Wow, just when you think you've found a headunit that is perfect, what happens instead? You read some reviews that are written after the user owned it for a short amount of time, and then you discover the problems.
Is there an Android HU that gets good FM/AM reception? Doesn't need to be rebooted? Won't disappoint? I previously got burned on a cheaper model and don't want to repeat that again. Hell - I could have just gotten a Kenwood and avoided all the headache and a $195 install job.
Hi,
I think that depends on your definition of "problems". My definition of a real problem is when there is no solotion on xda developers
OK, first I would recommend that you buy a head unit that was made for your car brand and model if available. I own a 2013 Skoda Rapid (similar to VW Polo / Golf, no "dirty" jokes please lol) and bought a VW specific model ("Autopumpkin" (reseller) 2 DIN for VW, RK3066 processor with Android 4.4.4 @ 800x480px, firmware is KLD2).
Installation: Plug in the quad lock CAN bus and the head unit was ready. Nothing else to do.
AM/FM:
In some cases, your car antenna needs +12V power to work properly. My head unit has a "phantom power adapter" (don't know if this is the right word in english). If you don't connect +12V to antenna, the reception is awful, I only received 4 stations with poor quality. Once the pantom power was connected (in my special case, I also needed a FAKRA adapter to connect the head unit with the car antenna since the plugs from the head unit didn't fit in the car connector), I received 18 stations (more can't be saved) on 88-95MHz (band goes from 88-108 here) using auto scan mode.
"Doesn't need to be rebooted":
I don't know exactly what you mean, would you like to specify that? The head unit can't be always on due to the high power consumption which would kill the battery very fast. Boot time is about 20-30 seconds but it remains about 5 minutes in standby if you pull out the ignition key.
Sound quality:
If sound quality is as important for you as for me, you MAYBE have a problem with those cheap head units but that also depends on what you like to do and to what kind of music you do listen.
On FM, sound quality doesn't matter for me because I use FM only for traffic announcements and news / documentary). The built in EQ is not the best one, at first I was thinking about to send the unit back because of the bad quality. After some days, I tried Poweramp with it's EQ and the difference was HUGE. Sounds better that the original car radio. Later, I tried Viper4Android (EQ app) since the Poweramp EQ only works for Poweramp and I thoght better radio sound quality would not be bad, but AFAIK AM/FM (and Bluetooth) sound output is not processed in Android what means only the build in EQ can influence the sound quality of that parts.
Traffic announcement (TA):
But one thing about TA feature does really drives me crazy: If you have enabled TA and the radio app detects traffic announcements (what happens also if the radio is in "background" respectively not explicit opened), a "modal popup" appears and you can't do anything (you can't skip TA or switch to another app) but vol up / down or disable TA with the "Close" button at all what means that you have to go to the radio app and enable TA again manually.
Bluetooth:
Bluetooth works much better than expected. If I get into the car in the morning, my phone (Sony Xperia Z2 with stock rom) connects with the head unit in seconds. If I press the "Play" button in the head unit's bluetooth app, it almost instantly continues playing my Spotify playlist from the phone (Spotify app doesn't work on my head unit, don't know why...).
3G / Wifi:
About 3G: Sometimes the HU loses connection because the power supplied by the USB ports is not enough. In that case, I have to power off and on the unit again (but "soft" reboot, done in seconds). Wifi (if you use your smartphone as hotspot with teathering) does work very well but not on distances over approx. 10 meters.
About GPS:
The GPS signal fixes very, VERY fast (2-5 seconds, but thats maybe because Android fixes the signal at boot time) and the supplied navigation app (iGO Primo) can calculate a route from south germany to a random forrest in Poland (I tapped on a random place on the map) approximately 1500km away in less than 10 seconds.
Dual way CAN bus:
Does work with my car, I can control radio stations via the buttons of my on-board computer / MFD (Multi Function Display as called by VW, my car doesn't have SWC) and the MFD shows the station frequency. I can also control the Media Player App (next / prev track, not volume), but only the built in one, not Poweramp.
Conclusion: If there is a HU for your specific brand / model, you should not have as much trouble as if you buy a generic one, especially with installation. You should have at least some basic Android, car and technical knowledge and (most important) the will to play around with your device, try out new apps, firmwares and roms, play with the settings etc... If you want a real plug and play solution, you maybe have to pay 1000€ / $ +. You get what you pay for
I hope my reply was helpful.
Nice Text. So it is.
hippelsepp said:
I hope my reply was helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was, thank you. Which HU do you use?
My question is: Is there an American/Japanese/Anywhere else head unit that can do as much as these Chinese head units??
Here's an initial review for the Ownice K1 (2gb ram/ 16gb Rom android 8 version) and from what I can tell, the first one to appear in English.
Background: This is Ownice's new budget model. No built in 4G support, no DVD slot, 4 core processor, slightly lower internal components (Amplifier, Tuner), TFT screen.
I ordered it on the 11.11 sale for about $200 with DHL shipping and added another 9$ for an external Mic. I ordered the version customized for Ford Mondeo/Galaxy/ S-Max.
Also ordered from other vendors: Ownice TPMS system (has not arrived) , Huawei E8372 4G wingle (arrived shortly after the K1 was installed), and reverse camera that replaces license plate light
Ownice shipped it three days later and it arrived in LA four days after that. From there it was brought to Israel by my kind brother.
Initial Impressions: came well packaged with protective film on the screen. Construction seems good. This is a slim unit and nearly all the connectors are breakouts from proprietary pin-outs on the back.
Installation:
Installation into a 2013-14 S-Max was quite easy as it simply uses the same mounting holes as the OEM unit, and the included connector is wired for the Ford quadlock harness. That said, it included no documentation whatsoever.
1) Connect three rear break-out connections to the back (Quadlock harness, A/V in/out cables, External mic input) and plug the included canbus decoder into the harness
1a) Notice that on harness wiring there is a wire that has a locking connector in the middle that comes disconnected. Assume this is for the reverse camera and connect it
2) Connect quadlock, revers camera RCA. External Mic, GPS antenna, and radio antenna
2a) Notice that they did not include a correct antenna adapter, run to local car audio guy and overpay for an adapter
3) (Spend next six hours wiring in a reverse camera through hatchback (not so easy!)
4) Shove all the wiring behind the unit (plenty of room there) and screw it in, replace trim, voila.
Future items:
5*) 4G wingle arrived a day later so I have only used it with the K1 in hotspot mode, which works fine. I have not gotten around to attaching it directly via USB
6*)TPMS system ordered from DX.com has not arrived yet.
In Use: In the realm of chinese android head units it is no faint praise to say that a unit simply works as one would expect it to, and this unit really does just work 99% as it should. I'll only point out some highlights and a few small disappointments:
+Unit powers on as soon as key is in ignition, stays on after car is shut down until door is opened (just like OEM)
+The reverse camera comes on BEFORE the unit is fully booted (right after the splash screen) so no significant delay there (this was a very pleasant surprise)
+No need to attach extra reverse wiring from reverse camera to car wiring, reverse is already wired via quad-lock
+Steering wheel controls work as they did with OEM unit (but mode button cycles through all inputs, even if they are not installed)
+My existing BAFX bluetooth OBD2 connected fine and works with the included version of torque
+Sound quality with OEM speakers is fine, at least on par with OEM head unit (despite what I've read about ST TDA7388)
+External mic is sensitive enough to work installed in hidden OEM mic location (grill behind map light)
+GPS reception/accuracy is better than my phone's
+Screen splitting works, and is useful
+Push the right knob in and the screen goes blank
-Radio tuner is not as good as the oem unit (I expected this)
-Bluetooth popup to answer calls does not appear for whatsapp calls
-Touchscreen could be a tad more sensitive
-built in media player does not seem to support WMA (thanks to yahoo music (RIP) I have a lot of WMAs) so I mostly use VLC
-No printed manual, onboard manual app does not work, and I can't find any manual online, so it took some futzing and going through the C500 manual to figure a few things out.
That's about it. I don't spend that much time driving these days so haven't gotten around to exploring all the settings and features, but so far I'm quite satisfied.
I appreciate the review; some follow-up questions...
Please tell me if steering wheel controls (up/down track) work on all music apps or just the stock one. Also let me know if you hear any background clicks/pops/noise when WiFi is being accessed. How is the Bluetooth calling quality - can callers hear you ok? Finally can the stock radio and Bluetooth apps be used split screen?
Thanks!
Jeff
twokidsandaphone said:
I appreciate the review; some follow-up questions...
Please tell me if steering wheel controls (up/down track) work on all music apps or just the stock one. Also let me know if you hear any background clicks/pops/noise when WiFi is being accessed. How is the Bluetooth calling quality - can callers hear you ok? Finally can the stock radio and Bluetooth apps be used split screen?
Thanks!
Jeff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Steering wheel controls work with all aps.
2) Haven't heard any noises caused by wifi
3) Bluetooth call quality is good, definitely go with the external mic
4) Yes, those apps and most others work in split screen.
Doncres said:
1) Steering wheel controls work with all aps.
2) Haven't heard any noises caused by wifi
3) Bluetooth call quality is good, definitely go with the external mic
4) Yes, those apps and most others work in split screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answers. One more question, sorry. Does Ok Google work, and/or can you use Google to initiate a call just using voice or microphone button plus voice? Many units "understand" the request to call but fail to be able to put through the call.
Thanks again!
Jeff
Follow -up notes
twokidsandaphone said:
Thanks for the answers. One more question, sorry. Does Ok Google work, and/or can you use Google to initiate a call just using voice or microphone button plus voice? Many units "understand" the request to call but fail to be able to put through the call.
Thanks again!
Jeff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the delay in replying.
As far as OK google calls, since the head unit's Bluetooth functionality works as a microphone/speaker, when you run a google now command on the HU, it thinks you want to make a call using the HU, but it has no phone function of it's own, so it cannot place the call. What would be needed is a button on the HU that activates the phone's google now listening. I don't keep my phone in constant listening mode, so not sure how it would work in that situation. Hope that helps.
Here's a few more observations, not entirely good:
1) The steering wheel next and previous track buttons are reversed.
2) There is a problem resuming Bluetooth streaming from my phone. If you push the play button on the HU Bluetooth app after a restart it will freeze and force a reboot.
3) GPS reception is generally excellent with very quick fix, but occasionally for no apparent reason upon startup it will take 5 or so minutes.
4) Even disabling all of automatic time setting, the unit will inexplicably get an hour ahead when booted and then correct a few minutes later.
5) I can't figure out if there is a way to get the Huawei 4G USB router I bought to function as a modem or only as a hotspot.
Hi Doncres,
I've just finished installing my own Ownice K1/G10 unit for my Hyundai Santa Fe.
Installation was a little bit trickier since in order to use the car's original gps antenna, microphone and rear camera I had to cut some wires and change connectors, as well as installing a stepdown DC-DC converter to get the weird 6.5v power required by the original rear camera.
I've been playing a little bit myself with the unit and, given that I'm quite satisfied with it, I would like to know whether you experienced any of the following little annoying problems:
- handsfree call via bluetooth: remote party is always complaining about a small amount of echo
- general audio volume low even at maximum volume (+30), especially for bluetooth phone calls
- the bluetooth active call popup rectangle gets always in the way, even when the rear camera is triggered by the reverse gear, giving some troubles when parking the car and talking to the phone
- Netflix app not working: I had to install an old 2015 version targeting Android 4.4
- parking assistant lines on the rear camera view have wrong perspective angle in comparison to my camera's viewing angle, thus resulting in a projected trapezium rather than a projected rectangle (i.e. the lines are not parallel to actual parking lines); I know I can disable them, however I'd like to change their perspective angle to match the camera
I read somewhere that there are two hidden service menus on Ownice units: the first is accessible via car settings (the "1260" menu) and this works on my unit
The other should be accessible by dialling a specific string in the phone app, however it seems I cannot start the phone app since the K1/G10 comes with no 3G/4G hardware. Any idea on how to enter such menu?
Thanks,
Alberto
agpastore said:
Hi Doncres,
I've just finished installing my own Ownice K1/G10 unit for my Hyundai Santa Fe.
Installation was a little bit trickier since in order to use the car's original gps antenna, microphone and rear camera I had to cut some wires and change connectors, as well as installing a stepdown DC-DC converter to get the weird 6.5v power required by the original rear camera.
I've been playing a little bit myself with the unit and, given that I'm quite satisfied with it, I would like to know whether you experienced any of the following little annoying problems:
- handsfree call via bluetooth: remote party is always complaining about a small amount of echo
- general audio volume low even at maximum volume (+30), especially for bluetooth phone calls
- the bluetooth active call popup rectangle gets always in the way, even when the rear camera is triggered by the reverse gear, giving some troubles when parking the car and talking to the phone
- Netflix app not working: I had to install an old 2015 version targeting Android 4.4
- parking assistant lines on the rear camera view have wrong perspective angle in comparison to my camera's viewing angle, thus resulting in a projected trapezium rather than a projected rectangle (i.e. the lines are not parallel to actual parking lines); I know I can disable them, however I'd like to change their perspective angle to match the camera
I read somewhere that there are two hidden service menus on Ownice units: the first is accessible via car settings (the "1260" menu) and this works on my unit
The other should be accessible by dialling a specific string in the phone app, however it seems I cannot start the phone app since the K1/G10 comes with no 3G/4G hardware. Any idea on how to enter such menu?
Thanks,
Alberto
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm not sure I can really help other than to confirm a few of the the issues.
-Don't think I have an echo issue, but there seems to be a delay until a caller first hears me.
- I get very good volume. I would assume this is an issue of whether the built in amp is a good match for the speakers. Could be an issue with the impedance.
-Yeah, the call button overlay is sometimes annoying, it can block nav screen as well and no way to hide
-I noticed that Netflix was no showing in the app store, but not a big use for me
-the camera I bought has built in guidelines so I disabled them.
-no idea bout the service menu
The only issues that really bother me are:
-the occasional GPS not acquiring satellites, which I now think may be from a defective antenna. I ordered a replacement and we'll see if that helps.
-the fact that if I have an app like stitcher playing, i then get in the car and it stops it when it connects to the BT, but when I go to the BT music app it will either resume fine or if I pres play it will crash the entire device and force a reboot. Mostly I just run streaming apps on the Unit so not much BT streaming anyway.
Also, my TPMS unit finally showed up 2 months after ordering it from DX.com. Looking forward to installing that some time in the next couple of weeks.
Hi.
I am newbie, and i may be wrong in posting the question.
I got 2 din touch Android for Nissan Murano 2018 - model K1, 2 / 16 GB. Ownice 8227L.
On the manufacturer's website, the model has not been supported by software updates for a long time.
Last owner tried to update it with different firmware versions, including those downloaded from this site, and from 4pda. initially did not save the software that was on it from the factory. Now - it has a version of Android installed in which the radio does not work. Everything works, sound files from usb card play, except the radio.
Help me please, where can I get the firmware on it to make the radio work?
Hi All,
I'm looking for advice. I want to fit android head-unit into my BMW e90. Looking at what is available on the market I think that there is nothing that would do all I need. Basically:
Joying JY-UOS03N4 - System looks most up to date spec-wise, it looks like the DSP provides very good control of the audio output, I like the detachable screen as I could place the LCD higher on the dash (with a custom mount). Issues: No support for BMW Canbus (Parking sensors chimes, parking sensors display, canbus data display)
Eonon GA9165 - Should nicely integrate into the the car, has physical buttons and full BMW canbus support. Issues: Software looks dated, no clear mention of support for android auto, poor sound output control (equaliser with 4 presents that's all, no mention of high/low pass filters for the sub etc.)
Xtrons PB7890BP - Not sure of anything on this unit.
Ideally I would like to get the Joying unit working with Canbus adapter from Eonon (can be purchased separately). So I have few questions:
- Does anyone know what signalling those adapters use? Is that somethign like usb/serial or just outputs resistive values like on normal car stereo?
- How difficult would it be to extract software (that displays the stats, parking sensors etc) from Eonon and put it into Joying unit?
- Is it worth a hassle? Any other ideas?
Thanks
GA9165B owner
I have a Hifi system, and I also only use the High quality options from Google play or streaming.
I very much think this unit puts out well left alone. There are lots of hidden menus in the head unit. And I think there is a sub output control buried in there with all the AVI controls.
I just want to go to Android 9 and ditch the locked Widget screen and expand the volume control option submenus.
The bigges setback is the system doesnt let you one aspect of sound its all or nothing single slide flat control, audio gets interrupted by unpleasent notifications and is unsettling.
Dear all,
I am new to the forum and also this is my first android unit bought so please bear with me. It replaced the old RNS510 with Bluetooth Premium from my VW Passat CC 2011
The unit is a Sadocom KDL 10.1 inch android 9. Specs bellow:
- PX6 processor
- 4 Gb of RAM
- 64 Gb internal memory
- DSP
The unit comes with all necessary connectors and adapters except for the ones that connect the original GPS antenna or MIC. Soon i will receive the adapter for the GPS antenna so that i can use the one from the car and not the chinese one. Hope it works as expected.
The connection of the original microphone of the car was modified into a 3.5 mm jack so as not to dismount the A pillars to mount the new chinese MIC.
After all the connections were made, the unit booted up when inserting the key but a small amount of SMOKE appeared from the headunit. This soon stoped and the unit dind dnot ecperience any problems. Please tell me if anyone had any problems of this sort.
I then proceeded testing the unit.
Pros :
- the unit boots in ~10 seconds (cold start)
- standby boot is instant
- no lag when using the unit. Eveything works blazing fast
- good display with natural colors
- better quality sound than the RNS 510 and higher volumes
- generaly good build quality
Cons :
- internal / externar microphone performance is bad. Echoing can be heard by the receiving end
- wireless antena is just a wire
- all conections are modular and do not seem high quality
- only one pre-out for subwoofer
- canbus decoder shows an ambient temperature of 6500 degrees Celsius. Sometimes at startup, the temp shown is the correct one but it does not change according to the change in temp seen on the cluster
- switching to reverse shows no camera attached (no problem here since i don't have one at the moment) but the adaptive guidelines sometimes freeze/ do not move according to the steering wheel inputs. Another canbus decoder issue perhaps?
I will return with pictures and exact model when i have the chance.
Can anybody give advice with the two issues mentioned above?
- smoke - can it be something normal from the production process?
- temperature error - is it a canbus decoder error or can it be something else? Changing the canbus decodor would solve this problem?
I have not yet confirmed receiving the order and some feedback from you would determine me to ask for the seller to send another canbus or highlight the smoke problem.
Thank you in advance!
Leo
Hi there
By now, are you happy with this Sadocom device?
For every one that bought this product and is looking to change the look since the default UI is trash.
Specs: If more is needed let me know
HMI: XRCH.D.Q.F.3.04_1.2020.11.30.16.30
MCU: TS907.190518(H)
My Car: E92 335xi No Logic 7 (If you have the logic 7 amp you will need to buy the additional decoder to get the HU working)
I bought my unit off their website instead of Amazon since it looks like it cost more on Amazon. They also threw in reverse cam, OBD2, and Front cam. I paid for 5$ shipping insurance incase I opened it and it was broken which I saw a few on Amazon like that. Shipped and received in 5days.
How to know if you have a logic 7 amp:
Look in the driver's side of the trunk behind the tail light for the long silver box. If there is a black box/amp its the HK/Generic
On the non-nav head unit, there is a large black wire connector and there should be two sets of 8 wires plugged in and then MOST fiber cable.
Their website has a picture but it's not the best.
Steps to change appearance:
1. Download the Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store. (I am a former Android user and switched to Apple so I was not aware of this lol)
Use a Hotspot or connect to your home WiFi
2. Run the launcher and it will have you customize a few options which you can pick what you like.
Steps to add Custom "Baked-in" UI buttons Eonon's UI has:
1. In the Nova launcher UI Hold the center of the screen until the customize options appear.
2. Select Widgets
3. Select and hold Activities. Place it somewhere and a new screen will appear. Can take a few seconds.
4. You should see a list of Apps. Scroll down until you see "com.ts.MainUI8"
This will show all apps that are "Baked-in"
(Optional)
Get an icon pack that you like and edit the icons by selecting one and holding it.
Common Apps you would want:
CarPlay == PhoneLink (Not under com.ts.MainUI8. Just in the list.)
All under "com.ts.MainUI8"
Equalizer == Setup
CarInfo == CarInfo (Seat Warmers, MPG, etc.)
Radio == Radio (There is a CarRadio option but it is not the actual radio)
Settings == Setting (Limited setting not much here)
Things I found that the consumer was not supposed to: (WIP)**
(All of these were found using )
Dev mode (From what it looks like there are more settings here but I have not gone through them all)
Annoying features:
The door chime is now a beeping from the HU. I have not figured out how to disable this. This also beeps for seatbelts and MOST SOS error on the dash.
The screws that come with the HU for the side mounts do not reach the car clips/mounting points and you will need to get 2 1/2" screws.
WiFi signal is not that great but considering it is inside an insolated dash it's probably the reason it does not find networks that great.
Time and Date do not seem to keep after shutting off the car and turning it back on. (Will if you have your hotspot connected constantly)
Can not find the option to disable the reverse cam. (Still looking will update if I find it.)
Have not found a way to root the device. Since I do not think there is a sim card I am looking for an app-based root that will not brick the device lol need to figure out how to back up the ROM remotely. There is a USB so I can probably restore the ROM or I'll just send it back on Warranty (2-year warranty)
One I bought:
Eonon GA9465B | Eonon BMW E90 E91 E92 E93 Android 10 Car Stereo with Built-in Apple Car Auto Play DSP 9 Inch IPS Full Touchscreen Car GPS Navigation Head Unit
Eonon BMW E90 E91 E92 E93 Android 10 Car Stereo 9 Inch IPS Full Touchscreen Car GPS Navigation Head Unit with Built-in Apple Car Auto Play DSP
www.eonon.com
Been trying to root mine as well GA2180A, I can connect via adb console but can't gain su access and disk is in read only mode. I can boot to recovery menu but I can't toggle any of the choices using vol- vol+ or power button
Hi,
I bought the GA9465 for my BMW E90.
It works well, however, the radio application can be improved. Indeed, it is not possible to navigate in 10hz steps, only 20.
So it is impossible to switch to a radio frequency 104.40.
Is there a particular adjustment to be made?
eonon is too expensive