Android Auto Wireless Double DIN Touchscreen - what to buy?!

[echazfraz]

I have had a look here and not found anyone asking quite as many silly questions as I am about to but if there is already a thread on this please point it out to me and I'll skulk off there!

My partner would like to replace the stereo in her Mk2 (8J?) Audi TT.

She would like the following from the new stereo:

• Android Auto connectivity, preferably wireless

• Ability to run things like Spotify, Google Maps, Waze, iPlayer, etc

• Compatibility with steering wheel controls

• Touchscreen

• OBDII reader compatibility for apps like Torque

I have some questions relating to the above:

• Do most units have the software on them or do they run it from the phone i.e. if I want to use spotify do I load it up on the phone or on the unit itself, but using my phone's data to connect to the internet?

• Has anyone used an OBDII reader-compatible unit to see live data on the move, is this possible, and is it useful data?

• Are the mad far eastern makes like Pumpkin, Eonon, etc. that are available from Amazon any good?

• ---They seem to come in a variety of Android flavours but be the only ones advertised to connect to OBDII readers.

• ---I read that their compatibility with steering wheel controls and certain speaker setups (TT has the BOSE system) - things to watch out for here?

There is a huge price discrepancy in something like this Pioneer one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-MVH-A200VBT-6-2-I...

To this Pioneer one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-AVH-Z3000DAB-Touc...

And I can't really tell the difference in functionality, maybe it's just model years?

Lastly, I am going to head to John Kleis car audio in Reading later to ask much the same as above. Am I going to get my pants pulled down? They have good Google Reviews.

Thanks in advance all!

[Too Late]

XDA had a solution for wireless Android Auto. SOMething to do with mirroring your phones screen to an additional phone tucked away in the car which is cabled to the headunit.

I didn't think wireless AA was available yet

[Stiggolas]

I bought an Android head unit from Xtrons. A UK company with Chinese manufactured units. So far really impressed. Spotify, Google maps, all the regular apps work great. I do tether to my phone for the maps as I don't want another contract for my head unit!
Spotify premium gives offline playlists so I use this.
The unit will also Bluetooth music from my ipod, very handy when I get bored with Spotify playlists.
Torque comes pre loaded but the OBD dongle is extra

[joropug]

I'm running a vauxhall specific pumpkin android unit and I'm chuffed to bits with it.

Apps are loaded on like a tablet (literally) , I hook my phone up as a hotspot sometimes depending on what I'm doing with it but most of the time it's offline with offline maps from sygic, downloaded songs on Spotify and audibooks on audible.

When you're Parked up, can watch videos etc if that floats your boat.

Mine came with a canbus plug in (it's all plug and play) which means wheel controls and the display screen work as normal. There's also a virtual menu replicating the OEM vauxhall buttons on the original stereo for changing settings etc.

I got it slightly cheaper on eBay than Amazon.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[echazfraz]

Guys, many many thanks for the input so far, I'm very unimpressed with what you get for your £400 or so from Pioneer, Kenwood, etc. having played with a few yesterday in a shop.

Can I ask how long those of you who have the pumpkin, xtrons etc have had them for? Any glitches, hanging, crashing etc?

Thanks again all!

[Spare tyre]

I have a new pumpkin u it from amazon in my day van

Fantastic

If you are in Southampton area you are welcome to have a demo

[mikey P 500]

Looking at similar options currently. Want the cheapest double din unit that will display Google maps from an android phone, connect a reverse camera and ideally take USB or memory card for music. Please suggest anything you have had experience with that is reliable.

[Bumblebee7]

Does anyone have any opinions on this chinese unbranded head unit?
Not sure whether to risk it and see what happens, I like the look of the ad and the price is certainly very competitive. Reluctant to spend loads as it's going in to a £500 car.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Android-8-1-Car-Stereo-...

[ewand]

Bumblebee7 said:

Does anyone have any opinions on this chinese unbranded head unit?
Not sure whether to risk it and see what happens, I like the look of the ad and the price is certainly very competitive. Reluctant to spend loads as it's going in to a £500 car.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Android-8-1-Car-Stereo-...

go on, go on, go on...
It looks almost too good to be true, capacitative 7" screen with all of that for £60...

The old Kenwood satnav (from about 2006 by the look of it) that a previous owner installed in my car, has finally give up the ghost and no longer finds satellites (after the 6th April timing change, apparently).. so I'm thinking if it's worth putting in an Android Auto media unit with no CD/DVD/onboard nav, and just use the phone for everything... but it seems that all of the mainstream units from Sony, Kenwood etc are junk, slow, resistive screens, that are unstable and barely fit for purpose. At least you have someone to shout at with a brand name, though, unlike a no-name Shenzen type unit...

[untakenname]

1GB of RAM isn't enough imo for an android car pc, I have a Nexus 7 2GB in my car and it's showing it's age