I'm going to buy a head unit for my car and decided to choose this device. It seems to be decent quality (the price is also not like that of Chinese devices). Perhaps someone has already come across this company?

 

I have not so I can't offer any real advice here. But I did look at the ad and I had a little laugh as it seems like one of those poorly-translated-to-English things. Anytime I see that, I seriously question the integrity of the company and the ability of them to offer support. If they can't pay someone $100 to do a better translation... you know? The there's the name of the thing - Smarty Trend - that just screams cheap Chinese stuff to me! I could be over generalizing here, but that's been my experience in the past with things like this. Now, I could be way off base and this could end up to be a great product, too!

SMARTY Trend Android Car Stereo Navigation is the best proposition at the USA and Europe! The device runs on the high-performance platform with OS Android. If there are factory's car functions, head unit will be supported.

 

I had recently installed one in my 2007 gl450 about 6 months ago. I had gotten one off ebay for about $175 (2gb/32gb) and separate fiber optic adapter for about 85.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293821221811

In my experience, they are all the same, made by some generic manufacture in china including the most expensive ones sold by US companies.
Individual companies make plastic molds to fit these units into dashboard so that they could sit flush with different car dash designs.
BTW the unit design displayed. on this website doesn't seem to fit flush with dashboard, which is deal breaker in my opinion.

 

Back in 2013 I installed one of these units in my former BMW 3 Series. It was a huge upgrade from what I had which was the basic radio. The unit I purchased was designed specifically for the e46. It did what it was supposed to do. I found the interface clunky and the touch screen slow. But, it looked great, had Bluetooth, SD card slot, A camera, and Navigation. the installation took me a full day and part of the night because I kept getting interrupted. But, it was relatively easy and straightforward. All plug and play.

 

Since I follow some other forums too, I have been seeing posts popping up where someone is asking about these exact headunits. It seems like it is an effort to kinda get the word out or cheap advertisement. Usually it is by someone who has just joined the forums.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/h.../post-13553929

 

Ha! Good find, Mr. Lone Star! The wording for that "BMW" owner is exactly the same! There is NO WAY I would buy that head unit, now (and it's actually something I've been looking for lately for my BMW and possibly the Merc). I think this is a sneaky, despicable way of trying to advertise and get people to click on their link (like I did!).

Actually, I wonder if a moderator could remove this person and their post?

 

You are welcome Dennis. Since I also own an F10 so I was browsing Bimmerfest forum earlier today, just because its weekend. That's when I came across that post and I didn't realize until I saw the the same website. when I did the following google search, it was apparent.

https://www.google.com/search?q=I%27...hrome&ie=UTF-8

 

It's definitely worth the upgrade. There were some hiccups in installation but all in all it is worth it. I have been planning to post the pictures that I took while doing that installation.

 

i have rear monitors. any way to make them work with the rear monitors?

 

yes, android units have video out cables.
you will probably have to either fish them to connect to rear monitors or find the right cables in existing wiring to connect. I think it will be 100% screen mirroring this way.
I also have rear monitors but didn't want to fish wires, and wanted kids to watch their own DVD in rear. These days they carry their iPads or Nintendo switch and are just happy with Hotspot.
Different mercedes year GLs have different wire schemes, so do your full research on this topic.

 

Assuming 09s are the same as 08s, you can run video into the rear monitors by using the RCA connectors under the right rear seat at the DVD player.