Toyota RAV4 2014 Head Unit

Lfroddoog on 08/08/2020 - 23:42
Last edited 09/08/2020 - 12:56

Hi,

I have been researching on the RAV4 2014 head unit, I am looking at the 10" android head unit from Aliexpress.
The question is have any of you guys replace with the exact one?

Link:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000784843152.html?spm=a2g0s…

edit:
I have asked many sellers on Aliexpress, most of them said it is built for left-hand drive cars.
Some sellers said it will fit left-hand drive, I'm looking specifically for the 10" model with that frame.
I'm not sure should I bite the bullet and try it. I'm hoping someone here with RAV4 2012-2018 that have had this installed in their car to shed some light.

Automotive Car SUV Toyota

Comments

  • Hybroid on 08/08/2020 - 23:58

    Wouldn't trust these random unknowns and on top from Aliexpress.

    There's a seller here that often has decent sales. Maybe worth a look:

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/deals/bankstownsound.com.au

    • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 12:47

      I am okay with purchasing from Aliexpress, i have made many purchases over the years with no problem and quality is good :)

  • donnot on 09/08/2020 - 01:47

    I've got one like that for my Aurion (mount is made specifically for my dash but the same main unit). Had it installed for ~7 months. Great little head unit but has its positives and negatives.

    Positives:

    • Perfect fit into the dash
    • Sound quality really impressed me - plenty of configuration with the built in EQ but sounded a lot better than the stock stereo. Puts out plenty of volume without distortion.
    • Bright, glass and capacitive touch display. Big and the resolution (1024x600) is more than enough unless you're really staring at the screen.
    • Can install Headunit reloaded for Android Auto and support is amazing over USB (can set the resolution to 1280x720 and have the two-pane setup). Automatically launches AA when I plug in my phone and supplies enough power to keep my phone (OPPO Reno 5G) charging while running AA/navigation. Wireless AA was hit and miss and not worth it.
    • Reversing camera can be activated with a trigger (doesn't require the head unit to be booted up)
    • Lasted longer than my brother's Sony AX3000 (and has had a lot more use)
    • No issues with calls or bluetooth dropouts

    Negatives:

    • Has to boot up every time you start the car (you can set a 0.25-2 hour timeout in settings to keep it running with the keys out though)
    • Slow to boot (30-50 seconds)
    • Performance if you're trying to run apps on the unit itself (as opposed to using Android Auto) is terrible (I have a 2/32GB version). The inbuilt apps(Bluetooth music/calls, EQ, configurators)/DAB player run fast though.
    • Inbuilt FM radio sounds shockingly bad with terrible reception and I could barely get anything on AM. Ended up buying a USB DAB adapter (~$30) which has worked nicely, though quality obviously isn't great (due to the nature of DAB, not the unit).
    • Cheeper on 09/08/2020 - 11:56

      Donnot… check if your Aurion has the dual diversity antenna system with built in signal booster, my Kluger has it.
      If so you will need an adapter for the antenna connector, available on Ebay for a few $. It fixes the reception problem.

      • donnot on 09/08/2020 - 13:07

        Ah thanks, I didn't realise that was a thing! Looking at the Aerpro site, the 2014+ Kluger/2012+ Aurion needs an adapter but I have a 2008 model which it says not required.

        Tried adding a FM/AM booster which only had a slight improvement and if I turned it off/on, the reception would be purely static until I relaunched the stereo (happened with the stock and aftermarket stereo).

    • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 12:49

      That's great to hear, I know android head unit can be a little slow to boot up.
      The one I'm looking at is the 4/64GB version which I think would run better and smoother. Regarding the DAB, I thought DAB is better signal than AM/FM?

      • donnot on 09/08/2020 - 12:59

        The DAB signal using the USB adapter and included antenna is mostly good, but not quite as stable as FM/AM in fringe areas. It's digital, so there isn't as much variation in the quality but the bitrate (in Australia) is only ~32-96kbit/s which really hurts the quality.

        • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 13:05

          Ahhh i see, gotcha. I have no idea how DAB signal sound like, I just read about it. My car doesn't support DAB signal.

          So the one you got for your Aurion is also made for left-hand drive?

          • donnot on 09/08/2020 - 13:16

            @froddoog: DAB sounds very thin and compressed in comparison to even a basic FM tuner for music and you need to stick an antenna to the front windscreen. Not terrible but I usually stick to Bluetooth for music.

            I think you can switch left/right hand drive in settings (I could in Android Auto). The Aurion has the (same?) dash fitment as the Camry version which is sold in the US.

            Also, unless you're going to be using maps/apps on the unit itself (so you'd need to tether for internet) rather than AA, you're not likely to notice a massive difference in performance between the 2/32 and 4/64 versions apart from slightly decreased boot times.

            Once you start spending the extra for the 4/64GB version, you're getting close in price to proper Android Auto/Carplay units which may be worth considering. Sorry for the big wall of text!!

            • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 13:21

              @donnot: Okay, I think I may know or imagine how that would sound like in the car.

              Yea, as I see that wouldn't, have had any different from left and right fitment. As I have contacted one seller, he said that his unit definitely would fit the left-hand drive frame.

              The one I'm looking at now will cost me around $400 (4/64G version) with shipment and free return. Would this price be the same as to proper Android Auto/Carplay?
              Sorry if I have a lot of questions, as I'm not familiar with all these head units/auto multimedia parts :(

              • donnot on 09/08/2020 - 13:37

                @froddoog: There seem to be two fitments of each option, but I'm not familiar with the RAV4 sorry. I wouldn't count on the free returns - the seller is in China and it would cost quite a bit to ship something large over there.

                The 2/32GB + 4G version would be my pick - not too expensive and comes with a much faster Intel CPU according to the listing.

                For a proper AA head unit you'd probably be spending >$400 for an entry level unit, add $20-30 for the mounting, $30+ for the ISO + manufacturer adapter harness and $100 if you want to keep steering wheel controls. On the upside, you'll get a much better FM radio, much faster/instant booting and local warranty/support.

                • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 13:44

                  @donnot: That's true, I have never ship anything back to China yet from all my previous purchases + with this big box, I dont think it would be cheap to ship back.

                  The one the seller said would 100% is this one here
                  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000091272770.html?spm=a2g0o…

                  my previous link to another seller, they said it couldn't fit in left-hand-drive.

                  Alright, if this is not working I would just stick with the local stock.

                  I have found another one from DickSmith.
                  https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/crz-car-dealz-102-androi…

                  Here it says right hand drive. They all look to be the same one/come from the same manufacturer.

                  • donnot on 09/08/2020 - 13:58

                    @froddoog: That one on dicksmith only has 1GB RAM and probably isn't even local stock. Avoid!

                    The other one on AliExpress (link you provided) looks good (the 4GB with 1280x720 display). They do all seem to be the same design (look symmetrical so shouldn't matter between LHD/RHD) but that's just my take - not necessarily fact.

                    • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 14:33

                      @donnot: Yeap I'm definitely staying away from that one, and it also said sold from marketplace.

                      Yea that is what I thought, it doesn't really matter :/ as what you mentioned they look symmetrical.
                      If I do happen to decide and get the one on the second link, I will sure update on this forum :D

                      • donnot on 09/08/2020 - 15:21

                        @froddoog: If you're using an Android phone, have you considered just installing the Android Auto app to use standalone, getting a nice mount and having the phone connected to the car's bluetooth audio? Could be an alternative.

                        • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 16:20

                          @donnot: I'm using iPhone actually. Could change to OnePlus Nord (but have to see their reviews).
                          It's a good alternative too, I will definitely look into that

                          • donnot on 09/08/2020 - 16:26

                            @froddoog: In that case, I wouldn't recommend the Android head units. You're going to need to connect it to your hotspot when you want to use navigation with speed/traffic etc alerts.

                            • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 17:34

                              @donnot: Ahhh i see, i know the one 10" unit from Aliexpress does support Apple Carplay.

  • Cheeper on 09/08/2020 - 11:55

    There are many chinese head units and the quality varies from absolute garbage to very good.
    I understand you are looking for someone who has purchased and installed that exact make / model in a Rav 4 but with there being so many makers / brands of chinese head units you may be searching for a needle in a haystack.
    I installed a Joying unit in my 2012 Kluger a long time ago and it is brilliant. It is superior in every way than the overpriced JBL upgrade option we got in our new second car.
    That is one brand of chinese HU I can vouch for if that is any help.
    https://www.joyingauto.com/au-warehouse.html

    Also some chinese HU's may have the same external appearance but their internals can differ greatly.

    Check if your Rav 4 has the dual diversity antenna system with reception booster. If so you will need to get an adapter off ebay, mine was about $5? Without it any radio, regardless of how much you pay will have poor reception.
    My joying unit's reception strength on both am & fm is many times more powerful than the JBL one.

    Toyota Nation site in USA is a good resource for alternate headunit info for Toyotas.

    • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 12:52

      I would have to agree with you on that, its like searching needle in a haystack.
      I have heard about Joying brand before, many people can vouch for that too, but sadly they told me it wouldn't fit in my car :(

      My worried now is that, doesn't matter what brand they are. They look the same, because I'm looking for the same 10" model, with that frame for the RAV4 2014.
      with everything looking the same as the left-hand drive, I wouldn't think that it cant fit on right-hand drive car.

  • PinzVidz on 09/08/2020 - 12:02

    You haven't mentioned budget, OP, so I'm going to suggest fitting a Kenwood DDX920WDABS. Toyota-specific size (200mm double DIN) and is plug and play for power/speakers/SWCs. You only need an antenna adapter, reverse camera retention kit if you have a factory reverse camera and a couple of wires soldered/insulated.

    • froddoog on 09/08/2020 - 12:57

      Sorry, my budget is around $500 +-, The Kenwood one looks amazing! But I'm looking for the 10" model specifically. I will sure to research on that :) thank you

      • spackbace on 10/08/2020 - 00:15

        Why 10"? Just because it's the biggest for the space?

        Tbh I'd prefer a locally bought brand name than an imported no-name brand for a car stereo because I just want it to "work". It's 1 of those things that would be bloody annoying every day if it wasn't a great system.

        • froddoog on 10/08/2020 - 18:08

          Just like the look of it :D

          That's true, local product trump the no brand imported product, I agree with that.
          Yea it would be annoying if you need it for a long drive but it just doesn't work at all

    • kurdoxan on 25/10/2020 - 20:28

      Can it fit Rav4 Cruiser 2018 with JBL sound system? There are confusing information that this model doesn't work with the JBL system fitted car.

      • PinzVidz on 26/10/2020 - 00:27

        For the JBL system you need a factory amplifier retention kit, along with antenna adapter and reverse camera retention kit. See here and here for parts listings. Autobarn and various car audio specialist shops sell these particular parts.

        • kurdoxan on 26/10/2020 - 09:41

          Thanks for the information. It makes the total cost around $1600-$1800. I am not sure it is worth it.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join