Team-BHP - The Android Head-Unit buying guide

Hi Guys,

I have an android headunit in my Elite i20. I would like to know how i can get the android auto functionality on the unit. I browsed Youtube which recommends some apps for the same. But the apps have too much bugs and is has too much lag. I would like to know if there is any other way to get android auto functioning on my headunit. Thanks in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kottayamkaran (Post 4859298)

I have a similar unit in my car (recently plonked in). I don't quite understand the purpose of having Android Auto to work with it? Whatever apps you want to use "via" Android Auto (Spotify/Prime Music, maps, waze, TPMS etc) - why not simply install them on the Android head unit itself & login on it? Thats far easier! Simply turn-on wifi hotspot in your phone when driving and you are done. You infact will get wireless experience without the hassle of Android Auto.

If you insist on using Android Auto - its a tricky one. you need to first add an Android Auto adapter & then install it.

Seems to work alright. When I was exploring, I stumbled on this video which is quite good as overview -

Android Head Unit + Android Auto

Off late - I have got another wicked idea to implement with my head unit. Once things normalize & the car gets used daily for office run - I am thinking of putting a simple JIOFI (or similar) 4G hotspot in the glove-box, connected to one of the USB ports for power. No battery in it. Running only on the USB power when car is in use. A 1.5GB per day plan is more than enough to support excellent 4g hotspot connection to the head unit & everything will work directly off the head unit, without any need to connect the phone OR use phone's mobile data at all. stupid:

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharan_si (Post 4868106)

Does anyone know which amplifier is used in the Woodman android gold 2GB model? I looked at images, the backside is flat, I am not sure how they have stuffed screen, Motherboard and amp together in a small area, in general, 55x4 amp requires a good amount of area for heat dissipation.

I don't think it has an amp built into the device. At the most it might have a DSP chip inside

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms001 (Post 4869520)

Blaupunkt has come up with a android HU

ITs good option for anyone considering Android HU's

Its been around since some while actually. And given the overall design, features, interface, rear panel build etc (from user reviews on the internet) - it seems like the same mass produced Chinese sourced Android head units with a Blaupunkt logo print & slightly customized OS. The price premium for the brand print seems to be fairly high. I recently purchased such an unbranded Android system for far cheaper from a Delhi based seller & found no drawbacks. (Just my 2 cents. Disclaimer - I'm no expert in this field, just sharing my thoughts.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reinhard (Post 4859449)

Off late - I have got another wicked idea to implement with my head unit. Once things normalize & the car gets used daily for office run - I am thinking of putting a simple JIOFI (or similar) 4G hotspot in the glove-box, connected to one of the USB ports for power. No battery in it. Running only on the USB power when car is in use. A 1.5GB per day plan is more than enough to support excellent 4g hotspot connection to the head unit & everything will work directly off the head unit, without any need to connect the phone OR use phone's mobile data at all. stupid:

I have done this already. I have a woodman 2GB HU installed in teh tucson, and one of the rear usb is cabled inside the glovebox. My office airtel dongle sits there happily, albeit with the battery in. My weapon of choice in the car is Prime Music.
I only need the dongle when I am travelling, so for daily commutes, it is always in the car, and has been working well. Only issue is that it sleeps after some time when the car is parked, and I have to open the glovebox and click teh power button.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reinhard (Post 4869527)

Oh I was not aware of that , saw it recently .
Having warranty maybe a good option as compared to Chinese brand , if cost difference is not that much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsdbsd (Post 4619587)

Dont want to be a contrarian, but I will go ahead and be one anyway because of my experiences. My suggestion would be stick with locally available Sony or Pioneer units (the cheapest ones) which support CarPlay or Android. All the major needs would be addressed by these two software layers and believe me, they are more than enough. In fact, the features have become distractions by themselves for a sterile cockpit (carpit?).

Reliability is a big issue. The Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD unit that I purchased for my innova has served me for the past 10 years while the Android sytem for my accord has been nothing but trouble every 6 months or so. Power socket failure, screen LED failure, poor phonecall reception etc. As we talk it stopped working again.

Till we get a reputed system, better to use the established players.
Also, the life of a mobile phone is 2 or 3 years and after that most apps will not work on your phone.

In a similar fashion your android player will go out of date soon while the trusty pioneer that cannot be "updated" will still play soothing music for years to come. Surely something to consider.

I just came across another new Company from Haryana offering Android HUs at lower prices as compared to Hypersonic and Foxfire.

4GB/32GB with DSP costs < 15K

Details here:
Website: https://deaninfotainments.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/deaninfotainments/
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj1...3Asc_AoYYTVMbQ
WhatsApp: +917015732022

They even claim an installation Service across 350 cities in India and a Free Return and Refund for Faulty Products within 7 days.

I have no experience or knowledge about the quality or service here but just sharing what I came across. If anyone has any experience in dealing with them - it would be good to hear from those folks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsrivatsa (Post 4885415)

Any reviews or first hand information ?

hi anybody ordered on Aliexpress recently?

Am planning an upgrade for my 2015 BMW F30 (even on the Luxury line they provided basic 6.5" unit without Nav). There seem to be some good Android Hu's which folks in the US and Europe have installed (after ordering on Aliexpress).

Am concerned about the recent import issues and potential customs duty.

Any guidance appreciated.!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reinhard (Post 4859449)

I am thinking of putting a simple JIOFI (or similar) 4G hotspot in the glove-box, connected to one of the USB ports for power. No battery in it. Running only on the USB power when car is in use. A 1.5GB per day plan is more than enough to support excellent 4g hotspot connection to the head unit & everything will work directly off the head unit, without any need to connect the phone OR use phone's mobile data at all.

Nothing Stupid about it. I have put a JioFi in my car (1.5GB per day), and use it for my android radio (majorly google maps and navigation but sometimes amazon music). I also use it streaming services (netflix, YT kids, Prime kids) on my kids' tablets.

I kept battery in the hotspot because hotspot will be immediately available when I start the car. Else, I would have to switch on the jiofi manually everytime. I am not worried about misuse because I changed the password for JioFi to a very strong one.

I didnt connect it to android radio usb port. I put it in the glove box and connected it to a normal 12v to usb car charger.

Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanarmy (Post 4896012)

Hi. I was planning on getting one of these installed. The dealer at Sec 48 Chandigarh is offering a 2GB/16GB model for 8,000. I have a question regarinding the Boot Time - since it's Android, does it end up taking as long as a phone to start - approximately 20-30 secs minimum? In that case, I wonder if it's even worth it?

These units remain in standby mode for some time. If you restart within that time then the units straightaway turn on otherwise you have to wait for the full boot