7" Android Head Unit Review
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
It has been a while since I posted.
I have experimented with the OBDII interface, and I would recommend that if you want a consistent experience, get the Bafx OBDII dongle shown in the original post. I tried a compact cheaper one, and it could not interface with the computer in my Trans Am. I sent it back to Amazon and got the Bafx model. The Bafx is a little over $20, and it is worth it since it works the first time. I was concerned that it would stick out to far, but that was not an issue once I got it and installed it.
I have also experimented with different GPS software programs. I liked the Sygic GPS software, but you have to pay for it, so I wanted to evaluate more programs before I committed to that software. I found out on the Joying website that if you bought the head unit from them, either directly or via Amazon or eBay (if they are the eBay seller), then you get the iGO navigation software. You have to email them with you order number, and they will respond with an email where you can download the iGO software and the maps. I found the directions on their website, but I did not bookmark the link, and their website is very difficult to search. Emailing them would be the best option if you want more information on that.
This blog link from their website has decent reviews on several navigation software programs https://www.carjoying.com/Joying-blog/39.html
This is my quick review on different navigation software
I have experimented with the OBDII interface, and I would recommend that if you want a consistent experience, get the Bafx OBDII dongle shown in the original post. I tried a compact cheaper one, and it could not interface with the computer in my Trans Am. I sent it back to Amazon and got the Bafx model. The Bafx is a little over $20, and it is worth it since it works the first time. I was concerned that it would stick out to far, but that was not an issue once I got it and installed it.
I have also experimented with different GPS software programs. I liked the Sygic GPS software, but you have to pay for it, so I wanted to evaluate more programs before I committed to that software. I found out on the Joying website that if you bought the head unit from them, either directly or via Amazon or eBay (if they are the eBay seller), then you get the iGO navigation software. You have to email them with you order number, and they will respond with an email where you can download the iGO software and the maps. I found the directions on their website, but I did not bookmark the link, and their website is very difficult to search. Emailing them would be the best option if you want more information on that.
This blog link from their website has decent reviews on several navigation software programs https://www.carjoying.com/Joying-blog/39.html
This is my quick review on different navigation software
- Google Maps - The best free navigation software, but it requires that you are online and use your cellular data. It is fine if you have the 3G dongle or if you remember to turn on the hotspot on your cell phone
- Waze - has the cool feature of the social traffic feedback, but it also requires that you are online. There is also a bug with Waze where the volume control **** on the Joying head unit will stop working, and you need to do a hard reset (push a ball point pen tip into the reset hole) to fix that issue. You can google that issue and it is a long standing issue with the Joying head unit. That became too annoying, so I uninstalled Waze.
- Sygic - it is a very good offline navigation software, but you only get a week of free usage. After that it shuts down all the useful features until you pay for it. It is not that expensive, and I may go back to this software.
- iGO - you have to get this from Joying, and it installs on the SD GPS card, so it does not use up your internal storage. Since Joying gives it to you, it is free. That is where the good part ends. It is a real pain to set up true TTS (text to speech) with this program, and you need TTS for it (and any navigation software) to speak street names instead of the useless generic "turn right, turn left" directions. This program is obviously written overseas, and it is very rude by US standards. Say you are using the navigation, and you decide to go off route because you know a better route. It will respond with "recalculating route because you missed the turn". Really? My response is **** off. It is also very annoying if you go over the speed limit, and I have not figured out how to configure that.
- Co Pilot - I found this software via a post on the Joying blog, and I am very impressed with it. It is available via the Google Play store, and you get a week of free use to demo it. I think it costs $9.00, and I may end up buying it at that price. It is very configurable, and it is very accurate.
- Drive - this is the old Nokia mapping software, and it used to be very good. Now it is not so good. A few years ago when I had a Windows Phone, I had Drive on it, and it had full TTS. Now Drive does not. Why would they degrade a feature? It does have an offline mode, but the lack of TTS is a no-go for me. That is a shame because it has a very slick interface.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
It has been a while since I posted.
I have experimented with the OBDII interface, and I would recommend that if you want a consistent experience, get the Bafx OBDII dongle shown in the original post. I tried a compact cheaper one, and it could not interface with the computer in my Trans Am. I sent it back to Amazon and got the Bafx model. The Bafx is a little over $20, and it is worth it since it works the first time. I was concerned that it would stick out to far, but that was not an issue once I got it and installed it.
I have also experimented with different GPS software programs. I liked the Sygic GPS software, but you have to pay for it, so I wanted to evaluate more programs before I committed to that software. I found out on the Joying website that if you bought the head unit from them, either directly or via Amazon or eBay (if they are the eBay seller), then you get the iGO navigation software. You have to email them with you order number, and they will respond with an email where you can download the iGO software and the maps. I found the directions on their website, but I did not bookmark the link, and their website is very difficult to search. Emailing them would be the best option if you want more information on that.
This blog link from their website has decent reviews on several navigation software programs https://www.carjoying.com/Joying-blog/39.html
This is my quick review on different navigation software
I have experimented with the OBDII interface, and I would recommend that if you want a consistent experience, get the Bafx OBDII dongle shown in the original post. I tried a compact cheaper one, and it could not interface with the computer in my Trans Am. I sent it back to Amazon and got the Bafx model. The Bafx is a little over $20, and it is worth it since it works the first time. I was concerned that it would stick out to far, but that was not an issue once I got it and installed it.
I have also experimented with different GPS software programs. I liked the Sygic GPS software, but you have to pay for it, so I wanted to evaluate more programs before I committed to that software. I found out on the Joying website that if you bought the head unit from them, either directly or via Amazon or eBay (if they are the eBay seller), then you get the iGO navigation software. You have to email them with you order number, and they will respond with an email where you can download the iGO software and the maps. I found the directions on their website, but I did not bookmark the link, and their website is very difficult to search. Emailing them would be the best option if you want more information on that.
This blog link from their website has decent reviews on several navigation software programs https://www.carjoying.com/Joying-blog/39.html
This is my quick review on different navigation software
- Google Maps - The best free navigation software, but it requires that you are online and use your cellular data. It is fine if you have the 3G dongle or if you remember to turn on the hotspot on your cell phone
- Waze - has the cool feature of the social traffic feedback, but it also requires that you are online. There is also a bug with Waze where the volume control **** on the Joying head unit will stop working, and you need to do a hard reset (push a ball point pen tip into the reset hole) to fix that issue. You can google that issue and it is a long standing issue with the Joying head unit. That became too annoying, so I uninstalled Waze.
- Sygic - it is a very good offline navigation software, but you only get a week of free usage. After that it shuts down all the useful features until you pay for it. It is not that expensive, and I may go back to this software.
- iGO - you have to get this from Joying, and it installs on the SD GPS card, so it does not use up your internal storage. Since Joying gives it to you, it is free. That is where the good part ends. It is a real pain to set up true TTS (text to speech) with this program, and you need TTS for it (and any navigation software) to speak street names instead of the useless generic "turn right, turn left" directions. This program is obviously written overseas, and it is very rude by US standards. Say you are using the navigation, and you decide to go off route because you know a better route. It will respond with "recalculating route because you missed the turn". Really? My response is **** off. It is also very annoying if you go over the speed limit, and I have not figured out how to configure that.
- Co Pilot - I found this software via a post on the Joying blog, and I am very impressed with it. It is available via the Google Play store, and you get a week of free use to demo it. I think it costs $9.00, and I may end up buying it at that price. It is very configurable, and it is very accurate.
- Drive - this is the old Nokia mapping software, and it used to be very good. Now it is not so good. A few years ago when I had a Windows Phone, I had Drive on it, and it had full TTS. Now Drive does not. Why would they degrade a feature? It does have an offline mode, but the lack of TTS is a no-go for me. That is a shame because it has a very slick interface.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
https://www.androidpit.com/use-your-google-maps-offline
Here's out to save areas for using it offline. You're limited to 46332 square miles of offline data you can save.
Here's out to save areas for using it offline. You're limited to 46332 square miles of offline data you can save.
Installed my HU with a lvl 4 speaker set from Kee audio and a double D mods bezel. I had to trim the bezel quite a bit to fit but got it all in.
No complaints. It all sounds much better than the stock stuff or even the previous aftermarket speakers I had with the stock HU. I haven't done much with it yet, just put all my music on a SD card. I did install a PAC SWI-RC steering wheel control adapter, but couldn't get it to work right. It would only send a signal with 2 of the buttons, and trying to program those to the unit, it would recognize that I pressed the button, but once assigned, the button didn't do anything. I'll have to mess with that more later.
No complaints. It all sounds much better than the stock stuff or even the previous aftermarket speakers I had with the stock HU. I haven't done much with it yet, just put all my music on a SD card. I did install a PAC SWI-RC steering wheel control adapter, but couldn't get it to work right. It would only send a signal with 2 of the buttons, and trying to program those to the unit, it would recognize that I pressed the button, but once assigned, the button didn't do anything. I'll have to mess with that more later.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Looks good! I highly recommend giving PowerAmp a try for microSD music. Looks and operate 1000000x better than what comes with the HU. Make sure to explore the options, there's lots of customization.
I am planning on purchasing the Pumpkin version of this unit. They appear to very similar if not the same, I think.
What adapters do I need for my steering wheel controls to work or anything else I need to keep my factory amp and what not working? I just want to have everything I need when I go to install.
I mainly want it so it can Bluetooth with my iphone and play music I have there from an app, I also want it to use for a gps. My iphone is on Verizon and doesn't have hotspot though.
Just please let me know what all I need to buy, adapters, steering wheel controller, antenna adapter, anything else? Bezel? I want a bezel that matches the interior the most.
What adapters do I need for my steering wheel controls to work or anything else I need to keep my factory amp and what not working? I just want to have everything I need when I go to install.
I mainly want it so it can Bluetooth with my iphone and play music I have there from an app, I also want it to use for a gps. My iphone is on Verizon and doesn't have hotspot though.
Just please let me know what all I need to buy, adapters, steering wheel controller, antenna adapter, anything else? Bezel? I want a bezel that matches the interior the most.
You'll need a PAC-SWI for the steering wheel. You'll need a Metra adapter for the wiring. A bezel is needed - check DD Mods - but even buying a double din will most likely require some additional shaping as these units are about 1/4" wider than a standard double din. You'll also need an antenna adapter.
If you have Verizon and an iPhone, you should have a hotspot option. What iPhone are you on?
If you have Verizon and an iPhone, you should have a hotspot option. What iPhone are you on?
You'll need a PAC-SWI for the steering wheel. You'll need a Metra adapter for the wiring. A bezel is needed - check DD Mods - but even buying a double din will most likely require some additional shaping as these units are about 1/4" wider than a standard double din. You'll also need an antenna adapter.
If you have Verizon and an iPhone, you should have a hotspot option. What iPhone are you on?
If you have Verizon and an iPhone, you should have a hotspot option. What iPhone are you on?
I have the 6S+. I didn't know they did hotspots.
Can't argue about the price, but my friend put one in his Camaro and it just looked so out of place. It was smooth and like flat black, didn't match up at all in my opinion.
Mine is a driver so I will have to look at it at least 3x a week.
Anyone ever try one of these? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A1WH4GEGJCQIEN
Mine is a driver so I will have to look at it at least 3x a week.
Anyone ever try one of these? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A1WH4GEGJCQIEN
Last edited by nastybuzzard; Jun 30, 2016 at 06:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Maybe the Camaro one is different, I can't comment on it. But I drive mine daily and having something that didn't look OEM would bug the crap out of me. Stuff has to look OEM, I even went as far as to get the stock wheels widened to keep as OEM as possible.