domr

I see a 4GB ram / 64GB storage version on aliexpress by liislee. It ends up selling for a bit more. Has anyone tried this version? Is it truly 4GB, and is it worth it? Thanks.

COUPCONNOISSEUR

i dont see it..anyone?

domr

Try searching "liislee w221" on aliexpress.

megacrazy

I would take that with a grain of salt until somebody actually verifies it. Even if it does have 4GB of RAM, it won't make much of a difference unless you insist on having as many apps open at the same time as possible. They should make one with a better screen, better wifi and bluetooth and focus on making the launcher easily customizable.

Ninamashr

I wish they could make the white s550 customizable to a black one. I'm sure there are way more black S550's as opposed to white.

mitanworb

I am installing in a 2007 S550 and I didn't have AUX or TV or anything in the glovebox. I noticed that there is a USB port included. Do you by chance know where this might go or how it's used? Also, someone in this thread said something about using an SD card to store music on. How would that work as I didn't see a card reader included with the unit?

Arlind86

This is a good question. Maybe they were talking about the SD card in the actual command unit and not the Android unit itself but I could be wrong.

I am wondering if perhaps there are different hardware versions of this units.

Guys, do your units have an SD card slot or are we all talking about the same hardware?

400ixl

Mine has a micro SD card slot and a SIM card slot in the side of the android screen unit.

domr

FYI, I see RHD versions available on aliexpress now.

alexanderfoti

Awesome, I am going to give one a go, have ordered one!

Bamzilla

$1,100 with those specs? Well, I lost interest.

antiguangenius

I have these specs since December 2018 when it was pre-release, had 2+32 before that

I have lots of pics and videos on my i.g. @a17844

Amazon Alexa Demo (August 2018):

Instagram

View this post on Instagram

Wireless Apple Carplay with original knob:

Instagram

View this post on Instagram

artim808

Thank you for sharing this. Can you listen music from music register or FM radio while use google maps?

antiguangenius

can but will not have audio from google map, the system doesn't do mixed audio on the stock system

dlafever

I'm about to install one of these units ... are the Wifi antennae required or only if you plan to use the device on a mobile network?

Just to clarify, I do understand the difference between Wifi (which is actually not the correct term for wireless LAN technology, but whatev.) and GSM. But there are several sources of conflicting information on exactly what these two antennae do.

megacrazy

I'm not sure if they're used for mobile connectivity but I can tell you that you would have no/to lilttle wifi signal without them installed. I tested that because I had the same question. Why even bother with putting a sim in there? I use a hotspot that provides internet for everyone in the car, including the headunit.

dlafever

Totally agree, just not a fan of cramming more cables into the dash than needed. Thanks Mega.

400ixl

Used mine with a hotspot and it is a complete pain in comparison to putting its own SIM in it.

Hardly difficult to put the two additional aerials in and improves the user experience so much. Why skimp so much at the last stage.

Would.never go back to a hotspot.

megacrazy

Whats a complete pain? You power the unit on and it automatically goes on WiFi. The hotspot also gets better speeds than the hardware that’s in the unit most likely. You’re also providing internet for any other devices in the car. The aerials fit right behind the unit. All you have to do is Velcro them down and if you’re fussy about the extra cable length cut that down.

400ixl

A mifi does not get better speeds at all.

It takes longer for the HU to connect and get up to speed, you can't then use the WiFi on the HU for other things, which I do.

You also have to wire in another device which can be avoided and many mifi boxes need manually switching on every time the car is started. More hassle than just connecting the aerials.

Compared to just switch on the ignition and go it's a pain that just does not need to be there.

As for WiFi for others unless you mean for non phone devices like gaming devices who doesn't have their.own mobile data these days where you a re trying to solve a problem which doesn't exist.

If it works for you fine, but is additional complexity for a problem that doesn't exist. Just throw a sim in it and let it have its own connection without having to go through 3rd party devices.

megacrazy

These units don't even support 4G outside the Asia/Pacific region so unless you're there, you'd be on 3G, which is a lot slower than LTE. You don't need to switch on the hotspot every time you turn the car on. They can standby for weeks at a time and get a charge when you run the car.
I'd rather have the latest in connectivity tech that can easily be swapped out and updated as well as blanket the entire car than stick a SIM in every device I own...but to each their own.

dlafever

Which hotspot unit do you have? I thought about this for awhile but figured most of the time I needed Internet connectivity (Maps, music downloads, etc.) I would be at my house.

megacrazy

I would get something based on your location. Verizon is pretty decent around here so I use the 8800L. The only thing you have to watch out for is extremes in weather and the lithium battery in the unit. Remove it from the car in temperature extremes.

400ixl

Works perfectly well on 4G in Europe as well as Asia.

Hotspot may well be the compromise you have to make In North America, but not elsewhere.

dlafever

Completed mine today, works perfectly.

- Waze works
- Spotify works
- Calls and music via bluetooth through the Android head unit work
- Playing music via DVD or disc works and is correctly interrupted by the BT calling
- Pretty much anything I wanted to work does work

The unit I bought is purely plug and play with one gotcha. After connecting everything, following MegaCrazy's diagram and the literature provided by the vendor, I had no sound. I then noticed the orange fiber optic cables blinking at me, so I removed that connector from the larger COMAND connector and snapped into the new Android/COMAND connector, all works as planned. I don't see much on the fiber options so I thought I'd mention it here.

For now I plan on using my phone's hotspot and see how much I need connectivity. Thanks to all the dudes on this thread, finally got to my comfort zone with price, features and ease of installation.