[city2491]

After long months of considering and looking, I finally decided to install an Android Headunit and also a hardwired DashCam.


Cost:

The unit costed me ₹9500. This is the 1GB/16 GB variant. I originally intended to install a 4GB/64GB version, but put this instead so I could check whether I am satisfied with the UI and performance or I’ll put the stock unit back in. If I am happy and this unit starts feeling underpowered I can get a higher model.

The DashCam costed me ₹7500 after discounts. It’s from Anker. It’s called Roav A0. This was hardwired to the car.

I also bought 2 12V sockets with fuse taps. One for the DashCam and one for my LED footwell lights which were earlier using the main 12V sockets. Now my sockets are free! 2 sockets costed me ₹500.

The stock camera wasn’t compatible with the headunit, so needed to buy an adapter. It costed me ₹1000. This is the only component that feels a bit overpriced.

DashCam: ₹7500
Head Unit: ₹9500
Others: ₹1500
Installation free
Total: ₹18500

HEADUNIT

Fit and finish:

The fit and finish is perfect just like all android head units. Although the quality of the glossy black finish is not as good as the stock frame. But, due to the sheer size of glass on the unit, there isn’t much glossy frame left to look at.
The unit sits flush with the dash, and overall I would rate it 8/10.

Dash lights off


Car ignition on


User Interface and settings:

Unlike most headunits I’ve seen, this one has a classy home screen. It’s not at all tacky or like a xiaomi phone running MIUI with ads. It’s reminiscent of the COMAND systems in newer Mercedes cars.

Notice the fonts and icons:


This was looking much more like the COMAND system with an all black wallpaper, but I didn’t want my car to look like it was trying to be more expensive than it is, hence changed it to this wallpaper.

App drawer:


Basic sound equaliser without DSP chip:


The sound quality is great. The stock speakers and tweeters of the car do a well enough job. Although I considered getting a sub-woofer, but I didn’t want to mess with the wiring too much. It’s on hold for now.

GPS satellites in range:


Didn’t need to use the GPS dongle provided with the head unit because my car already had one in the shark fin antenna.

Some more settings available to play around with:


Startup image setting:


It has all the major brands inbuilt. You can also choose your own startup logo

System info:


UI rating: 9/10

Features:

Radio:

Works well. I felt the sound reception to be a little better than stock. Interface is also good. Again, sophisticated and not tacky. It stores up to 12 channels. Auto tune is available and scanned all the channels.

Clean interface:


Navigation:

Google Maps is pre-installed and is set as the default navigation app. I have downloaded Mumbai’s map, so it will work without internet too.
The navigation display is large and easy to read. Traffic updates are a boon in this city.

Maps:


Phone & Bluetooth:

Bluetooth stability is as expected. It always connects whenever the car is started. The microphone is on the face of the unit itself, and the other party wasn’t complaining of call quality. Streaming is also good and doesn’t have much interference.

Streaming songs:


It shows the song name, artist and album. My earlier unit of the VX(O) just showed the Bluetooth device’s name. Personally, this is a major improvement. It however, does not show the album thumbnail.

Dialler:


Device list:


Settings:


Others:

Using AutoMate car screen:


Looks a lot like android auto. Since some music apps may appear scaled for this huge display, this one has a better interface for a car head unit.

See what I mean?


The buttons on the Spotify app are too small, and while driving, it distracts you if you decide to change albums.

Same with Apple Music:


Prime Video:



Here too the buttons are small. But since I would only ever watch something while the car is stationary, it doesn’t really matter. The video quality is good. Nothing fancy, but it’s crisp and colour reproduction is decent.

I don’t know why a Calculator is inbuilt. Maybe to calculate fuel bills?


Overall many features are pre installed. And android offers much more personalisation. But many apps are not compatible on the play store, and some compatible apps look funny on a large screen. Rating 7/10

Reverse Camera:

There is only one mode available in VX(O) trim, the super wide angle mode, and on this display it looks bad. The angle is too wide and has no guidelines. And it’s super annoying to look at. I probably will get this camera changed and install a better camera.

Quality of camera is poor:


Rating 4/10

DASHCAM

The DashCam as mentioned before is Anker Roav A0. It records in 1080p30fps. The quality of recording is excellent.

Unfortunately just as I was returning home after getting these installed, a taxi hit my rear-right wheel arch while cornering and damaged my rear bumper and rear fender. Fortunately this DashCam was working and I was able to capture the licence plate of the taxi and I intend to track him down tomorrow.

With this incident, I can safely say that the DashCam does its job well.

Neatly wired through roofliner and A-pillar


It has an inbuilt 500mAh battery, which it utilities in parking mode, where it detects motion and impact, and starts recording emergency video.
Normal videos are overwritten when the card is full, but emergency videos stay saved until you manually delete them.

The lens is a 170 degree wide lens from Sony. I guess it was Sony IMX something. Recording is stable and not shaky.

We can set the loop timing to 1min, 3min, 5min.

Watching recorded videos can be done on the DashCam display itself, of through the Roav app, which uses WiFi Direct to quickly transfer videos to my phone or the Headunit itself.

There is a microphone present which can be switched off.

It has been hardwired through a 12V socket and hidden underneath the dash.

From outside:


It is visible if looked at carefully but not glaringly obvious.

Wide angle:


Thank you for reading. Any questions, feedback, suggestions are most welcome!

[2000rpm]

Originally Posted by city2491

DashCam: ₹7500
Head Unit: ₹9500
Others: ₹1500
Installation free
Total: ₹18500

Can you please share the Manufacturer and the product link.

Also would be good to share the place where you bought it from (hence got installation free)

[GTO]

Mod Note: Thread moved to the ICE forum!

[city2491]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

Can you please share the Manufacturer and the product link.

Also would be good to share the place where you bought it from (hence got installation free)

Of course. The brand is called Smart. The logo was embossed on its bottom but I removed it, as I wanted a clean look.

It was bought and installed from Shreyas Motors, Opera House.

[scorpian]

Looks great and gels perfectly.
I too upgraded to android unit in my sx4 and its leaps ahead and looks really nice compared to stock unit. The sound just as you mentioned as improved drastically.

[city2491]

Originally Posted by scorpian

Looks great and gels perfectly.
I too upgraded to android unit in my sx4 and its leaps ahead and looks really nice compared to stock unit. The sound just as you mentioned as improved drastically.

This unit is without DAB broadcast. I’ve ordered a USB DAB dongle from banggood which in theory should work with DAB Z app on Play Store. I’ll post installation and review when it arrives.

[Shreyans_Jain]

A very clean install. I tried to find this brand, but instead found many vendors on Aliexpress selling identical products at about the same price. You haven’t mentioned your screen size. Is it 9” or 10”? How is the touchscreen response? Is it smartphone good? Is the screen curved or an IPS panel? Does your model support pinch to zoom?
City has a very decent reverse camera factory fitted. Why did you replace that with the one that came with the head unit? Did you check up with your vendor if there is a way to get back the reverse camera guide lines?

[city2491]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

A very clean install. I tried to find this brand, but instead found many vendors on Aliexpress selling identical products at about the same price. You haven’t mentioned your screen size. Is it 9” or 10”? How is the touchscreen response? Is it smartphone good? Is the screen curved or an IPS panel? Does your model support pinch to zoom?
City has a very decent reverse camera factory fitted. Why did you replace that with the one that came with the head unit? Did you check up with your vendor if there is a way to get back the reverse camera guide lines?

1. This brand can be found as mentioned before at Shreyas Motors.

2. Screen size is 10.1 inches

3. Capacitive touch, excellent response.

4. It is smartphone good.

5. The screen is 2.5D curved.

6. Yes it supports multi touch, pinch, swipe, swipe with 2, 3 fingers

7. I didn't replace the camera. It is the same. I'm just not happy with its resolution.

8. He had no idea how to get the guidelines back.

[city2491]

UPDATE: ADDED OBD2 SCANNER

I purchased an ELM327 Bluetooth OBD scanner from Amazon for ₹599. It is used directly with Torque Pro app on the head unit. Torque Pro is a paid app for ₹250 (there is a free version available)

Features:

• It shows real time data like RPM, Coolant temp., Vaccum etc.
  
• It scans fault codes and has the ability to clear them.
  
• It can log trips, 0-100 times, and other data one might be intrested in.
  
• Widgets are supported, though they are a paid plugin.
  
• Response is fast, and all the gauges update very quickly, just like real time.

Since this is an android head unit, it can simultaneously connect to multiple devices. Hence, it uses my phone for Music and Calls, and the OBD sensor for data.

[shobhit.shri]

Originally Posted by city2491

UPDATE: ADDED OBD2 SCANNER

This post couldn't have come at a better time! I have a similar setup but I am struggling to connect OBD by Bluetooth to the tablet. I can connect the phone to the tablet by Bluetooth, and OBD to the phone, but even though the tablet is able to scan and find the OBD, I don't get the option to connect. When I am connecting from the phone to OBD, I get the option to enter the pin but even though I repeatedly click on the screen, no such option is given on Tablet. What am I missing? Please let me know if my question is clear enough, or I can attach the screenshot of the Bluetooth screen.

[city2491]

Originally Posted by shobhit.shri

This post couldn't have come at a better time! I have a similar setup but I am struggling to connect OBD by Bluetooth to the tablet. I can connect the phone to the tablet by Bluetooth, and OBD to the phone, but even though the tablet is able to scan and find the OBD, I don't get the option to connect. When I am connecting from the phone to OBD, I get the option to enter the pin but even though I repeatedly click on the screen, no such option is given on Tablet. What am I missing? Please let me know if my question is clear enough, or I can attach the screenshot of the Bluetooth screen.

Yes I can help you with this. Follow the steps below, and if it doesn’t work, PM me.

1. First remove the scanner.
2. Start the car.
3. Go to Bluetooth settings
4. See device PIN
5. It’s value is 0000, change it to 1234
6. Now, insert OBD scanner
7. Refresh Bluetooth page
8. Connect to scanner
9. It should work now.

Again, these steps should work, if not feel free to PM me.

Thanks!

[Shreyans_Jain]

Which version of android is this?

[city2491]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

Which version of android is this?

Android 8.1 is the android version

[Shreyans_Jain]

How long does it take to boot after starting the car? Does the system reboot every time after you start, like when you switch off the car at long traffic lights? Does it have built-in capacitor so as to keep the system running when you crank the engine? Also, does it remember the track you were playing and continue from there, or it starts from track 1 of the playlist every time ? Say, I am listening to radio when I reach home in the evening and park the car. Tomorrow morning, will it start with radio on its own or will I have to do it manually every time?

[city2491]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

How long does it take to boot after starting the car?

It about a week since I've been using it, and it has never rebooted completely. It starts in like a second. Whatever you may be paying, radio, BT, movies, or streaming songs from Spotify, it plays after a second's gap. This is one thing I love, as my previous system took a good 30 seconds to start again every time.