Upgrading my car radio... Android 4.0 head?

[ducatiz]

I have the original factory CD/cassette player in my VW Golf.

I have wanted to dump it for ages to get something modern, i.e. bluetooth, mp3, sat or hdradio.

I found this on Ebay.. it's a noname Android 4.0 system.  It is loaded with features -- the wifi or 3g has to be added though.  Otherwise, it's loaded.

I like that I can use GPS on the head and it has an external analog adapter for DVD play (I have two kids).  Wiring that is a breeze.

I doubt anyone has FHE with this, and considering the support will be non-existent... I've already bought a double-din install kit for my car, so it will plug into the Monsoon system.  I'm not afraid of the install, just a little leary of the system.

I've bought several no-name items in the past, namely several tablets that I'm pretty happy with ($70 for an Android 4.0 with wifi only, 16gig.. not bad)

Thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181136417698

[Howie]

Crutchfield has name brand what you want at about that price:

http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/android_dvd.html


Just remembered, but not clearly enough.  There is or was an issue with aftermarket radios and the ignition switch not being able to handle the load when played key off, wish I could remember the details.  Doable, but you need to know about it. I believe Crutchfield would know about it.

[kopfjäger]

Do you buy no-name parts for your Ducati's?

[zooom]

Do you buy no-name parts for your Ducati's?

yes he does....look at the Fleabay Chineseum Rotors thread he was masterminding previously....


my concern with any headunit you put in is the ability to be able to scan your car for CEL's and diagnostic capability after install, because a botched install will make it hard to do proper scans since the service gateway is networked through that section of harness....I say it because I have seen it...and we end up charging the customer to remove their aftermarket radio as a part of the diag...

[suzyj]

I was thinking of doing something similar, but ended up just putting a bluetooth receiver and ipad mount over the front of my stereo. Now I have all my music, decent sat-nav, google, you name it, without having to buy another sim.

[JohnEE]

Crutchfield has name brand what you want at about that price:

http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/android_dvd.html


Just remembered, but not clearly enough.  There is or was an issue with aftermarket radios and the ignition switch not being able to handle the load when played key off, wish I could remember the details.  Doable, but you need to know about it. I believe Crutchfield would know about it.

Interesting....... All i really want to do is mirror my S4 to my head unit. When will the Car OEMs figure that the Andriod/Apple GUI is going to be better than pretty much everything than can come up with? I'll look into this......

[ducatiz]

Do you buy no-name parts for your Ducati's?

Absolutely, with near 100% success.  My chinese-made rotors and levers get compliments all the time.  Well worn.

my concern with any headunit you put in is the ability to be able to scan your car for CEL's and diagnostic capability after install, because a botched install will make it hard to do proper scans since the service gateway is networked through that section of harness....I say it because I have seen it...and we end up charging the customer to remove their aftermarket radio as a part of the diag...

Can you be more specific?  There is one specific plug-in for the radio and it's not connected to anything else on the car -- my car doesn't have any of the modern sensors that are plugged into the radio system (nor were any available at the time).  I know later models have TPMS, engine-on, and in-gear sensors going to the radio, but mine doesn't and it wasn't available when new.

Interesting....... All i really want to do is mirror my S4 to my head unit. When will the Car OEMs figure that the Andriod/Apple GUI is going to be better than pretty much everything than can come up with? I'll look into this......

One of the Sonys I saw has MirrorLink and can do it with various Droids including Samsungs.

Crutchfield has name brand what you want at about that price:

http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/android_dvd.html


Just remembered, but not clearly enough.  There is or was an issue with aftermarket radios and the ignition switch not being able to handle the load when played key off, wish I could remember the details.  Doable, but you need to know about it. I believe Crutchfield would know about it.

I used to lvoe them, but the ones they have are very feature-poor compared to what I've found.

Take a look at the Eonon g2240u -- it's WinCE based (fine for me)...  GPS/DVD/USB/dual-head capable/MP3/SD... connections available for TPMS and backup camera too.  $250..

as far as the key-off playing, there is a location under the dash to connect directly to the battery.  it is the power bar that comes from the battery and powers the fuse panel.  it's always "on" and goes directly to the battery + terminal.  i have a pic somewhere, but that's the place to connect it if it needs power all the time.  this is the same location that the cigarette/accessory plug goes to.

just no HD radio... i can give it up.  having both a USB connection and SD slot I can pretty much put my entire CD collection on two SD cards.
Eonon G2240 7 Inch Digital Touch Screen 2 Din Car DVD GPS(ARM Processor)- On Sale with 49% Off

[greenohawk69]

Pretty cool HU.  Lots of features.