6. Radio- Local / Distance not working. Can't find a fix. However Local radio is working fine. I get most local stations clear.
7. Temp display worked for 2 days now showing -40 at all times. (No fix).
8. Fast-Boot image changing. The stock app that changes the BOOT-Image will not work. It is out of date and will not work with Android 9+. It needs an update from Manufacture. A Phoenix Auto add-on app (download), also will not work, out of date. App complains of an Error with the Android version.
Add-On that work:
1. Musicolet from Play Store. The Stock Audio player sucks big time.
2. Bluedriver OBD2 reader.
3. Torque Lite or Pro OBD2 reader.
4. Function Generator, from Play Store.
That's about it.
Roger Out
Hey anyone have one of these, was looking to buy one as my other one died?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/7-Q...2e-4922-af82-bd3613175f19&transAbTest=ae803_3
The reason you should buy K3 Series :
1.Android 9.0 OS: The real android 9.0 OS. FYI, others sell android 6.0 but they may tell you that it’s android 8.1.
2.6-Channel DSP: The best car stereo audio system. FYI, others sell device with DSP optional which is a 4-channel DSP, for those cars with subwoofer and center speaker which cannot be connected (by 4-channel)
3.Satellite Navigation support GPS and Glonass: Most head units just support GPS signal while this one support both, then get better signal when using satellite navigation.
4.Support 2 Cameras: if your car has connected with front and rear camera, then you can go to the factory setting to set the “front camera on”. In this way you can see the “F-camera” app on the main interface. What’s more, when you put the gear from “R” to “D”, the device automatically switches to display the front camera image. This function is useful for driver to see if there is any obstacle at the dead corner in front of the car after reverse.
The K3-B is the same as the C800.
Hello everyone, new here and looking for suggestions and some help. Looking to purchase a big screen head unit and would like some help on making a decision as idk what exactly to look for. First its going in a 2010 jeep Grand Cherokee. i would like the 13.3 screen but those models are only motorized and dont adjust move around so i think my biggest only option is the 12.8. Now ive been looking at a few like the klyde (which seemed like my best one feature wise), phoenix automotive, joying, belsee, and seciaine. and most do have the same chip but noticing that they were running android 8 and would like to have one with 10 is there a way to update these? Also the klyde one seemed to offer different chips but im not familiar with any of that yet so i was wondering wich one yall would reccomend? I would like have the best features possible (i know the parts arent supper high end but thats alright) the hd screen possible hdmi and dsp (not an audiophile but ive heard it does help). Thanks for help and reccomendations
Belsee 12.8 inch Touch Screen Android 9.0 Auto Head Unit Car Radio Replacement Stereo Upgrade Tesla Style Universal Double 2 Din PX6 Ram 4GB Rom 64GB DSP Apple CarPlay Android Auto GPS Navigation Audio Video Multimedia Player Car PC Tablet Sat Nav
• SKU: PU8. Built-in Android 9.0 pie system special autoradio for double 2 din universal • CPU: Rockchip PX6(3399) Cotex A72(1.8Ghz)+A53(1.4Ghz), 6 Core, RAM: SAMSUNG 4GB, Nand Flash : 64GB. • 1920*1080 Resolution IPS Touch Screen. • Built in Car Body balance detection system • Built-in...
www.belsee.com
12.8" Six-core Universal double din head unit 100° Rotation Screen Android 9.0 Navigation Radio
Android 8.1. Fast Boot. This radio can be installed in vehicles with 12 volts power source. Stunning, feature-rich. Plug and Play. Retain most OEM features. WiFi, Bluetooth, MirrorLink.
phoenixautomotiveinc.com
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001161612835.html?src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=494-037-6276&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&&albagn=888888&albcp=9594035441&albag=102695258807&trgt=296904913880&crea=en4001161612835&netw=u&device=c&albpg=296904913880&albpd=en4001161612835&gclid=CjwKCAiAt9z-BRBCEiwA_bWv-Jphr67zYhGe9RXyJKWXJBjAmUMF98o8HN4D4R-GWIyIxE2n7ajjTBoC1yQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Hi Guys
I have a Android head unit :
Firmware : YT9216BJ_00012_V001
Android : 9.1 Car edition
XY Auto 6.2(x2)
CPU : A7 1.3 Ghz x 4
1GB Ram , 16 GB Rom
MCU 3.5 (X2)
Here is the problem I have
The sound settings seem to be different for the FM Radio and Bluetooth, than for the music streaming from the head unit itself playing from YTMusic and Spotify.
I have a external 4 Channel amp set up and running 2 from the L+R outputs, and 2 from the sub out
The FM radio and Bluetooth will be set up and if I use the apps installed on the HU, it is a lot softer, and it seams like the sub channel is affected the worse, It sounds like there is a frequency cut, like anything under 50 HZ is chopped.
I can set the levels in the volume settings, but as soon as I go to the FM Radio, the bass is about to blow the sub.
Please let me know if you require further information
As for the rest of the unit, I am very happy, just want to get this issue sorted, and perhaps a better offline map app.
Thanks
Hello, after many month of thinking what to put in my car, I decided not to risk with ones straight from china , even though they have a great design , their prices went quite up. So I bought one from my country which again is Chinese but has 2 years warranty. It has the following specs: Android 11 - octa-core CPU, 4 GB RAM, 64GB ROM, RDS, DSP, CARPLAY . A decent launcher design. After I had it put in my car there are some problems of course...
First of all my dashboard became Chinese , secondly the steering wheel controls don't work. I searched for information and found that I can go in factory settings and change the can bus software or something. I found out I can get in these settings with the password 3368 . And there are many types of CAN BUS settings. Around 5-6 have Opel Insignia . So far I tried 3 and it doesn't work - it doesn't prompt me to reboot but I do it anyway. Also in the navigation "car settings" it just seems like it doesn't talk with the car at all. At least I got to put the Opel logo for boot up animation.
Climate control works from the old knobs , and does not visualize on the screen - this is not really a problem for me but still wonder why doesn't it work. Also i got a OBD II dongle which lights up when i plug it in and the navi Bluetooth finds it , but i cant connect to it - it wants a passcode and 0000,8888,3368 don't work .
Now for what DOES work - the new rearview camera starts when I put it in reverse , but the lines don't bend. Music comes out of the speakers . Blinkers and hazards and chimes have e new bad sounding beep , but at least there is some communication with the car. Sport and Tour buttons work ! The mechanics which put in the new unit took out the whole cd changer , I don't know why and if it was necessary and if it is a problem. Park assist also work and the button but it also has changed chime sounds.
When i contacted the sellers they told me they just sell, and don't know much about installations.. they told me its model is just "8581" not really helpful like the Chinese supports which i expected to avoid.
Any help will be greatly appreciated !! Mainly i want to fix my dashboard to be in English again(when the battery disconnects and the computer resets , it usually goes back in German, never Chinese) And the other thing is to get the steering wheel buttons to work and along with it to have more communication between the car and the navigation unit.
Try reading forums and posting what has been tried, or at least try to figure out what the unit is
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8581 9 Coll Carplay Android 10 4gb Ram Hd Player Car Accessories Headunit Tv Dvd Player Car Stereo Radio Android 9 Inch - Buy Android 9 Inch,10 In 4gb Stereo 2 Din Car Players 9 Inch Android Stereo Player Android 9 Inche Stereo,Single Din Android 10
8581 9 Coll Carplay Android 10 4gb Ram Hd Player Car Accessories Headunit Tv Dvd Player Car Stereo Radio Android 9 Inch - Buy Android 9 Inch,10 In 4gb Stereo 2 Din Car Players 9 Inch Android Stereo Player Android 9 Inche Stereo,Single Din Android 10 9 Inches Android Car Ips Radio Gps Wifi 128 Gb...
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I found those. But it helps me in no way.
The problem was a wrong connection on one of the many cables . Now everything works , and im quite happy with the unit. I dont know in what standby mode it stays but it boots up for seconds, another 5 seconds for the wireless car play and the music starts automatically from Spotify and the maps are ready to navigate. My car leveled up
ivosto said:
The problem was a wrong connection on one of the many cables . Now everything works , and im quite happy with the unit. I dont know in what standby mode it stays but it boots up for seconds, another 5 seconds for the wireless car play and the music starts automatically from Spotify and the maps are ready to navigate. My car leveled up
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Hi mate hope your well I've currently got the same problems you had with my trip going Chinese and steering wheel not working or the heating on the radio any more information would be great cheers
tommytommy1990 said:
Hi mate hope your well I've currently got the same problems you had with my trip going Chinese and steering wheel not working or the heating on the radio any more information would be great cheers
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Hi all, I have same problem can anyone help at all. Thanks in advance