Author Topic: Android/PC type head units  (Read 16398 times)

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Android/PC type head units
on: August 23, 2015, 10:55:44 AM
The head unit in my new mk4 Golf sucks, I'm now toying with the idea of replacing it with a double DIN Android head unit, so I can basically do anything from it including satnav, etc.

I was wondering if anyone had some recommendations or experience with these things? They sell Pumpkin branded ones on Amazon which seem to get good reviews on there, by maybe I should be looking at generic Chinese alternative eBay super purchase?

Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #1 on: August 23, 2015, 13:53:02 PM
Someone at work has one of the android auto pioneer or some brand head unit and seems happy with it but from what I saw it was very clunky and not without issues and you have very limited apps, I assume you are looking at something properly running android though so may be better?

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Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #2 on: August 23, 2015, 14:05:19 PM
Yes, full android definitely seems to be the way to go and Android Auto looks like a joke and pretty much redundant.

No one really seems to be talking about the cheap aftermarket units much, I've found a handful of reviews for products like this which thankfully do seem to go into good detail. Most units seem to work about as well as you would expect, a few crashes every now and then and the occasional lockup if you try and something stupid (one guy was complaining the SD-card slot designed for GPS wouldn't reliably stream his 700MB of MP3s from an NTFS formatted card :roll: ). Problems seem to be no worse than I've had with Android phones in general!

Overall it looks like it might be worth a punt on one of the aftermarket HUs, so I might get one in the coming weeks. I basically want music playback (radio/DAB/HD quality and MP3), GPS/satnav functonality and thats about it really.

Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #3 on: August 23, 2015, 21:46:27 PM
Let us know how it goes I assume you can tether to your phone as well for the data?

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Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #4 on: August 24, 2015, 08:28:09 AM
Yep, you can tether as wifi hotspot for 3G/wifi connection AFAIK, so all good. From where I'm parked I believe I can get wifi from my house anyway, so might not even need to bother with that except for at the car park at work. I'll probably order one in the next couple of days and will keep you posted as to how it is.

Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #5 on: August 24, 2015, 19:09:01 PM
yeah let us know how it goes, I might get one if it's good :-)

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Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #6 on: August 24, 2015, 21:59:29 PM
I'll be honest i'm still using the standard one in the Vauxhall, in order to change i would need to buy a CANBUS Lead and they are £40.

I've had a new Kenwood USB Radio minus CD sat on my desk at work since i robbed it from a BMW but i haven't got round to using it yet.

A friend at work bought an Eonon from China, it was all singing all dancing for no money, now a few of the lads have them, seem to be good.
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Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #7 on: August 30, 2015, 00:38:37 AM
Okay so it turns out this head unit is freakin' sweet



Build quality is superb for £200, literally the only negative i have is that the manual seems to be for a different/older software model as the software guide and images are all different, but the wiring seems identical and was easy to do.

Wifi out of the box, tethering, hospots and VPN. GPS, including time set via GPS, all the usual Android gumf, preinstalled apps for iPod, Music, Video/DVD, , satnav, Radio (which ties to front panel volume and tuning dials). Touchscreen is incredibly accurate, responsive and the UI updates instantaneously, I was expecting lag or slowness.

I've not found a single bug yet though I've not played much. The worst issue I'm having seems to be because of my wiring/the car - it's losing the settings when I turn off the engine and the radio signal is sh*t, I can barely get any stations even though I swear I plugged the wiring adapter I got in correctly - the old HU had the same problem though so maybe the aerial is shafted?

Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #8 on: August 30, 2015, 06:50:55 AM
you should have 2 live supplies into the radio, one that's always live so it has power to save settings etc.. 

and a second live which switches on/off with the ignition, so the radio goes on/off with the ignition

do you have a meter or a 12v tester ?

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Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #9 on: August 30, 2015, 10:53:27 AM
Do I heck  :lol:

I'm going to go out shortly and re-investigate. I also need a new fascia adapter from Halfrauds as it doesn't fit properly.

Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #10 on: August 30, 2015, 15:49:37 PM
get yourself a cheap meter on ebay for a fiver

worth it for that odd time you really need it

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Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #11 on: August 30, 2015, 16:50:13 PM
Well I fannied around and managed to get it all working, I hadn't used the second adapter when I fitted it all in yesterday and the second adapter had the correct wiring. I just need a fascia that fits, but I might just hobo it with black masking tape for now. Still very impressed, I haven't sussed out how to answer bluetooth calls yet but thats next on the list, then I'll not need my phone at all while driving. :ptu:

Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #12 on: August 31, 2015, 14:59:38 PM
link to the one you bought?


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Re: Android/PC type head units
Reply #14 on: September 01, 2015, 09:16:24 AM
That's a beast 8)

Where do you put your tapes though? :o

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