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I've seen a few other threads here so I pulled the trigger on the following 9" touch screen replacement headunit. Being in the IT field I decided to go with the Octacore processor and 4GB RAM for the most fluid experience possible. They have some cheaper quad core 2GB options, but I didn't want to risk it. The videos show the 2GB RAM model with Android 9. The one I ordered below is Android 10.
After years of add-ons to the stock head unit (Mobridge and then a Carpro bluetooth adapter), I finally installed a Pioneer head unit last week and wish I had done it years ago. It is pretty straight forward. If that unit is double-din, the Metra install kit you can get on Amazon fits well and makes for an easy and clean physical install. If your car has a Comand 2.0 system (pre-2010 I think), you'll have to do some wire surgery to get the factory backup camera to work - there isn't a Fakra connector for it. You can see the wire that needs to be cut and extended with an RCA male connector in this thread: https://www.benzworld.org/threads/av...ation.2375585/ It goes through the installation of an Android head unit as well which should be helpful.
Also, a problem I wasn't able to fix is that the adapter sold by Avin that is supposed to let you use the factory bluetooth microphone converts the Fakra connection to a 3.5mm headphone male, but on my head unit at least, I need a 2.5mm headphone male to connect to the head unit. I tried a 3.5---->2.5mm adapter leftover from an old Palm phone, but the microphone didn't work. A different adapter might have done the trick, but I just used a microphone I still had installed from the Mobridge rather than experiment further. Finally, if you have a Comand 2.5 (2010+ I think), getting the factory antenna to work is more involved than just using a Fakra--->antenna adapter. Since it doesn't apply to my 08, I didn't pay attention, but there are pages and pages of discussion on the other threads about installing an android head unit. Good luck.
I would stay away from these units and go with something from Alpine, Pioneer, or Kenwood for support, durability, and features. Sat radio is a must for me and the Android units do not have the ability to run sat radio unless you tether through your phone and use an app that eats your data.
Thank you both. I'm not willing to invest that much money (Pioneer etc.) for a vehicle I drive 3 days every other week with over 200K mikes
If it were my daily driver maybe.
The Android unit should suffice I can stream Sirius/XM via the Android app since the unit has access to the PlayStore and APK sideloading. Or worse stream from the app on my phone. At the price even if it went bad and had to buy another I'm still under the cost of a Pioneer. I'm also in the technology field so I'm a little more willing to hack things to get them to do what I want. But great points both of you and thanks for your input.
I'm sure there will be some challenges I'm hearing radio reception can be an issue as you all pointed out due to the MB antenna setup. And I've also heard the factory mic can be an issue. Everything else should be fairly plug and play with the exception of some splicing needed for some wires. But then again nothing with MB is ever really plug and play now is it?
Kinda sorta. Like I said this is my beater for hauling the kids, dog and gf on my week with the kids.
At 225K I'm not looking to invest too much into it. I was hoping for more feedback on traps, tricks, tips for the install.
But as always thank you for your input. I will post pictures and my experience. My backyard mechanic will likey do the install I will try to have him do a DIY as he does his thing. But we will likely be drinking and talking ish while he does it so it may require editing.
I'm not sure if you've already bought the Android head unit, but the Pioneer I used (DMH 2660NEX) was $299 at Best Buy, which is as cheap or cheaper than the better Android units I've seen. It does Android Auto, CarPlay and has a capacitive screen that is much nicer to use than the resistive screens that head units usually use. I'm an android user, but I was scared off from an android head unit because of the many complaints I've seen here and other automotive forums with them not working correctly. There's a few apps I wouldn't have minded being able to use on the head unit like Dash Command or Torque to monitor engine/transmission stuff, but I decided to go for "it just works" instead.
One other issue to be aware of is that the adapter you have from Amazon will do the necessary conversion to connect to the stock amp, but you'll lose steering wheel control of audio functions. Axxess makes a unit (actually several boxes that come with a harness to tie them together) that does both, but it is ~$250 more.
Ahhh the plot thickens! Gotta love these forums. Thanks for the info on the Pioneer unit EWT. That's a price I'm willing to pay for a Pioneer. Though I could only find it for $445 from Amazon with the MOST optical adapter that puts it at $545. Still worth it in my opinion. Thank you.
By the way... the Torque app uses a ODB Bluetooth-based adapter you plug into the ODB port. I've been using it with my phone for years. It's like $20-30 bucks for the adapter. I suspect since it's an Android unit it wants you to have the adapter/dongle. The Torque app will then work with it on the head unit like it does with a standard Android phone. Convenient for reading codes and getting RPM, speed data etc.
Well I went with the Chinese branded headunit. And so far I'm loving it. Downloaded the Sirius XM Radio, iHeart Radio, Pandora, Netflix, Amazon Video, Tubi, Gas Buddy. YouTube came installed as well as Chrome browser. Basically an Android tablet in your dash.
Install: Fairly plug and play. Had to tap a few wires from the after market harness/adapter to the aftermarket head unit wiring.
Problems: Radio reception (apparently a common issue with these units due to MB complicated antenna setup). I didn't worry about it. I have enough music options. Backup camera. For some reason there are 3 fakra cables. One must be the camera right? I had to buy a fakra to RCA adapter and tried each of the 3 and none seemed to work. I wonder if it doesn't like the fakra to RCI adapter. But there was an Amazon review of a guy who had an ML 550 who specifically mentioned it worked for his Chinese aftermarket unit. I gave up for now, but I want to revisit, backing that thing up without a camera is not going to go well if something small is behind me.
Positives: Capacitive touchscreen. Equalizer really improved the Harmon Kardon sound. I was impressed that all my steering wheel controls continued to work. The head unit will show when a door is open. Speed. I download a custom launcher that looks better. It's smart enough to pause music if a call comes in or if you switch to another music app (basic I know, but I wasn't expecting much form the head unit). I ordered an external mic just in case, but before using it everyone said I sound like any other bluetooth device (there's a small mic built into the front of the unit on the left). So I left it alone. Less wiring for me. The unit also came with a new backup camera but I was definitely not in the mood to run that cable. I'd rather get the current one working.
In the photo you just see me pull up Netflix. The two wires on the side are USB cords to plug devices into the unit. Don't judge my install. I was proud I bothered with doing the install at all.
Glad it worked out. I wish I had done mine years ago - the stock head unit is just horrible. Having Google Maps/Waze/music app/podcast app available on the screen via Android Auto (or Carplay) is a huge improvement over trying to navigate them on the phone. My kids asked me if I installed a new backup camera as well because it looks so much clearer on the new screen.
What year is your GL? If it has Comand 2.0 (pre-2010 I think), the backup camera output is integrated into the wiring harness, and you have to do some splicing to wire in an RCA plug (I posted a link to the details earlier in the thread). There are many pages of discussion on how to get an antenna working in the other threads on Android head units. My 08 seemed to work fine on a brief test with one station with the fakra----> antenna adapter, but I never listen to the radio, so I haven't tested it very thoroughly.
How long did it take to arrive? I was thinking about pulling the trigger on one myself, figure why not. Looks like the estimated delivery so far is showing months out though, just wondered if it was the same for you but much faster in reality? Would love a video walk-through of some of the features you've got set up, if you ever get a chance. Always a sucker for gadget showing off!
Well I went with the Chinese branded headunit. And so far I'm loving it. Downloaded the Sirius XM Radio, iHeart Radio, Pandora, Netflix, Amazon Video, Tubi, Gas Buddy. YouTube came installed as well as Chrome browser. Basically an Android tablet in your dash.
Install: Fairly plug and play. Had to tap a few wires from the after market harness/adapter to the aftermarket head unit wiring.
Problems: Radio reception (apparently a common issue with these units due to MB complicated antenna setup). I didn't worry about it. I have enough music options. Backup camera. For some reason there are 3 fakra cables. One must be the camera right? I had to buy a fakra to RCA adapter and tried each of the 3 and none seemed to work. I wonder if it doesn't like the fakra to RCI adapter. But there was an Amazon review of a guy who had an ML 550 who specifically mentioned it worked for his Chinese aftermarket unit. I gave up for now, but I want to revisit, backing that thing up without a camera is not going to go well if something small is behind me.
Positives: Capacitive touchscreen. Equalizer really improved the Harmon Kardon sound. I was impressed that all my steering wheel controls continued to work. The head unit will show when a door is open. Speed. I download a custom launcher that looks better. It's smart enough to pause music if a call comes in or if you switch to another music app (basic I know, but I wasn't expecting much form the head unit). I ordered an external mic just in case, but before using it everyone said I sound like any other bluetooth device (there's a small mic built into the front of the unit on the left). So I left it alone. Less wiring for me. The unit also came with a new backup camera but I was definitely not in the mood to run that cable. I'd rather get the current one working.
In the photo you just see me pull up Netflix. The two wires on the side are USB cords to plug devices into the unit. Don't judge my install. I was proud I bothered with doing the install at all.
Links are in the original post. Toopai unit, though I swear all the units look identical for the most part. Probably all the same with a different brand name for selling since the unit itself has no actual manufacturer name.
It came from China (slow boat) and I ordered a different one that came faster. So now I have this extra unit, seller said free returns then didn't want to take it back so eBay refunded me and now I have a unit that I have no use for. PM if you're interested. I haven't even opened the package.
It came from China (slow boat) and I ordered a different one that came faster. So now I have this extra unit, seller said free returns then didn't want to take it back so eBay refunded me and now I have a unit that I have no use for. PM if you're interested. I haven't even opened the package.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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