2019 eBay/Chinese Android Head Units

Thranrond on 26/07/2019 - 10:07
Last edited 26/07/2019 - 10:12 by 1 other user

I’m in the market for a head unit for my 2009 Mazda. I was going to buy a Kenwood unit but lost the bid on eBay at the last few seconds, unfortunately.

I’ve been looking around at all the other brands, Alpine, JVC, Sony, etc. and they’re all very… bland. They’re also very pricey for units that do not have a lot of features.

I came across a YouTube review of a 10” Android head unit and it got me looking into it. I like the look of floating display very much and a branded version would cost $1000+ (Alpine).

Saw this on Dick Smith: https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/null-101-in-dash-car-dvd…

And saw a similar unit with the exact specs on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/202492895866

Definitely seems too good to be true but I’ve read some good reviews. Older posts on this forum have had positive comments from users too. I can only imagine there have been more improvements 5 years later.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto can be easily added with a USB dongle too.

I’m really tempted to buy one and try it out. Do any of you have a similar unit installed? What are your thoughts?

Automotive

Comments

  • entropysbane on 26/07/2019 - 10:17

    Do you want it for AA or AC?
    I would be extremely leery of anything that doesn’t have Apple’s stamp of approval if you want carplay, and I am pretty sure those dongles don’t work too well. At least with carplay.AA might have more headroom so to speak.
    That said, I bought a Kenwood wireless carplay unit last night for my Mazda 3 (2011), so maybe I am trying to justify my purchase 😉. With eBay plus 15% discount, with Kenwood reverse cam, $679 for a unit that RRPs at $899 on its own.

    • Soapdroid on 26/07/2019 - 10:25
      +1

      Agreed. This could be a fine head unit running Android, but I'm not positive you're going to have a great Android Auto or Carplay experience with the dongle. I'm curious to hear what others think as I've considered going this route myself.

    • HighAndDry on 26/07/2019 - 11:32

      No - I'd pay more for the established brands too. Those are automotive-grade (?) units which tend to be more responsive, reliable, rugged, able to deal with different temperatures and shocks and conditions better, but at the cost of being simpler and more expensive.

      The android-based ones OP is talking about are effectively consumer-grade mini-PCs with car double-/single-DIN adapters, and that makes sense if you compare the pricing and feature-set to a basic Intel NUC or other mini-PC.

  • slknv on 26/07/2019 - 10:40

    Ive got a 10.1” xtrons installed in my 4wd, love the huge screen for gps nav. Also many apps available for it for customisation, pick one of hundreds of gps apps. I use herewego mainly. Its an old unit now, maybe 3 years old, works with my steering wheel controls and installed a backup camera too. I like it better than the sony carplay unit in my wifes car.

  • Cheeper on 26/07/2019 - 10:43
    +1

    https://www.joyingauto.com/

  • DarthAntz on 26/07/2019 - 11:20
    +1

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32958890282.html?spm=a2g0s.9…

    I bought this one. Installed it in my elgrand.

    Good - Audio is much better, bluetooth and USB mp3s, software is simple enough, connectivity is good, setup was easy enough. Steering wheel controls is a bonus. Previous CD/Audio was dead. Installed VLC and put a few live music avi's which make it good for long drives.
    Bad - GPS isnt good at all, GPS software and other software is not so great either, sometimes bluetooth connectivity issues, takes 40 seconds to power up.

    Ive got existing GPS in the car so I havent bothered past the first struggle to get it working, maps to appear, gps to locate.

    I do wish i bought one of those 10 inch ones, as i realised i could have made it fit once i pulled my dash apart to install it. Regardless, I'm getting the most out of it, as being able to play mp3s and music better was the goal of getting the unit in the first place. I'm not going to use most of the features, I dont spend that much time in a car.

    IMO the cheaper the unit, the worse the bluetooth/GPS is going to be. Keep researching, as there are plenty of youtube videos out there. If you buy it from aliexpress/ebay, you'll have to install it straight away so you can determine if you have a warranty issue on your purchase (within 30-60 days). I've had mine installed since february, I would give it 3-4 years before i expect it needs to be replaced due to breaking down.

  • Amaris on 26/07/2019 - 11:30
    +1

    I've bought the Eonon brand before. Worked as advertised.

    https://www.eonon.com/Mega-summer-sale-with-coupon-57-free-g…

  • HighAndDry on 26/07/2019 - 11:39
    +1

    Definitely seems too good to be true but I’ve read some good reviews. Older posts on this forum have had positive comments from users too. I can only imagine there have been more improvements 5 years later.

    Just note that these reviews are usually given right after a unit is installed, and speaks absolutely nothing to its longevity. Auto-units tend to need longer expected/required lifespans than consumer products . Most people keep cars 5+ years (if not longer), while most people would be replacing their computers more frequently. How often do you want to be replacing your car's head unit?

    • DarthAntz on 26/07/2019 - 12:47
      +1

      This comment is reflective of what I've said above. After first install, bluetooth worked fine. But probably 2 weeks later I started to have issues, and would have to power on and off the bluetooth to get it connected, not something I want to do while driving or even starting a journey. I just run all music off a USB stick now.

      I agree the reviews, and sometimes even the youtube videos of installation and reviews are too soon.

  • Euphemistic on 26/07/2019 - 14:12

    I’ve had a few cheap units over the years. Latest one is an android unit. When it works it is ok, as in you get what you pay for. It regularly crashes or hangs, sometimes it won’t turn off with the key, and I’m sure it was responsible for draining the battery when I didn’t drive for a week. Previously I’ve parked the car for a week and it’s been fine, since Juno starting the battery hasn’t given any issues when driven daily.
    I can’t be bothered trying to send it back as I’d have to uninstall and then arrange shipping to some clown on eBay who will try to claim it’s my fault it stopped working.

  • Architectonic on 26/07/2019 - 16:16

    I have a 3 year old double din android unit which cost me about $200 shipped. The one I bought had no dvd/cd, or knobs (just a few flat buttons on the side similar to the ones on the unit DarthAntz mentioned), providing a larger screen.

    The issues I've had are modest:
    If you don't drive your car for more than a week, the unit goes into 'hibernation' which means it forgets what time it is and annoyingly, the fader setting.
    The GPS is a bit slow to start, sometimes 2-3 minutes before it works (it seems to jump from 2-3 satellites to many all at once!?!)
    It powers up reasonably quickly, at least it's never been a problem for me.

    Sound quality is fine, it's never crashed. I store most of my music on a 32GB SD card which also held the GPS data.
    Bluetooth etc also works well.

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