What should I know before getting a Chinese Aftermarket Car Stereo System (on budget) ?

USER DC on 28/01/2023 - 12:39
Last edited 28/01/2023 - 12:39

Looking for an android auto car stereo system upgrade.

Things I want in the Car stereo
(Offline GPS, Backup Camera, Android Auto, Bluetooth, Mirror Link with Android, Ability to download content from playstore and use apps there like e.g. ebook reader etc.)

There are various options on the market around $100 ish bit up and down.

Never done any car stereo changing before what should I look out for?

Also how much Ram is good for a smooth experience is 2GB RAM, and 32 GB ROM good enough, or even 1GB RAM, 16 ROM would suffice ?

Does it matter what android version the car stereo unit is?

Also any tips on convertors or adaptors for harness or convertors ? (e.g. I heard that in my car (Barina XC) they need some sort of adaptor to connect to back of stereo, for power and radio antenna too ?)

Looking at stuff like this.

Have a multi meter and tester screw driver too, and soldering machine, heat shrinks too.
Does anyone have any tips? or know what/how to look out for adaptors/convertors, do I buy adaptors like this? for car factory wires to the aftermarket stereo?

Back of factory stereo looks like this

https://i.imgur.com/eIHn2rg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YCLYKqy.jpg

Thanks

Automotive

Comments

  • bobbified on 28/01/2023 - 12:47
    +1

    Don't expect any 'customer service' if things don't work the way they're supposed to.

  • Thatbargainhunter on 28/01/2023 - 13:24
    -1

    These won't be android auto but full blown android

    The experience is shit.

    Your better off buying locally with a a cheaper model (obviously more expensive than the Chinese units).

    I'm not up to date with Chinese head units anymore, so not sure if any offer android auto rather than full android.

    The quality of Chinese manufacturers also varies dramatically - from buggy laggy junk, to ok.

    • USER DC on 28/01/2023 - 13:26

      What sort of one do you mean by locally with a cheaper model? (Non touch, no video display ones?) No

      • Thatbargainhunter on 28/01/2023 - 13:35

        No, just mean not spending $1.2k on an Alpine. More of the base model JVC, Sony, Clarion, Pioneer in the $400-$500 range.

        • USER DC on 28/01/2023 - 14:03
          +1

          I think I'd rather save $300-$400 and okay with slight laggy performance. But thanks. Its not like Sony etc. will provide any support after purchase anyway. (the support if any would be from retailer/seller)

          • dcep on 28/01/2023 - 15:23

            @USER DC: buy 1 that has good reviews … not just looking at rams and roms size, but also the SoC and heatsink cooling performance

            the laggy and stuttering will be very frustrating with odd chance of system hang / unresponsive once overheat

            checkout youtubes , plenty of reviews.

    • Boioioioi on 28/01/2023 - 14:07
      +1

      Some of the chinese ones are actual android auto. I think Joying is a decent brand. You are right that this one linked is actual android

      • USER DC on 28/01/2023 - 14:18

        I think those might be cheaper $50 ones, (I am not getting those ones)

        • Thatbargainhunter on 28/01/2023 - 16:28
          +1

          It's most certainly running android. It has torque which is an android app.

          It potentially might also support wired android auto on top of this. But a $150 unit running full android will be laggy as hell.

          Yes, Joying has always been the leader in the Chinese brands. I'd take that advice if going down the Chinese route

        • Boioioioi on 29/01/2023 - 08:12

          Nope, the one you have linked runs android

          • USER DC on 29/01/2023 - 14:35

            @Boioioioi: Yup because I want android one, not the one which only works when connected to a phone. (aka just android auto)

  • afoveht on 28/01/2023 - 13:57
    +1

    Don't really know about what units are available these days but my experience installing a good few of these a number of decades ago suggests that starting an install in your mate's driveway at about 11PM usually ends up with sloppy work. (True for other car mods / additions too.)

  • bdl on 28/01/2023 - 14:00
    +1

    Their karaoke mode is banging

  • BargainMe on 28/01/2023 - 14:42

    I had one in my car about 15 years ago, it didn't like when the weather was too hot, and the radio station would sometimes randomly change. They might be better now… or worse 😂

    • USER DC on 28/01/2023 - 14:53
      +1

      yeah a lot would change in 15 years

  • Almost Banned on 28/01/2023 - 16:01
    +2

    Recently installed a JVC from Supercheap in the wife's car, and a Joying unit in the daughter's car.
    Looked at getting a Teyes unit for mine but haven't followed through yet.
    The JVC unit is nowhere near as good as the Joying unit. It is far smaller, less clear, less functional, and cost more.
    The Joying unit fit straight into the Ford Focus with the included kit, just had to run the reversing camera which wasn't too difficult.
    The JVC unit needed to be installed by an auto electrician.
    Have had both for about six months or so.

    • Almost Banned on 01/02/2023 - 20:00

      Just wanted to add that the Joying unit now appears to do wireless Android Auto - at least to the extent of connecting Waze - from my phone.

    • billadm on 19/11/2023 - 21:34
      +1

      The JVC unit needed to be installed by an auto electrician

      Is that because you aren't able to install it?

      • Almost Banned on 20/11/2023 - 12:14

        We thought we had the right harness for it - but it turns out we didn't.

        • billadm on 20/11/2023 - 15:26

          It sounds like you ordered the wrong parts or there are no specific harness cables for JVC?
          What is the model name and number?

  • Euphemistic on 28/01/2023 - 17:08
    +1

    I’ve had a few of these cheap units over the years. They are OK if you can live with glitches. The latest one I have is a few years old, but is android previous have been windows CE.

    They all done weird and wonderful things from time to time. The current one hangs occasionally. Sometimes boots up at high volume. Sometimes it won’t turn off and the buttons or screen won’t do anything. The reverse camera sometimes doesn’t display first go and requires dropping out of reverse and back in again among other quibbles.

    However it sounds OK, the radio reception is acceptable, but not as good as a Sony. Having built in maps is handy when you don’t have your phone (or it won’t connect) and it was cheap and not difficult to install. If I remember correctly I didn’t need to change wiring much between two different models.

  • pencilhead on 29/01/2023 - 10:32

    check out head units on XDA.
    https://forum.xda-developers.com/c/head-units.3833/

  • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2023 - 11:58
    +1

    A few months ago I bought a Chinese no-name Android 11 head unit with a 9" screen from qualitydins.com.au.
    I chose the plug and play option which included the harness (I'm not into soldering), the fascia kit and a "free" reverse camera. I paid $300.
    PROS:
    Relatively easy to install after I watched countless YouTube videos.
    The reverse camera is much better than I was expecting.
    The audio controls on my steering wheel still function with the head unit.
    I'm using the free TomTom Amigo app for navigation which is excellent. It includes speed/red light camera alerts which I previously had a paid subscription for with my dedicated TomTom satnav device.
    Spotify works fine as does plugging in a memory stick via USB to play music.
    CONS:
    The user manual and supplementary instructions from the seller are appalling.
    FM radio reception is garbage.
    I can't see the display when I'm wearing sunglasses.
    The display doesn't have a night mode.
    Android Auto is a wired connection.
    Connecting to Android Auto is irritating. The head unit uses the ZLink app and because apps are sorted alphabetically, I need to swipe to the last screen to access it.
    As far as I know, I can't sort and upload apps.
    Audio volume levels are glitchy.

    • USER DC on 29/01/2023 - 14:33

      Thanks mate much appreciated.

      Would you also be able to share how much RAM and ROM was on that unit you bought ?

      Was it something like

      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/385293368348
      or
      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/185725498407
      or
      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/385093355511
      ?

      Seems good enough if it this experience can be achieved around $100 ish.

      I dont really honestly care much about FM/AM radio (All I need is music via Bluetooth, USB, reverse Camera (i already have one but its like linked to like a rear view mirror), Offline GPS, ability to watch/listen to downloaded videos/ ebooks)

      • Ridiculous Panda on 31/01/2023 - 22:10

        I wouldn’t worry about offline gps being one of the features. They are shit to use and slow to update (if ever).
        You can alway get an offline nav app on your phone or even better download google maps offline. You’ll have android auto so that would be a far better experience than typing the address on a $100 head unit from ebay and hoping the road that was built 7 years ago is on the map.

        • Euphemistic on 01/02/2023 - 11:41

          I’ve got built in GPS. Sometimes it’s just more convenient not to have to use your phone, like if you run out of phone service unexpectedly. As for not having updated listings, it’s hardly ever been an issue. If I need to go to a new suburb, use phone. The only other times it was funny to watch the unit recalculating and recalculating as I crossed over all the old goat tracks that used to be under the new pacific hwy up to Coffs Hbr.

          Roads don’t really change all that much.

        • USER DC on 06/02/2023 - 19:45

          Hey guys anyone know what the difference between nexai/toppal AI Voice and google assistant is ?? on these Chinese android head units?

  • mckaul on 29/01/2023 - 16:51
    +1

    They can be hit and miss. I had an Atoto unit in my old car, the only issue I had with it was the audio output was weak and meant that music was missing bass and sounded tinny.

    That Aliexpress cable, adapts from the car to ISO. You then need to get an ISO to headunit cable. Or if you are handy with electrical, you can splice the Aliexpress cable with whatever the headunit comes with. My Atoto unit actually came with a few leads, 1 of them being an ISO cable.

    I actually recently swapped an older aftermarket unit in an XC barina with a newer Kenwood unit. It used Aerpro wiring that included a little box that was required to make the steering wheel controls work.

  • Pete99 on 29/01/2023 - 18:23

    Are there any good ones that run android only (not android auto - but can have that as well). Got an app that I need to run in the car that isn't Android auto.
    Doesn't have to be a cheapie.

  • Brick Tamland on 29/01/2023 - 19:07
    +1

    I picked up a cheap Grundig headunit a while back and it's been quite good. Made by Aerpro which is a pretty big name in audio gear like harness and such. I'd suggest it's probably worth paying a bit extra and getting something a bit more mainstream.

  • TheOtherLeft on 29/01/2023 - 22:32
    +1

    I have the Joying unit. I thinks it's 9" with the physical buttons down each side. I prefer having the real buttons so I can touch them by feel when driving. The unit is basically an android tablet in a different form factor. I have play store so can download any of the regular apps. It does have a problem with the cheap GPS receiver. It wasn't sensitive enough to get a signal when mounted under the dash, so its now stuck to the top of the dash near the windscreen. It also suffers from the heat , so if it's been sitting in direct sun for a long time when off it won't lock onto the satellites. Maybe a better quality GPS unit would solve the issue? Waze plays up a lot although it might be GPS receiver related? I wouldn't mind different skins for the home screen but I'm too cheap to buy them .

    The steering wheel controls work and I've programmed them to have custom functions. Joying did send me an android update so they are more responsive then I thought they'd be. I'd give it 5 stars for a Chinese unit but the GPS/Waze issue is a major letdown because I use that app the most when driving

    • [Deactivated] on 31/01/2023 - 09:25
      +1

      @TheOtherLeft
      My no-name Chinese head unit (see my post above) included a GPS antenna which sits on the dash.
      I use the free TomTom Amigo app which IMHO is superior to Waze and I don't have any problems with navigation whatsoever.

  • mhz on 30/01/2023 - 20:23

    I've had a Joying android head unit in my ranger for a couple of years now and I can honestly say I wouldn't buy another one.
    They are full of bugs.
    If you get one stick to corded Android/Apple car play, the wireless one these head units claim to be compatible with constantly drop out, so everytime it reconnects you need to key in the destination on your GPS software and or restart the playlist you were playing.
    I would be looking to buy a name brand here in Australia more than a chinese android head unit now if I were in the market for one.

    • TheOtherLeft on 01/02/2023 - 10:05

      I have a problem with my Joying and Android Auto. If I connect using Android Auto then the radio stops working. The only way to get the radio back is to exit AA. I asked Joying and they confirmed there's no fix for it.

  • Bid Sniper on 01/02/2023 - 13:20

    I have a Secane, same as Joying.
    https://www.seicane.com/

    not bad, for my daily needs a custom facia but seicane has entire unit including facia and wiring harness. was a 5min job to swap in. Much better than the OE trash headunit I had. GPS is iffy even with correctly mounted antenna. However does have inbuilt dashcam which is great.

    If you have a standard DIN headunit space, can get ISO wiring harness for your car,
    https://aerpro.com/products/primary_harnesses_iso

    Then get a quality headunit Android auto headunit like Sony.

  • USER DC on 07/02/2023 - 14:32

    Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions, bought one from Aliexpress, quality one

    Plug and play suitable for my vehicle, about $300 ish after tax). But 4G LTE, GPS, 4 GB RAM, built in fan, Canbus (steering wheel support), and reverse camera with 9 inch QLED 720p screen.

    Will let ya know how the unit is once I get it

    • jolt on 16/11/2023 - 18:19

      Any update? How did it work out?

      • USER DC on 16/11/2023 - 18:23
        +1

        Still going good for me, had to reset once, as I had internal storage way too overfilled (due to autosync with foldersync).

        You need to contact seller for a lot of stuff incase of resetting stuff (only he knows codes for like enabling developer mode/factory reset etc)

        Otherwise I love it really and for what I paid it is amazing (like ~$170 USD before cashbacks, tax, and discounts it was I think, discounts, and cashbacks that time were good with cheddar etc. I rebought using cheddar and seller refunded me for non cheddar order that time, he was good)

  • TheOtherLeft on 07/02/2023 - 21:04

    Having had my Joying for a few years I wouldn't buy another one. Way too glitchy. And Joying is one of the reputable brands.

  • WestOz60 on 24/07/2023 - 12:03

    A few years back I got a no-name Chinese unit on AliExpress. My car is a non-Euro 2006 Honda Accord. The unit replaced the whole radio+climate controls as a full unit with a 10" screen; I just happened to have one of those cars which lent itself to such an arrangement, and there were heaps of brand name and no-name ones to choose from for my particular make/model. Availability for all the makes and models out there is very much a hit and miss affair, but generally speaking, some of the best solutions exist for mid-noughties models which preceded the 1st models that came with OEM colour screens, and which my Honda fitted the bill. Unfortunately the no-name one I got (Xiaowin or similar name) was underpowered and quite laggy with some of the onboard apps not working but all the peripherals like the dash cam, reverse cam, GPS, USB inputs all worked very nicely; the reverse cam was a direct fit replacement for the left side number plate light and has, besides the light, the IR with in-cabin proximity beeper.

    About a year ago, I revisited AliExpress and this time got the highest powered Seicane 4G/64G without the peripherals, in the gamble they would all be a plug & play swap, which they all were without exception :) I'm very impressed with the Seicane, it's nice and quick and every app I've used so far works well and without the lag. Appearance-wise it looks fantastic in the car and in my mind it has upgraded it to present day electronics and ICE functionality :D. It definitely pays to get name brand, and pay the extra for the latest OS with the highest onboard power; I can't stress this enough. On the subject of the OS, I've yet to see a solution where this can be upgraded; I think it was somewhere on XDA forums that it was checked out and found to be difficult to do… probably better off staying with the OS that the units come loaded with. Seicane also had a downloadable 56 page manual written in a reasonable Chinglish, which I've printed in hard copy and is quite detailed.

  • nawapb on 26/07/2023 - 08:05

    i installed a AliExpress android unit with car play builtin so i can use it as car play unit and wireless too. Android auto only works with cable. It can however be used as a normal android unit with gps application etc too which i don't really use. It does come with radio antenna cable and gps antenna and also had other attachments to have sim card for the android unit and 4g antenna. I only use the wireless car play and also sometimes use my phone to hotspot the android unit to play youtube videos when i am parked and waiting for someone in the car.

    I was worried about the performance in the heat as its more or less a tablet with no real heat exchanger at the back with plastic backing but has been holding ok for two summers now in Sydney.

    my biggest problem with it was the microphone as i have not really been able to optimise it both the external one or the built in ones so people always complain when i talk to them from the car.

    screen is bright and nice and everyone compliments on how good it looks. touch is very responsive it was 3gb ram unit with android 10 i think.

    i did not have to buy any extra cables or fascia as it came as a package from Aliexpress and steering wheel control works too.

  • billadm on 19/11/2023 - 21:44

    I installed a Kenwood DMX7522DABS (it was on special $590), plug & play, I cannot find a single problem, it does everything, reliable, top notch radio reception, full of functions, powerful audio.
    I matched it with 2 pairs of Hertz speakers and a Kenwood under seat subwoofer.
    I level the volume up no more than 60% because after that my ears will suffer.
    Don't waste you time with the Chinese head units, they are cheaper and work but be prepared to give up on this or that function or feature that doesn't work properly.

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