Android Headunits

[jellybeard999]

Has anybody given any of the numerous android headunits a try?

I've a 2011 Octavia with the Bolero HU, but not USB/BT. The SD Card music browsing etc is frankly laughable, and the better/newer Skoda/VW HUs are quite pricy.

There are numerious direct fit (ie no fascia/trim etc required) which don't look too garish (some almost OEM) which run android.

This sounds like a good option, as then I can run any music app, stanav etc My main reservation is reliability (both software and hardware) and usability.

Something like (random pick) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUTORADIO...150?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4189ee416e is what I've seen.

Any thoughts?

 

[jellybeard999]

I would rather pay more and go with a Pioneer AppRadio, these chinese products tend to be poor in every area and not exactly cheapt at £280.

I'll have a look at those.

The Pioneer/Kenwood slot ins at £1k+ seem really dated tbh, so spending more doesn't seem to net you a much better unit.

Android will get on your ****. Novelty will wear off within 7 days.

You want something that genuinely mimics factory ICE. Meaning you start the car and you're straight into a nav or radio etc. Not in the middle of angry birds.

( Unless things have moved on and you can mimic ICE like a factory unit and block off all the phone type features)

This is my concern. To be clear, I don't want android for games and other junk and would run a simple launcher, with just nav, music, radio etc on. I would hope to get it set up, then just leave it alone.

My concern is around the stability of the HU. I don't mind a 30 second startup time, but wouldn't want to wait ages for it to turn on or open the nav etc.

That said, my current Bolero HU takes forever to browse MP3s on the SDCard, so it can't be much worse!

The feedback I have read seems good, but is pretty thin on the ground.

 

[jellybeard999]

stuff

Thanks. I'm in no rush, so if there is better stuff imminent, I'll hang on for a bit. I think I'll do some more research on Android auto, as that definitely looks interesting. I don't want anything that relies on mirroring or connecting to a phone though.

Yes, your spot on IMO with the OEM comments. I'm not too fussed if it looks factory, as long as it looks neat and tidy. The features of the OEM solutions I've come across are a bit naff, unless you get a brand new unit from a newer model, but they're £££.

Personally, I think the Kenwood/Pioneer etc models look inferior to android in terms of flexibility and UI, and they're certainly less customisable. IMO these Chinese jobbies have the right idea, it's the question mark over reliability and support holding me back.

Thanks all.

EDIT

Nope, this looks like some sort of hybrid proper android running on a touch screen/galaxy note glued to a rack.

This is an example of a proper in car droid device...

http://www.androidcentral.com/pioneers-avh-4100nex-android-autocarplay-head-unit-now-shipping-700

The aim of Android Auto is to extend the functionality of an Android mobile device in an automobile to the dashboard's head unit. In order to use the system, users must be running Lollipop on their mobile device and must own a vehicle supporting Android Auto. The driver's Android device connects to the vehicle via USB cable. Rather than running its own operating system, the head unit will serve as an external display for the Android device, which runs all of the software, by presenting a car-specific user interface built into Lollipop.

Maybe I've misunderstood this, but is that not limiting? What if I don't have my phone? I get no satnav, no music etc???