Android double din stereo

[Kieran]

Hi all, I'm a new member and have recently purchased an NT VRX. Really happy with the Pajero it's great vehicle to drive, with one exception the stock stereo. I'm looking at an aftermarket one like this https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cARvucWM , this one has an option of a CANBUS card does anyone know what this is for? Is this required for the steering wheel controls? Has anyone replaced their stock stereos with a cheap Android unit like this one? Thanks in advance.

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[Keithyv]

Personally I'd avoid this type of unit and get a brand name Pioneer or similar.

These type of units are often very slow to boot up and can provide marginal sound quality.

No need for canbus, steering wheel controls are 2 wires only.
On my Pioneer double DIN it cost me $0 to integrate the steering wheel controls into the unit, just tap into the 2 wires from the steering column (they are in the loom to the factory stereo) and the unit 'learns' the key presses.

[craka]

What's the reasoning for replacing the the stock stereo? Are you after better sound quality or better functionality?

If you are after better sound, I would start with replacing the stock crap speakers with good quallity high sensitivity speakers splits. Which will improve the sound substantially , but if still not enough replace the head unit after that, but as Keithy said with something of good quality.

[Kieran]

Thanks guys, really looking to replace it for functionality, the sound is adequate for my needs. Lack of Bluetooth in the radio is the main reason and the ability to run a reverse camera would be good.

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[nj swb]

Personally I'd avoid this type of unit and get a brand name Pioneer or similar.

It depends on what the OP wants from a unit. If it's primarily about the music, and sound quality, definitely go a major brand name.

If it's about functionality, and wanting something closer to a car PC, I haven't seen a brand name unit that offers full Android functionality. At best, it's Car Play / Android Auto - I want something with more smarts than that. My Android system runs Google Maps in its own right (doesn't need to piggy-back off my phone), can run OziExplorer, most other apps in the Play Store. Not that I use too many...

These type of units are often very slow to boot up and can provide marginal sound quality.

Boot from scratch, yes. I'm on my second Joying Android system (and no, I'm not endorsing them), and it takes a while for initial start / reboot, but for day to day use it's pretty much instant on.

I'm not heavily into sound, so I can't speak to sound quality - it does what I need, but I have no doubt it's at the low end of the market.

No need for canbus, steering wheel controls are 2 wires only.
On my Pioneer double DIN it cost me $0 to integrate the steering wheel controls into the unit, just tap into the 2 wires from the steering column (they are in the loom to the factory stereo) and the unit 'learns' the key presses.

Likewise for the Joying system. From memory, I had to ground one of the wires to get the steering controls to work. It's also supposed to detect reverse via CANbus, but I couldn't get that to work, so hardwired a reverse signal the old-fashioned way.

If you're going down the route of one of the cheap Chinese Android systems I would advise purchasing a "branded" unit (like Joying, there's probably others) so you have half a chance at finding some technical support. My current unit developed a problem (system initialise on every re-boot - that takes slow boot-up to a new level!), Joying sent me a file for fresh system install. You may not get that sort of "support" purchasing from AliExpress.

Don't get me wrong about Joying. My unit is definitely at the low end of the market, and there are aspects of its performance that I find frustrating, but it does things that I couldn't find in any of the major brands.

[gas55]

I bought a DigOptions 6.2" unit last year for my NW. It came with a great fascia which fitted in very well, and all the looms to connect steering wheel controls.
It generally works well EXCEPT for my major gripe, that it takes about 50 seconds to boot to just listen to the radio. If away from the car for more than ten minutes, it has to boot again.
Had an issue with daylight saving which they sent a patch for, and now if in reverse when it finally finishes booting, the sound does not come on the radio. Has to be turned off/on again.
The radio will occasionally ramp up the volume by itself.
And when playing music it occasionally stalls momentarily as though the sampling can't keep up.
I realise now that I don't need half the crap on it anyway. Would have been much better off with a well known Jap brand with Bluetooth and a radio which comes on straight away and plays WMA music from a card. We use Google maps from the phone plugged into a USB port, it's easier to configure. Also needed a new rear camera because the original is a different voltage.

Greg

[nj swb]

Also needed a new rear camera because the original is a different voltage.

It's a bit late for you now, but for the record:

The factory camera uses 6.6V for power, but the video signal is compatible with aftermarket head units. There are a few relatively simple solutions on the internet for reproducing a 6.6 V source, so you can use the factory camera with an aftermarket head unit.

[Ian Sharpe]

NJ, I have to agree . I’ve had eBay type Chinese head units in all of my pajs and my Jeep when I had it. They offer Features that the name brands can only dream of. And are a fraction of the cost. I have never had a dud unit either.

[benckj]

I've had a cheap Aliexpress HU in my other car for years and while it can be frustrating at times it works well and has plenty of features. Sound quality is excellent and having Wifi capabilities there is a huge selection of Apps to run.

I use the HU for gauge display as its connected into my aftermarket computer through one of the 3 USB ports. The other ports are used for MP3 music and connection to a TPMS system. The unit struggles with these Apps running together and often throws a tantrum. As others have said the boot-up time is slow which is another annoying problem. For $110NZD delivered I can't really complain.

[crash486]

If you wanted to spend a lot more , I know PVS do an Android unit with 5G, wireless Carplay and all the trimmings.
They seem to specialise in Toyota's but I've seen the same unit installed in a suzuki Jimny so can't see why not a Mitz.

https://pvs247.com/collections/headunits

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[Turorit]

I purchased one of these "HIZPO" PX5 4gb android units a couple of months ago for my Subaru Liberty. Overall I'm happy with it. Sound quality is acceptable.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32866098436.html

I'm running a custom firmware from the xdadevlopers forums for a few extra tweaks in the settings.


Main quirks of this unit: Theres a high pitch varying whine/static noise when Wifi is operating. Annoying if you plan to use your mobile phone as a hotspot for streaming music, maps etc.
My workaround is to download my playlists in spotify & then turn off wifi.

From my research its due to poor design of the internals eg shielding.
There is still a background noise with wifi disconnected but I've always had weird noise issues in this car & its amp/subwoofer setup.



Occasionally the reverse camera image will freeze. OK for me but might be an issue if you rely on it for reversing down a tricky track.
My car battery is getting a bit worn out, I suspect that the headunit is booting up whilst the car is starting & the batt voltage drops significantly, I think this causes the headunit to have a bit of a moment.


The touch screen can be a bit finnicky & not dead accurate/thinks you've swiped when you've tapped. Maybe my fingers are clumsy?


Other than that, a reasonable unit. I still like it.

[Kieran]

Thanks to all that have shared their thoughts, after much deliberation I decided to get a name brand Android Auto. Picked up one of these https://www.autobarn.com.au/me27092 for under $400 and I'm pretty happy with with it. The functionality of a full Android unit would have been pretty nifty, but ultimately didn't want to risk doing my dough if I got a dud.

[gas55]

Thanks to all that have shared their thoughts, after much deliberation I decided to get a name brand Android Auto. Picked up one of these https://www.autobarn.com.au/me27092 for under $400 and I'm pretty happy with with it. The functionality of a full Android unit would have been pretty nifty, but ultimately didn't want to risk doing my dough if I got a dud.

So, was it a Clarion and how did the fitting go, wiring harness, etc.?
Greg

[BaronVonChickenPants]

Likewise for the Joying system. From memory, I had to ground one of the wires to get the steering controls to work.

I don't suppose you remember which plug this was on?

I'm getting mixed reports on using pin 22 and 32 on the 18 pin plug or pins 2 and 12 on the main 20 pin plug?

I have tried the 18 pin plug with no success.

My Yeahoo head unit only has Key 1 and Key 2 wires, no Key GND, this sounds like what you are describing with your Joying head unit.

Thanks,
Jordan

[nj swb]

I don't suppose you remember which plug this was on?

I'm getting mixed reports on using pin 22 and 32 on the 18 pin plug or pins 2 and 12 on the main 20 pin plug?

I have tried the 18 pin plug with no success.

My Yeahoo head unit only has Key 1 and Key 2 wires, no Key GND, this sounds like what you are describing with your Joying head unit.

Thanks,
Jordan

Have a look at page 11: http://faq.out-club.ru/download/paje...0267900ENG.HTM

That looks like pins 2 & 12 of the 20 pin plug. The system is only looking at resistance, so it shouldn't matter which pin goes to which wire on the head unit. If you need to ground one, measure voltage to ground on each of the head unit wires - hopefully one is at (or near) zero volts.