Going all Android with my head unit - Dr Robin?

I suspect this is one for Robin, but any comments appreciated.

Thinking of going to an Android head unit as they have a few features that I could find useful. Firstly I have a Standard double din surround, so installation / shape is not an issue.
But I am a little confused by the bewildered array of features,  are some a must have or not required. This impacts the price and I am trying to fit my needs without spending too much. I also run Android phones as I don't subscribe to iPhone, and this is a Gen 3 Jimny.

So my want list
Navigation.
Some have inbuilt GPS and some do not.
How does that work as they don't indicate if it comes with navigation software, they imply Google maps etc but this must require phone connection / WiFi hotspot. Or am I into searching the web for Free navigation maps to load up.

Music.
Currently I connect via Bluetooth and stream Spotify, happy to carry on with this. But again some indicate Spotify on the head unit, must have or not require as again it can only work via your phone.

Rear cameraWant this to assist with hitching my caravan.

Running 3rd party applications.
I have torque pro on my phone, would be nice to have it in the head unit.

What's Mirror link?
Sounds like a cable link to phone, want to avoid cables unless there is a good reason to have it.

So in a nut shell what are the must have features and any things / makes / recommendations/ avoid?

Sorry it's an open question, it's day one of looking at these, need some guidance from those that have played with these aftermarket units 

 

Hi Mike,

I have two Android head units (Xtrons), the one in my Jimny is older so newer units have more features.

Get an Android head unit, some of them are based on Android, but don't let you change the programs.

Navigation
Get a head unit with inbuilt GPS, it's a lot less hassle. It will come with a Nav app, but you don't have to use the one that it comes with. I have tried a few, Here was quite good, but I now use OSMAnd, it's full featured and has a nice clear display. OSMand will download maps in to memory and work offline, much better as you are not paying for call costs.

Music
Both of my head units connect to my phone (iPhone), I did get a connect kit (Car Play) for the newer one, but to be honest, it's a pain and both stream over bluetooth, even if you have to touch the phone screen to start it.

I took a slightly different approach, I dumped my music library on to SD card and put that in the slot. Then I use 'PowerAmp' to play music straight from the card, it is much easier, but you can't stream.

You could tether your phone to the head unit, probably the easiest way is to run a wifi hot spot on your phone, then connect the head unit to the phone's wifi. Then you could run Spotify on the head unit and stream via your phone.

Camera
I started with a rear and front camera, but changed 12 months ago to a 360 camera (4 cameras) that gives great coverage, but a lot of wiring up. Anyway rear camera is easy enough.

Torque Pro
This came installed on my Xtrons and I fitted a Bluetooth adapter which is there all of the time.

Mirror link
This sounds like getting your phone screen on the Android head unit. My Car Play gives that, but to be honest it is too fiddly to use when driving, but if you get it for free, why not.

3rd Party Apps
OK, I might have gone over-board here, I use:
- DAB (with a dongle)
- TPMS (with another dongle)
- Hands free telephone (connects via Bluetooth)
- Navigation (OSMAnd)
- PowerAmp (Music player)
- Weather App
- Home screen changed to a better screen
- Torque
- Speed dependant volume control

Not an app, but I fitted steering column controls, the screen is just to fiddly to touch accurately when driving. Might be best to get a head unit with a rotary control, at least for volume or some buttons down the side.

Whilst both of my head units are good and I wouldn't swap them, they do have a couple of niggles,

- They both take around 30 - 45 seconds to boot. The Jimny is the slowest, so much so I changed the power from the ignition to a box I made that applies power when the doors are unlocked, so it's booting whilst I am getting in the car. The newer model boots faster.

- On a long journey, the head unit in the Jimny can freeze or crash. If you switch off the ignition and wait 10 minutes (I have a 10 minute shut down delay) then it comes straight back on, or keep a paperclip handy to press the reset button.

- The speed dependent volume doesn't work on the newer model, but there might be other apps that do work.

Hope that helps, send me a PM if you want me to give you a ring to explain anything.

Robin

Thanks Robin, sending pm.