Android Head Units [Vids Added]

[Gametheory]

So I've been looking at headunits on and off since wondering about a Nexus 7 mod.

It turns out that if you want an Android Head Unit, some chinese companies are wayy ahead of us in that department.

Xdaforums (usually for android developers, mods, etc) has a subforum just for android head units.

Just found it myself today and will be looking into it as well.

There's even a single din unit that has a detachable tablet (7-8" screen) that looks promising.

I wanted to give you guys a heads up if you're looking to upgrade your current setup and are interested in it being Android.

 

Edit: Here are some vids on random ones 

 

[andyb5]

@mattsk8 aren't you thinking about something like this?

[mattsk8]

No, I want to use a literal Android tablet as a head unit... like this. Would be awesome. I'd have unlimited internet, 8 gb of music storage (and then some because I could bluetooth my phone to it), Google navigation, plus they make a OBD link that bluetooths to the tablet and gives you GTR looking gauges on the tablet; not sure if it works with ME7 or not though. Either way, I think I'm going to try to do it. I already have all the amplifiers, and I have that white tablet. All said and done I think I'll only have about $100 into it, and if it sounds good and works well I'll buy a black tablet for it.

 

[mattsk8]

Although, that's the first I've heard of those Android head units, thanks for the link. Those are pretty cheap and they have a tuner built in; curious how they work?? Here's one on eBay, buy it now for around $290 after shipping... http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANDROID-6-0-4K-TOUCHSCREEN-CAR-STEREO-GPS-NAVIGATION-PLAYER-RDS-AUTORADIO-SYSTEM-/381808938429?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

[Gametheory]

29 minutes ago, mattsk8 said:

Although, that's the first I've heard of those Android head units, thanks for the link. Those are pretty cheap and they have a tuner built in; curious how they work?? Here's one on eBay, buy it now for around $290 after shipping... http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANDROID-6-0-4K-TOUCHSCREEN-CAR-STEREO-GPS-NAVIGATION-PLAYER-RDS-AUTORADIO-SYSTEM-/381808938429?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

No idea how they work, but amazon reviews say Pumpkin is alright.

 

So far I have my eye on http://www.ebay.com/itm/332009094965?

It's a single din, so I wouldn't have to dremel/file down the rails in the 850. Also looks like it's detachable.

Joying seems like a good brand, though I've read their customer service is lacking.

 

Also I would look for the newer models with 2gb RAM, which are starting to appear.

[mattsk8]

3 minutes ago, Gametheory said:

*snip*

Why'd you give up on the Nexus 7 install? The only real cons to using a tablet as a head unit that I can think of is that I'd need to pay a monthly fee for the internet (right now I just use wifi). IIRC, that's like $15/month extra on my phone bill? Have you found any other cons to using a tablet?

[Gametheory]

26 minutes ago, mattsk8 said:

Why'd you give up on the Nexus 7 install? The only real cons to using a tablet as a head unit that I can think of is that I'd need to pay a monthly fee for the internet (right now I just use wifi). IIRC, that's like $15/month extra on my phone bill? Have you found any other cons to using a tablet?

Haha, it was more of something I was looking into from time to time, mainly since the tech wasn't really there yet.  

Especially since I have no prior experience in soldering and no knowledge of wiring, the prebuilt ones appeal to me.

As for cons, I don't think there's anything exclusively bad with them if you're able to mod them and add your custom roms.

 

One thing I would do, if possible, is to remove and bypass the lithium ion batteries in them before installing them in the car.

If you get into an accident and they are penetrated, they can explode.

 

By the way, that vid you posted is great.