Aftermarket headunit from China

[Joeyjoejoe]

Hey All,

Got my new VW Polo 77TSI a few weeks back, with just stock options as I didn't want to wait. So far I've got the windows tinted @ 35%.
I've ordered this touchscreen headunit from china to replace the crappy stock one:
China Car Audio site

Hopefully all goes well with the installation as its has these options:

DVD Video Player with Bluetooth+A2DP,Canbus Box, GPS Navigation (supports multiple map apps, its Windows CE!), Dual Zone Function, Digital Touchscreen, Radio, Audio Stereo player, Ipod, Reverse Camera.
◆ Original Factory Panel Design, Original Harness and Plug Compatibility
◆ Original Steering Wheel Compatibility
◆ Supports Original Small Monitor Display

So hopefully all goes well with the integration and I can get all the buttons on the steeringwheel working. Think I will have to get a professional to install the Rear camera and Gps antenna.


Anyone got any tips on getting the factory headunit out? I haven't been able to find a service manual for this car (don't think it exists)



Heres what the headunit looks like on the front. I'm still waiting for it to arrive (it just passed customs so cant be far) I'll send updates to this thread once i get it all in and working *fingers crossed* hope it works
Have ordered a 32Gb Compact flash card for maps/music/vids. A Class 10 (20Mb/s Read) one for $49 AUD At PC Casegear
Only other thing i want to upgrade is my wheels from the stock 15" to 17"s but I think that can wait until I've worn these tires down a bit. Think I'll get them from that place I see often recommended in these forums: Tempe Tires

[m3103]

Mate I'm sorry to have to tell you this but my mate bought a similar head unit for his mk6 gOlf and it was absolute crap. Gps barely worked, the screen layout was confusing and didn't look oem at all. I'd recommend you get an oem product. You can get them off eBay for about a grand. Or less if your lucky. A lot of people have given good reviews on those ones.
I you'd like a link let me know and I'll link you.
But it says you've already bought it so I guess it's too late. But I hope That this one works for you mate.

[GTI JOE]

This headunit looks pretty cool. Does it come with the rear camera, gps antenna? and what maps will it have?..Australian I hope
Please keep us updated on the installation. I remember reading on another thread on the Polo forum about someone installing a bluetooth unit and removing the RCD510. It had photos of the installation, it seemed pretty straight forward as I recall.

[Joeyjoejoe]

This headunit looks pretty cool. Does it come with the rear camera, gps antenna? and what maps will it have?..Australian I hope

I'm not sure on what maps its running stock, I got a 2Gb SD card coming with it with preloaded maps, im planning to try both IGo and Tomtom on it as its running Windows Ce 6 its not too hard to mod. Checkout the Aussie Gps forums for more info Windows Ce GPS software with Chinese Head units; Here, unfortunatly you have to sign up for links in it, but still readable for research.
The rear camera costs $30 extra, the SD card $15 can also get Digital tv tuners for the unit. If you buy from that chinese website, better do it in USD, aussie dollars are disproportionate. Oh yeah, its coming with a GPS antenna.

[GTI JOE]

Thanks Joeyjoejoe,
Let us know how you go, how it performs and installation etc.
m3103 mentions a bad experience, however, this unit seems pretty new, maybe they have made it better?

[Gambit]

Yeah look forward to seeing how you go with the install

[Joeyjoejoe]

The Unboxing

Hey all,
Just an update.. the headunit arrived today, looks great! Heres some pics from the unboxing:

It arrived very well packed in a brown box, then in a white box. With the accessories on the sides



The bubbles on the screen is just the screen protector, ill remove it once its installed.


Heres the rearview of the head unit, 2 Usb cables coming from it.

Heres all the accessories, a remote control, a microphone, an Ipod cable, some a/v cables and connectors, GPS antenna, and the Manual. The SD card was already in the Headunit slot for it.

The SD card that came with it was a 4Gb class 4 SD card, instead of the 2Gb sized one expected from them ($15 extra, was a checkbox option when buying it, I just wanted what it was preloaded with)
I've checked out the contents of the SD card and it's preloaded with IGo8 and Australia and New Zealand Maps which is awesome, this was my primary choice for Gps apps on this OS, runs the most smooth, so I've read anyway. I can easily just transfer the contents of the SD card, to my new 32Gb SD class 10 Sd card that also arrived today, and use the 4gb one in my camera or something. I am also planning to try out some other gps apps and see what works.


The rear camera installs in the fitting where one of your lights is for the number plate, and so it has a light in it also (i think LED possibly, not sure yet)


I'll give you another update once its installed/being installed.
cheers
JJJ

[ozgti]

I bought one similar and I sent it back. It didn't work with the MFD and was really notchy to use.The graphics were pants too. I tried to live with it for about a week, but my girlfriend and I got the ump and returned it!

Don't throw you boxes/packaging away!

[jaedencook]

I'd be interested to see a video of it in action though... being Windows CE based there would be endless possibilities to performance tuning and GUI enhancements you could have a crack at if you had the patience..

In theory that is...

[Joeyjoejoe]

I'd be interested to see a video of it in action though... being Windows CE based there would be endless possibilities to performance tuning and GUI enhancements you could have a crack at if you had the patience..

In theory that is...

Agreed! So many possibilities with Win CE, and I have tinkered with a few similar devices with the OS, including mobile barcode scanners and such, so I have a little background knowledge tinkering, and know a few people with more exp.
I've booked the install for tomorrow with Frankies Auto Electrics the quote was roughly for $180, but may be more depending on how fiddly it turns out to be. I'll be sure to make some vids and better quality pictures once its installed and post it here to demo its performance.
Below is the Hardware specs of the unit, which I think is more than enough grunt to drive mainly for me some sort of GPS app and music.
Also as it has a video out cable (for headrest 2ndary monitors x2), might get one of them wired so i can access it.. and then park somewhere and hookup my Pico projector.. I could have drive in movies anywhere with a blank wall.
Here's the Hardware
◆SiRF Prima 600Mhz CPU,Powerful ARM 11 architecture,300Mhz DSP,faster speed,higher performance
◆Support 3D Hardware Acceleration:HD 3D graphics for real 3D map
◆High-Speed USB2.0:480Mbps
◆2USB Port,Charge to mobile phone
◆DDR RAM:128MB DDR-400MHz(two times than it's competitor)

So yeah, fingers crossed it all goes well tomorrow. Ill give you another update tomorrow night.
Cheers,
JJJ

[GTI JOE]

Thanks Joeyjoejoe, looking very much forward to the report. Hope all goes well man

[Joeyjoejoe]

Bad new guys... they installed all the wiring and such, but then discovered the head unit was dead on arrival, they could not get it to power up at all. unit came with 1 yr warrenty, so im going to send it back to china shortly to have it replaced. Still got charged $212 for the time. But the GPS ant, Mic and Wiring for the reverse cam are all in, so it will be cheap to have the unit put in once its replaced.

[GTI JOE]

Sorry to hear that dude Hope all goes well with the exchange, keep us posted!

[Joeyjoejoe]

All right, the exchange is all sorted out, finally arrived back from China. I've booked the Install for Monday 23/5. In the meantime.. I've also bought a Boss BASS1500 10" low profile Car Amplified Subwoofer off Ebay for $230 Aud:
I've already checked and it wont fit under the seats, but I plan to have it installed in the very lowest section of the boot and the lid should fit over the top without issues, I'm going to cut a hole in the boot lid and put some sort of grill to allow sound through it but not dropping stuff onto the bass cone. (like when there is shopping in the boot ect) So I'm going to get the Sub/Amp installed on Monday at the same time. Wish me luck! I'll post pics / vids when it is finally done and this multi-month long saga concludes.

[noone]

Good luck mate, a no-name head unit, boss powered low form sub, don't expect too much improvement.