Ca-Fi Dashlinq4 Android 4.1.1 Car Stereo - WHOA BABY!
 

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q...-h680-no/7.jpg
Dashlinq 4 as delivered:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Qk...w377-h282-p-no

Overview
So I know there is a number of other android car stereos that other members on the forum have played around with - so I figured I’d offer my $0.02 on a new one I just picked up. I’m sure a few of you have heard of Ca-Fi, which has been making car stereos with android for quite a while. I’ve owned their last generation which ran gingerbread and quite enjoyed it. I jumped when they finally offered a 4.1.1 version that will run Torque natively - as those where two big things I was looking for.

Needless to say, I got the Toyota Universal version ASAP which drops right into the FR-S perfectly. Quite literally all that needed done was the following:
1.Swap OEM Brackets onto the Ca-Fi unit
2. Snip the Steering wheel controls wire on the harness they provide (wired for all toyotas).
3. Hook up Antenna Adapter
4. Plug in all accessories (GPS Antenna, Wifi, iPod connector, and USB for thumbdrive/HDD — i have this wired into the stock USB outlet, and Aux in.

Literally took me 15 minutes to install, the longest part was deciding where I wanted to mount the GPS (right behind the stereo basically).

First Impressions:
This thing shocked me on first boot up for two reasons… It booted up really quick compared to other units I’ve used. Secondly - and more importantly this thing FEELS and LOOKS like an OEM unit. I can’t say how awesome this is - it feels and looks like something you SHOULD be using in your car as a car stereo. Finger friendly, quick, easy to launch apps and do car based tasks (radio, eq, navigation, MP3s…etc).

Speed:
I believe this has a 1ghz processor. I honestly don’t care what it has though, I’ve used tons of android devices and currently have a Nexus 5 and 7 that i regularly use. This car stereo easily keeps up with both. I’ve experienced nearly zero lag. Stability has also been impeccable (no crashes or weirdness!)

Compatibility:
Basically speaking - any damn android app i have thrown at this has run flawlessly. Games included (but come on now… why do you need games in the car? lol). Play store is loaded by default. What I use regularly is Waze, Pandora, Google Play Music, Pocketcaster, Google Maps, etc. I could realistically run all of these apps at the same time without it hiccuping (i’ve ran quite a number without issues). The only issue I’ve come across is that it only has 2gb of internal storage available - but, don’t forget you have an SD card slot for expandibility as well as USB for a hard drive or thumb drive.

Realistically, this device handles its self just as a stock android device would, no weirdness - no issues. If you want to install an app, it will install, it will work as expected, and it will just be another android install to the app. Better yet, the core functionalities of the device - such as playing a radio station, will play nice with any android app. Say you are listing to the radio and have a navigation app running, when a command is announced by the navi app, the radio will fade briefly and then resume after the command has ended.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_HheZ9aJ1c"]Ca-Fi Dashlinq4 Android Car Stereo - Application Performance Part 1 of 2 - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tvs8GQVZiE"]Ca-Fi Dashlinq4 Android Car Stereo - Application Performance Part 2 of 2 - YouTube[/ame]

Torque!!!!!!!!!

So, one killer app in our community seems to be Torque. Does it work here?

Yes. Without modding, rooting, hacking, etc. Over bluetooth you can pair a Bluetooth OBD2 reader and it will work with torque without issue. Flawlessly.

Torque works - obviously its not working in this photo... just to display the obd2 reader that goes with the app
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H...-h680-no/5.jpg
Settings showing obd2 reader attached via bluetooth (device is NOT rooted, this works out of the box)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7...-h680-no/4.jpg
Running Torque:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSv-3fKBmls"]Ca-Fi Dashlinq4 Stereo - Torque via OBD2 reader NO ROOT NEEDED - YouTube[/ame]

Built in Apps & Launcher
So, as a car stereo, you’d expect it to work as one. A vanilla android installation won’t really get you to where you need to go for this to be a pleasant in car experience (no offense to those that have installed tablets in their car). When I think of what the experience should be - it should ATLEAST be as easy to use as a OEM stereo would be, say like a Ford MyTouch system.

Well, Ca-Fi has stepped up their game. They have included an incredibly useful car front end that sits on top of the regular android launcher (basically it acts like a program that launches as default) which allows easy access to Radio, SD Card Music, iPod, and Navigation… the core functions you’d want to do when you get into the car.

Secondary, the launcher that sits below it is tweaked to be geared towards one usage - in car usage. Meaning, while it retains all of Androids functionality (widgets and such), it is scaled in such a way that it easy to navigate and hit the icons quickly without taking your eyes off the road for too long.

The same can be said about their ‘core’ apps. First of all, the radio interface is exactly what you would expect from a car stereo… but its also pleasing to look at, fast, and full of all functionality. The same could be said about the EQ, iPod, SD/HDD Music players (you can always use another program to play music from SD or HDD… but these are included out of the box). Basically, it is an amazing car stereo.

General Walk through:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sGxtnF6GfU"]Ca-Fi Dashlinq4 Walk Through Part 1 of 3 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=303ny-z1LtM"]Ca-Fi Dashlinq4 Walk Through Part 2 of 3 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSPT7Jrd_-E"]Ca-Fi Dashlinq4 Walk Through Part 3 of 3 - YouTube[/ame]

Overall impressions:
As I’ve mentioned before, I had other android car stereos and the last version of the Ca-Fi stereo line… this blows it all of them out of the water. To add to it - i’ve been in the stereo game for years (i was that guy in high school with the stupid loud stereo)… and honestly none of them compare either. As an android enthusiast too, I’m throughly pleased that it works as a ‘regular’ android device would. Unfortuantely other android car stereos always seem to have hiccups, crash, stupid functionality that doesn’t work, or just compatibility issues with apps. None of that is found here.

I’ll go one further. I’d say this is probably the best in-car navigation/smart radio on the market, including that of what the OEMs are building. I mentioned My Ford Touch above, which is generally mentioned as one of the best. This kills it too.

Pretty cool.

—Just a note, I’m not affiliated or a part of Ca-Fi in ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. I am only an android and car enthusiast like the rest of you, I’m just post in my thoughts because of how thrilled I am with this thing.


More photos:
Old Dashlinq Model coming out: Android 2.3 w/ 1ghz, 512mb ram
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sw...ldNE=w644-h483

New Dashlinq 4 installed with 4.1.1
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C...317_202946.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j...317_203245.jpg

Comparison of these two: NOTE THESE ARE THE TOYOTA UNIVERSAL MODELS not the double din universal
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v...317_202344.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u...317_202405.jpg

Finished Install in a 2013 Scion FR-S
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...322_134048.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v...322_134041.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v...322_134713.jpg

Base car home launcher that sits on top of the android launcher (see video for better understanding)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q...-h680-no/7.jpg
Built in radio app
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d...-h680-no/6.jpg

Launcher behind car home - customized with car widget and play music widget
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b...-h680-no/3.jpg
Installing an App
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...-h680-no/2.jpg
Angry Birds Demo, lol
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...-h680-no/1.jpg

Before I forget, this is the exact stereo I have:

http://store.ca-fi.com/index.php?rou...product_id=283

$533!

Watched all the videos, this thing looks amazing. Just placed my order. Can't wait. Thanks for the review.

:thumbsup:

Let me know if you need any help if/when you install it.

how does the audio sound with stock speakers?

Compared to the stock stereo - vastly superior, mainly due to a better internal amp in this stereo and better control over the sound with the equalizer.

the stock speakers actually sound fairly good with just a stereo change!

Thanks for the incredibly detailed review! Do you know if the unit supports SDXC cars? I could fit all of my music on a 64GB card ([ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009QZH6JS/?tag=azy95x-20"]like this one[/ame]), and never have to worry about internet access again.

How fast does this thing boot? Have you timed it yet?

edit: Nevermind, was still watching videos when I posted. Looks like it's about 30 seconds from cold boot...but that quick start thing is nice. But if it has a battery in it...isn't that bad for heat? Are there any operating specs for temperature listed in the manual or anything?

Still looking through your videos to see exactly what that Disp/Seek knob does...

edit #2: Unless I missed it, I can't find any info on that knob. Can you use the disp/seek knob for going through music? Also, how's it work with your phone?

This by far is the best android HU I've seen. Thanks for the review.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Looks really good! Thanks for the write-up. :thumbup:

When using Play Music, can you select the SD card when saving music for use offline?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Do you have any pictures of the back of the head unit?

Do you know if the harness will automatically connect/function with the factory bluetooth microphone?

Does it have any features for HPF/LPF, time alignment, subwoofer control/filters, etc.?

It said it has the USB Dongle for WLAN, but does this have built in wireless?

Sorry for all the questions, but their website is very vague so I couldn't find anything there. I'd ultimately use my iPhone 5 as a WiFi hot spot and connect to that (no cords) if possible. I've always had Pioneers and Kenwoods, and before dishing double the price on one, I'd highly consider this. Thanks!

All good questions right there ^.

Also, do the physical next/previous buttons on the right also fast forward/rewind if you hold them down?

this is seriously making me reconsider my tablet install. ive bought all the parts for it aswell.
i dont suppose you have ran a ps1 emulator on it by any chance?
i have got my tablet paired with my ps3 bluetooth controllers playing ps1/snes games.

The "sticky" point for me with this Ca-Fi HU is the $533 pricetag.

A Nexus7 (2013 model) tablet with a FAR SUPERIOR (quad-core 1.5GHz, vs the single-core 1GHz of the Ca-Fi) processor and thereby inherently an also FAR SUPERIOR GPU (Adreno 320, vs. whatever's in the Ca-Fi), 2x more RAM, 8x more ROM, 1900x1200 screen (vs. 1024x600 Ca-Fi) can be had for $230 (or less).

Don't get me wrong, I get it...It's not about just the hardware specs. The Ca-Fi offers an entire "package" that seems to be pretty much plug-n-play, and I have watched some of the videos and it does seem responsive. Still, to me, $533 for something with hardware specs that read like a cheapo, no-name, fly-by-night Chinese brand tablet, just isn't right.

With the listed hardware specs, if this thing were more in the $350 (or less) range, I'd probably be having a case of itchy trigger finger...But not at $533.

I agree on the point about the specs and price tag. Need more high end internals to justify it.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I'm 50/50 on the price point. It's in between a full on new gen android tablet and a good quality head unit.

You also have to figure, this is a plug and play unit with nothing else needed. No tablet out there is a plug and play unit. You have to get some sort of other smaller single din head unit to stuff behind there, do a LOT more wiring, do molding of the dash (if you want it to look clean), and still run into issues.

I think the price is easy justifiable with that in mind. I wish they described more of the internal specs as far as the audio is concerned and the processing they use for the audio. I use my head units 90% for audio and navigation. The torque part and Android stuff would be great for when I boost the car next year. It's all a matter of what's more important to the individual.

Can this system accept an external camera?

I'm not certain about 64gb cards - but I have a 32gb card in it right now without issues.

Don't forget, it supports usb thumb drives and full size drives too... so yeah, you could put all your music on SOMETHING and it would all be there.

Yeah about 30 seconds cold boot. with battery settings on - instant.

No need for worrying about heat - it has a fan if it needs it, but i have never heard it, nor even sure if its kicked on. My car sits in the sun most days and gets blistering hot and i've never had an issue. I live in south florida - so its not going to get much worse than what I've put it through

Back up cam and color of buttons at night are my two questioneez.. :respekt:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e...317_201244.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G...317_182835.jpg

Unfortunately, no the stock mic does not work with it. BUT it has a built in mic, which in my testing is as good as the stock one anyways. All other stock functionality works (aux in, usb port, etc)

It has wifi through the use of a provided Wifi dongle on a specific usb port of the unit. Works just like if it built in - so yes you could tether. I assume they went external like this to avoid issues with the amp or even just for cost sake since android supports usb wifi devices.

yep

Ca-Fi Dashlinq4 Android 4.1.1 Car Stereo - WHOA BABY!
 

Still kinda worried about a battery in the heat. Those things can explode, and if the car is off, a fan won't kick on.

Anyway, what about that seek knob? Can you scroll through music with it? And do the physical next/previous buttons fast forward/rewind if you hold them down.

Edit: I emailed Ca-Fi about the battery, and apparently I misunderstood.

"There is no battery inside the Dashlinq4 units. The fast boot gets the power from the car, when the ACC is cut, the power+ is still on, and there will be about 5MA current for the CPU. User can set the fast boot time long as 2 days via the system.

The operating temp. -20 degree c ~70 degree c"

Sweet!

thanks for the write up and share!

i havent watched through all your walkthrough videos yet so forgive me if this is addressed, but how is the GPS? what maps are they running?

FYI:

Thanks for your enquiry very much. This is Will from Innotrends support team.

The warranty is 6 months.

Regarding the BlueTooth OBD2 adapter, currently, the CA-FI Dashlinq4 unit only supports the model that we supplied.

For any other query, please feel free to contact us.

Maybe I missed something but, does the Bluetooth OBD2 adapter come with this?

No, its a 50 dollar add on.

I don't see any reason why another adapter wouldn't work. I think the key word there is "supports," as in, maybe they just can't guarantee any other one will work. Thoughts? Either way, not a dealbreaker for me. My OBD2 adapter is unplugged 99% of the time anyway.

What color do the buttons light up as?

Sent from my Nexus 7

White

Cool! I guess I was wrong about the fastboot option. Eitherway, it works flawlessly!

GPS is whatever you want to run - its an android device. Google Maps, Tom Tom, Waze, Sygic... whatever. They all work.

Buying on specs alone is kind of, well - not the point. The real elephant in the room is what works BETTER in the car. I won't tell you putting a nexus 7 in the car is stupid - they're great devices. BUT. there are two different goals being discussed here.

With the ca-fi device, you're looking at a well rounded CAR STEREO. AKA a device that implements an amplifier, radio antenna AND an android tablet all in one unit with a consistent interface that will plug and play in a car with less than 20 minutes of work - bolted in and running.

Installing a N7 tablet requires an external source for radio if you want it, amplification for the speakers - and overall audio control. Also, you must MODIFY the interior to mount it at unknown amounts of time.

There are pluses and negatives to each. the Ca-Fi device is a fantastic device for a car stereo with the super powers of Android. A Nexus 7 is a great tablet with none of the benefits of a car stereo.

Like I said - each to their own. But comparing on price and specs alone completely misses the point.

Dude are you sponsored by them. I cant find any info on this unit besides your reviews on every forum. They even used your video on their own website. Do you have the only one out there? Can't help but think you may be a little biased.

The price strikes me when comparing to appradio. I know they are two different things. Probably the closest would be parrot head unit which I believe runs gingerbread. I think the nexus installs tend to get pricey with proper mounts and amps/wiring too. I will try to check this out in person at local meet.
Can't recall if this was covered but does this handle incoming calls over Bluetooth as well as stock head unit?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

You quoted my post, but it seems you didn't actually read it. Particularly the part where I said I get it, that the Ca-Fi is a "package" and not just a tablet to be compared directly with the N7.

My perspective, to put it another way is that 'the whole doesn't equal the sum of the parts' here. The 'whole' being the $533 pricetag and the 'parts' being the Ca-Fi package of tablet/amp/tuner/etc...

My main point of contention is the fact of how inexpensive a powerhouse like the N7 is (and that's even at full retail cost, not even considering how much less expensive it would be for similar specs direct to a manufacturer like Ca-Fi would be) as compared to the specs of the component part of the Ca-Fi "package" that is the tablet.

So, to reiterate and in my opinion and my perception of fair market value...$533 seems high for the overall package, when taking into consideration that one of the main components (the tablet) has sub-par specs.

...To be fair, I don't know what all costs are involved for Ca-Fi to put such a package together, what with all the components involved (amp, tuner, tablet, etc...) and licensing and such and I don't even know of any competing product to compare costs to. I'm going by my 'gut' feelings and my own threshold of what I'm willing to pay for such an item.

It is definitely to each his own.

Asked them some more questions, got some more answers:

Shouldn't subwoofer be two RCA?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

I hope to be proven wrong as I really like the idea of this unit.

Conspiracy theory from someone who is NOT an android expert: Since they sell their own adapter, have a specific OBD Bluetooth device pairing option, and had Torque pre-installed, maybe they restrict pairing by MAC address and/or only give Torque access to the OBD Bluetooth device.