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Topic: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head] (Read 550 times) previous topic - next topic

Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

 I recently purchased an Android Auto unit for my car and soon realized advantages for coach use also.
My unit is a "plug and play" model which does NOT require taking the dash apart and uses the existing radio to power the speakers. Sound is sent to the radio via built-in FM tuner (ok sound), bluetooth (better sound) or an AUX input (best sound)
1)  Tunes are a big part of my driving life and with this you can select from Pandora, Spotify or your own music on a thumb drive if you have it.  Volume,  tone and balance are controlled at the radio.
 Large buttons on the screen make changing songs/stations easy.  (More on that later).
2) Lane diversion warning.
  Unit will warn you if you wander out of your lane.
3) Collision avoidance.
  Unit will warn if you get to close to cars ahead.
3)  Looping dash cam that stops recording in the event of a collision.
4)  Back up cam.  Yes, I know we already have them, but I was thinking mounting the provided cam on one side of the rig or the other might help remove blind spots.
5)  Google maps.
  Now I don't use maps ALONE when in the coach,  but more of a second opinion as you can't program for height or weight.
6)  LARGE screen.
 Much larger than my Garmin making it easy to see information or make selections. (Naw, I have the eyes of a 29 year old)
7)  True "hands free" operation.
  With Google assistant you can perform most functions by voice, including making phone calls, hearing and sending texts, selecting music, advancing tracks and chosing destinations.

 Yeah, I know you lucky people with newer rigs already might have this,  but I thought those of us with older rigs mightb like the info.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Android Auto

Reply #1 –
what is the brand of your unit? Seems like a great addition to the coach!
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Android Auto

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Peter –
what is the brand of your unit? Seems like a great addition to the coach!

After reading I was going to look more into what you bought since it sounded like something I would get but you just reeled us in with no idea what you have.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Android Auto

Reply #3 –
Quote from: turbojack –
After reading I was going to look more into what you bought since it sounded like something I would get but you just reeled us in with no idea what you have.

Bwahahaha!
The evil power of a retired salesman!

Amazon.com: Wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto, 9.3 Portable Car Stereo...
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Android Auto

Reply #4 –
Not the best pic, but....
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Android Auto

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Moby –

2) Lane diversion warning.
  Unit will warn you if you wander out of your lane.
3) Collision avoidance.
  Unit will warn if you get to close to cars ahead.

How does it actually do these?  Generally (on MHs that have lane departure, collision avoidance like OnGuard) there are large, rectangular sensors mounted on the front of the coach to detect lane striping and forward object distance. 
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Michelle –
How does it actually do these?  Generally (on MHs that have lane departure, collision avoidance like OnGuard) there are large, rectangular sensors mounted on the front of the coach to detect lane striping and forward object distance. 


 I'm not sure of the programming method, but it uses the dashcam to identify the road markings to determine the lane.  As you drive you can see it map out what it thinks is the path.
 On collision it identifys cars (you can see it circle cars in front of you) and goes from there somehow.
 AI?  I don't know

 Skynet has been activated. Drive with me if you want to live.
  Apologies to those who never saw Terminator.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #7 –
Thanks Moby for your report on a interesting electronics product category I didn't even know existed!

One of the many reasons I love this Forum - other members help keep me up to date on emerging technology and fun toys.  :thumbsup:

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #8 –
Chuck,
 Yea, electronics is amazing!  It puts the driver friendly aspects of your phone on your dashboard while keeping the button pushing to a minimum. For example you CANT type a text in it at all if you wanted,  yet still send a text without taking your hands off the wheel.  Google Assistant voice recognition is very good.  Yes, it has made some funny mistakes though.
 I LOVE the larger screen.  My phone is a Note - large by itself - and the navigation screen on it is tiny compared to the Android Auto.  No more squinting.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #9 –
I knew it....  Soon as I upgraded to a first class single din satellite capable radio with the flip up screen ( love it) ,,  someone would find a technology that I wanted.
 
  Or, could it be adapted to my Pioneer radio.
Just don't want my DW programming the collision avoidance part. She would have me a 1/4 mile behind. 
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –

  Or, could it be adapted to my Pioneer radio.
Just don't want my DW programming the collision avoidance part. She would have me a 1/4 mile behind. 

 It should work just fine with your Pioneer radio.
(My DW says she's with your DW)
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #11 –

The head unit in my coach had been replaced when I bought it but the previous owner had given me a nice pioneer head unit with a flip up 7-in screen. I installed that and used it for 2 years before the screen stopped working. I replaced it with another pioneer head unit that has a permanently a fixed screen to the front.
Pioneer DMH-WT3800NEX 9" Digital Media Receiver & Android Auto/Apple CarPlay & SiriusXM Tuner w/Backup Camera Amazon.com: Pioneer DMH-WT3800NEX 9" Digital Media Receiver & Android...
It has Android auto which means you have to plug your phone into the head unit through a separate USB port. It has the ability to attach two cameras, but right now I'm just using one for the passenger side and my separate rear with a different screen. It has more features that I would ever use. I did put serious satellite radio into it but find that I'm not using that and it was just a waste of money. The most thing I use it for is to listen to music and play audible books bye it can do a lot more. They can show a map it can show weather and if somebody calls you you can use it to have your conversation. I like it a lot more than the previous pop-up screen that after 2 years was choked with dust.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #12 –
Hmmmmmm.

  My unit is completely wireless.  As long as you love yours as much as I love mine.

*edit*
 That MAY have come out wrong....
No intention to "dis" your unit, just trying to make an observation.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #13 –
LOL no disrespect noted. Mine is wireless with Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth but to get the full Android auto effect they want you to plug it into the unit with the supplied USB cable. I haven't done it enough to know the difference. I'm not completely happy with my touch screen as it is quirky. I've learned that I have to set up Bluetooth before I start driving as even though it says it has a auto reconnect it rarely does. Had the same issue with my previous pioneer unit. For the amount of money that I spent on this you would think it would do the job better.
Just like the Garmin 1090 GPS I use with the 10-in screen. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense that it will allow you to use voice commands but they don't have one for zooming in and out on the map. It makes no sense to me at all and I have to assume that the people that design these things don't actually use them.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #14 –
Yeah, none of them are perfect abs each has it's little quirks.
 For example in Nav the screen will tell me the speed limit but not my speed which my phone alone does.

 But hey, for $170 it does the job.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Moby –
Bwahahaha!
The evil power of a retired salesman!

Amazon.com: Wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto, 9.3 Portable Car Stereo...
Just spent a few minutes reviewing this again on Amazon and I just have to say how amazed I am that they can include two cameras, one which is 4K and the other 1080, 64 GB of memory, a nine inch LCD screen not to mention all of the bits and pieces that bring that all together for that kind of price. Not to mention the packaging and then the shipping across the Pacific and then the shipping from wherever it got off the ship to the Amazon warehouse. It truly is amazing. While the price of everything else is gone steadily up technology has certainly come down quite a bit.
Anyway grams for dollars it packs a huge amount of technology and a small space and price so sounds like you got a winner there.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #16 –
Talked to my son about this unit today.  He said a good dash cam that he likes is close to $200.00  He told me I really need a dash cam.  I was wanting android auto so I guess this gets me both.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Android Auto [Aftermarket entertainment head]

Reply #17 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Talked to my son about this unit today.  He said a good dash cam that he likes is close to $200.00  He told me I really need a dash cam.  I was wanting android auto so I guess this gets me both.

 It DOES!
 Plus you got the backup cam if using it on your car, side cam for the coach if going that way. The second cam takes power from the backup lights but for coach use wiring something up under that huge dash would be a snap!
And who can argue with the younger generation when it comes to electronics?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad