I'd like to replace the COMAND head unit with an Android computer. The problem is that there are very few options out there.

I'm familiar with Dynavin, but their units are still running Android 2.3.

What alternatives are there for our cars?

By the way, I have been entertaining building an Android pc for the car, but the problem I would face is the installation of a 7 inch LCD that has no dashboard adapters that I know of.

Here's what I had in mind: http://www.arndaleboard.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

 

been doing PC integrations for years to vehicles, it isn't hard, personally they are still a pita to operate.

Here is a link to a Maserati that I found online

there is also one there that the factory was converted over to touchscreen with a Kenwood running in the back ground

Personally if it was me, I would just get the OPTI-1 and a cheap android tablet and mount it where the COMAND radio was

 

Where can I get an OPTI-1?

 

man, I've been doing pc installs in my cars for many years too, but nowadays android is def where it's at. of course you can build an android pc, but to be honest it really doesn't even pay in most cases. I mean nowadays you can buy a 7" tablet that really is the latest greatest for ~$250. this will include a high res sunlight viewable multi touch screen, a quad core motherboard, a solid state drive, on board wi-fi, gps, bluetooth etc... I mean talk about bang for the buck...

there are some cheapo command style android replacement head units out there but really they just all suck. crappy screens and crappy hardware, android 2.* or 3.* at best. they may be better than nothing but to me there not even worth the effort, I'd almost rather just prop my galaxy s3 up on the dash at that point

personally I won't even own a car without some sort of computer in the dash. propping a phone up on the dash may be ok for a rental or a borrowed car as a "better than nothing" type thing but anything that I own has to have an install of a live dash. most built in car systems pale in comparison to what android with a data connection offers.

there are also options out there to display an android on your stock screen and even touch overlays to make touchscreen possible on the stock screen but honestly these solutions are extremely expensive in comparison, and not only that but the end result usually just downright sucks too. the reason being is the stock screen is just too low resolution, and upscaling winds up giving you an almost unreadable and blurry display.


as a "best" solution you can either replace the command with an android tablet, or you could just add an android tablet if you have the space and get a little creative shuffling some components around a bit. on my current car I decided to retain the whole command system as it's a Harmon Kardon system that actually sounds decent and I wanted a quick solution that didn't involve ripping everything apart and really going off. instead I just relocated my climate controls and a switch panel and stuck the tablet right below the original command display.

if you did decide to remove the command then I would recommend you look into using a head unit made by scosche. yeah in a way it's cheap crap, but what really makes it special and ideal to mate with an android tablet is the fact that scosche has made the first head unit that is actually controllable by android. this means that you could bury the scosche head unit in the dash and use a pac steering wheel interface to control the volume and stuff and you'd be able to tune am/fm right through your android tablet through an app that scosche has created to remotely control this particular head unit. hopefully this head unit is the start of a trend that other manufacturers also pick up on, would be awesome to have something like this in say an alpine head unit or something, but even a cheapo head like the scosche I'm talking about is going to be at least as good as one of those $7-$800 cheapo android heads on the back end, while still allowing you to use a real deal high end android tablet on the front end. the scosche head I'm talking about is a little over $100

here is a shot of my install. it is not completed cosmetically and I still need to relocate/remote mount some of my factory control switches and stuff but even as-is it's still just so far superior to the factory command in daily use and I was able to get it installed right away. even if you don't have the fabrication skills to pull something like this off I'm sure you could find a high end install shop to do the work for you as long as you come up with a good game plan. the components are really inexpensive. even if you spent a lot on the cosmetics of integrating this I think you would still come out with something that's very cost effective overall compared to many other solutions out there that would cost a lot more and wouldn't be nearly as good.




here is another shot of my previous benz install to give you some other ideas. this one is an older S class and I really did not have the space to do anything like what I was able to do in the R class, so what I did instead was to recess the factory command and make a bezel that docks the tablet flush in front of the command. I created buttons on my new bezel that actuates the factory command buttons behind it so I can tune am/fm or cd's in the factory command right through my instrument cluster even with the factory command display not visible. I also built it in a way that when the tablet is undocked the whole original command is still accessible and usable and cosmetically acceptable for that car at least. I did both of these installs in a way that is easily reversible and 100% returnable to stock. hope some of this input helps and if there is any other things you'd like input on I'd be happy to help with advice where I can.

 

I just installed the Parrot Astroid Smart in my car a few weeks ago and love it. Rooted it and have the play store and all my apps installed. Even have Torque linked to my ODB2 bluetooth dongle.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/js8oqbsog4...2008.48.34.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5cras0aorv...2018.19.10.jpg

 

Sweet! I was planning on picking up the same within the next week

A few questions if you don't mind:

How difficult was the rooting process? Did you follow a DIY found online?

Was rooting the unit the only additional step in being able to run whatever apps you desire?

Looks great & thx!

 

Thanks

Rooting was very simple. Just use frameroot. I just side loaded the apps that i needed to get the play store up and running. You'll need Frameroot.apk, vending.apk and googleservices.apk. Once you have the play store working you will need markethelper app to make the play store think you have a legit android device so you can download nav, maps gmail etc...

Easiest root I have ever done. Make sure you update to 2.1.1 before you root or you will have to redo it.

Having the torque app on it is nice to read boost and intake temps etc...

I just ordered up an Arduino Uno with a CAN-BUS shield so I can get steering wheel controls to work. I'll let you know how that goes.

 

What worries me about this is the version (2.3). I know it'll never get updated to the latest, but many apps will not work with 2.3..

Also, can you get it to use your native GPS receiver and steering wheel controls? I don't want to have to run anything else that doesn't look stock..

 

it seems that there is a kind of car dvd player with Android system.i seen it on a China wholesale website :happyshoppinglife

 

China dvd android system is junk and not worth the money even if it was $20

 

I am wondering where did you find 'fascia' (plastic frame around device) to fit your car ?

 

Sonixelectronics and navtv have them

 

Turbocad, that is a lot of work for the R Class and looks good. Have you considered using the r class comand screen, just doing the a/v mod and adding a touch panel overlay? I see there is a mimics 2 that is getting better. Just wondering. Great job

 

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Here are a few YouTube demo videos of the unit.

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