Solid Chinese Android Head Unit

MadMaxBargainRoad on 20/11/2019 - 13:53

Hi fellow ozbargainers,

I am looking for a cheap yet solid Android head unit for my family car (SsangYong Stavic 2014). Initially I was eyeing on a Sony XV3000 but the resistive touch screen kind of turned me off. The XV5000 on the other hand is just too expensive for my budget car.

So I now try to explore the idea of a generic Android unit instead:

  • 7 to 8" 2DIN
  • Capacitive touch screen
  • Relatively hassle free Reverse Camera integration
  • Functional Radio (this seems to be a widespread issue with the cheaper units)
  • Smooth USB based Internet tethering from Android phones

I don't have a fixed budget but if the price is getting too close to a Sony then it'd become pointless of course

Any ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • Hithere on 20/11/2019 - 14:23

    Stick with an Australian sold brand name would be my suggestion.

    The generic brands often don't live up to their performance claims and the software can often either be hacked or out of date.

    They also can sometimes not be compatible with existing car wiring and looms to adapt them 100% may not be readily available from my (limited) experience.

  • Sergeant Salami on 20/11/2019 - 14:43

    Just be careful. I got myself an AN21U headunit a couple of years ago. Its still going strong but I had to buy another facia for my car and cut it as it wasn't suitable for aussie cars. These units are branded as Android but Android Auto is so much better.

    Does it really matter between resistive and capacitive touch?

    • MadMaxBargainRoad on 20/11/2019 - 14:47

      Thanks for the info. My experience of resistive/capacitive touch was from using smartphones vs using kiosk machines. I can feel the frustration just by picturing myself typing a full address on say a Maccas kiosk. Haven't really used any touch based head units though.

      • Sergeant Salami on 20/11/2019 - 14:51
        +2

        Go into Autobarn or Super Cheap and have a play. You'll be suprised.

      • brokenglish on 21/11/2019 - 01:13
        +1

        Those types of kiosks always have crap touch screen, usually much thicker to prevent abuse from the public.

        Resistive/capacitive shouldn't matter for your case. Resistive is actually preferable as it is very responsive.
        Capacitive screen is like iPhone's: finger only or anything conductive.
        Resistive screen you can use anything: pen, fingernail (if you like to eat in car), etc.

        I believe Macca's kiosks are actually capacitive because it doesn't like me poking it with my keys.
        An example of resistive screen is AusPost parcel lockers, I can even use the corner of my cards.

        Capacitive won't work properly with very dry or super cold fingers (in winter).

  • Gracey on 20/11/2019 - 15:15
    +1

    Have installed 2 of the Sony XAV-AX3000 in the past month, I found the resistive touch to work perfectly. Can be had for around $350 on special, if that changes your mind at all

  • eggnbacon on 20/11/2019 - 15:20

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33001896770.html

    You'd probably need to add a fan and a heatsink to keep it running smoothly.

  • DarthAntz on 20/11/2019 - 16:32

    I bought an installed a sub-$100 headunit from aliexpress in February. It takes 30 seconds to load, and has too many things I'll never use. The fact that it starts playing music from a usb stick once it loads gives me all the satisfaction I need. I'll never use wifi on it or anything else.

  • Drakesy on 20/11/2019 - 18:11

    I bought a chinese unit off Aliexpress for ~$200 with android 6.0, GPS, bluetooth etc. All i needed was a $20 wiring harness bought from an audio store, roughly an hour of disassembly and she was in.

    Honestly had my doubts but 3 years later and she's still going strong, minor lag here and there, but then again so do the name brand ones which have comparable features for ~$800.
    Can't really go wrong given the 50% markup Jbhifi puts on their units

    • MadMaxBargainRoad on 20/11/2019 - 18:29

      Which one is that if you don't mind me asking?

      • Hybroid on 20/11/2019 - 20:39
        +1

        If you're gonna cheap out on a head unit then don't go lower than Atoto A6.

        Also what on earth possessed you to drive a SsangYong?!

        • MadMaxBargainRoad on 20/11/2019 - 21:32

          The need of a van sized SUV. Ssangyong is fine tbh. Love its practicality.

          The A6 is close to $400. That's xav5000 money.

      • Drakesy on 21/11/2019 - 15:02

        It's a Joying branded unit from memory

  • Cheeper on 20/11/2019 - 20:35
    +1

    See if Joying has one that suits your car. I have had one for about 5 years now and it has been fantastic. It only cost about $250 back then and far superior in performance and features than the JBL factory upgrade we opted for with a $800 penalty for the pleasure.. not.
    I checked around at the time I bought it and none of the common shop brands came close just on features alone.
    They supplied the required harness for my car and installation was very easy.
    People knock the Chinese head units and there are crap ones amonst them but they also have the best ones too.
    Regardless of the hype, they are all made in China.

    • Mr BoMBAStiG on 20/11/2019 - 21:20

      Was very happy with my Joying unit. Only downside was the volume knob began playing up about 2 years in. Put up with it for a year then sold the car.
      There are def better units but you get a good bang for your buck with Joying.

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