Another Android head-unit - ownice C200

[P3tras]

Hello all,

I am rebuilding BRZ that I bought from US and maps on stock headunit cannot be changed, unless you pay $200+. Thus I decided to swap stock head-unit to Android based one. At first I thought to go with Ca-Fi Dashlinq4. But then I have found this one at better price ($400 with shipping via DHL) with better specs:


On paper almost everything is equal or better than Dashlinq:
Android 4.4 - Android 4.1
1.6ghz quad-core processor - 1ghz processor
Has DVD - No DVD
1gb ram (for extra costs you can get 2gb) - 1gb ram
8gb nand memory + 4gb micro SD card with maps - 8gb nand memory
7" screen - 7" screen
800x480 resolution - 1024x600 resolution
Both are Toyota universal models, thus no spacers for sides are needed.

As you can see, on paper ownice unit looks better, except for screen resolution. But without any doubts, Ca-Fi unit has cleaner and better looking user interface and less software bugs. But Ownice team is working on any bugs reported (they do respond in this unit topic in XDA forums and release firmware updates every couple months). That is a huge plus for me, it's why I chosen their product.

Received it yesterday and did quick test (no photos, yet). Power and rear speaker port is wired-up correctly (even 12V antenna power + dimmer), thus no wire cutting needed. But as with all after-market radios, you will need to hook "AMP" wire to enable factory amp. Without it, door speakers will be silent. Also, Toyota>DIN antenna adapter is required (I do not have it, thus did not test radio). Only played some music via blue tooth from my phone (without door speakers working) and it did work fine. Although some bass was missing

More updates coming in near future, as I have a lot to do with the car and so little time

[Foobar]

Is it a pure android experience or does it have its own car launcher UI? I like the physical buttons, so this is more attractive than the Newsmy if it is pure android.

EDIT: looks like it's pure Android. One of the concerns I have, however, is that it only has a 30 second standby time and booting up based on the youtube video I watched looked pretty slow.

[P3tras]

Yes, it is pure Android. Cold boot is not very fast, takes ~30-35s (did not measure it). Also, boot animation is FLASHY

[Foobar]

30 seconds isn't bad. The video I saw must've been showing something else, it was longer than that. Maybe they did a firmware upgrade or something.

[P3tras]

OK, finished installing it. Only have one crappy photo, sorry about that... Anyhow, unit is quite responsive. Did not measure boot times, but I believe it is under 30 seconds for sure. Did not experience any lags. Also installed rear camera - works fine with this head-unit. Probably the biggest downside is crappy wifi receiver (as I know - antenna). Even when signal is quite strong (2 out of 4, phone connects without issues) it takes couple minutes for head-unit to load website (sometimes connection drops). As I know there is a crappy wifi antenna inside.

As for fitting, did not cut any wires. Only one wire needs to be soldered/crimped to make unit ready for use - amp wire. Instead of cutting factory wire, I got similar pin from electronic components store and installed it in plug adapter harness included with headunit. Works great. Also added reverse gear and parking brake wires (optional). Just soldered a simple pin on wires, and plugged it into factory connector. Secured with duct tape so it wouldn't fall out. Once again - no factory wires cutting/soldering.

Bracket holding radio fits fine, but you will need to modify it if you wish flush fit... The plastic face/front of this headunit is not as tall as on stock radio. Thus radio needs to be pushed out ~5mm (1/5") for good fit. Also little bit up, as it seemed to sit lower. What I have done is drilled new hole on bracket (close to original one) and used dremel to make little rail that allows to adjust bracket. Some sanding on plastic panel is also needed, as plastic pushes against radio when it is moved out

[Parappa]

Originally Posted by P3tras

OK, finished installing it. Only have one crappy photo, sorry about that... Anyhow, unit is quite responsive. Did not measure boot times, but I believe it is under 30 seconds for sure. Did not experience any lags. Also installed rear camera - works fine with this head-unit. Probably the biggest downside is crappy wifi receiver (as I know - antenna). Even when signal is quite strong (2 out of 4, phone connects without issues) it takes couple minutes for head-unit to load website (sometimes connection drops). As I know there is a crappy wifi antenna inside.

As for fitting, did not cut any wires. Only one wire needs to be soldered/crimped to make unit ready for use - amp wire. Instead of cutting factory wire, I got similar pin from electronic components store and installed it in plug adapter harness included with headunit. Works great. Also added reverse gear and parking brake wires (optional). Just soldered a simple pin on wires, and plugged it into factory connector. Secured with duct tape so it wouldn't fall out. Once again - no factory wires cutting/soldering.

Bracket holding radio fits fine, but you will need to modify it if you wish flush fit... The plastic face/front of this headunit is not as tall as on stock radio. Thus radio needs to be pushed out ~5mm (1/5") for good fit. Also little bit up, as it seemed to sit lower. What I have done is drilled new hole on bracket (close to original one) and used dremel to make little rail that allows to adjust bracket. Some sanding on plastic panel is also needed, as plastic pushes against radio when it is moved out

I am also interested in this unit. How has the unit held up over time? Some of the other android units have bad microphones for calls. How is the sound quality of the mic on this unit? I especially like the look of the UI, very simple and modern.
Thanks



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[P3tras]

It does work quite fine. There were some slight issues, but nothing major (it forgot few settings 1-2 times after restart). Although, microphone quality is not the best. When on highway, other people can barely hear you. But there is an option to use an external mic.

[B-R-Z]

Is this in the same family of units as hui-fei, klyde, joyous, etc?

In About, do you see an MCU version like in this image?

[Parappa]

Originally Posted by B-R-Z

Is this in the same family of units as hui-fei, klyde, joyous, etc?

In About, do you see an MCU version like in this image?

I'm curious about that too, if it's in the same family they are charging a lot more for basically the same thing. At least on eBay


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[P3tras]

No, it is different device, different firmware compared to hui-fei. It has advantage of quad-core processor. However, it cannot be rooted (at least at the moment) which might be a downside for some advanced users.

[Parappa]

My C200 arrived in the mail yesterday morning, will be installing it this afternoon. Antenna and USB cable are still in the mail. Bought the external mic as well. Got a pretty good deal on eBay. Was looking for an OEM looking head unit that can do a bit more than the stock HU for under $500 with a clean interface. Will post some photos once its in.

[hmong337]

Subbed! I really need to get me an Android unit.

[Parappa]

I ordered the unit from the Ownice store on eBay, overall it was a pleasant experience, any question I had they answered quickly. Also making sure that they had the Canadian maps for the GPS. The HU came double boxed which was pretty nice and a really funny thank you note.


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[Parappa]

Just finished the installation, it was probably one of the easiest I have ever done in a car. Make sure to connect the 'amp' wire from the HU to the 'brown' wire from the factory to turn on the power for the front door speakers.
The HU like the main poster said sits a bit recessed and deep. Might not bother some. I didn't feel like dremelling or drilling so I added some washers behind the HU bracket to push the HU forward. Not as flush but good enough for me.

The washers were aprox 2.5 mm thick