7" Android Head Unit Review
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1
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Working with a galaxy s7 and an avh x3700 head unit I planned on using Google maps as well, just hotspot the phone. I'll actually be testing this out tomorrow to make a trip to Houston to skydive. So if you don't ever get a reply, you know why, haha.
I used a Dremel with a plastic cutting bit. Just hold securely and take your time and definitely test fit little by little.
I used a Dremel with a plastic cutting bit. Just hold securely and take your time and definitely test fit little by little.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
I don't think there's a way to do like you wanted. Not sure if Tasker would work with the Pioneer units, I think everything has to be Android Auto front end compatible. I think.
Hmmm - can't get the damn thing to update. I downloaded the latest file from the website (2016-03-28) and extracted the single "update.img" file to the root of the supplied micro-SD card. I insert the card in either SD slot and the unit flashes "Preparing Storage" on the screen and then does nothing. I've opened the card up in the file manager and I see the "update.img" file right there in the root, so it is present.
I've rebooted the unit, re-downloaded and copied the file, even tried an older update from Feb with no success. I sent a note in to them to see what is going on.
I've rebooted the unit, re-downloaded and copied the file, even tried an older update from Feb with no success. I sent a note in to them to see what is going on.
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Verdad Gallardo I'll have to check...the MCU was like August 2015 or something and the other was 3-28-2016. I didn't update MCU at all.
So, for the PAC - I didn't want to go buy the audio jack so I just cut the end off. The wires are relatively thin, so you'd need to take caution. There's two insulated strands and 1 uninsulated strand within the black jacket - similar to any headphone. If you were to use this method, you'd need to connect the uninsulated strand to one of the HU's "Key" wires, and then I believe I used the pink insulated wire for the other "Key" wire.
Problem is, like the video mentions, I only have 6 mappings as two of the resistances are too close together. I'll have to try the CarService app that Infinitereality posted.
I've loaded Pandora, Amazon Prime Music, and the SiriusXM app on it and all work very well.
I need to wire up the reverse camera and get it mounted - I ran the wire up to the trunk and stopped. I have the forward camera run and it's just dangling by the rearview mirror. Just need to mount it (I am thinking on the back of the mirror) and tuck the extra wiring up into the headliner.
Oh, and for my subwoofer control, I picked up a PAC LC-1 Remote Amplifier Level Controller for $11 shipped. Seems to work really well. I have a 'vert, so I have the factory switch plate instead of the center console cubby - I plan to just drill a hole next to the top switch (where the TCS switch is in the 'birds) and have the bass **** there. I think it'll actually be FAR more convenient than digging through the menu of any HU to get to the EQ like I did on the JVC I had.
So, for the PAC - I didn't want to go buy the audio jack so I just cut the end off. The wires are relatively thin, so you'd need to take caution. There's two insulated strands and 1 uninsulated strand within the black jacket - similar to any headphone. If you were to use this method, you'd need to connect the uninsulated strand to one of the HU's "Key" wires, and then I believe I used the pink insulated wire for the other "Key" wire.
Problem is, like the video mentions, I only have 6 mappings as two of the resistances are too close together. I'll have to try the CarService app that Infinitereality posted.
I've loaded Pandora, Amazon Prime Music, and the SiriusXM app on it and all work very well.
I need to wire up the reverse camera and get it mounted - I ran the wire up to the trunk and stopped. I have the forward camera run and it's just dangling by the rearview mirror. Just need to mount it (I am thinking on the back of the mirror) and tuck the extra wiring up into the headliner.
Oh, and for my subwoofer control, I picked up a PAC LC-1 Remote Amplifier Level Controller for $11 shipped. Seems to work really well. I have a 'vert, so I have the factory switch plate instead of the center console cubby - I plan to just drill a hole next to the top switch (where the TCS switch is in the 'birds) and have the bass **** there. I think it'll actually be FAR more convenient than digging through the menu of any HU to get to the EQ like I did on the JVC I had.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
I got on Sprint's website out of curiosity on what a mobile hotspot would cost. With a 2yr agreement it only costs $6/month. Could easily keep it charged with the 2nd USB plug. Anyone have any thoughts on it?
https://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/sho...ptn=3375400561
https://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/sho...ptn=3375400561
I have an Android head unit in my Silverado (Eonon, one of the chinese ones) and it seems to work 95% OK. It is probably the same basic guts as most of these units out there, though one nice thing is Eonon had made the faceplate vehicle specific so it looks like factory which is pretty awesome.
It is Android 4.4 and it has some factory preloaded apps that I can't remove that don't even work right anymore (the weather app won't update so it says it is constantly a high of 4 degrees LOL). Only shows on the home screen which I'm rarely at so not a huge deal, but still a bit annoying.
I've thought about attempting to root it but the thing I don't know is sometimes these Chinese units aren't always the most consistent and I don't want to brick my radio. It isn't the most expensive thing but I don't have another 400 bucks floating in my budget right now.
I've thought about a mobile hotspot but for how little I'd use that I don't know if I really want to pay the extra monthly charge, given my phone can do hotspot for free. Only annoying thing I've found with my phone is when it loses data signal for a little bit it turns off the hot spot and I have to reactivate it.
Eventually when I redo my Camaro's interior I'm putting a double DIN unit in and figured I'd do an Android unit like this for it as well. I have been following this thread for some time because of that.
It is Android 4.4 and it has some factory preloaded apps that I can't remove that don't even work right anymore (the weather app won't update so it says it is constantly a high of 4 degrees LOL). Only shows on the home screen which I'm rarely at so not a huge deal, but still a bit annoying.
I've thought about attempting to root it but the thing I don't know is sometimes these Chinese units aren't always the most consistent and I don't want to brick my radio. It isn't the most expensive thing but I don't have another 400 bucks floating in my budget right now.
I've thought about a mobile hotspot but for how little I'd use that I don't know if I really want to pay the extra monthly charge, given my phone can do hotspot for free. Only annoying thing I've found with my phone is when it loses data signal for a little bit it turns off the hot spot and I have to reactivate it.
Eventually when I redo my Camaro's interior I'm putting a double DIN unit in and figured I'd do an Android unit like this for it as well. I have been following this thread for some time because of that.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I got on Sprint's website out of curiosity on what a mobile hotspot would cost. With a 2yr agreement it only costs $6/month. Could easily keep it charged with the 2nd USB plug. Anyone have any thoughts on it?
https://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/sho...ptn=3375400561
https://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/sho...ptn=3375400561
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
With a 2-year agreement the device costs nothing but you still have to pay for the data service. The $6 per month is the cost of the device over 24 months if you don't sign a service agreement. Unless you already have Sprint service for your phone which would allow you to add another device, the service could cost quite a bit. I know a similar device I had from AT&T used to cost me $50 per month for 5GB data.
Sort of off topic, but a hotspot has me thinking... I have satalite service due living outside the city limits and while it works fine, it's slow compared to the cable I use to have. Now I'm considering getting a hotspot, surely it can't be any worse than what I have now. Just not sure how I can connect it to my ethernet switch in my house.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Same here. I have it installed and overall am pleased with it. I found a more attractive solution for the reverse camera - will post pics soon. I mounted the forward DVR, however, I mounted it square on the mirror, not thinking that the mirror is angled toward the driver. So, I get a great view biased toward the right side of the road.
I'm having some trouble getting it to interface with my el cheapo ELM mini scantool via bluetooth. Will dink with it some more.
Still need to install that Carservices apk so I can control 3rd party apps with the steering wheel controls.
One other gripe is that it mutes the audio when placed into reverse. I'm thinking/hoping that's just a setting buried somewhere in a menu - I will look for it this weekend.
Overall, happy with the unit. I have an annoying rattle in the dash - I assume the SWC box or something isn't placed well. At certain volumes I seem to get some weird interference in the audio. I've only been streaming audio thus far, and it's so faint I can't tell if it's just me or if it's really happening. Going to try some MP3s and really listening to see if it's truly happening.
I'm having some trouble getting it to interface with my el cheapo ELM mini scantool via bluetooth. Will dink with it some more.
Still need to install that Carservices apk so I can control 3rd party apps with the steering wheel controls.
One other gripe is that it mutes the audio when placed into reverse. I'm thinking/hoping that's just a setting buried somewhere in a menu - I will look for it this weekend.
Overall, happy with the unit. I have an annoying rattle in the dash - I assume the SWC box or something isn't placed well. At certain volumes I seem to get some weird interference in the audio. I've only been streaming audio thus far, and it's so faint I can't tell if it's just me or if it's really happening. Going to try some MP3s and really listening to see if it's truly happening.
I think the reason for audio mute when in reverse is because it switches the input to an aux input separate from the android input, which will cause audio to switch as well. I don't know if there is much you can do about that (I haven't found anything to change on my Silverado's unit anyway).
Eventually I'll get the same thing (or similar) for my Camaro, but that's not a high priority right now. I need to get the broken valve springs replaced first so I can actually drive it first
Eventually I'll get the same thing (or similar) for my Camaro, but that's not a high priority right now. I need to get the broken valve springs replaced first so I can actually drive it first