7" Android Head Unit Review
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
For me it's pretty much exactly what you expect when you think of having a tablet in your dash. Lack of hard buttons to adjust the tracks and stuff isn't a big deal since you can always resize your widget. When steering wheel controls work again, that won't be an issue.
The only downsides I've found is:
- no sub control
- doesn't start playing after boot up (Tasker could be used to make this work)
- the 30s boot up time I suppose. Boot up time doesn't both me though, I have remote start so by time I get in it's ready to go. You could always set the turn off time to longer so doesn't have to boot up.
The only downsides I've found is:
- no sub control
- doesn't start playing after boot up (Tasker could be used to make this work)
- the 30s boot up time I suppose. Boot up time doesn't both me though, I have remote start so by time I get in it's ready to go. You could always set the turn off time to longer so doesn't have to boot up.
Sounds decent enough to me - there are RCA controllers that can be used for the sub. I would leverage Tasker. Boot time is annoying, but my current JVC touchscreen probably takes that long anyway
Thanks for all the info - sounds like I would like it....we'll just see when funds are available for it. Saving for exhaust right now.
Thanks for all the info - sounds like I would like it....we'll just see when funds are available for it. Saving for exhaust right now.
Well...I got ancy and listed my current JVC NSX700 for sale to see if I got any bites. It's a good enough HU, but it wasn't flexible enough for my goals. It's a HU and that's about it.
Anyway, someone already purchased it, so I'll be ordering the UQ130 soon.
Anyway, someone already purchased it, so I'll be ordering the UQ130 soon.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
I don't think I updated the thread. I officially got my steering wheel controls hooked up and working. I followed the video and works perfect, just make sure you actually program the PAC like normal. I did not and had hell, lol.
The negative side to the steering wheel controls, and I sort of guessed it'd be an issue, is you can't change tracks with them IF you're using any app other than the stock music app. No way around it as of now, but maybe with the Lollipop updated this summer we'll have access to do it.
Glad to see these are becoming more common, I have one of the ebay from china ones for my GTO and I think its a lot of bang for the buck and near limitless on what you can do with them....especially if you have a little computer knowledge.
Congrats! Welcome aboard!!
I don't think I updated the thread. I officially got my steering wheel controls hooked up and working. I followed the video and works perfect, just make sure you actually program the PAC like normal. I did not and had hell, lol.
The negative side to the steering wheel controls, and I sort of guessed it'd be an issue, is you can't change tracks with them IF you're using any app other than the stock music app. No way around it as of now, but maybe with the Lollipop updated this summer we'll have access to do it.
I don't think I updated the thread. I officially got my steering wheel controls hooked up and working. I followed the video and works perfect, just make sure you actually program the PAC like normal. I did not and had hell, lol.
The negative side to the steering wheel controls, and I sort of guessed it'd be an issue, is you can't change tracks with them IF you're using any app other than the stock music app. No way around it as of now, but maybe with the Lollipop updated this summer we'll have access to do it.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I was going to post more about my experiences with the different GPS software, and then my daily driver car crapped out and I have been dealing with that.
On the plus side, I had to drive my T/A everyday, so I used the GPS every day even when I knew where I was going.
I do not have time to post details, but one of the main things I found that you need to update is the Text To Speech (TTS) engine. There are several ones available on the Google Play store, but I would recommend the standard one from Google. I do not remember if the stock Joying Android has a TTS engine installed and if it did, which one came with the stock Android version. I already updated my Android firmware to the latest version on the Joying website, so I can only speak from that view point.
You want to uninstall any TTS engine installed, you can do via the Apps section in the Settings app. Then go to the Google Play store, search for TTS, and install the one from Google.
You then need to go into the Accessibility section in the Settings app and select Text to Speech output. From there you can select the preferred TTS engine. You can select the icon next to the TTS engine name, which looks like slider bars, to configure the TTS engine. There are options to download different languages from there.
I will post more about the different GPS software when I have more time.
On the plus side, I had to drive my T/A everyday, so I used the GPS every day even when I knew where I was going.
I do not have time to post details, but one of the main things I found that you need to update is the Text To Speech (TTS) engine. There are several ones available on the Google Play store, but I would recommend the standard one from Google. I do not remember if the stock Joying Android has a TTS engine installed and if it did, which one came with the stock Android version. I already updated my Android firmware to the latest version on the Joying website, so I can only speak from that view point.
You want to uninstall any TTS engine installed, you can do via the Apps section in the Settings app. Then go to the Google Play store, search for TTS, and install the one from Google.
You then need to go into the Accessibility section in the Settings app and select Text to Speech output. From there you can select the preferred TTS engine. You can select the icon next to the TTS engine name, which looks like slider bars, to configure the TTS engine. There are options to download different languages from there.
I will post more about the different GPS software when I have more time.
Just picked it up off their site...I got the HU, DVR, and Backup Camera package. Regular $319.99 with free shipping. They have a 12% off coupon, so I ended up getting it for $282 shipped. I'm happy with that price!
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
I wish I knew more about the file system of Android, since it's rooted I think maybe could change the steering wheel control buttons to operate PowerAmp
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Here's an app that sounds promising to reassign steering wheel buttons with 3rd party apps. I haven't tried it yet, but hope to this weekend.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53678587
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53678587
Sweet - you're going to be a good 3-4 weeks ahead of me on this, so please let me know how it works.
So, the package I ordered was coming from China - I was OK with that as the cost was great, as I mentioned above. Anyway, my order was placed on 3/24, and I got notice that it's set to be delivered today, 3/29. That's not too shabby in my book!
So, the package I ordered was coming from China - I was OK with that as the cost was great, as I mentioned above. Anyway, my order was placed on 3/24, and I got notice that it's set to be delivered today, 3/29. That's not too shabby in my book!
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Confirmed, installed 2.1.3. Can't be any easier, just installed the app and ran it. Now my ALL my steering wheel controls work perfectly! It also has an option to autoplay when the unit boots up. Now this makes the headunit work just like any other one.
I didn't have time to play with it too much, but I "think" there's also an option to do a long press on the buttons too. If so, you'll have another 8 steering wheel controls.
I didn't have time to play with it too much, but I "think" there's also an option to do a long press on the buttons too. If so, you'll have another 8 steering wheel controls.
Woah, that's awesome! Thanks for letting me know. Mine arrived yesterday, but I didn't actually get to sit down until like 9:30pm last night. I unboxed it - looks really nice.
So, now, do I hook up the headunit and tinker with that, or do I get my intake back on so I can actually fire the car up?
So, now, do I hook up the headunit and tinker with that, or do I get my intake back on so I can actually fire the car up?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Updated the original post to include how to get into factory settings, how to root device (simple) and a video of it booting.
I have also changed my homepage a good bit since originally installing it as I found the need to add or remove items from it. As of now it consists of PowerAmp widget, clock & weather widget and digital speedometer widget (Torque)
I have also changed my homepage a good bit since originally installing it as I found the need to add or remove items from it. As of now it consists of PowerAmp widget, clock & weather widget and digital speedometer widget (Torque)
Did you need to connect the blue/white brake wire on the Joying harness? I thought I remembered seeing online that there's a setting that essentially bypasses the need for it.
And, I should ask - I fabbed up some brackets with my previous double din....what did you do to install yours? Anything off the shelf work?
And, I should ask - I fabbed up some brackets with my previous double din....what did you do to install yours? Anything off the shelf work?
Last edited by Atrus_SS; Apr 2, 2016 at 05:57 PM.
Good thread. I want to put an Android based head unit in my Duramax soon, and a few other cars later on.
What I've wondered though is can you add one to your cell plan like you would a tablet, or do you just tether them to your phone?
What I've wondered though is can you add one to your cell plan like you would a tablet, or do you just tether them to your phone?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Nope didn't hook up the brake light wire. Everything seems to work fine. To install, only thing I had to do was grind down the inside left/right edges of the bezel. Rest went in without a hitch.
You could very well get a 3G/LTE dongle from cell phone provider and be even easier to stay connected to the internet. Just a matter if you have one or want to pay the additional fee. I prefer tether personally.
Installed Zooper widget and made a new clock. Kind of digging it, pictures soon.
You could very well get a 3G/LTE dongle from cell phone provider and be even easier to stay connected to the internet. Just a matter if you have one or want to pay the additional fee. I prefer tether personally.
Installed Zooper widget and made a new clock. Kind of digging it, pictures soon.
Something I noticed on the reverse camera Coax cable - there's a red lead coming off both ends. Checked out continuity and it does run from end to end. I assume that's for you to be able to tap into the reverse lights for the camera's power and leverage same access point to feed the backup lead on the HU. Thought that was pretty cool.
I ended up just grounding the brake wire when connecting the metra harness to the joying. I filed out the DD Mods bezel for the HU. The gap around the unit is a little more than I'd like due to the way the face is designed, but it's me being picky. I think it'll come out OK. Need to pick up some paint as now there's a bright white bondo ring around the HU
I've got to decide where I want the GPS antenna. Ultimately, I'd throw it under the dash pad, but I am reluctant to even touch my mint dash pad in fear of breaking it.
I ended up just grounding the brake wire when connecting the metra harness to the joying. I filed out the DD Mods bezel for the HU. The gap around the unit is a little more than I'd like due to the way the face is designed, but it's me being picky. I think it'll come out OK. Need to pick up some paint as now there's a bright white bondo ring around the HU
I've got to decide where I want the GPS antenna. Ultimately, I'd throw it under the dash pad, but I am reluctant to even touch my mint dash pad in fear of breaking it.