Database Users

Are there any Chinese HU's without any problems?

Wow, just when you think you've found a headunit that is perfect, what happens instead? You read some reviews that are written after the user owned it for a short amount of time, and then you discover the problems.
Is there an Android HU that gets good FM/AM reception? Doesn't need to be rebooted? Won't disappoint? I previously got burned on a cheaper model and don't want to repeat that again. Hell - I could have just gotten a Kenwood and avoided all the headache and a $195 install job.

Hi,
I think that depends on your definition of "problems". My definition of a real problem is when there is no solotion on xda developers
OK, first I would recommend that you buy a head unit that was made for your car brand and model if available. I own a 2013 Skoda Rapid (similar to VW Polo / Golf, no "dirty" jokes please lol) and bought a VW specific model ("Autopumpkin" (reseller) 2 DIN for VW, RK3066 processor with Android 4.4.4 @ 800x480px, firmware is KLD2).
Installation: Plug in the quad lock CAN bus and the head unit was ready. Nothing else to do.
AM/FM:
In some cases, your car antenna needs +12V power to work properly. My head unit has a "phantom power adapter" (don't know if this is the right word in english). If you don't connect +12V to antenna, the reception is awful, I only received 4 stations with poor quality. Once the pantom power was connected (in my special case, I also needed a FAKRA adapter to connect the head unit with the car antenna since the plugs from the head unit didn't fit in the car connector), I received 18 stations (more can't be saved) on 88-95MHz (band goes from 88-108 here) using auto scan mode.
"Doesn't need to be rebooted":
I don't know exactly what you mean, would you like to specify that? The head unit can't be always on due to the high power consumption which would kill the battery very fast. Boot time is about 20-30 seconds but it remains about 5 minutes in standby if you pull out the ignition key.
Sound quality:
If sound quality is as important for you as for me, you MAYBE have a problem with those cheap head units but that also depends on what you like to do and to what kind of music you do listen.
On FM, sound quality doesn't matter for me because I use FM only for traffic announcements and news / documentary). The built in EQ is not the best one, at first I was thinking about to send the unit back because of the bad quality. After some days, I tried Poweramp with it's EQ and the difference was HUGE. Sounds better that the original car radio. Later, I tried Viper4Android (EQ app) since the Poweramp EQ only works for Poweramp and I thoght better radio sound quality would not be bad, but AFAIK AM/FM (and Bluetooth) sound output is not processed in Android what means only the build in EQ can influence the sound quality of that parts.
Traffic announcement (TA):
But one thing about TA feature does really drives me crazy: If you have enabled TA and the radio app detects traffic announcements (what happens also if the radio is in "background" respectively not explicit opened), a "modal popup" appears and you can't do anything (you can't skip TA or switch to another app) but vol up / down or disable TA with the "Close" button at all what means that you have to go to the radio app and enable TA again manually.
Bluetooth:
Bluetooth works much better than expected. If I get into the car in the morning, my phone (Sony Xperia Z2 with stock rom) connects with the head unit in seconds. If I press the "Play" button in the head unit's bluetooth app, it almost instantly continues playing my Spotify playlist from the phone (Spotify app doesn't work on my head unit, don't know why...).
3G / Wifi:
About 3G: Sometimes the HU loses connection because the power supplied by the USB ports is not enough. In that case, I have to power off and on the unit again (but "soft" reboot, done in seconds). Wifi (if you use your smartphone as hotspot with teathering) does work very well but not on distances over approx. 10 meters.
About GPS:
The GPS signal fixes very, VERY fast (2-5 seconds, but thats maybe because Android fixes the signal at boot time) and the supplied navigation app (iGO Primo) can calculate a route from south germany to a random forrest in Poland (I tapped on a random place on the map) approximately 1500km away in less than 10 seconds.
Dual way CAN bus:
Does work with my car, I can control radio stations via the buttons of my on-board computer / MFD (Multi Function Display as called by VW, my car doesn't have SWC) and the MFD shows the station frequency. I can also control the Media Player App (next / prev track, not volume), but only the built in one, not Poweramp.
Conclusion: If there is a HU for your specific brand / model, you should not have as much trouble as if you buy a generic one, especially with installation. You should have at least some basic Android, car and technical knowledge and (most important) the will to play around with your device, try out new apps, firmwares and roms, play with the settings etc... If you want a real plug and play solution, you maybe have to pay 1000€ / $ +. You get what you pay for
I hope my reply was helpful.

Nice Text. So it is.

hippelsepp said:
I hope my reply was helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was, thank you. Which HU do you use?

My question is: Is there an American/Japanese/Anywhere else head unit that can do as much as these Chinese head units??

Looking for infos on Joying Head Unit for my crazy project :)

Hi All,
I'm about to attempt to upgrade my Harley RoadGlide's radio.
REEAALLLY like the fact that it will be a all-in-one solution (GPS/Radio etc)
Here is the plan:
Joying 8.8" 4gb /32gb Android 8 unit
Adaptor for 1 DIN radio ( Harley factory is a off the wall size more like a 1-1/2 DIN )
Module to retain handlebar controls (Works like a steering one)
Marine amp (with the remote power on a manual switch so I can shut the speakers off)
Bluetooth transmitter to send music to headset if needed
Before anybody points out the obvious, yes I know the unit is not marine grade..
This leads me the my first question:
How much heat does the display generate?
I was thinking on taking the bezel off, wrapping the whole back in vinyl up and over the edge of the glass and then putting the bezel back on. This would seal the display part since there is not reset/mic/pwr holes in the glass..
Mating the display with the body will be thru a custom device with seals to prevent water getting in at the connectors.
As for the "main" body it is pretty much protected being in the fairing. I will need a heatsink/fan but I think it will be ok.
Now on the operational question:
Can a bluetooth headset be connected directly to the unit? (For listening to music)
Any tips/advice?
Anybody ever done this?
Thanks !

Ok.. just ordered the 8.8" single din 4gb model.
Was 25% off. Black Friday sale. What can go wrong ??
Good thing about that model is that it is solid glass.. no reset/mic holes.. should make it easier to weatherproof.
The fun will begin when the unit gets here.
Lots of config/testing to do before I shoehorn that puppy in the bike.
I'll post pics if people are interested.
Been testing a couple of GPS apps on my tablet right now ahead of the integration and so far Sygic and Osmand are the best I found. Following a preplanned route is a must( ie to not deviate from the plan) , so if anybody has insight please point me in the right direction ?
Patiently awaiting the arrival of the unit...

The beast is here!!
Just received my unit ?
Got to say it is very well packaged
Will setup and start the testing soon.
Stoked!!!!!

Update/ Questions
Hi All,
Well.. the testing is going well.
So far i am able to get all my music audio to the Bluetooth headset by using a transmitter connected to the RCA output.
I had to use an external USB power for the dongle because the transmitter is "recognized" as a USB keyboard by Joying
I am using the soft button on the unit to turn the amp on/off when I want to use the headset.
I am able to use ZLink as well to connect the phone to the unit.
To have the headset capability for phone, I need to have the headset paired with the headset first.
Then I connect the phone to the unit using ZLink/Android Auto on 1 USB input
I can use the radio's display to control the phone and make calls.
All audio/mic is done by the headset. Yeah!
Only 1 problem.. The Joying keeps on wanting to connect Bluetooth to the phone.. Pops a request every so often..
Any way of turning this off? Only happens when Zlink is active...
If I connect the radio to the phone, it kicks the headset off...
Any way to disable Bluetooth entirely on the unit?
Unit is now rooted and I have installed JET.
Waiting for my handlebar controls converter in order to test "steering" functions.
Cheers!

Junior_1967 said:
Any way to disable Bluetooth entirely on the unit?
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Click to collapse
Can't you do that from the settings? Simply switch off Bluetooth?
Or is that when Joying keeps nagging to switch on Bluetooth? ("wanting to connect" can mean to connect because BT is active, or first wanting to switch it on and then connect)

I tried..
The Zlink app automatically turns bluetooth on I believe.
The bluetooth is off in my Joying settings.
It only happens when the Zlink window is "active"
So when I first connect I press cancel on my phone when the request comes in.
All good until I minimize the windows then re-activate it. Then another request comes in from the Joying unit...
I tried to disable the bluetooth in the app settings and Zlink refuses to open.
There is no "access to bluetooth" in the Zlink app settings..
Really more of an annoyance then anything else as I can just cancel the request...
Would really be nice to have some decent bluetooth settings on the unit to be able to connect any devices or change settings.
Or have some ZLink settings to not start bluetooth on demand since it's already been taken care of by the headset...
Thanks for the suggestion
Cheers,

Problem solved! Android Auto using headset instead of Radio for audio
Hi have solved the problem of Bluetooth wanting to connect all the time.
Solution: First time the popup comes in on the phone when connecting USB to the radio (I used Headunit Reloaded but ZLink should be the same), accept and enter proper password (0000)
Once connected, on the phone Bluetooth settings change Joying Radio to No Phone, No Media.
The next time it will not ask to connect and won't kick out the other Bluetooth (Headset)
Android Auto has to be in developers mode to not care which Bluetooth it is using:
To enable it, open the Android Auto app on your phone and choose About from the left menu. Tap the About Android Auto header text about 10 times and you'll see a prompt to enable developer options. Accept it, then hit the three-dot Menu button and choose Developer settings-> Application mode "Developer"
On to the next challenge!
Cheers!

This sounds interesting. Any pics on the install?

Yes pics please, what are doing are weather proofing the head unit or are you a fair weather rider

Android auto style wired connection to generic android head unit (BT and USB tether)

Hi,
I have bought a generic android head unit (brand coho) with android 9.0 from aliexpress. My kia sorento has android auto enabled but the screen is 7" and resistive. Navigating waze is a slight challenge. So I bought a generic brand with working canbus, and the car usb connection to the player work.
When I plug in the phone to the usb of the car, a file manager comes up. Is it possible to setup the phone to function when connecting android auto based unit. Where the:
1. USB wired connection gets enabled so that the unit can connect to the Internet,
2. Bluetooth turns on so that I can make calls from the car.
3. Contacts get updated to the head unit.
4. Music can be played to the head unit
5. Navigation which was set on the phone gets displayed or remembered by the android player.
Possible?

As far as we know. There is no unit that supports thether over usb and Bluetooth.

Ok. Thanks

mystvearn said:
Hi,
I have bought a generic android head unit (brand coho) with android 9.0 from aliexpress. My kia sorento has android auto enabled but the screen is 7" and resistive. Navigating waze is a slight challenge. So I bought a generic brand with working canbus, and the car usb connection to the player work.
When I plug in the phone to the usb of the car, a file manager comes up. Is it possible to setup the phone to function when connecting android auto based unit. Where the:
1. USB wired connection gets enabled so that the unit can connect to the Internet,
2. Bluetooth turns on so that I can make calls from the car.
3. Contacts get updated to the head unit.
4. Music can be played to the head unit
5. Navigation which was set on the phone gets displayed or remembered by the android player.
Possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out Headunit Reloaded here on XDA and the Google Play store.

Head unit write up for E61 bmw

So I purchased this head unit
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-8-NAVI...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
i also picked up the dab and the carplay/android auto dongle(this is a must other wise it is mirroring and that does not allow touch control on screen or allow you to lock your phone like aa does)
The fitting was easy and all plug and play (did not fit the camera yet)
So how did it peform?
When they supplied the head unit the software which was needed to use the android auto was not installed(link which was cam up with not licensed) and way installed AutoPlayBox and connected fine and works a treat
Good points
Andoid auto works just plug in phone and after a short 30 secs delay the HU boots fine and goes into AA quite quickly.
The android seem quick and not laggy
There is a EQ on the HU but if you turn it up to far it distorts all the audio really badly. but turned up to 4-6 it plays very well with lots of presets.
talks to can bus so you can see your speed / rev / mpg etc etc#
Can get back to the bmw main menu really easy and back to android
Wish i had not bought the dab receiver as i am playing via tuned in or amazon music through AA
Now here are the bad points(NOW BE AWARE I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE DEVICE WHEN RUNNING ANDROID AUTO IT WORKS VERY WELL)
Bad points
DID NOT COME WITH ANY INSTRUCTIONS IN THE BOX , HAD TO GO FIND THEM ONLINE
the dab app is terrible it plays but you press back or try and start another app with audio ie maps , and it crashes
If selecting navigation from the main menu it kept minimizing all the time (seems to have stopped today so fingers crossed).
the music app built into to interface is lets say terrible, cannot find a way play play lists , stop and start the music etc etc.
The device some time starts with the bmw screen instead on the android screen(no brainer to swop it back over ) just a pain
the wifi on the device is truly bad, sat in the car with my phone on my knee , my phone gets 4 bars , the head unit cannot even get a signal, putting my phone on hotspot and sitting it right above the HU is the only way for me to get a wifi signal (but using only android auto from my phone so no great loss)
the gps puck they supply is quite bad ( i use lots of gps pucks for small models) it seems to want to fix and unfix position all time not very good quality i would say
Would i purchase again
yes i would
but would not buy the dab receiver and would not fit the gps on the HU (even though it come with it as a waste if your using carplay or Andoid auto)
its was easy to fit which was good and works well

Hi, can you please provide me the link for the autoplaybox app as I can’t find it online
Thanks

chinese head unit for opel insignia - 8581

Hello, after many month of thinking what to put in my car, I decided not to risk with ones straight from china , even though they have a great design , their prices went quite up. So I bought one from my country which again is Chinese but has 2 years warranty. It has the following specs: Android 11 - octa-core CPU, 4 GB RAM, 64GB ROM, RDS, DSP, CARPLAY . A decent launcher design. After I had it put in my car there are some problems of course...
First of all my dashboard became Chinese , secondly the steering wheel controls don't work. I searched for information and found that I can go in factory settings and change the can bus software or something. I found out I can get in these settings with the password 3368 . And there are many types of CAN BUS settings. Around 5-6 have Opel Insignia . So far I tried 3 and it doesn't work - it doesn't prompt me to reboot but I do it anyway. Also in the navigation "car settings" it just seems like it doesn't talk with the car at all. At least I got to put the Opel logo for boot up animation.
Climate control works from the old knobs , and does not visualize on the screen - this is not really a problem for me but still wonder why doesn't it work. Also i got a OBD II dongle which lights up when i plug it in and the navi Bluetooth finds it , but i cant connect to it - it wants a passcode and 0000,8888,3368 don't work .
Now for what DOES work - the new rearview camera starts when I put it in reverse , but the lines don't bend. Music comes out of the speakers . Blinkers and hazards and chimes have e new bad sounding beep , but at least there is some communication with the car. Sport and Tour buttons work ! The mechanics which put in the new unit took out the whole cd changer , I don't know why and if it was necessary and if it is a problem. Park assist also work and the button but it also has changed chime sounds.
When i contacted the sellers they told me they just sell, and don't know much about installations.. they told me its model is just "8581" not really helpful like the Chinese supports which i expected to avoid.
Any help will be greatly appreciated !! Mainly i want to fix my dashboard to be in English again(when the battery disconnects and the computer resets , it usually goes back in German, never Chinese) And the other thing is to get the steering wheel buttons to work and along with it to have more communication between the car and the navigation unit.

Try reading forums and posting what has been tried, or at least try to figure out what the unit is

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8581 9 Coll Carplay Android 10 4gb Ram Hd Player Car Accessories Headunit Tv Dvd Player Car Stereo Radio Android 9 Inch - Buy Android 9 Inch,10 In 4gb Stereo 2 Din Car Players 9 Inch Android Stereo Player Android 9 Inche Stereo,Single Din Android 10
8581 9 Coll Carplay Android 10 4gb Ram Hd Player Car Accessories Headunit Tv Dvd Player Car Stereo Radio Android 9 Inch - Buy Android 9 Inch,10 In 4gb Stereo 2 Din Car Players 9 Inch Android Stereo Player Android 9 Inche Stereo,Single Din Android 10 9 Inches Android Car Ips Radio Gps Wifi 128 Gb...
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I found those. But it helps me in no way.

The problem was a wrong connection on one of the many cables . Now everything works , and im quite happy with the unit. I dont know in what standby mode it stays but it boots up for seconds, another 5 seconds for the wireless car play and the music starts automatically from Spotify and the maps are ready to navigate. My car leveled up

ivosto said:
The problem was a wrong connection on one of the many cables . Now everything works , and im quite happy with the unit. I dont know in what standby mode it stays but it boots up for seconds, another 5 seconds for the wireless car play and the music starts automatically from Spotify and the maps are ready to navigate. My car leveled up
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Hi mate hope your well I've currently got the same problems you had with my trip going Chinese and steering wheel not working or the heating on the radio any more information would be great cheers

tommytommy1990 said:
Hi mate hope your well I've currently got the same problems you had with my trip going Chinese and steering wheel not working or the heating on the radio any more information would be great cheers
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Hi all, I have same problem can anyone help at all. Thanks in advance