Does anybody know if the nexus 4 supports mirrorlink?
I've managed to get an N4 for Christmas and I'm now looking to get a good stereo for the car to pair it with. The only info I can find about the N4 is it has miracast which seems to be different to mirrorlink but I'm not sure how.
I'm not particularly a car stereo buff but it seems like a number of companies (Sony, Alpine, JVC, etc) have released headunits with mirrorlink. It looks like quite a cool technology and would really be useful for Google navigation on the stereo screen. However if it isn't going to work, I'll give up and start looking for a cheaper bluetooth only solution.
Thanks
I went to best buy to test this out on a Sony head unit with mirrorlink and it didn't work. I used Samsung drive link app.
Another option is to get a miracast adapter with a hdmi to rca converter to connect to the head unit. But you will only be able to control apps from your phone. But at least your phone will be mirrored on the head unit.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for trying that out, I'll keep my fingers crossed for mirror link in the future.
I really like your 'hdmi to rca adapter' idea. I will give that one some serious consideration, however if it works on this stereo my guess is it will work on others as well (back to looking at other stereos again, I thought I had narrowed it down).
Has anyone tried this? I'm also in the market for a good Headunit and If its not going to work on MirrorLink I wonder if it works using the hdmi/rca adapter.
Need some help anyone that has tested any of the units ,need some advice on purchasing one.
Stability
Reliability
Features
Easy of use
Can't speak for the Pumpkin, but the ATOTO A6 series, for me, has been stable and reliable, has some good features (dual Bluetooth, real 2s boot, decent audio quality with a Toshiba pre-amp, bright, vibrant IPS screen, 2Gb RAM, decent internal/external mic, external WiFi antenna, strong GPS performance, 2 amp USB charging, 3 USB connections, 256GB microSD card support, works well with just about any ELM Bluetooth OBD2 reader, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX.). The resolution on the Atoto is higher, 1024x600, compared to 800x480 on the Pumpkin. That right there is a deal-breaker for me on the Pumpkin.
The Pumpkin does have a volume dial, nice to have, and it also has a DVD drive and can do video-out to rear seat monitors, something the Atoto can't do. But that volume dial and DVD drive mean a smaller screen than the Atoto.
Ease of use, well, that's mostly down to the launcher you go with, really, and none of the Chinese head units have a good launcher, you'll want something from the Play store like FCC or CWG. Pumpkin's FM tuner app is much better looking, but Atoto's app works well enough.
The gesture control on the Atoto is a nice feature, but it's really best suited to cars that have head units that are higher (like, say, a Focus or BRZ) so your normal hand movements from the center console/shifter up to the wheel don't set it off. I'd recommend getting the non-gesture A6 Pro unit if your head unit is low-mounted, save a little money and get a front panel USB port in the process. And go with the Pro, not the Premium, because on the Pro versions get the superior IPS display and BT 5.0.
Biggest downside of the Atoto units is that there's no custom ROM support for MediaTek head units, while the Pumpkin units have good ROM support here on XDA. On the upside, Atoto is pretty good about updating firmware and their customer service really seems to be responsive.
Croak said:
Can't speak for the Pumpkin, but the ATOTO A6 series, for me, has been stable and reliable, has some good features (dual Bluetooth, real 2s boot, decent audio quality with a Toshiba pre-amp, bright, vibrant IPS screen, 2Gb RAM, decent internal/external mic, external WiFi antenna, strong GPS performance, 2 amp USB charging, 3 USB connections, 256GB microSD card support, works well with just about any ELM Bluetooth OBD2 reader, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX.). The resolution on the Atoto is higher, 1024x600, compared to 800x480 on the Pumpkin. That right there is a deal-breaker for me on the Pumpkin.
The Pumpkin does have a volume dial, nice to have, and it also has a DVD drive and can do video-out to rear seat monitors, something the Atoto can't do. But that volume dial and DVD drive mean a smaller screen than the Atoto.
Ease of use, well, that's mostly down to the launcher you go with, really, and none of the Chinese head units have a good launcher, you'll want something from the Play store like FCC or CWG. Pumpkin's FM tuner app is much better looking, but Atoto's app works well enough.
The gesture control on the Atoto is a nice feature, but it's really best suited to cars that have head units that are higher (like, say, a Focus or BRZ) so your normal hand movements from the center console/shifter up to the wheel don't set it off. I'd recommend getting the non-gesture A6 Pro unit if your head unit is low-mounted, save a little money and get a front panel USB port in the process. And go with the Pro, not the Premium, because on the Pro versions get the superior IPS display and BT 5.0.
Biggest downside of the Atoto units is that there's no custom ROM support for MediaTek head units, while the Pumpkin units have good ROM support here on XDA. On the upside, Atoto is pretty good about updating firmware and their customer service really seems to be responsive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you say the Pro version is actually worth the extra $50 just for the IPS display and 5.0 BT? I'm debating on getting the A6 Premium or the XTron TE706PL. Also, if you change launchers on the A6, will it remove or change the bottom nav bar that has home/back/dropdown/etc or the status bar at all? I find it kind of redundant having the home button on touch screen when there's also a physical button for it.
Lmfaoown said:
Would you say the Pro version is actually worth the extra $50 just for the IPS display and 5.0 BT? I'm debating on getting the A6 Premium or the XTron TE706PL. Also, if you change launchers on the A6, will it remove or change the bottom nav bar that has home/back/dropdown/etc or the status bar at all? I find it kind of redundant having the home button on touch screen when there's also a physical button for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as an owner of last year's A6 model, which had the same TFT display as the A6Y Premium, the IPS display on my new Pro is well worth the extra money IMO. Just much nicer looking. Also, the Pro gets the much better Toshiba preamp, also worth some extra money IMO. Bluetooth 5.0, not so much, for me, as I don't stream anything from my phone, all music is coming from the head unit.
The bottom nav bar never goes away, it's part of the firmware (and some Atoto units, like my old one, don't have a home button anywhere else). But trust me, you'll come to appreciate having it there all the time, if for no other reason than the quick access of the notification tray/quick settings is easier, faster, and safer than trying to swipe down, and in my case I use that feature quite often. It is also the only place with a back button.
Apps can get rid of the top status bar, as can some launchers.
Here's a video I shot of my A6Y Pro yesterday, in the car:
https://youtu.be/s5XWAJzk93s
And here's one of my old A6, same car, same parking spot, same lighting/time of day, shot using the same camera. That should give you an idea on the difference in screen quality between the Premium screen and the Pro IPS screen.
https://youtu.be/HFz_Epqj1D8
Croak said:
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just bought this and am setting everything up in my home now, it's really sweet. One question though, have you got any tips or tricks to get OK Google to call/text? I've tried and it says it isn't possible to. I've seen people using MTCDialer, and without trying it myself, I've read it won't work with our A6 because it doesn't use the correct CPU. Going to install this on my 07 G6 this Sunday, hoping everything works out.
Lmfaoown said:
Just bought this and am setting everything up in my home now, it's really sweet. One question though, have you got any tips or tricks to get OK Google to call/text? I've tried and it says it isn't possible to. I've seen people using MTCDialer, and without trying it myself, I've read it won't work with our A6 because it doesn't use the correct CPU. Going to install this on my 07 G6 this Sunday, hoping everything works out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try using the Hound app, give it all the permissions, and use keyword "OK Hound" instead. That's what ATOTO recommends for now. I never faffed around with it, because my phone will dial out on "OK Google" voice commands and still run the call through the ATOTO unit's mic and display, even in my pocket most times (Essential PH-1 on 8.1). Only thing I can't do and still see/control on the ATOTO unit is sending text via voice.
What CANBUS adapter are you going to use in your G6? I like the PAC GM11 with built-in chimes/turn signal clicks, but if you still have the stock 07 gauge cluster, you will still get chimes through the cluster and can use a cheaper Metra/Axxess unit. But since I retrofitted the 09 gauge cluster (with DIC in the dash display) which doesn't have a chime module built in, I wanted the chimes. I also prefer PAC's steering wheel control module, and the GM11 has an output wire to make install easier with the SW1-RC.
Another pro-tip if using PAC steering wheel controls, use the blue/white "Kenwood" wire on the PAC box to the ORANGE key + wire on the ATOTO harness, and follow the PAC programming instructions for Pioneer head units and it will work like a charm.
And like I mentioned elsewhere, the best looking, best fitting dash kit for a G6 is (IMO) the Schoshe GM kit, and Walmart stocks it. The texture on the Metra kits is kinda ugly and doesn't blend in as well with the HVAC controls in the console.
Yup I did some digging on their website trying to see the latest update (which I still haven't found...?) and saw they made that post about Hound. Seems to work relatively well honestly and that's more than okay for me. I purchased the C2R-GM11B instead of the C2R-GM11, and I sadly did get the metra dash kit. Looking at your video and mounting the kit in the front of my radio I ordered the Scosche immediately... The metra's bezel is huge...! Haven't even unpacked the thing until you brought it up. Good save.
Lmfaoown said:
Yup I did some digging on their website trying to see the latest update (which I still haven't found...?) and saw they made that post about Hound. Seems to work relatively well honestly and that's more than okay for me. I purchased the C2R-GM11B instead of the C2R-GM11, and I sadly did get the metra dash kit. Looking at your video and mounting the kit in the front of my radio I ordered the Scosche immediately... The metra's bezel is huge...! Haven't even unpacked the thing until you brought it up. Good save.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll be cooking with gas soon! And you're using the right PAC unit, 11B has a harness that fits '05-09, while the non-B fits the 09.5 and '10 G6.
As for the latest update, according to my support girl at ATOTO, all the Pro units sold through Amazon have the latest firmware already installed. Might be a few months before we see an update, depending on how many bugs they get out of us folks actually using them in the real world. But for the most part it's a mature firmware, since the SoC and OS is the same as the 2017 A6, which has been out in the wild for over a year now, and there's a reason they stick with Marshmallow. For that matter, the same 9.4.1 firmware file is meant to be flashed on both the old and new units, but there is a different MCU flash for the Pro models (because new aptX Bluetooth 5.0 stack and gesture control module).
Forgot to ask, do you have the Monsoon system? If so, and you're using the line-level outputs on the A6, you might get a little "computer noise" from the unit, especially when it heavily accesses WiFi. It's not loud, and doesn't increase with system volume, only notice it in quiet passages or when not playing audio at all, but it was there. But that's based on my old 2017 unit that was hooked up to my Monsoon amp, might be a non-issue on the new unit since its a totally different chassis and preamp. Good news is that when I went full-aftermarket on the amp and used RCA cables that noise went away.
Oh, one other pro-tip. Go to Settings/About, tap on the Model Number(A6 Pro) four times, and when it asks for a password, enter 1238 to access the microphone gain controls and turn that up to at least 6 (default is 4). Do the same thing again but use password 1617 and you'll get a menu with some other hidden settings, like touch calibration, parking guidelines for your reverse camera, etc.
Lmfaoown said:
Would you say the Pro version is actually worth the extra $50 just for the IPS display and 5.0 BT? I'm debating on getting the A6 Premium or the XTron TE706PL. Also, if you change launchers on the A6, will it remove or change the bottom nav bar that has home/back/dropdown/etc or the status bar at all? I find it kind of redundant having the home button on touch screen when there's also a physical button for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am blown away by ATOTO A6 Pro and quality. It worth the extra $50 just for the IPS display and the inclusion of AptX
XTron TE706PL
Lmfaoown said:
Would you say the Pro version is actually worth the extra $50 just for the IPS display and 5.0 BT? I'm debating on getting the A6 Premium or the XTron TE706PL. Also, if you change launchers on the A6, will it remove or change the bottom nav bar that has home/back/dropdown/etc or the status bar at all? I find it kind of redundant having the home button on touch screen when there's also a physical button for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone gotten a chance to test the Atoto vs the XTron TE706PL?
SubZeroZim said:
XTron TE706PL
Has anyone gotten a chance to test the Atoto vs the XTron TE706PL?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious about this too. I have the te706pl running hal9k, but I'm intrigued about the higher rms in the atoto and the ips display, and if someone has tried both devices and could speak on the differences.
bluemind497 said:
I am blown away by ATOTO A6 Pro and quality. It worth the extra $50 just for the IPS display and the inclusion of AptX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't you want a comparison of the gen2 atoto? Have you read the xda wiki on atoto.
Does anyone have this newer Joying 8.8" widescreen single DIN head unit with the new UI, JY-HOS01N4GS-2 ?
I just got it in and am trying to set it up before I install it in the car. Can it be modded or customized? While this new UI isn't that bad looking, it's a little more modern, but it does have this damn clock on the right side taking up real estate on the screen and I can't get rid of it. I tried using another launcher but the clock still stays there. I also can't get it to connect to my BT keyboard even though it sees it. Nor can I get it to see a universal USB cam which I want to use for a rear view mirror display. I did get it to recognize the universal non-Joying internal sensor TPMS unit I got as well as XTRON front DVR cam (I had to use the program on the XTRON cam to see it though) and an XTRON backup cam.
Can anyone help or point me in the right direction for modding this unit?
Anyone? I did find an app that can see the universal cams now but still need help with the other stuff. Plus I want to change the boot logo to an animated one I made.
LunaEros said:
Anyone? I did find an app that can see the universal cams now but still need help with the other stuff. Plus I want to change the boot logo to an animated one I made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have such a unit, so I would not know about your Launcher, but it has been mentioned before in the forum. Please search a bit more.
You can only connect phones and approved devices to your device on BT. See this post and further for a possible modification.
Most universal usb webcams are not supported.
surfer63 said:
I don't have such a unit, so I would not know about your Launcher, but it has been mentioned before in the forum. Please search a bit more.
You can only connect phones and approved devices to your device on BT. See this post and further for a possible modification.
Most universal usb webcams are not supported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why the hell do they do that? If I had known that before hand I would've probably went with another unit like an ATOTO or a Dasaita. I went with this one because the widescreen 8.8 IPS display fits my car perfectly plus it has a 4g module built in. (grumble)
LunaEros said:
Why the hell do they do that? If I had known that before hand I would've probably went with another unit like an ATOTO or a Dasaita. I went with this one because the widescreen 8.8 IPS display fits my car perfectly plus it has a 4g module built in. (grumble)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dasaita is microntek. All those units have crippled bluetooth as well. It is something the Chinese do to promote selling their own stuff, I guess.
No idea about Atoto though.
Does your keyboard have a usb-dongle? As far as I understood, keyboards with a usb-dongle do work. All BT equipment relying on the host bluetooth are hit-and-miss, and almost always miss.
No. It uses whatever's is built in to what you want to connect to I guess. I do have a Bluetooth CSR 4.0 dongle and tried using that on it but I can't see where it recognizes it.
The HU sees the keyboard it just won't connect to it. I damn well better not have any problems connecting to my OBDLink MX when I put it in the car. ?
Ok I tried what they said to do in that post but it didn't work. Not sure I did it right. It appears all I had to do was copy those two files in that bluetoothsetting.zip to a clean SD card put it on the HU and reboot it.
If that's what I was supposed to do then no luck. I have read that the firmware on these widescreen units are slightly different than the other Intel Airmont units.
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 ,
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.