Who's interested in a full Android head unit?

[Gardus@Supersprint]

It's not a capacitative screen? Bummer...well some resistive screens are not so bad actually.

It also depends if the screen is good quality or not.

About the FM Radio, I guess you could use an adaptor that connects to the onboard antenna and plug it in the headphones plug on the phone? I'm not an electrician.

The good thing is that the limit of this system is just how good your phone is.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Gardus

It's not a capacitative screen? Bummer...well some resistive screens are not so bad actually.

It also depends if the screen is good quality or not.

About the FM Radio, I guess you could use an adaptor that connects to the onboard antenna and plug it in the headphones plug on the phone? I'm not an electrician.

The good thing is that the limit of this system is just how good your phone is.

Yea, 4 wire panels are 99% resistive. I've replaced a couple in my day.

Ideally, I'd prefer to keep the wire clutter to a minimum. But maybe that's just me being picky. What would be REALLY neat is to see a monitor capable of 2 way display/touch via wifi. THAT would be neat. I could just sit the phone in the little phone holder next to the cup holders and operate it via the screen.

Maybe I'm just dreaming....

[CMOS]

Originally Posted by 2forme

HD video? You realize most 7" screens don't have a native resolution capable of HD video. Further, I've seen 250$ eonon chinese special head units with DTV. The Android head unit does full internet and surround sound. So again I ask... why put forth all the time and effort into building a computer, hacking the car apart to fit said computer, and then installing all this software (which isn't built for 7" touch screen use)... when you can get the same stuff out of a much better solution and only 20 minutes of work?

Yes but you have 3-4 screen outputs to play with so if you want to add a screen and a keyboard later on you can do that for the cost of a screen and a keyboard. The idea is that once you have the core you can make the device suit your needs. Android has access to the full internet but it won't render it also I have never seen an Android tablet with 7.1 channel surround sound. Because I already have an Android head unit through my phone and aside from being marginally better then the fujitsu it is by all means still quite crap, when I spend $600 I want to have $600 of value added not just better trim around the radio.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by CMOS

Yes but you have 3-4 screen outputs to play with so if you want to add a screen and a keyboard later on you can do that for the cost of a screen and a keyboard. The idea is that once you have the core you can make the device suit your needs. Android has access to the full internet but it won't render it also I have never seen an Android tablet with 7.1 channel surround sound. Because I already have an Android head unit through my phone and aside from being marginally better then the fujitsu it is by all means still quite crap, when I spend $600 I want to have $600 of value added not just better trim around the radio.

What world are you living in? I mean... seriously... you're defying all logical implementations of this. Why are you in this thread? Go hack up your car and install screens everywhere. Hell install them in the wheels! Then your carpc will be able to do something the Android unit can't... simulated spinning rims!

It's obvious you have issues with Android. I'm sorry, but it sounds like your phone sucks. Just because your phone sucks doesn't mean every other Android device sucks. I get full internet on my phone and tablet. I'm sorry you don't.

Now, if you don't mind, there are people who are actually interested in this, and I'm tired of arguing with a wall. Thanks.

[CMOS]

Originally Posted by 2forme

What world are you living in? I mean... seriously... you're defying all logical implementations of this. Why are you in this thread? Go hack up your car and install screens everywhere. Hell install them in the wheels! Then your carpc will be able to do something the Android unit can't... simulated spinning rims!

It's obvious you have issues with Android. I'm sorry, but it sounds like your phone sucks. Just because your phone sucks doesn't mean every other Android device sucks. I get full internet on my phone and tablet. I'm sorry you don't.

Now, if you don't mind, there are people who are actually interested in this, and I'm tired of arguing with a wall. Thanks.

Well you're certainly taking it very personally, I'm just pointing out that you're taking the Chromebook approach to solving a problem that is already solved. If you want android on the radio you already have a phone that solves the issue or at worst a $150 tablet that does the same. I'm just questioning the value of having the remaining $450 go towards a nice frame around the border and a questionable amplifier. I'm sure there are a lot of people that will pay for this, if there weren't then Apple would have gone out of business long time ago but lets not pretend that hardwiring a handheld ebook reader is a good value in comparison to full PC at the same price point and I'd sure like to see the base unit that is so free of flaws that it will last for 7 years without a hiccup since I assume you won't be able to just pop into Fry's to get a spare cpu or mobo when your radio decides to self destruct at -10C or 50C or 99% humidity or gets bricked on an update or exceeds write limit on the memory and so on...

[CMOS]

And after 5 minutes of looking at it here is my point

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/56..._Car_Ipad.html

$190

and here is v2.3

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/65..._Din_7_In.html

$360

...over 1000 results on one site and this is what I found on first 3 pages...

So this entire $600 unit boils down to about $200 give or take a few options, and I'm perfectly fine paying that for an Android radio because that is what its value is. $600 is big boy territory, that is the better part of an AMD quad core gaming rig and not a faded screen running an outdated version of an operating system that struggles to juggle two simultaneous operations.

[Shizuma]

Originally Posted by Gardus

Touchscreen monitor features:

• Size: 7"
• Touchscreen: 4-wire intergrated (Anti-glare)
• Screen type: TMR
• Active Area (mm): 152.40 x 91.40
• Outline dimension(mm): 163.20 x 104.00
• Resolution: 800 x 480 this is actually quite good, my Huawei has exactly the same res
• Backlight: LED
• Brightness(cd/m²): 300
• Contrast Ratio: 400:1
• Composite input: 2 inputs (reverse camera A/V)
• HDMI input: 1 Input for smartphone connectrion. Some devices require additional MHL cable
• Trigger wires: 1 x reverse (back-up) camera, 1 x screen dimmer (Illumination)

That's actually an awful quality monitor, especially for in-car use, a brightness of 300 nits is not even close to suitable for sunlight readability, I had a 450 nits monitor in my carputer and even that I had a hard time seeing it at times during the day, really you want 600-1000 nits brightness. Resistive touchscreen suck, and 4 wire resistive touch screens are the worst of the resistive screens. Also depending on your phone 800x480 isn't going to match your phones screen res since most new phones are either coming with qhd screens (960x540) or 720p displays so it's going to scale the image and nothing will look clear which would especially be an issue with smaller text like in Google Maps.

[Gardus@Supersprint]

@Shizuma well, that's disappointing...happy I haven't wasted money on it!

The conclusion to this thread is that there isn't a perfect head unit that does everything we want with minimal complications.

What we would need would be a head unit with:
-7" High contrast capacitative screen (as found in ipads, kindle fires etc), possibily with a 720p ore more resolution.
-ICS (jellybean or not) OS, dual or quad core hardware
-Integrated 4x50 amp at least (better if 5.1 for surround)
-Integration with steering wheel controls, handsfree phone function, reverse camera
-Radio with input for onboard antenna
-Good GPS reception
-A price around $500-600 tops

Anything else?

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Gardus

@Shizuma well, that's disappointing...happy I haven't wasted money on it!

The conclusion to this thread is that there isn't a perfect head unit that does everything we want with minimal complications.

What we would need would be a head unit with:
-7" High contrast capacitative screen (as found in ipads, kindle fires etc), possibily with a 720p ore more resolution.
-ICS (jellybean or not) OS, dual or quad core hardware
-Integrated 4x50 amp at least (better if 5.1 for surround)
-Integration with steering wheel controls, handsfree phone function, reverse camera
-Radio with input for onboard antenna
-Good GPS reception
-A price around $500-600 tops

Anything else?

We are a long way off before this becomes available. It's sad, really, because it wouldn't cost a ton to make. Maybe I should do a Kickstarter. I wouldn't know the first place to start to get the units made, though.

The unit I have coming in has a 6.2" Capacitive screen, Gingerbread, Single core 1GHz, and everything else you listed except the price. It has 5V pre outs, so the price is a bit higher than 600 but still less than 1000.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by CMOS

Well you're certainly taking it very personally, I'm just pointing out that you're taking the Chromebook approach to solving a problem that is already solved. If you want android on the radio you already have a phone that solves the issue or at worst a $150 tablet that does the same. I'm just questioning the value of having the remaining $450 go towards a nice frame around the border and a questionable amplifier. I'm sure there are a lot of people that will pay for this, if there weren't then Apple would have gone out of business long time ago but lets not pretend that hardwiring a handheld ebook reader is a good value in comparison to full PC at the same price point and I'd sure like to see the base unit that is so free of flaws that it will last for 7 years without a hiccup since I assume you won't be able to just pop into Fry's to get a spare cpu or mobo when your radio decides to self destruct at -10C or 50C or 99% humidity or gets bricked on an update or exceeds write limit on the memory and so on...

LOL, personally, no? You just haven't addressed any of my points, and yet here you are in a thread you have no interest in. Let me paint a final and clearer picture.

• I want a HEAD UNIT, in the car, that doesn't need to rely on a cell phone battery.
• I want it to be clean (no wires, tablets, or mounts hanging anywhere, or cutting up the entire car to fit something), with great sound (sorry, but 1V is laughable), and fit like a glove.
• I want it to be SMART, with internet, and apps, and customizable.
• I want it to be easy to operate with whatever screen size it has.
• I want the interface to be smooth, regardless of what specs are in the hardware. I don't care if it has a 1.5Ghz or a 600Mhz, as long as the end result is smooth.
• I want to be able to operate my phone, while using the stereo (there goes your "my phone is my stereo" argument)
• Pay attention to this one. I want it to be hassle free. There goes the carputer idea.

...and I account for the majority of people. Go ahead, start a poll and see how many people on this forum alone, want to go through the hassle and expense at putting together a carputer and then hacking up their car to install it. No, no, really, I'll wait.

I get your point. In fact, I wore the same hat years ago, when I thought a carputer was the best thing in the world. Compared to what Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, and Kenwood offered back then; it was. But in comparison to what's emerging in the stereo segment now with Android, it's a ton of hassle with no real applicable advantage. Plain and simple. You spend a lot more money, have more wires, less usability (Windows was NOT designed for 7" touch screens, and neither is 99% of the software for it), less sound quality, and I can't even revert back to stock if the car gets totalled or I sell it. And in case you didn't see my prior post. I have BOTH. One of my cars has a carputer install (a very clean one in fact), and the other has the Android head unit. So yes, I know what I'm talking about

I find that all amusing that you're such a die hard for not spending 600$ on a head unit because it's "too expensive" and then decide to go the much more expensive, hassle ridden route for an inferior experience. It makes no sense. But, hey, rock on .

And I agree, a 600$ 1Ghz Android tablet with froyo or gingerbread is WAYYY overpriced. But, thankfully, this isn't a tablet. It's a car stereo. And fortunately, a 600$ car stereo that does everything 1000$+ car stereos do, but better, is a bargain. Yea, it doesn't stack up numbers wise. Yea, they are probably making a huge margin. There also aren't any decent alternatives. You can go ahead and buy a 250$ ebay special. All the power to you. It will be ugly, clunky, and probably break. Just ask the Eonon G2227U sittng on my counter that cuts all sound whenever the motorized screen closes.

So again, I ask, why are you in this thread. What have you actually offered to the topic at hand?

[CMOS]

Originally Posted by 2forme

LOL, personally, no? You just haven't addressed any of my points, and yet here you are in a thread you have no interest in. Let me paint a final and clearer picture.

• I want a HEAD UNIT, in the car, that doesn't need to rely on a cell phone battery.
• I want it to be clean (no wires, tablets, or mounts hanging anywhere, or cutting up the entire car to fit something), with great sound (sorry, but 1V is laughable), and fit like a glove.
• I want it to be SMART, with internet, and apps, and customizable.
• I want it to be easy to operate with whatever screen size it has.
• I want the interface to be smooth, regardless of what specs are in the hardware. I don't care if it has a 1.5Ghz or a 600Mhz, as long as the end result is smooth.
• I want to be able to operate my phone, while using the stereo (there goes your "my phone is my stereo" argument)
• Pay attention to this one. I want it to be hassle free. There goes the carputer idea.

...and I account for the majority of people. Go ahead, start a poll and see how many people on this forum alone, want to go through the hassle and expense at putting together a carputer and then hacking up their car to install it. No, no, really, I'll wait.

I get your point. In fact, I wore the same hat years ago, when I thought a carputer was the best thing in the world. Compared to what Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, and Kenwood offered back then; it was. But in comparison to what's emerging in the stereo segment now with Android, it's a ton of hassle with no real applicable advantage. Plain and simple. You spend a lot more money, have more wires, less usability (Windows was NOT designed for 7" touch screens, and neither is 99% of the software for it), less sound quality, and I can't even revert back to stock if the car gets totalled or I sell it. And in case you didn't see my prior post. I have BOTH. One of my cars has a carputer install (a very clean one in fact), and the other has the Android head unit. So yes, I know what I'm talking about

I find that all amusing that you're such a die hard for not spending 600$ on a head unit because it's "too expensive" and then decide to go the much more expensive, hassle ridden route for an inferior experience. It makes no sense. But, hey, rock on .

And I agree, a 600$ 1Ghz Android tablet with froyo or gingerbread is WAYYY overpriced. But, thankfully, this isn't a tablet. It's a car stereo. And fortunately, a 600$ car stereo that does everything 1000$+ car stereos do, but better, is a bargain. Yea, it doesn't stack up numbers wise. Yea, they are probably making a huge margin. There also aren't any decent alternatives. You can go ahead and buy a 250$ ebay special. All the power to you. It will be ugly, clunky, and probably break. Just ask the Eonon G2227U sittng on my counter that cuts all sound whenever the motorized screen closes.

So again, I ask, why are you in this thread. What have you actually offered to the topic at hand?

-You're not relying on cell phone battery since you're in a car that has a car battery and can charge the phone battery, the only time you'd rely on it is if you leave the car and continue listening to music

-Thus far your best argument is that you don't want cables and a flush screen, fine but this is the entire $600 gap.

-Here is a hint to you, the Android tablet is using the same voltages as every other system unless you're trying to convince me that you have a 12V CPU in it which would be quite pre-1980s of you, the only difference is that you have an amp plugged into the 1V output so you don't SEE it. Unless you decided to plug your carputer directly into the speakers and enjoyed 4W of underpowered glory I still don't see where all of your issues arise from.

-Smart is relative term considering that this has a chip that is outdated by phone standards and you are comparing it with x86... Also, do you have a 4G plan for your radio or use a phone to get internet? And being to connect to internet is not quite equivalent to being able to surf properly.

-Again this has no smoothness edge over a phone, in fact in the demos it seemed less smooth then the phone because of previously mentioned reasons, if you're comparing to Win8 then the whole point is lost since they have a phone interface built in and it works just fine on all the machines I used it on, I just prefer to run my apps properly which neither Win8 tiles nor droid will do.

-So you want to change songs while dialing a number? Again my recollection of yesterday might be vague but I distinctly remember talking on my phone while picking out the next song and searching for a contact while listening to music, the two activities are unrelated since one is in the background, unless you want to specifically dial while flipping through the song list I can't see where you're running into issues.

-As far as hassle free is concerned that's fine, you don't need a PC that you obviously didn't find a good use for, just don't claim that this implementation in worth $600.

-I'm pointing out that this unit cost about $150 to make and should cost about $200, and that's why I'm here, to remind people that someone is trying to make an additional 200% profit margin. My carputer might have drawbacks relating to implementation but it is worth 90% of those same $600, it will really run like a computer, there is no software lockups, there are no parts and upgrade issues, the warranty is as good as on any other home machine and if you're unhappy with it you can always just use it as a computer, wheres you might have an app library for whatever its worth on this (and entirely at the mercy of the maker and revision level) but if there is any issue you run into, that issue is likely going to stay there, if not get worse, until you replace the whole unit, again $200 meh but at $600 there is no deal to be had here.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by CMOS

[FONT=Courier New]-You're not relying on cell phone battery since you're in a car that has a car battery and can charge the phone battery, the only time you'd rely on it is if you leave the car and continue listening to music

-Thus far your best argument is that you don't want cables and a flush screen, fine but this is the entire $600 gap.

You do realize... carputers cost MORE than 600$ right?

Mobo - 100$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131841
CPU - 120$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115078
RAM - 20$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147094
DVD - 30$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106371
HD - 120$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233340
Case - 100$ - http://www.mo-co-so.com/Black-Box-PC...cs-bbm-pci.htm
PSU - 70$ - http://store.mp3car.com/M3_ATX_125_W..._p/pwr-029.htm
Sound - 90$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271001
GPS - 40$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...5&ParentOnly=1
LCD - 140$ - http://www.mo-co-so.com/6-95-Double-...mcs-mt-695.htm
AM/FM - 75$ - http://www.mo-co-so.com/Directed-DMH...cs-dir-hdr.htm
Software - 200$ - Centrafuse w/ Nav and Windows 7

For the less mathematically inclined, that's 1105$ BEFORE shipping, without assembly and choosing a double din screen so there's minimal fiberglassing necessary. Then YOU need to install everything, make sure it works, and get all the drivers and software working together. I also didn't account for hooking up a rear camera, which you'd need to buy even MORE stuff for.

Originally Posted by CMOS

[FONT=Courier New]
-Here is a hint to you, the Android tablet is using the same voltages as every other system unless you're trying to convince me that you have a 12V CPU in it which would be quite pre-1980s of you, the only difference is that you have an amp plugged into the 1V output so you don't SEE it. Unless you decided to plug your carputer directly into the speakers and enjoyed 4W of underpowered glory I still don't see where all of your issues arise from.

Do you understand what a higher voltage pre out does? http://www.glasswolf.net/papers/preouts.html

Now compare your measley 1V to a 5V.

Originally Posted by CMOS

[FONT=Courier New]
-Smart is relative term considering that this has a chip that is outdated by phone standards and you are comparing it with x86... Also, do you have a 4G plan for your radio or use a phone to get internet? And being to connect to internet is not quite equivalent to being able to surf properly.

Wifi Tether from your phone is your friend. Free, unlimited 4G. What exactly do you need to surf "properly"? Is there something that I am missing from the whole enter-web-address-see-the-page concept?

Originally Posted by CMOS

[FONT=Courier New]
-Again this has no smoothness edge over a phone, in fact in the demos it seemed less smooth then the phone because of previously mentioned reasons, if you're comparing to Win8 then the whole point is lost since they have a phone interface built in and it works just fine on all the machines I used it on, I just prefer to run my apps properly which neither Win8 tiles nor droid will do.

Windows 8? I bet its super customizable right? Different launchers and the such? Awesome!!! [/Sarcasm]

Originally Posted by CMOS

[FONT=Courier New]
-So you want to change songs while dialing a number? Again my recollection of yesterday might be vague but I distinctly remember talking on my phone while picking out the next song and searching for a contact while listening to music, the two activities are unrelated since one is in the background, unless you want to specifically dial while flipping through the song list I can't see where you're running into issues.

Or how about navigating somewhere while on the phone? Does your phone still spout off instructions while you're on a call? Or does it even play music while you're on a call? How about if your passenger is watching a video, or surfing the web, while you're on a call?

Originally Posted by CMOS

[FONT=Courier New]
-As far as hassle free is concerned that's fine, you don't need a PC that you obviously didn't find a good use for, just don't claim that this implementation in worth $600.

Again, I don't understand why you can't comprehend this. It's a CAR STEREO. Find me a CAR STEREO with this capability... for less than 600 bux... and isn't an ebay special. My God man, do you realize the difference?

Originally Posted by CMOS

-I'm pointing out that this unit cost about $150 to make and should cost about $200, and that's why I'm here, to remind people that someone is trying to make an additional 200% profit margin. My carputer might have drawbacks relating to implementation but it is worth 90% of those same $600, it will really run like a computer, there is no software lockups, there are no parts and upgrade issues, the warranty is as good as on any other home machine and if you're unhappy with it you can always just use it as a computer, wheres you might have an app library for whatever its worth on this (and entirely at the mercy of the maker and revision level) but if there is any issue you run into, that issue is likely going to stay there, if not get worse, until you replace the whole unit, again $200 meh but at $600 there is no deal to be had here.

Your entire purpose in this thread is to keep people from buying a product that would work just fine for them, while being competitive in the market it's geared toward? I'm sorry, but that's a bit of a TROLL move.

The fact is, carPC's aren't cheaper, aren't better for implementation within a car, and ultimately require a ton of attention and effort just to keep up. If you want to put the time, money, and effort in, great! I did.... and now I'm contemplating taking it out and tossing one of these in.

I'm happy you love your carpc. But please, move on.

[Shizuma]

Originally Posted by 2forme

You do realize... carputers cost MORE than 600$ right?

Mobo - 100$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131841
CPU - 120$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115078
RAM - 20$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147094
DVD - 30$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106371
HD - 120$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233340
Case - 100$ - http://www.mo-co-so.com/Black-Box-PC...cs-bbm-pci.htm
PSU - 70$ - http://store.mp3car.com/M3_ATX_125_W..._p/pwr-029.htm
Sound - 90$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271001
GPS - 40$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...5&ParentOnly=1
LCD - 140$ - http://www.mo-co-so.com/6-95-Double-...mcs-mt-695.htm
AM/FM - 75$ - http://www.mo-co-so.com/Directed-DMH...cs-dir-hdr.htm
Software - 200$ - Centrafuse w/ Nav and Windows 7

For the less mathematically inclined, that's 1105$ BEFORE shipping, without assembly and choosing a double din screen so there's minimal fiberglassing necessary. Then YOU need to install everything, make sure it works, and get all the drivers and software working together. I also didn't account for hooking up a rear camera, which you'd need to buy even MORE stuff for.

And that's using a cheapo crappy monitor, I spent $400 on the monitor for my carputer, though I wouldn't go for that much CPU wise as you'll never use that much power in a carputer, i'd go with a dual core Atom processor which can be had for under $100, I also hadn't gone with an external sound car and had no issues with the built in one in terms of sound quality or noise, and I built my own case, but still, yeah, I spent somewhere in the $1200+ range on my computer, and even still it paled in comparison to my $199 Galaxy Tab for in car use for ease of use while driving in terms of changing songs, much more powerful GPS thru Google Maps and much easier to use GPS since Google maps has every business available to search where as built in ones rarely have what you're looking for programmed into them, plus you just can click the microphone, say what you want and it finds it, not sure how the new carputer GPS software, but what I had back then had no voice search, and even built in GPS's like the BRZ's have god awful voice capabilities.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Shizuma

And that's using a cheapo crappy monitor, I spent $400 on the monitor for my carputer, though I wouldn't go for that much CPU wise as you'll never use that much power in a carputer, i'd go with a dual core Atom processor which can be had for under $100, I also hadn't gone with an external sound car and had no issues with the built in one in terms of sound quality or noise, and I built my own case, but still, yeah, I spent somewhere in the $1200+ range on my computer, and even still it paled in comparison to my $199 Galaxy Tab for in car use for ease of use while driving in terms of changing songs, much more powerful GPS thru Google Maps and much easier to use GPS since Google maps has every business available to search where as built in ones rarely have what you're looking for programmed into them, plus you just can click the microphone, say what you want and it finds it, not sure how the new carputer GPS software, but what I had back then had no voice search, and even built in GPS's like the BRZ's have god awful voice capabilities.

Amen!

Hey, you're only a couple towns away. We should meet up at some point and do a comparison of the head unit to the GT and carputer setup you got.