Android Head Units

[The_Hawk]

While looking around this morning I saw this:
6 2"Double DIN CAR DVD Player Android Wifi 3G GPS NAV BT IN Dash Free Camera | eBay

An interesting looking little unit and while I know nothing about these units, the concept looks very interesting and I'm sure there would be a whole range of similar products.

Built in radio, CD/DVD, Bluetooth, camera input, WiFi, GPS for Nav, iPod support, steering wheel control support... and android apps for things like Torque Pro or Dash Command... Now that makes it look like a brilliant alternative.

My only question is if it's too complicated to pass the Wife/Mother/Grandmother test? (the age old, is it simple enough that your mother could use it without hating it?)

At $399 I'm tempted to buy one just to play with it and see what it does...
Anyone tried something like this?


edit: Seems to be lots of alternatives:

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xdouble+din+android&_nkw=double+din+android&_sacat=0&_from=R40

it even looks like there is a model designed to fit VW specifically:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Passat-Golf-Double-Din-8-Android-4-0-Car-DVD-Player-GPS-3G-WiFi-Radio-RDS-/161102055566?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25826e488e&_uhb=1

[Transporter]

They've been around for a while and I was always tempted to buy one, but at the same time was thinking; give it a bit more time or the $400 could go towards the purchase of "a proper" unit.
I've not seen one fitted yet in the customer's car, so unfortunately I don't have any feedback.

[cheddo7]

Check out my Android WIP thread - the model I am looking to purchase is dual core, much better GPU and running newer version of Android. Have asked the seller about stock of CanBus and the OBD2 adapter.

[The_Hawk]

In the Van we have a Pioneer AVIC unit which supplies Bluetooth, iPod, Nav as well as reversing camera and while the nav leaves a lot to be desired feature wise, there is little benefit in upgrading since it works well. That said it's probably a basic camera which can be re-used with one of these Android units which makes it a little easier and means I don't loose the camera or have the task of replacing it. Given we don't have steering wheel controls it doesn't matter what works and doesn't...

The Cabriolet has factory bluetooth and MDI along with DIY installs of the factory reversing camera and RNS510. Again there is little benefit for me other than improved NAV options and Torque Pro/Dash Command etc etc being right there in the dash... which would be awesome. Extra gauges FTW!!

I'm not sure how you go getting the factory camera working with one of these, but then I'm sure it's possible (or at least easy to install an alternative).

...now if I could get DAB+ as well it might just be worth the effort.

[Sunny43.5]

Yes I have fitted many of these not only to 5 different VW's but also into a Toyota Hi Ace and a Mazda and a Sanyong . They all came from the same supplier as I believe they are listening to feed back I have given them .The latest two were into a VW Transporter T5.1 the newest model and a VW Tiguan for one of my sunroof customers this one had the steering wheel controls and it worked out of the box with no VW coding needed either !Even the factory fitted reverse sensors showed up on the screen shows a silhouette of the car . I will point out that it does take a lot of learning if you are not tech savvy , most of the units main features are fairly straight forward to accomplish .
The only two functions which can be a bit awkward to accomplish were the tuning of the Digital TV as you have to go through several sub menus in the setup of the TV to get the local area once its done no need to do it again . Now the navigation is a minefield don't get me wrong it works so bloody good it will leave the factory VW stuff for dead I am sure . The latest one I fitted I copied the SD card with GPS software preloaded and then loaded it into mine which was a previous version GPS . WOW what a difference to be quite honest the older one was easier to use but after the first week I am getting used to this one , fixed speed cameras are fairly up to date here in Qld at least . When you enter a speed camera area the music volume will drop slightly and a warning sound and a camera icon will appear in the LH lower corner what I have learnt is that if you want to cancel the warning you just tap the icon shown in the corner . Same applies for school zones red light cameras and known traffic black spot intersections .
One really neat one was the other day when driving to a customers house out in the western suburbs through some bush area a kangaroo symbol popped up in the corner like I said wow so much info it continues to work even in the two underground tunnels here in Brisbane . I bought mine from this mob they have an office in Sydney now but are based in China so if you have a problem it can be dealt with locally vw items - Get great deals on Special Car DVD Player, Promotion Items items on eBay Stores!

[The_Hawk]

Why do they have digital TV but no Digital Radio? Is that too much to ask?

[Guest001]

Possibly because digital TV is similar in most countries but Australia is one of the few that use DAB+ so hardly worth their while producing a low run just for us.

[The_Hawk]

Fair comment, but I haven't seen a DAB unit either

In either case I take your point and am not holding my breath.

[Guest001]

Fair comment, but I haven't seen a DAB unit either

In either case I take your point and am not holding my breath.

Going on the experience I have had with an expensive SONY Dab radio at home I would think the reception would be pretty patchy at best.

In our house it cuts out at times depending where someone is standing or moving in the room. The one in the bedroom will cut out sometimes depending how I lie in bed LOL

[Sunny43.5]

Agree with Hilbilly DAB coverage is only available in capitol cities so far and at best its line of sight so in Brisbane 32 kms is about the best and sometimes as close as 15 k is the best you will get . Don't even think about having any kind of electrical appliance nearby as it wipes out reception . I have had several DAB radios in the back of my van for when parked only a Sangean worked the best so far but if I put my rechargeable cordless battery on charge bang reception is gone . In a moving vehicle with buildings etc don't even go there , apparently you can buy a decoder which retransmits the digital signal via you existing FM radio but as you move around the city you have to continuously retune it . As usual we here in Australia are saddled with the worst system known , you would think that the Government would look at what is being done overseas before just settling on one type IDIOTS . But there are several of the main stream manufacturers are making aftermarket DAB for cars now , and even some car makers are fitting them now as well but very limited so far . Here is an article I lifted from the Digital radio website .

{Digital radio is available as standard in the Toyota Camry Atara SL, Hybrid HL and Aurion V6 Presara, Lexus GS, Rx and Lx ranges, Mercedes full range, Ford Kuga, Hino 300, 500 and 700 series and Isuzu trucks. BMW, Audi, Landrover and Jaguar also offer DAB+ as an option in some new car models. A range of aftermarket radios from Alpine, JVC, Kenwood, Orion, Pioneer, Sony and Pure that can be self installed or professionally fitted are also available for vehicles. Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) continues to work with the car industry to have DAB+ digital radios factory fitted in all cars. }

[The_Hawk]

I've got two digital radios, both of them "Bush" Brand.

Originally I was just looking for a portable radio to use at the drive in (FM Reception), but when I saw the DAB+ in this unit I snapped it up. Reception is great with very few drop outs, although it is using a pretty large antenna. When used it has been sitting on the TV cabinet so near lots and lots of electronic stuff and it’s worked great.



Last year I was looking for a portable unit to take to the footy for the live coverage. This time around I was looking for DAB+ and this was one of the very few units available. As it turns out the small delay in digital is useless for the footy so I ended up only using the FM while at the game, but DAB+ everywhere else. On the train on the way to the game the reception is almost passable although unlike FM which fades out and goes crackly digital just stops when reception is lost. Bridges and tunnels are terrible, although it’s worth noting that switching to FM doesn’t really make reception much better but I will say the static fade out is far more pleasant than the audio just cutting in and out.





But to the point, I’d be very interested to hear from anyone running a proper in-car DAB+ unit on how well (or not) they work.

[cheddo7]

A heap of new VW Android models here:
Specialties DVD Player - Tradesolution HK Ltd.

Bugger I've already purchased a 7", would've liked a dual core 8"....

[daveaus]

I've been running this one for about 4 months and Im pretty happy with it:

IN Dash CAR Head Unit CPU 1GHz Pure Android 3G Wifi GPS DVD F VW Passat Golf | eBay

Only major issues are you have to put up with 20-30seconds of silence while it boots and the mic for the bluetooth is useless. There is a big thread on xda developers about this unit.