Android OS car radios: who makes the best?

punisher5112

Patww79 wrote: »

Does it need internet connectivity then via tethering then? Ideally for me I'd just have a screen mirroring my phone but have the phone doing all the work.

Works off phone WiFi.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

bmwguy

Patww79 wrote: »

That I wouldn't want. I'd rather have something where I didn't need a hotspot set up at all, some netrowks can be funny about data used while tethering.

Is there no basic screen mirror device out there?

You can do that if you want with my eonon I was messing around one day with it but I don't see why you would.

I have a Vodafone mifi device I have from work to use with it for data. Works perfect. Use about 3gb a month on it in the car.

bmwguy

bmwguy wrote: »

You can do that if you want with my eonon I was messing around one day with it but I don't see why you would.

I have a Vodafone mifi device I have from work to use with it for data. Works perfect. Use about 3gb a month on it in the car.

I just hit the hotspot button on my phone before i get in the car.
Or you can get a separate sim and a dongle if you were going to use a lot of internet for spotify etc
agreed about the screen mirroring.no need for it at all.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

bmwguy

BrownFinger wrote: »

I just hit the hotspot button on my phone before i get in the car.
Or you can get a separate sim and a dongle if you were going to use a lot of internet for spotify etc
agreed about the screen mirroring.no need for it at all.

I currently don't have a data plan big enough to do that, my contract is up in summer and will be getting a much bigger data plan then.

The mifi is free anyway and unlimited (within reason)

DopeTech

BrownFinger wrote: »

I just hit the hotspot button on my phone before i get in the car.

Assuming the head unit has Bluetooth as well then you can automate your phone to turn on wifi hotspot when Bluetooth connects and turn it off afterwards. Apps like automate, tasker and llama will do this saving you from even taking your phone out of your pocket.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

DopeTech

Patww79 wrote: »

Would a call come through it though if it's completely standalone? Would you need one of those earpiece things to take a call?

Most I've seen you answer on the head unit and there's a built in mic.

O.A.P

bmwguy wrote: »

I got one last week for an e39. Big 7" screen. Pain in the ass to fit, removal.of the old radio and the cage that holds it was the difficult part. But now that I have it up and running, it's class. Great sound, much better than the old bmw business radio.

I have Google maps, spotify, YouTube, plays dvds, watch RTE player, kodi, showbox, sky go, downloads on usb or sd, anything really! I'll never do half of it but as a gadget it's great. Connects to phone lovely too.

There are other car related OBD apps I haven't used yet. It brings the car right up to date with connectivity and makes it look very modern.

I even have a lovely e39 Angel eyes wallpaper on the screen. That's great now, no longer interested in moving to a newer model now, I was really only going to because of the gadgets.

Being stock android I actually think it's more impressive what it can do than a system developed for a car which is constrained a bit. Listen to a lot of podcasts online. Have not lost signal.once around the Dublin area so far. Trip down the country early January so that will be a good test.

I use a mifi I have for work (25 gb monthly allowance which is loads) to get the internet, but if you have a big data plan on your phone it will work fine too, I have used this too but don't have a huge data allowance on the phone so wary enough of it

I think we have similar Eonon head units and I am wondering if you would happen to have bought the dash cam that was advertised with the Eonon heads unit : http://www.eonon.com/Car-Video/Cameras/R0008.html
From the specs , it looks very basic and I don't know if it is worth the price attached to it. From what I know , something that would be good about it is that its a simple USB connection and also I would have the piece of mind that it would be guaranteed to work with my heads unit.

I was looking at other USB dash cams that would be of better quality, but many of them have screens of their own, that show what the camera is showing. I am afraid if I go for any of those options it may not show up on my heads display, So instead I was looking at non screen good quality options such as this one : https://www.amazon.com/junsun-Ambarella-Dashboard-Recorder-Recording/dp/B06VSDRKZV/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1486757962&sr=8-22&keywords=junsun+dash+cam

I am just wondering, if you happened to have bought the advertised dash cam, whether or not it is any good or if it is worth getting a better dash cam like the second one I linked. But also if you'd know whether or not the dash cam having a screen would effect it being shown on the heads unit.
I hope you can help me with this, thank you in advance.

FrostyJim

FrostyJim wrote: »

Assuming the head unit has Bluetooth as well then you can automate your phone to turn on wifi hotspot when Bluetooth connects and turn it off afterwards. Apps like automate, tasker and llama will do this saving you from even taking your phone out of your pocket.

Had been putting this off for ages but did it yesterday with tasker,
had to root my phone to get it to work as it should.

Now I just leave bluetooth on all the time.
when it connects to the head unit ,wifi off,3G on,hotspot .
Then reverts back to normal when disconnects.
top class job

OldMrBrennan83

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DopeTech

Patww79 wrote: »

What network are you that you're allowed tether for so much data? Do they not double the usage for the tethered data?

I tether from time to time on 3 with all you can eat data and have never been charged extra for tethering. I'm on pay as you go so worst case scenario is they take my €20. The actual data usage is no higher than if you were playing Spotify by aux from your phone.

Patww79

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Virgin ,all you can use 25 a month inc calls + texts
I think some do it for 20 a month.

I've never heard of them charging more for tethering .
Sure how would they know or why would it matter?

Newtown90

Bought one of these guys yesterday awaiting delivery at the moment.
Added in a Back-up camera aswell, has anyone else got one of these installed? Was looking at Youtube last nigth looks like a good Saturday to install!
Also, looking to define the best apps for use in it, Car Launcher Pro looks nice as the launcher for it. The usuals of Spotify, TuneIn. Google Maps.
I'm an iPhone man so apk's are not the norm to me at the moment.

What car is it going into?
It shouldn't take too long if you have done a radio before.
Make sure you have the proper plastic trim removers etc so you dont damage the plastics.
A previous owner did on my car and it wrecks my head .

With regards to the reverse cam.
on my unit there is a small can encoder box between the car and the radio.
There is a wire coming out of the box marked reverse.
That gives 12v when in reverse so that can switch on the camera automatically so no wiring hacks/relays needed.

Main apps for me are car launcher pro,waze,spotify and podcast garden .
Going to give a tunein a go.
The radio reception leaves a lot to be desired on mine but a recent update has improved it.

Newtown90

BrownFinger wrote: »

What car is it going into?
It shouldn't take too long if you have done a radio before.
Make sure you have the proper plastic trim removers etc so you dont damage the plastics.
A previous owner did on my car and it wrecks my head .

With regards to the reverse cam.
on my unit there is a small can encoder box between the car and the radio.
There is a wire coming out of the box marked reverse.
That gives 12v when in reverse so that can switch on the camera automatically so no wiring hacks/relays needed.

Main apps for me are car launcher pro,waze,spotify and podcast garden .
Going to give a tunein a go.
The radio reception leaves a lot to be desired on mine but a recent update has improved it.

It's going into a Ford Focus, I've no issue with installing it as I've changed it previously.
Its the back-up/reverse camera that may take a while.

I've read about the radio reception alright, I'm in Cork City during the week so shouldn't be too bad but when I go home to the sticks in Kerry it will be non existent I assume.

bmwguy

O.A.P wrote: »

I think we have similar Eonon head units and I am wondering if you would happen to have bought the dash cam that was advertised with the Eonon heads unit : http://www.eonon.com/Car-Video/Cameras/R0008.html
From the specs , it looks very basic and I don't know if it is worth the price attached to it. From what I know , something that would be good about it is that its a simple USB connection and also I would have the piece of mind that it would be guaranteed to work with my heads unit.

I was looking at other USB dash cams that would be of better quality, but many of them have screens of their own, that show what the camera is showing. I am afraid if I go for any of those options it may not show up on my heads display, So instead I was looking at non screen good quality options such as this one : https://www.amazon.com/junsun-Ambarella-Dashboard-Recorder-Recording/dp/B06VSDRKZV/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1486757962&sr=8-22&keywords=junsun+dash+cam

I am just wondering, if you happened to have bought the advertised dash cam, whether or not it is any good or if it is worth getting a better dash cam like the second one I linked. But also if you'd know whether or not the dash cam having a screen would effect it being shown on the heads unit.
I hope you can help me with this, thank you in advance.

Sorry OAP, didnt see this post until now.

I had a choice of a reversing camera or a dashcam for free, same one you linked to. I dont have any need for reversing camera so i chose the dashcam but admit I have yet to set it up so I am not sure how good it is or not, sorry. Might do it some day I have a bit of time.

Tried the tune in radio app on my xtrons unit.
it doesnt like it.
just hangs and the unit resets.

Loving spotify though !

bmwguy

BrownFinger wrote: »

Tried the tune in radio app on my xtrons unit.
it doesnt like it.
just hangs and the unit resets.

Loving spotify though !

The radio reception on mine is rubbish too, but I have downloaded today fm, nova and newstalk apps which is all I ever listened to anyway. Does fine, plus you can listen to some podcasts when you want.

Spotify, radio apps, music from usb/sd and navigation is what I use regularly, TV/Youtube if I am sitting waiting the very odd time. Works a dream, very happy with how it looks and with what it does

jca

bmwguy wrote: »

The radio reception on mine is rubbish too, but I have downloaded today fm, nova and newstalk apps which is all I ever listened to anyway. Does fine, plus you can listen to some podcasts when you want.

Spotify, radio apps, music from usb/sd and navigation is what I use regularly, TV/Youtube if I am sitting waiting the very odd time. Works a dream, very happy with how it looks and with what it does

I think he meant that the "tunein" app was giving trouble not the fm radio itself.

jca

jca wrote: »

I think he meant that the "tunein" app was giving trouble not the fm radio itself.

I did mean tunein,
but yes the FM radio is muck

jca

BrownFinger wrote: »

I did mean tunein,
but yes the FM radio is muck

That would put me off, I listen to a lot of radio. Think I'll stick with my eBay bolero radio.

jca

jca wrote: »

That would put me off, I listen to a lot of radio. Think I'll stick with my eBay bolero radio.

Its not the worst but yea its anoying as the rest of the unit is so good.
but as bmwguy says all the apps are there.
no good if you live in the middle of nowhere tho or dont have unlimited data

Newtown90

Finally got my radio delivered with reversing camera. DAB add-on to follow.
Where have people placed the GPS aerial?

Top passenger side of the windscreen works well for me.
can hide the cable easily .

What one did you go for?
I though mine had dab but it doesnt

O.A.P

Newtown90 wrote: »

Finally got my radio delivered with reversing camera. DAB add-on to follow.
Where have people placed the GPS aerial?

I put mine in behind the glove box , its completely out of sight and works fine .

Newtown90

Good stuff, I'll see what's easiest in the Focus later so.

I went for one off Aliexpress with good reviews from ISUDAR, it's the same shape as the Focus Mk2.5 models so should fit in fine.

"Two Din 7 Inch Car DVD Player Android 5.1.1 For FORD/Focus/S-MAX/Mondeo/C-MAX/Galaxy Quad Core Wifi GPS Navigation Radio FM USB"

Newtown90

Just an update on my install, took me a while to get it up and running due to cable and pin disalignments but got sorted in the end.

Very happy with it, I installed Car Launcher Pro on it which makes it slick looking.
Then the usuals Spotify, Podcast Player, PiMusic Player, TuneIn.
I need to look into Waze, as the iGo GPS app it came with doesnt work, keeps crashing.
The FM radio in around Cork City is perfect aswell, very nice how it auto-tunes and names them automatically.
Happy with it so far!

bmwguy

Newtown90 wrote: »

Just an update on my install, took me a while to get it up and running due to cable and pin disalignments but got sorted in the end.

Very happy with it, I installed Car Launcher Pro on it which makes it slick looking.
Then the usuals Spotify, Podcast Player, PiMusic Player, TuneIn.
I need to look into Waze, as the iGo GPS app it came with doesnt work, keeps crashing.
The FM radio in around Cork City is perfect aswell, very nice how it auto-tunes and names them automatically.
Happy with it so far!

Does it not have google maps?

Newtown90

bmwguy wrote: »

Does it not have google maps?

I do but looking for offline maps until I switch to 3 business plan later in the year. Don't have unlimited data at the moment.

I see Sygic have the option for it.

bmwguy

bmwguy wrote: »

Does it not have google maps?

I find google maps hard to use in the car.
I did use it until I discovered waze.

You can download a large offline area if you have a few gigs to spare or onto a SD

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

dfdream

Looking at replacing skoda superb (2009) with one of the android units but have a few general question from most of the units I see online.

If someone has one and can answer it would be great.

1 - No RDS on Radio (station names)
2 - USB limited to 32gb memory stick
3 - Radio reception sub standard
4 - Bluetooth Audio not showing song name and limited control
5 - Canbus tempremental, reversing sensors not as responsive and open doors showing wrong side. ( i know these can be model specific)..

If you have one in a Superb II let me know what your thoughts are...

1 - No RDS on Radio (station names)
Mine does but doesn't show the song name.

2 - USB limited to 32gb memory stick
Dont know about this one.

3 - Radio reception sub standard
Reception on mine is perfect when tuned but it can drop off easily and I have to scan up then back to get a better tune.

4 - Bluetooth Audio not showing song name and limited control
Mine doesnt show names but no problem with controls.

5 - Canbus tempremental, reversing sensors not as responsive and open doors showing wrong side. ( i know these can be model specific).
I've not seen any problems but the door thing is because we are right hand drive.It can be switched in the menus.My steering wheel controls all work on the canbus but no experience with canbus AC etc

anthony4335

1 - No RDS on Radio (station names) - Station name and song name shows up

2 - USB limited to 32gb memory stick - Works with a 64GB flash drive for me

3 - Radio reception sub standard - Resception is fine, but the AF function is poor and slow to switch freq.

4 - Bluetooth Audio not showing song name and limited control - For the little I have used it ,it does not show the track info and limited function

5 - Canbus tempremental, reversing sensors not as responsive and open doors showing wrong side. ( i know these can be model specific).. As far as I know there is a setting in factory settings called rudder control that will correct the incorrect door side opening alert issue

Also for free maps I use Here wego maps, you can predownload a country so no need to wifi, or data.

Just an update on the crappy radio reception ,
If you go into extra settings and change the radio region from Europe to Eastern Europe the radio receptions improves 10 times better.

In the Eastern europe mode the tuner will tune in increments of 0.05 so you can fine tune it,

Supernintento Chalmers

They're not Android but has anyone tried one of these Apple Play units?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076V4FZFB/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

dfdream

Anyoune using a USB dashcam with these android headunits.
I installed one last week and it works fine (even has lane departure which seems to work)

The issue I have is that when I turn on the android headunit the usb dashcam is not detected.
I have to unplug and plug it back in to get it detected.

Its fine on hot boot but not on cold boot.

Anyone else see any issue like this ?