Confused with options for a Highlander - Android Head-Units

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.

Related

Newest Android head units

Hi,
It is really exciting that we are starting to get some real android car stereos on the market, that have software in them that can be entertained by the developers here on XDA. There are so many headunits that look the same with different hardware, look different with similar hardware, and are just altogether different. I can't find definitive information anywhere, and frankly search just returns too much scattered information to really sift through.
Needs:
Hands free quality is important.
hardware volume control - prefer a knob, but buttons are ok. I just do not want software volume buttons.
Rooted Android
3 sets of 4+ volt preouts, including controllable non-fading subwoofer preout
I don't care about a DVD/CD player - if it has one cool, but I don't need one.
What I'd like it to do:
"OK Google"
Tasker
Google Maps
Pandora
Spotify
Sirius/XM app - or Sirius satellite radio (I don't know if any of them do this natively)
Vevo
Kodi
Netflix
Hulu
Amazon Prime
Torque connected via bluetooth
bluetooth hands-free phone calls
WIFI tethered from Foxfi running on my phone
Am I looking for too much or is there a head unit that looks like it can accommodate this?
Summary Questions:
Other than price, is there any reason to consider the dual core (instead of the quad core) or the smaller resolution (i.e. are there some apps that don't work right with the larger resolution)?
Are some MCUs better than others?
Do all of the better Android head units suffer the problems with the microphone that will require modification to fix, or is there one out that has the fix already implemented? I saw the threads where people are desoldering stuff. Has that been resolved by some of the manufacturers, or am I destined to do that mod also?
Is there a really good aftermarket hands free microphone that is worth buying?
Is there sub pre-out control either on the stock firmware, or on a different ROM?
Is the sub pre-out affected by the fader?
What is the voltage at the pre-outs?
Do any of the units come with an IR sensor and/or a remote control?
Can I connect the bluetooth OBDII module, bluetooth phone, and wireless wifi tethering from the phone at the same time?
When text messages come into my cell phone, does the radio read them to me? Can I voice-to-text respond?
Does anyone see anything wrong with my needs, or the apps I plan to run?
Are any of them running newer iterations of Android? Is there anything stopping a developer from releasing a ROM with a newer android?
Should I be considering another unit? Is there an Android head unit other than one of the Hue Fei clones that would serve my needs better? Is there one Hue Fei clones that stands out as better than the others, or gets better support than the others, or that fits my needs better?
So it looks like the other two to consider other than the Hue Fei clones is the Newsmy which only has 1 RCA Pre-out and the Ownice which doesn't have root.
there is a new generation of AN-21U unbranded units floating around ali express. If you shop around you can get a good deal on one. Quad core R16 A9/1 GB RAM/up to 1080x600 res. There is little info on them so far since they are so new, but since they appear to be an update to a very popular pre-existing model, they should gain more support soon on xda.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...nd-generation-4-4-2-android-21u-ouku-t3230587
I have one coming in today and will update that thread with my impressions. I previously owned a carjoying UQ-124 so I will have a good unit to compare it to.
The carjoying unit was pretty solid but had one major issue - BT audio quality. The audio also was controlled by the MCU (poorly) which required a complex hardware mod to rectify. I also for some reason had stability issues w/ google now voice control (ok google)... worked sometimes but would crash >50% of the time.
I am hoping my new unit will not have these issues.
gijosh28 said:
So it looks like the other two to consider other than the Hue Fei clones is the Newsmy which only has 1 RCA Pre-out and the Ownice which doesn't have root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Newsmy CarPad III (NRXXXX) has 5.1 pre-out available and uses the same MCU and ROM as the CarPad II (NUXXXX)
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/indashnet-world-s-first-open-source-infotainment/x/5292434#/story
This guy has been pretty responsive with his first 2 designs and now he's putting out an octa-core unit. Probably overkill but the indiegogo price is right. I don't know what his projected delivery dates are for this unit. You can check out his google+ page as well. That is his primary avenue for support and it seems to mostly work pretty well.
Hope i could provide some information. Please check the comments in quote.
gijosh28 said:
Hi,
It is really exciting that we are starting to get some real android car stereos on the market, that have software in them that can be entertained by the developers here on XDA. There are so many headunits that look the same with different hardware, look different with similar hardware, and are just altogether different. I can't find definitive information anywhere, and frankly search just returns too much scattered information to really sift through.
Needs:
Hands free quality is important.
hardware volume control - prefer a knob, but buttons are ok. I just do not want software volume buttons.
Rooted Android
3 sets of 4+ volt preouts, including controllable non-fading subwoofer preout
I don't care about a DVD/CD player - if it has one cool, but I don't need one.
What I'd like it to do:
"OK Google"
Tasker
Google Maps
Pandora
Spotify
Sirius/XM app - or Sirius satellite radio (I don't know if any of them do this natively)
Vevo
Kodi
Netflix
Hulu
Amazon Prime
Torque connected via bluetooth
bluetooth hands-free phone calls
WIFI tethered from Foxfi running on my phone
Am I looking for too much or is there a head unit that looks like it can accommodate this?
Summary Questions:
Other than price, is there any reason to consider the dual core (instead of the quad core) or the smaller resolution (i.e. are there some apps that don't work right with the larger resolution)?
Think mobile phone. it is similar.
Are some MCUs better than others?
What MCU done is about more low level works like power management. really depends on design. No base for comparing.
Do all of the better Android head units suffer the problems with the microphone that will require modification to fix, or is there one out that has the fix already implemented? I saw the threads where people are desoldering stuff. Has that been resolved by some of the manufacturers, or am I destined to do that mod also?
Most have mic built-in(in the panel), some have external connector which provide a chance to apply a good mic.
Is there a really good aftermarket hands free microphone that is worth buying?
No idea.
Is there sub pre-out control either on the stock firmware, or on a different ROM?
It is not about software/ROM/firmeware. this is by hardware design.
Is the sub pre-out affected by the fader?
Normally.
What is the voltage at the pre-outs?
depends on hardware design.
Do any of the units come with an IR sensor and/or a remote control?
Many.
Can I connect the bluetooth OBDII module, bluetooth phone, and wireless wifi tethering from the phone at the same time?
Wifi/BT same time for all head unit. BT OBD and BT Phone call together, it depends.
When text messages come into my cell phone, does the radio read them to me? Can I voice-to-text respond?
This could be done by one App which is not related to Head unit. don't know whether it exists already.
Does anyone see anything wrong with my needs, or the apps I plan to run?
could say no barrier. Need to check hardware related items.
Are any of them running newer iterations of Android? Is there anything stopping a developer from releasing a ROM with a newer android?
Lots of work is needed to port system to a newer version android. Similar as mobile phone.
Should I be considering another unit? Is there an Android head unit other than one of the Hue Fei clones that would serve my needs better? Is there one Hue Fei clones that stands out as better than the others, or gets better support than the others, or that fits my needs better?
no answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted my thoughts on the 2nd gen AN-21U vs joying UQ-124 here -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...eration-4-4-2-android-21u-ouku-t3230587/page3
summary - new unit is better than joying in every way except for customization and xda support. I have not applied an external amp or sub to my system yet, but I will soon. I am already using custom speakers (focal 8"). BT audio quality is night and day difference over joying. Bad BT audio quality is not universal, joying just did a poor job b/c they wired internal & external mic in parallel & used low quality bt module. I highly recommend it, though I have only had a short time with it (less than a day). My thoughts may change as I get more time to find issues.
@nonstop2050, I like how active you are here, I would have loved to buy one of your units had you supported my vehicle. If someone were to buy how long would you take to ship? I had to wait 3 weeks for my unit... I think they manufacture units as the orders come in, they don't keep stock on hand.
The joying units with a single volume knob allow you to adjust the pre out voltage. I have mine feeding into a 4 channel amp, powering front hertz components and a single JBL sub. I use the crossover on the amplifier - more scope for adjustability & probably performs more consistently than the one in the headunit feeding the sub pre out.

TC Car Audio Android Head Units

Hi all. I have a 2011 Hyundai Accent that used to run a HuiFei KGL4 Hyundai-specific 7" unit. It's been one rollercoaster ride with that unit, having to deal with the following:
1) Underpowered USB ports (had to solder a voltage step-down converter to amp it up for it to work properly)
2) The latest ROM forces me to wait 30 seconds for the unit to shut down after turning off ignition, otherwise my PKE car alarm won't trigger as all doors are generally closed within that time frame because I've already stepped out of the car. Funny piece is there's no way out of this even if I go back to an older software, or use an MCU that doesn't support sleep
3) Weak FM radio
After messing real bad with #3 above, killing one channel off of my FM radio (only right channel is working now) after breaking the electronic links for one of the caps needed, I decided it's time to let go. Not to mention that the reseller that I've brought it from is no longer responding when it comes to asking for replacement parts and Kai Ge Le doesn't sell parts from products that weren't directly bought from them. Malaysk' great ROM helped me get through the day for a while, but hey, when you want a fully working product, you gotta move some time right?
The next dilemma was: should I go with Joying or any other HuiFei-based Android radio and potentially deal with the same thing? Then I thought... man, it's time to accept I'm not too good with soldering and I can't risk messing another brand new radio just for dealing with the same thing.
Long-story short, I went with a not so known MCU / manufacturer / reseller combo this time around for hopes I'd get different results. It may be a bit of a challenge to get support from the community granted none of my searches yielded any results for the MCU the device is using, but man... with how the ROM of this new unit working fluidly as it is, I'm finally content.
Some distinct differences with HuiFei:
1) Boot-up time. Before upgrading my KGL4 to RK3188, boot-up time was 30 seconds. When I upgraded to RK3188 roughly ~15 seconds. In this unit? I don't even notice waiting for boot. It properly turns off USB connected devices so my battery does not get drained- tried for 5 days now and has been consistently fine.
2) Next / Previous controls. I did not need to install Car Service for Next / Previous to be consistent on non-stock apps (Radio, Music, Video apps). If I press next or previous in my steering wheel on, say, Spotify or PCRadio, the behavior is the same. It goes to the next / previous track as expected, with no additional apps or configuration needed.
3) RADIO - I can't emphasize this enough. In days where I just want to use the radio instead of songs from streaming apps, man, this unit delivers! It subdues the static / hisses well, and clearly picks up the same radio stations that I used to have in my car's factory radio that the KGL4 one struggled to pick-up.
4) Bluetooth function - I was never able to get my KGL4 unit to pair with my OBD2 device, no matter how many times I've back-read in the different threads. In this new unit, it was able to detect and pair with it the first time I tried! The plus part is that the Bluetooth config of this new unit allows you to enter the pair code for devices that requires it - at least on this one I'm sure the HuiFei units cannot prompt for the pairing code of the other device.
5) Support for external hard drives. I was unable to connect a 500GB external drive in my KGL4 before until I did the USB mod. For this new unit, it supports it right off the bat. No mods necessary.
6) There's an actual WIFI antenna!
Another plus for me is the screen size upgrade. The new device has 9" of real-estate. I did lose DVD functionality and potentially not have the option to update the software to 5.1 (runs on 4.4), but I can live with those. If anyone's familiar or has the same MCU as mine, or shares the same software build, let me know. Maybe that will be a good reference for anyone who'd potentially buy units from them. In the meantime, TC Car Audio has a store in AE if you want to inquire (Store ID 1360064). Looks like they also have a couple of 5.1 devices, just not sure if it shares the same MCU / ROM combo.
DISCLAIMER: I do not work for TC car audio. Just passing along the positive experience I have with their product, and hoping to help others see that there are better options out there beyond the more known brands.
MCU: 2016-04-25 10:38:12 KEQ_60_C6R_7706_5006_CAN(DaZhongWC)_Newlap
jrgalang said:
2) Next / Previous controls. I did not need to install Car Service for Next / Previous to be consistent on non-stock apps (Radio, Music, Video apps). If I press next or previous in my steering wheel on, say, Spotify or PCRadio, the behavior is the same. It goes to the next / previous track as expected, with no additional apps or configuration needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm more interested in this part. I wonder why this works on your unit, but not the majority of Anrdoid head units?
Can you try Pandora or Google Play Music? Does the app have to be open and in the main view for it to work? or will it work while playing in the background. Like say you are watching the Navigation with Pandora playing in the background from a Pandora app on the Android head unit, if you hit a track change with the Navigation app on the screen will it still change tracks?
CadillacMike said:
I'm more interested in this part. I wonder why this works on your unit, but not the majority of Anrdoid head units?
Can you try Pandora or Google Play Music? Does the app have to be open and in the main view for it to work? or will it work while playing in the background. Like say you are watching the Navigation with Pandora playing in the background from a Pandora app on the Android head unit, if you hit a track change with the Navigation app on the screen will it still change tracks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Microntek head units are using its own "layer" of virtual keys mapping (irkeyDown/up). It is useful from their point of view, because you have possibility to use long press behavior on hard keys. Android has its own definitions of key events and actually it is good habit to use them (in case of developing "steering widgets" and players developing as well). Probably microntek finally started to broadcast Android's defined key events among the system which caused support of many media players .
But that is only my theory .
CadillacMike said:
I'm more interested in this part. I wonder why this works on your unit, but not the majority of Anrdoid head units?
Can you try Pandora or Google Play Music? Does the app have to be open and in the main view for it to work? or will it work while playing in the background. Like say you are watching the Navigation with Pandora playing in the background from a Pandora app on the Android head unit, if you hit a track change with the Navigation app on the screen will it still change tracks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't try Pandora given where I'm at. But yeah, Google Play Music works just as same as Spotify. No need to have the app open, I mostly have Car Launcher Pro on screen OR my GPS app and I can hit next / previous even if the music apps are on the background.
jrgalang said:
I couldn't try Pandora given where I'm at. But yeah, Google Play Music works just as same as Spotify. No need to have the app open, I mostly have Car Launcher Pro on screen OR my GPS app and I can hit next / previous even if the music apps are on the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wtf, I gotta figure out how to get that on my Joying.
Reply
jrgalang said:
Hi all. I have a 2011 Hyundai Accent that used to run a HuiFei KGL4 Hyundai-specific 7" unit. It's been one rollercoaster ride with that unit, having to deal with the following:
1) Underpowered USB ports (had to solder a voltage step-down converter to amp it up for it to work properly)
2) The latest ROM forces me to wait 30 seconds for the unit to shut down after turning off ignition, otherwise my PKE car alarm won't trigger as all doors are generally closed within that time frame because I've already stepped out of the car. Funny piece is there's no way out of this even if I go back to an older software, or use an MCU that doesn't support sleep
3) Weak FM radio
After messing real bad with #3 above, killing one channel off of my FM radio (only right channel is working now) after breaking the electronic links for one of the caps needed, I decided it's time to let go. Not to mention that the reseller that I've brought it from is no longer responding when it comes to asking for replacement parts and Kai Ge Le doesn't sell parts from products that weren't directly bought from them. Malaysk' great ROM helped me get through the day for a while, but hey, when you want a fully working product, you gotta move some time right?
The next dilemma was: should I go with Joying or any other HuiFei-based Android radio and potentially deal with the same thing? Then I thought... man, it's time to accept I'm not too good with soldering and I can't risk messing another brand new radio just for dealing with the same thing.
Long-story short, I went with a not so known MCU / manufacturer / reseller combo this time around for hopes I'd get different results. It may be a bit of a challenge to get support from the community granted none of my searches yielded any results for the MCU the device is using, but man... with how the ROM of this new unit working fluidly as it is, I'm finally content.
Some distinct differences with HuiFei:
1) Boot-up time. Before upgrading my KGL4 to RK3188, boot-up time was 30 seconds. When I upgraded to RK3188 roughly ~15 seconds. In this unit? I don't even notice waiting for boot. It properly turns off USB connected devices so my battery does not get drained- tried for 5 days now and has been consistently fine.
2) Next / Previous controls. I did not need to install Car Service for Next / Previous to be consistent on non-stock apps (Radio, Music, Video apps). If I press next or previous in my steering wheel on, say, Spotify or PCRadio, the behavior is the same. It goes to the next / previous track as expected, with no additional apps or configuration needed.
3) RADIO - I can't emphasize this enough. In days where I just want to use the radio instead of songs from streaming apps, man, this unit delivers! It subdues the static / hisses well, and clearly picks up the same radio stations that I used to have in my car's factory radio that the KGL4 one struggled to pick-up.
4) Bluetooth function - I was never able to get my KGL4 unit to pair with my OBD2 device, no matter how many times I've back-read in the different threads. In this new unit, it was able to detect and pair with it the first time I tried! The plus part is that the Bluetooth config of this new unit allows you to enter the pair code for devices that requires it - at least on this one I'm sure the HuiFei units cannot prompt for the pairing code of the other device.
5) Support for external hard drives. I was unable to connect a 500GB external drive in my KGL4 before until I did the USB mod. For this new unit, it supports it right off the bat. No mods necessary.
6) There's an actual WIFI antenna!
Another plus for me is the screen size upgrade. The new device has 9" of real-estate. I did lose DVD functionality and potentially not have the option to update the software to 5.1 (runs on 4.4), but I can live with those. If anyone's familiar or has the same MCU as mine, or shares the same software build, let me know. Maybe that will be a good reference for anyone who'd potentially buy units from them. In the meantime, TC Car Audio has a store in AE if you want to inquire (Store ID 1360064). Looks like they also have a couple of 5.1 devices, just not sure if it shares the same MCU / ROM combo.
DISCLAIMER: I do not work for TC car audio. Just passing along the positive experience I have with their product, and hoping to help others see that there are better options out there beyond the more known brands.
MCU: 2016-04-25 10:38:12 KEQ_60_C6R_7706_5006_CAN(DaZhongWC)_Newlap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello friend,
This is Nicole from Kaigele.
Sorry to tell you that,from your posted info and images,this unit is not from our factory.Maybe you need to contact your direct seller to get more help.
thanks
best regards
Nicole

how can China manufacturer make you happy

Guys. I have a really good contact to a manufacturer
And he asked me how he can make units better.
I told him the new units are good hardware but bad software. He asked me how he can make the software better... He really don't know the problems and want a end of the problems.
So i make a list. And need u to complete it.
0. The simplest, and most effective answer Release the source code! Make it public. Let the developer community fix the software problems for you. You'll get better solutions AND you'll get them sooner. You will also sell many, many more head units
We need a ROM with ability to root, we need access to recovery so our developers can make the ROM flash, the problem with your software still the same...
1. We want Ok Google without bush button
2. Making Call someone with ok Google
3. We want Google maps but today there are problems with voice output
4. After reboot some apps don't work properly
5. Your Equalizer is not enough. We need more options like car headunits...
Crossover that's seperate per channel HPF, LPF and possible BandPass (Front, Rear, Sub)
We are power users, and audiophile.
6. Chinch output for subwoofer is without function... All China devices still have this problem..
7. Ok Google from any screen
8. Full band equalizers
9. Proper internal amp
10. A real RDS for radio! I really don't know what is exactly the issue with Chinese head units and RDS support, which they claim they have it, but they usually don't. Now we search radio stations on frequency numbers... c'mon! A real and working RDS support is a MUST feature. We want to see radio station names and other RDS data.
11. Software is really the pain of these head units. Now they are just Android tablets in a 2din form-factor. What we need is a car dedicated launcher with 10-foot UI approach that works good with HU dedicated apps like Radio.app.
12.Proper Bluetooth implementation for connection to other devices (keyboards,Joypad,TPMS etc).
13. Color changeable buttons
14. Buttons and sterling wheel custom remap (hold, press, dubble press)
15.FM frequency range are from 76 to 95 Mhz since 2014.But most of Chinese HU are still 76 to 90 Mhz.
16.ability to control which apps gets killed on power off and which app will auto start on ignition.
I know there are much more problems... But he asked me, because I'm from Germany and i can speak 4 different languages (English,German,Turkish,arabic) all of them not god enough haha.
I'm the wrong person and i don't want forget something important.
I really don't know why he chooses me... My English ist bad. But he did. And that's it. now it's in our hands. To make it right. now he wants a list. A buketlist
How can we make u happy explicitly the developers!
To carry on supporting the older units like mtcb/c
Android units that can control iPods such as the normal head units with the "Made for iPod" logo.
Reading external hard drives of large capacity
Single din head units that don't look like something out of the movie Tron.
Full band equalizers
Proper internal amp
Voice commands such as those in Parrot Asteroid Smart.
Quality microphone. I have a somewhat noisy car (louder exhaust) and call quality is sub-par to what I was getting with a prior JVC unit.
What do i want?
A brand cpu like a Snapdragon 821 (it contains wifi AC 2.5/5.0 GHZ, LTE 4G+ modem, Spectra Camera ISP for car dashcam and so on...) 4gb mem, 32 or 64 gb SLC Nand, Burr Brown or Wolfson or Cirrus audio dac, high sensitive FM and DAB+ receiver from NXP, in sun readable OLED screen, voice control, and a pure Android shell like the pixel and root so people with Android skills can make this device better.
I know, this unit will be expensive and maybe overkill, but the advantage is that these are very good brand parts with driver support from factory, and that you can have this device for years instead to upgrade it after 2 year, if the producer follow the Android OS updates (for example, from Android 6 to 7 or 8) this device is strong enough to make such upgrade for some years.
Wich company have the nerve to make such device?
Flemischguy said:
What do i want?
A brand cpu like a Snapdragon 821 (it contains wifi AC 2.5/5.0 GHZ, LTE 4G+ modem, Spectra Camera ISP for car dashcam and so on...) 4gb mem, 32 or 64 gb SLC Nand, Burr Brown or Wolfson or Cirrus audio dac, high sensitive FM and DAB+ receiver from NXP, in sun readable OLED screen, voice control, and a pure Android shell like the pixel and root so people with Android skills can make this device better.
I know, this unit will be expensive and maybe overkill, but the advantage is that these are very good brand parts with driver support from factory, and that you can have this device for years instead to upgrade it after 2 year, if the producer follow the Android OS updates (for example, from Android 6 to 7 or 8) this device is strong enough to make such upgrade for some years.
Wich company have the nerve to make such device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be epic, but 99% of china stuff won't ever get that. Cost would be too high and they wouldn't move units in masses like they do now
Would it be possible to use an external battery to keep the hu in sleep mode instead of car battery? Like those 10 000mah cheap ones.
Good quality radio chip.
Rear camera on start.
Old snapdragon models, probably better than the cpu they use and cheap.
At least 64gb for app storage.
3gb of ram would be nice.
Real dvd player not like the mercedes special Joying HU...
Thats about it and it's a perfect unit for 2017 I guess^^
And yes I'd rather pay a few more and get a good headunit. I dont plan to change my hu evey two years like I do with smartphones.
Android auto. And Apple CarPlay. Let our phones do all the hard work.
kaderekusen said:
Guys. I have a really good contact to a manufacturer
And he asked me how he can make units better....
...How can we make u happy explicitly the developers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The simplest, and most effective answer to your question is this: release the source code! Make it public. Let the developer community fix the software problems for you. You'll get better solutions AND you'll get them sooner. You will also sell many, many more head units.
I may sound cynical, but I don't think you will find a Chinese supplier who understands what is needed to deliver the quality we are looking for, even if you tell them 10 times. I honestly think they don't understand any of the complaints on this forum. These guys are very creative in producing large numbers against very low cost, at the cost of serious quality assurance. They never look beyond their next sale, brand loyalty is a concept unknown to them.
Are they incapable of delivering what we would like? No, of course not. 90% of the equipment we use in everyday life was produced in China. It's just that companies like Sony, Kenwood, etc take the entire design process in their own hands, define their own QA-protocols and have their own people on site checking before batches leave the factory. In the end they have the purchasing power to kick out any supplier that doesn't perform. For this to change will take at least another generation, maybe even more. So unless somebody in another part of the world takes matters in his own hands and has units produced to his specs, I don't think much will change in the near future.
That being said, the software is the worst part of the system. As dhmsjs said, release that to the public and they will make it much better.
Apart from that:
- Carkit on Parrot-level;
- Quality DAC for the pre-out and amplifier section;
- Proper aftersales and parts-supply (if something breaks down now, with most suppliers you can throw away the entire unit, although issues can often easily be solved by simply providing a new button or board)
But then again, they mostly compete on pricing. The items mentioned above have the BOM rise and they think we are not willing to pay for that.
Ok he is here and read all your wishes
A real RDS for radio! I really don't know what is exactly the issue with Chinese head units and RDS support, which they claim they have it, but they usually don't. Now we search radio stations on frequency numbers... c'mon! A real and working RDS support is a MUST feature. We want to see radio station names and other RDS data.
Software is really the pain of these head units. Now they are just Android tablets in a 2din form-factor. What we need is a car dedicated launcher with 10-foot UI approach that works good with HU dedicated apps like Radio.app.
Agree with more focus on Audio quality/DAC and control - EQ, time alignment etc or at least full support for USB DAC including the ability to route radio and Bluetooth through it. Proper Bluetooth implementation for connection to other devices (keyboards,Joypad,TPMS etc).
Community engagement on XDA, there are effectively free software developers sat here waiting to help.
Always on OK Google with voice feedback.
Better Radio app with full RDS support, a lot of these units don't even display the station name. RDS is very prevalent in Europe and not having it feels like using a radio form the 70's
Ability to change the function of hardware buttons on the unit.
In my country(Japan) FM frequency range are from 76 to 95 Mhz since 2014.But most of Chinese HU are still 76 to 90 Mhz.I think this problem are easy to fix with the MCU update.Make it public the source code please!
ability to control which apps gets killed on power off and which app will auto start on ignition.
full bluetooth function
better dash fit
better steering wheel button control/remapping ability
Better EQ, Crossover that's seperate per channel HPF, LPF and possible BandPass (Front, Rear, Sub) 2GB or better ram. Open Source Support for custom rom/recovery. Strong RCA Voltage Outputs, Possibly 4V. Better Cases/Buttons etc. thats all I can think of for now.
Open Source as previously mentioned, best way to get devs like me to help you for free.
Super simple rooting
Android Auto installed by default (not the mirror link).
OK Google always on (as mentioned previously)
Actually just having Android Auto would be fantastic, I have several cars most with factory navs, so when I get into those I immediately use android auto. I want the same for my car except on long road trips then I'll setup a mobile hotspot and use the much more full featured system. But for daily driving, I get into my car set google maps (with traffic alerts) and take the quickest path to work.
the ultimate would be if it is possible to have a HUD screen output for Navigation and Speedometer utilising OBD data for speedometer. Or even to the extend of Navdy style HUD.
mishoboss said:
A real RDS for radio! I really don't know what is exactly the issue with Chinese head units and RDS support, which they claim they have it, but they usually don't. Now we search radio stations on frequency numbers... c'mon! A real and working RDS support is a MUST feature. We want to see radio station names and other RDS data.
as i know ,many Chinese head unit can display the station name ,the radio chip NXP TEF6686 can support display the name . maybe you did not click the PTY ?
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Click to collapse
peterchan2003 said:
as i know ,many Chinese head unit can display the station name ,the radio chip NXP TEF6686 can support display the name . maybe you did not click the PTY ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many fields of Rds data. Should be able to display: PS, Pty, & RT at minimum. Pty should adjust to region.

Hello from Michigan

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

Can Anyone ID this E46 Unit?

*picture removed - its a Chinese "OEM" looking unit with a purple IR dot bottom right*
Bought an M3 last week and it had this unit in it.
I've not really got a clue how to use it to It's strength though.
I've currently got my phone hotspot turned on 24/7 as I can't see a way of having it come on when it connects to the car.
The launcher in that picture is a pain as the radio app is junk. I can't tune any FM stations other than Radio 2 and 4. Is there an app that can tune actual FM radio rather than Internet radio that's fit for a car?
I've been playing around with a launcher called Agama tonight which allows me to control what apps open from the touch screen, if I can get a proper FM tuner, can it be mapped to the hard button?
I'm sure I'll have more questions so get used to the sight of me and sorry in advance.
Edit: can't post the picture until I've got 10 posts. Hoping some of you more familiar with these types of head units can help.
Without a picture, it's really hard to say what unit it is, but it is possibly one of the Eonon or Xtrons units, take a look at their websites and see if you can ID the unit. Also, take a look in Settings->About Machine and tell us what info is in there, including the firmware version and MCU type/version, which will help in id-ing the unit and giving advice on how to progress.
If it's not too old, then you may be able to install a custom ROM to get it up to date (easy to do). There are other Radio apps that you can use, but setting them as the default can be a pain, I'm not 100% sure but I think you will need a custom ROM to be able to achieve this.
I reckon you might have it with Xtrons based on the button pattern.
Top left down is Navi, Band, Menu, Mode
Some in Google images have different buttons such as home (which the menu seems to do in mine)
I couldn't tell anything of use from the settings but I recall it has android 9 so it can't be that old. It's in better condition that the rest of the interior that's for sure.
I have two female USB's sticking out from under the steering column. What might they be for?
Can anyone recommend a proper tuner app for the radio that uses actual FM radio rather than the Internet?
Thanks for looking.
Another question, do these Chinese units have a sub output?
I don't have HK in the car so looking for a little extra bass.
So I went the medieval route to identifying the unit - I pulled it out and had a look.
The only markings to give it away was a huge "hizpo" sticker on the side. Google/ebay search found this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-DAB-An...071044?hash=item5b72aea104:g:R4sAAOSwxMFemRw5
Although that is Android 10 and mine is 9
Looks like a piece of junk tbh. Is it worse junk than it's simular Eonon and Xtron counterparts?
I've been left with the bare minimum wiring at the back. None of the audio/visual in/outputs are there. The GPS antenna is just a stubby on the back of the unit, there's nothing for DAB.
What do we think, junk it and replace it or try and get the right ancillaries?
I was thinking of a small sub and amp and a reverse camera and would like DAB which are all out at the moment..
Hi Matt,
most do not come with DAB+ but you get a usb dongle and install an app, DAB-Z is very good,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3031914365...SWq6_GyD1IyftEY8s3tRj4-ntcgqxfuxoCnX4QAvD_BwE
some of these units are poor, so can be very good. Little hard to tell without the full details of your unit, and if you dont have all the wiring for your sub etc, then its down to you if you replace it or not
RossMacgill said:
Hi Matt,
most do not come with DAB+ but you get a usb dongle and install an app, DAB-Z is very good,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3031914365...SWq6_GyD1IyftEY8s3tRj4-ntcgqxfuxoCnX4QAvD_BwE
some of these units are poor, so can be very good. Little hard to tell without the full details of your unit, and if you dont have all the wiring for your sub etc, then its down to you if you replace it or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are the wiring harnesses the same across the units that all look the same?
I ask that with a small hope I could buy just the harness but I can't find Eonon or Xtrons sell them on their own.
If you were to recommend the better units, what ones would you say? Has to be from the OEM look selection. Don't like naff looking screens sticking out of the dash.
I keep looking back to the Avin Avant 4 which is much closer to the OEM look with the button layout and has a lot of extra's, one of which is the ibus interface. You seem to be able to access the cars computers like NCS and do basic coding, show the PDC radar and potentially show navigations cues on the binnacle,.
That appears to be a 3rd party gadget I could add to this unit if I wanted to but not sure this one is worth it.
I will say I found an option in the equaliser "loud" that has made a vast improvement to the audio. but it still feels like it needs a sub.
Matt_Android said:
Are the wiring harnesses the same across the units that all look the same?
I ask that with a small hope I could buy just the harness but I can't find Eonon or Xtrons sell them on their own.
If you were to recommend the better units, what ones would you say? Has to be from the OEM look selection. Don't like naff looking screens sticking out of the dash.
I keep looking back to the Avin Avant 4 which is much closer to the OEM look with the button layout and has a lot of extra's, one of which is the ibus interface. You seem to be able to access the cars computers like NCS and do basic coding, show the PDC radar and potentially show navigations cues on the binnacle,.
That appears to be a 3rd party gadget I could add to this unit if I wanted to but not sure this one is worth it.
I will say I found an option in the equaliser "loud" that has made a vast improvement to the audio. but it still feels like it needs a sub.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the wiring is different on them, so your better off replacing the unit. Eonon and Xtrons have a good following and also dev's playing around with bits, so it would be a good route to go down, but dont hold me to that if it goes wrong haha, also PX6 should be good units, so another safer bet
Sorry, I am a complete noob here and have noticed this in the various different sites selling them - PX6? What is that, is it just the chip in the same vein as a snapdragon for instance?
Th Avant one comes in either PX30 or PX6 - other than the RAM and the storage, what's the benefit of the PX6? Process/bootup speed?
Matt_Android said:
Sorry, I am a complete noob here and have noticed this in the various different sites selling them - PX6? What is that, is it just the chip in the same vein as a snapdragon for instance?
Th Avant one comes in either PX30 or PX6 - other than the RAM and the storage, what's the benefit of the PX6? Process/bootup speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rockchip is a manufacturer of SoCs (Systems on a chip), they make a range of general-purpose SoCs (eg RK3399). The PX6 is a SoC based on their RK3399 specifically tailored towards android head units. PX6 is the latest, it is a 6 core processor. The PX5 (based on RK3368) is the previous version, it is an 8 core processor. I don't know much about PX30, I believe it is older than PX5. PX6 is faster in most benchmarks despite having fewer processor cores. For the small-screen in-dash units, you probably want to look at Xtrons or Avin, they both have relatively good reputations
I have one of the 9" screen units in my E39 (very similar dash to the E46) and to my eyes, it just looks like it is meant to be there. It's not a perfect fit, but it is very close. But the extra screen real estate makes it more than worth the trade-off imho.
I only noticed today (because I was watching a YouTube video of one being installed) the Avant 4 has no disc drive at all. I rarely use discs, granted, but not sure I'm ready to sacrifice the option altogether.

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