Related
I've been lurking around here for about a month now, just trying to figure out what would work best. I came across Android head units and this forum while searching for something with built-in offline GPS navigation and is compatible with Apple CarPlay but I've now become intrigued by installing apps to the head unit itself.
I'm pretty familiar with Android but head units running Android are quite new to me and I'm frankly a bit overwhelmed. I'm happy to do more reading here and elsewhere, but I have to say I find it very difficult to get much out of the massive threads. I've appreciated the Hui Fei wiki posts but I still feel like there's a bunch I don't know, specifically the pros and cons of the different types of units and where to buy them.
So from what I've been able to find, the best option right now, especially if I want to do any sort of customizing or upgrading down the road (rooting and swapping out processor boards) is to get an MTCE unit, so that's what I've been looking for. I believe the ideal unit is:
Android 8.0+
Octa-Core PX5 (I'm not sure I'm patient enough to wait for the PX6 to actually arrive in units)
2GB+ RAM (preferably 4GB)
32GB+ Storage
IPS Display
Steering wheel control support
I have a 7th Gen Honda Accord (2005) with dual zone automatic climate control. That feature in particular makes it a little more difficult to replace the stock head unit because the climate controls are integrated into it. My options are to get a aftermarket unit that has climate controls built in or to get a dash kit (like the Metra 99-7803) that handles the climate control and just has a double din slot.
My hesitation with a vehicle specific unit is that they seem to be poorly supported, and I can't find a decent US based reseller (I'm not very comfortable with the support and return policies of the sellers on AliExpress I've found so far). Also, it seems to be difficult to find out if a unit is actually a MTCD/E unit before buying it. The downside of a dash kit is that they basically add another $200-$300, the units have smaller displays or stick out a ways from the dash, and they don't look nearly as good.
Are there any limitations of vehicle specific units or generic units that I should be aware of? What would you recommend?
Hello everyone,
I would like to install an android car radio in my 2012 fiesta, not so much for having the color display, the touchscreen or the possibility of seeing videos but to change the main unit and have better sound (I have installed quality speakers, I have soundproofed the doors and installed an amplifier, but there is a background noise, which also increases with the engine revs and having tried with 2 different amplifiers, I have to assume that it is the fault of the car's head unit).
The problem is that Chinese sellers are not very clear about compatibility;
for the fiesta from 2013 onwards there should be no problem, but I have a 2012.
In the past few years I have been looking for an android radio that would display informational messages on the display and allow the car settings to be adjusted (as is done with the original radio), but it was not possible for fiestas from 2008 to 2012.
I would like to keep the vehicle information messages (such as for open doors or climate controls), I would also like the steering wheel and facia dashboard controls to work; if it could also work the bluetooth would be great! (I have a sony car radio, the one with black facia, with usb and bluetooth, no synch).
Among the various I contacted is Witson, but they were unclear and contradictory about compatibility; one employee told me that it is compatible, another told me that it is not compatible.
Even the employees of belsee, jdaston and Ljda have told me that their units are compatible with my car. but I found no reviews about it.
is there someone here on the forum that can help me, maybe someone who has more information or who has installed one?
Thanks
PS
I am attaching the images of my car and radio model (2012 Ford Fiesta, titanium version)
Hello,
I have similar thoughts and installed android head unit to my mk7 facelift fiesta (2013) I'm new on this things but I will try to help.
After the installation of head unit, I still have the information messages for ac and doors, steering wheel and dashboard buttons are still usable(adapted to new system for different functions). My usb and aux port is still working. The system I have has bluetooth, wifi, gps, carplay/android auto(wifi and cable), other apps(play store), rear view camera. Only rear parking sensors not showing on system because they're not car spesific theyre universal parts, I you have original sensors they will also shown in screen. All this compatibility comes from canbus adapters, theyre spesific to car model which comes with head units and it manages all the communication/adaptation with car, So If head unit you looking for is specified for your car, everthing has to be similar in your condition too.
Before I had this unit. My car is fiesta 1.0 ecoboost titanium x , in Turkey it comes with this unit.
After installation, this is my unit ''AC8227L'' 1gb ram and android 6.0 version, exact same design with picture
I did some modding on theme of course and this is how it looks now
I also modded new boot logo with little photoshop
Device details
Car notification example
If you had anything as a question, just let me know
How is the sound quality? I installed a similar item, but 9 inch. Sound quality is really poor compared to factory radio. The OP is having a Sony radio so I think changing it to a chinese android radio would be multiple steps backwards.
thanks for sharing
Opperpanter said:
How is the sound quality? I installed a similar item, but 9 inch. Sound quality is really poor compared to factory radio. The OP is having a Sony radio so I think changing it to a chinese android radio would be multiple steps backwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mostly I use with bluetooth so not sure but. I think factory audi is %10 better than new android unit
cleartdragon said:
Hello,
I have similar thoughts and installed android head unit to my mk7 facelift fiesta (2013) I'm new on this things but I will try to help.
After the installation of head unit, I still have the information messages for ac and doors, steering wheel and dashboard buttons are still usable(adapted to new system for different functions). My usb and aux port is still working. The system I have has bluetooth, wifi, gps, carplay/android auto(wifi and cable), other apps(play store), rear view camera. Only rear parking sensors not showing on system because they're not car spesific theyre universal parts, I you have original sensors they will also shown in screen. All this compatibility comes from canbus adapters, theyre spesific to car model which comes with head units and it manages all the communication/adaptation with car, So If head unit you looking for is specified for your car, everthing has to be similar in your condition too.
Before I had this unit. My car is fiesta 1.0 ecoboost titanium x , in Turkey it comes with this unit.
After installation, this is my unit ''AC8227L'' 1gb ram and android 6.0 version, exact same design with picture
I did some modding on theme of course and this is how it looks now
I also modded new boot logo with little photoshop
Device details
Car notification example
If you had anything as a question, just let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cleartdragon said:
Hello,
I have similar thoughts and installed android head unit to my mk7 facelift fiesta (2013) I'm new on this things but I will try to help.
After the installation of head unit, I still have the information messages for ac and doors, steering wheel and dashboard buttons are still usable(adapted to new system for different functions). My usb and aux port is still working. The system I have has bluetooth, wifi, gps, carplay/android auto(wifi and cable), other apps(play store), rear view camera. Only rear parking sensors not showing on system because they're not car spesific theyre universal parts, I you have original sensors they will also shown in screen. All this compatibility comes from canbus adapters, theyre spesific to car model which comes with head units and it manages all the communication/adaptation with car, So If head unit you looking for is specified for your car, everthing has to be similar in your condition too.
Before I had this unit. My car is fiesta 1.0 ecoboost titanium x , in Turkey it comes with this unit.
After installation, this is my unit ''AC8227L'' 1gb ram and android 6.0 version, exact same design with picture
I did some modding on theme of course and this is how it looks now
I also modded new boot logo with little photoshop
Device details
Car notification example
If you had anything as a question, just let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you buy it
Hi Guys,
I have a Seicane PX5 octa core, 4GB RAM/32GB storage unit installed in my Mitsubishi L200 pickup. Had it for over a year now, and has worked perfectly from day 1, steering wheel keys all good, bluetooth calls, navigation, audio (much better than the stock radio), etc. Got a DAB+ box hooked up, reverse camera, etc. Really happy with it, upgraded to Android 10/latest MCU over the last week, again no problems.
So, why the post ?
There is one issue I had initially. The unit came with one of the can bus decoder boxes that connects to the loom at the back of the stereo. Once fitted and I started driving, I started getting all sorts of warning lights flashing on the dashboard - airbag warnings, engine lights, etc. Reading the OBD codes it was complaining about canbus communication errors. I cleared the codes and disconnected the canbus decoder from the loom. Ever since then, no codes, and the unit works perfectly - including things like the steering wheel controls.
So my question is, should I care that the canbus box caused errors ? Does it actually do anything worthwhile ? I guess it might depend on the vehicle it's installed in. Door Open warning maybe ? Speed sensitive volume adjust (although could use GPS for that) ? I'm just wondering if it's worth trying to get a replacement or just forget about it as it doesn't do much anyway.
Thanks.
Did you get this sorted and was it a dasaita head unit thanks
scottydoguk said:
Did you get this sorted and was it a dasaita head unit thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
scottydog, apologies for not replying to this sooner, I never got a notification that someone had replied to this, and I have had cause today to revisit this issue.
The head unit I wrote about was a Seicane unit. Aside from the can bus issue described, the unit has been flawless. My solution was to just omit the can bus box, the unit worked just fine, steering wheel keys, etc al worked perfectly so I just left it.
However, I decided for Christmas to upgrade the unit to a Dasaita PX 6 unit, it will be faster, has higher resolution screen, etc. This unit also came with a can bus decoder as part of the vehicle specific unit. So I fit it, and guess what - exactly the same as with the Seicane unit - weird dashboard warnings all over the place, airbag, traction control, etc.
So, I think, no problem, just ditch the can bus box. But there are two problems this time - (1) unlike the Seicane, the Dasaita unit won't power on unless the can bus box is connected, and (2) the Dasaita unit has an application pre-installed that allows tweaking of a lot of vehicle specific settings (headlamp on time, etc) that you used to be able to set with the factory head unit, and I'm guessing can bus connection will be needed to make those work.
So I would like to get to the bottom of this and get the unit working with the can bus unit in place. I've logged an issue on the Dasaita forum so we'll see what happens there. I don't think it's the can bus decoder, I can't believe two would display the same problem, I'm pretty sure it's the can bus settings in the Factory Settings of the unit - I can certainly make the problem worse by altering those, but I haven't found anything that makes it better !
I've attached an image showing the can bus settings on the device as I installed it. My car is a 2016 L200 UK version right hand drive, it's a Totan model that didn't have sat nav as new but does have steering wheel controls, etc.
Any ideas would be appreciated !
Thanks
hi guys,
I have the same problem with my Mitsubishi Lancer 2009.
I installed a android head unit over a year a go and didn't had any problems until recently when my ABS and ASC light start being on in my dashboard. The lights keep switching on and off at irregular intervals and when i put a car tester on it showed beside the ABS error code (C2116 code) other errors on airbags and engine immobilization, all related with that android unit, errors on car CAN line.
My car has an Rokford Fosgate amplifier from factory and the sound system doesn't work without the Canbus box installed, so ditching the canbus is not an option for me.
I also ordered a new canbus box from China and i will receive the package sometime in January. I'll keep you posted how it works with new one.
If you have any other information on this topic or you find something on line, I'm really interested since the android head unit is a big upgrade for my car and i will hate to come back to original radio.
I've searched and searched but only find bits and pieces of information. So far, I haven't been able to connect enough dots to understand how this works.
Back in 2016 I purchased an Android head unit from Auto Pumpkin. I stumbled upon it by pure accident, thought it looked slick, and decided give it a shot. The radio body was Chevrolet specific so it popped right into my Express van. It also came with a canbus decoder box which I didn't know anything about but hooked up anyway and was impressed by the integration. Door status, reverse overlays, brightness control, and some other cool stuff.
Fast forward to last year, I bought another head unit for a new Chevy van but I couldn't find one that came with the canbus integration so it's installed as a standalone radio. The unit has the canbus pins on the back, but the corresponding wire harness didn't have any conductors to match up with them. It also didn't come with any type of canbus decoder. The config area in Factory Settings is still there, though.
That brings me to my first question: Are the pins on units like these still ready/capable to be connected to *something* even though the wire harnesses that come with them don't have the specific wires for it? What I'm asking is, if I purchase a Chevrolet canbus decoder separately, can I hook it up (adding the required wires) and expect it to work?
Lastly, I recently purchased yet another head unit, this time from Dasita, for my RV. It's built on a Ford chassis. Same as before, the radio has the pins (and they're labeled as canbus!), but the wire harness doesn't have wires connected to those pins.
Is there a Ford canbus decoder available somewhere, and, with some tinkering, is it possible to get the vehicle to talk to the head unit?
nomaxtech said:
Is there a Ford canbus decoder available somewhere, and, with some tinkering, is it possible to get the vehicle to talk to the head unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, just make sure you order the right one for your head unit.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000875414226.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2d785d7aDFgDYy&algo_pvid=8d9f7a38-3a25-48c1-8c5b-a0f1372ec0d7&algo_expid=8d9f7a38-3a25-48c1-8c5b-a0f1372ec0d7-3&btsid=0b0a556e16134130756217144e212d&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
I just purchased a very cheap chinese android head unit from walmart.com (The price seems to have dropped even further, if it's the same one) and have it all installed in my ML350. I purchased, separately, an Optical Decoder box and have it also installed. I'm getting audio just fine (although of course it's just dropped to left and right..lost my full surround) but my steering wheel controls aren't working, nor is the CANBUS seeming to work. It's got a "Oudi" branded canbus decoder (Or at least the box is printed as one).
I don't see any Key1 or Key2, SWC or similar wires. The head unit is advertised as working with Steering wheel controls and canbus functions. From what I've read thus far, it's supposed to be able to communicate with canbus as is. It has 2 very long wires, Can-H and Can-L in addition to the ones that plugged into the harness..I don't think I had to do anything with them but I did see where someoene else having the same type ran them under the glove box to the long caterpillar like connection bar for Can-H and Can-L within the system. That didn't make any difference. I see some harnesses have a 2.5mm stereo jack to plug into the head unit also for steering controls but this doesn't have that etiher. Most seem to say that since the unit has steering learning that it all works through the canbus.
I've checked all pinouts and from what I can tell I've got them all correct. The can l and h were in wrong spots when I got it but got that fixed and at least the stereo is working.
Radio reception is less than spectacular, but it works. The stereo came with the adapter for that. My vehicle of course has that antenna amp on the back hatch under the window..always worked before. Also curious why this signal gets so back with that simple antenna adapter?
Anyhow, I'm overall happy with the unit (a bit slow at times, being a 1Gx16G model bug but handling that)
I've been in communication with the seller who keeps asking for videos, pics, and now wants me to purchase a new canbus at "any parts store" locally to try and they'll reimburse me. I dont' see anywhere that you can buy a canbus decoder anywhere locally.
I have such a hard time finding anyone with the same radio/wiring harness and this vehicle and can't understand why I'm having such issues with the installation SEEMS so simple. Yes I've gone into Protocol Settings in System settings and set to the "oudi" decoder. It only has 2 options. Mercedes-Smart, and Mercedes Fully Compatible. Neither works. It saves, doesn't require restart but I've tried rebooting as well. Even shutting off car when the radio is rebooting and starting it all together again.
Has anyone had any luck like choosing a different CANBUS? Like is it even worth going through them all? Surely the oudi box doesnt' have different hardware inside that might still work, but not be "oudi"?
I check data, etc I just get "no original vehicle setting function"
Did you ask the corresponding sellers about the matched CANBUS when you buy the android head unit? I've also been through this before, I purechased an aftermarket headunit from a Chinese brand called ATOTO, and I purchased their headunit for its affordable price, everything worked great, good connection to my phone, huge 10.1 inch screen display and good sound quality except the SWC interface. I have triple checked the connections and have tried two different Canbus interfaces that I have, and have tried both the key wires and the 3.5mm jack, the SWC interface simply doesn't work.
Then I contacted their support team and they also told me to buy a new canbus, and they told me to search on http://www.metraonline.com and https://pac-audio.com/, finally I got a new canbus and problem solved.
Hope this may help.
I have .. but they've been just.. run around after run around .asking for videos, pictures, wiring diagrams... Finally they say that it doesn't communicate with the Mercedes I this model....but ..it literally is custom bezeled for my model..comes with canbus decoder...states in the title of the item on walmart.com as for my particular video and that it keeps original steering wheel button function and all other factory features and canbus connection. So they're just lying to keep from having to send another canbus. Now just telling me to pack it up nicely and ship it back within 24 hours with tracking number to get refund. Heh.ill definitely check out your links tho! Thank you!
skybase said:
I have .. but they've been just.. run around after run around .asking for videos, pictures, wiring diagrams... Finally they say that it doesn't communicate with the Mercedes I this model....but ..it literally is custom bezeled for my model..comes with canbus decoder...states in the title of the item on walmart.com as for my particular video and that it keeps original steering wheel button function and all other factory features and canbus connection. So they're just lying to keep from having to send another canbus. Now just telling me to pack it up nicely and ship it back within 24 hours with tracking number to get refund. Heh.ill definitely check out your links tho! Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry for that bro! If the headunit you bought is an universal one then it should be compatible with most of the cars. Good luck and wish you can get this thing fixed soon!
WhiteSky0719 said:
I'm sorry for that bro! If the headunit you bought is an universal one then it should be compatible with most of the cars. Good luck and wish you can get this thing fixed soon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find a kit (Best Buy has the same one I see, but it'll cost me $400 (at best buy) or over $600 on this site...for a $100 radio..damn..... haha weird thing though is that I don't think I have any SWC wires or 2.5mm jack or anything like that on the radio. Supposedly it worked through the Canbus...but...these kits all have that separate box as well. So....solution$$$ haha Thank you for this site though. It definitely reinforced for me the kit that I'm just gonna have to get. Plus side, I need this kit for ANY stereo I put in. Regardless if Android, no name or brand name standard deck.
skybase said:
I find a kit (Best Buy has the same one I see, but it'll cost me $400 (at best buy) or over $600 on this site...for a $100 radio..damn..... haha weird thing though is that I don't think I have any SWC wires or 2.5mm jack or anything like that on the radio. Supposedly it worked through the Canbus...but...these kits all have that separate box as well. So....solution$$$ haha Thank you for this site though. It definitely reinforced for me the kit that I'm just gonna have to get. Plus side, I need this kit for ANY stereo I put in. Regardless if Android, no name or brand name standard deck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh.... that's.... well you can also go check eBay, cheaper than most of shopping site, forget about the cheap **** it provides, the kits and hrness there should be cheaper. $400 is too much for a kit... If next time you need to upgrade another headunit, except Pioneer, Kenwood,etc. you can definitely go and try the brand atoto, although it is also a Chinese brand, happy with their serivice for now. Don't give up so soon bro! Try eBay again for the kits, lol.