A new alternative to Android head units...

[LAYGO]

Originally Posted by Hayashi

I was planning on doing this after hearing about it a few months ago but now that I see it I think this is a much easier option then putting my Nexus 7 in the dash like I was planning haha.

I think I'm reading this right but it looks like an amazing deal on appradio 2 right now...

$120 MIR from an authorized dealer.

Bestbuy.com is an authorized dealer and has it on sale for 279.99.

$279.99 - $120 = 159.99 + tax... thats cheaper then the nexus 7 haha.

Unfortunately, you didn't read #2 closely:

a copy of the sales receipt for the Pioneer AppRadio 2 (SPH-DA100), which the receipt must show the name and full address of the Authorized Pioneer Dealer or an Authorized Pioneer Internet Dealer and must show that the purchase date was between February 15, 2013 and April 30, 2013 (offer NOT VALID for purchases from Best Buy or BestBuy.com);

Or the Important Info section:

IMPORTANT: This mail-in rebate is valid for purchases from an Authorized Pioneer Dealer or an Authorized Pioneer Internet Dealer (offer NOT VALID for purchases from Best Buy or BestBuy.com).

Or the Terms & Conditions:

Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Offer valid for purchases of brand new (A-stock) units made from an authorized Pioneer Dealer in the United States from February 15, 2013 through April 30, 2013. This mail-in rebate offer is NOT VALID valid for purchases from Best Buy or BestBuy.com. Please check with Best Buy for more information.

Still, I just canceled my order from Amazon for $315 for AR2.

[LAYGO]

Originally Posted by 2forme

I ultimately went back to the cafi knockoff. Now that it's rooted it's a better solution for my needs. But the app radio 2 is great for people who want android and a name brand.

Ok, nerd boner aside for the mirroring . . . why the Ca-Fi KO vs AR2? Does the knockoff support hands free better? Is it limited to the phone capabilities?

What if I intended to run a phone without service as my mirror source, but wifi tethered to my Galaxy Nexus? Could I still connect my Nexus to the AR2 for handsfree?

I have canceled 2 orders today, one for Ca-Fi KO, one for AR2, but for different reasons. I'm fairly familiar with Android, rooting, et al, what was the ultimate deciding factor? Rooted phone vs rooted headunit? Does the mirroring lag at all? (I hadn't noticed it mirroring my tablet before)

Really curious before I place another order!

[Hayashi]

Dang, glad you can read. Guess bestbuy is more of an instant rebate which is better for lazy people like me lol.

Originally Posted by LAYGO

Unfortunately, you didn't read #2 closely:



Or the Important Info section:


Or the Terms & Conditions:


Still, I just canceled my order from Amazon for $315 for AR2.

[jr429]

Why the complication? Why not just run an HDMI cable to your phone? My Samsung S3 mirrors fully on my TV? Do these head units not offer HDMI input?

[LAYGO]

Originally Posted by Hayashi

Dang, glad you can read. Guess bestbuy is more of an instant rebate which is better for lazy people like me lol.

Well, I just tried the "ol' pricematch & buy elsewhere & then rebate" trick. Not much luck as CarToys is saying $280 is below their cost! I haven't tried any others . . . yet.

[Hayashi]

Originally Posted by LAYGO

Well, I just tried the "ol' pricematch & buy elsewhere & then rebate" trick. Not much luck as CarToys is saying $280 is below their cost! I haven't tried any others . . . yet.

Yah, exactly what I was thinking and I only looked at walmart, but they don't carry it lol.

I came to the conclusion that crutchfield might be the best offer, even though its MIR, since you get all the install stuff for free.

The only thing holding me back right now is no USB drive support... I've been reading up on Android sticks though and hopefully there is something there.

[LAYGO]

Originally Posted by Hayashi

Yah, exactly what I was thinking and I only looked at walmart, but they don't carry it lol.

I came to the conclusion that crutchfield might be the best offer, even though its MIR, since you get all the install stuff for free.

The only thing holding me back right now is no USB drive support... I've been reading up on Android sticks though and hopefully there is something there.

CRAP! I didn't realize Crutchfield was $280 too! I definitely could've saved some money going that route AND would get a free Android kit (which I could def use). It is out of stock though!

[2forme]

I'm out to dinner right now, but I will answer why I went with the knockoff as opposed to the AR2 when I get back to the hotel

[2forme]

Lol, as much as I'd love to own some Apple fanboys, let's not turn this into an Android vs iPhone. I'm sure iPhone users can enjoy Torque just as much as Android users

Anyway, the reasons I went back to the ca-fi knock off are as follows:

* The HDMI scaling on the AR2 is too pixelated for my taste. Torque dials can be rather hard to read at quick glance.
* Too many wires running everywhere (I had a hard time stuffing them all in the glove box.)
* I had to turn on mix mode every single time I connected the cell phone. Every. Single. Time.
* The knock off has more function buttons for the major head unit functions.
* Everything (FM, iPod, Music) is in Android, rather than running FM/iPod on the AR2 native OS and then Android separate.
* The bluetooth after root is faster than the phone's built in bluetooth.
* Volume KNOB. Enough said.
* MORE audio controls. Hello, Pioneer, would it have killed you to add some HPF/LPF?
* F/R/Sub outputs. AR2 only has F/Sub or Rear.
* Never run out of battery on a phone in the glove box (if you don't drive the car for a few days, this can happen easily)
* Never have to wait for the phone to connect with ARLiberator before use.

I really did it as a proof of concept. It was the cheapest way to get Torque on a head unit until I discovered the root method for the knock off.

[ft_sjo]

2forme- Could you clarify in some more detail the mix mode issue and arliberator stuff? Like how exactly this works/affects you on a day-to-day basis?

I spent money based on your original post/review so I am a little concerned that it may not be fit-for-purpose. I've not installed it yet, obviously.

[jr429]

Wait you guys cannot get torque onto the head unit? is that the problem? Why is that? because no marketplace / launcher?

[Skippman]

Originally Posted by jr429

Wait you guys cannot get torque onto the head unit? is that the problem? Why is that? because no marketplace / launcher?

I'm assuming you're asking about the Ca-Fi and other Android based knock off's, not the AppRadio2. The Bluetooth on the pure Android based head units was crippled by the vendor to only allow handshaking with cellphones. Thus you couldn't use a Bluetooth based OBDII reader. Once 2forme found out how to root the device that limitation could be defeated.

Now you can use a Bluetooth OBDII adapter. Cost wise, it was an issue of having a USB hub, USB based OBDII reader, etc all connected and turned into a giant collection of cables and wires and basically just an inelegent solution.

I really have to hand it to me, 2forme has put in a LOT of leg work on this project. What has me most appreciative is that it's not just a pure FRS/BRZ product. I'm just as interested in this for my '08 Jeep Wrangler as I am for my BRZ. Having the ability to use non-propriatary maps and topo maps for off roading would be extremely useful to me, as would having access to an onboard OBDII reader to keep track of oil pressure and fuel/air mix at high altitudes when I'm off roading in Colorado.

Keep up the great work 2for!

[2forme]

Originally Posted by ft_sjo

2forme- Could you clarify in some more detail the mix mode issue and arliberator stuff? Like how exactly this works/affects you on a day-to-day basis?

I spent money based on your original post/review so I am a little concerned that it may not be fit-for-purpose. I've not installed it yet, obviously.

Mix mode is the Pioneer term for allowing audio from the AR2 AND the tethered Android device. For instance, I have all my music on an iPod, so naturally, I'd want to listen to music from the iPod while using nav on the Android.

What happens is, there isn't a place to set mix mode 'on' by default. Every time you connect the Android and begin mirroring, you will have to double click the center key on the AR2 to bring up the audio control options, click Mix Mode, and set it to on. This may or may not have been fixed in a firmware update for the radio. I never bothered to update the firmware on mine.

For day to day use, it's OK. Sometimes the ARLiberator app wouldn't automatically connect when the unit was turned on. My main problem was the EVO 3D I bought kept running out of battery in the glove box while the car was off. It's winter in New England, and I don't drive the car much unless the roads are clear of snow and salt. So the long standby times would kill the battery. While the car is on, though, the battery charges.

Hope this helps!

And thanks Skippman!

[LAYGO]

Originally Posted by Skippman

What has me most appreciative is that it's not just a pure FRS/BRZ product.

Agreed, I came here by pure chance & I had no idea what an FT86 was, heck, I drive a Cadillac CTS-V. I was just reading about a cool project using Android which is what I've always wanted.

Thanks again 2forme!