Chinese Ca-Fi knockoff has been rooted! Torque works!

[Brody602]

Thank you for the clarifications, I didn't realise torque wasn't able to run on that version of android without root, are you guys using the usb to obd adapter or wifi obd Adapter?

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Brody602

Thank you for the clarifications, I didn't realise torque wasn't able to run on that version of android without root, are you guys using the usb to obd adapter or wifi obd Adapter?

On head units that is the case. I'll further clarify so that there isn't any confusion.

Torque can run on 3 types of connections; Bluetooth, WiFi, and USB.

Bluetooth - There is no restriction on the OS, per se. It can run on devices all the way down to Android 2.2 that have bluetooth. The problem with head units, is that the bluetooth itself is limited to just connections with phones or A2DP. You can't connect ancillary devices such as an OBD2 scanner.

WiFi - WiFi is only supported in AdHoc mode, which only available with root. Since I think all Android devices have WiFi capability, including this head unit, this isn't a physical limitation. However, root is required to run the WiFi adapter in AdHoc mode. You will lose the ability to have internet unless you are running the 3G adapter. WiFi OBD2 adapters are also more expensive (40-50$).

USB - USB requires host mode in the OS. This is only supported officially by Android on 3.0 (Honeycomb) and above. Ca-Fi managed to modify it's Android build and include it, which is why they use USB adapters for Torque on their head unit.

What this rooting/firmware solution does, is enable root and install firmware which allows the OS of these knockoffs to run a USB Bluetooth adapter as part of the native system. As I showed in the video, it's an external USB adapter that is plugged into a USB hub that runs off the USB port coming from the rear of the unit. I find this is a superior solution to using something like a nexus 7 because the refresh rate in Torque is much faster. I think the Bluetooth adapters built into tablets are low powered or something.

Hope this clarifies everything!

[Brody602]

Originally Posted by 2forme

On head units that is the case. I'll further clarify so that there isn't any confusion.

Torque can run one 3 types of connections; Bluetooth, WiFi, and USB.

Bluetooth - There is no restriction on the OS, per se. It can run on devices all the way down to Android 2.2 that have bluetooth. The problem with head units, is that the bluetooth itself is limited to just connections with phones or A2DP. You can't connect ancillary devices such as an OBD2 scanner.

WiFi - WiFi is only supported in AdHoc mode, which only available with root. Since I think all Android devices have WiFi capability, including this head unit, this isn't a physical limitation. However, root is required to run the WiFi adapter in AdHoc mode. You will lose the ability to have internet unless you are running the 3G adapter. WiFi OBD2 adapters are also more expensive (40-50$).

USB - USB requires host mode in the OS. This is only supported officially by Android on 3.0 (Honeycomb) and above. Ca-Fi managed to modify it's Android build and include it, which is why they use USB adapters for Torque on their head unit.

What this rooting/firmware solution does, is enable root and install firmware which allows the OS of these knockoffs to run a USB Bluetooth adapter as part of the native system. As I showed in the video, it's an external USB adapter that is plugged into a USB hub that runs off the USB port coming from the rear of the unit. I find this is a superior solution to using something like a nexus 7 because the refresh rate in Torque is much faster. I think the Bluetooth adapters built into tablets are low powered or something.

Hope this clarifies everything!

So what you're saying is essentially, instead of connecting the usb wifi adapter directly to the back of the HU, you connect a USB hub to it to have more then one usb input, and then you connect a usb bt adapter such as this http://bit.ly/XXezEE and the wifi adapter into, and by doing so you can connect to a stand OBDII BT adapter and still have wifi functionality?

Awesome.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Brody602

So what you're saying is essentially, instead of connecting the usb wifi adapter directly to the back of the HU, you connect a USB hub to it to have more then one usb input, and then you connect a usb bt adapter such as this http://bit.ly/XXezEE and the wifi adapter into, and by doing so you can connect to a stand OBDII BT adapter and still have wifi functionality?

Awesome.

Yup, I show it briefly in my video.

[Brody602]

Originally Posted by 2forme

Yup, I show it briefly in my video.

What apps are needed after root to do this? Or is it as simple as PnP after it's rooted? Also what dash kit/harness are you using for the HU, would the beatsonic one work?

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Brody602

What apps are needed after root to do this? Or is it as simple as PnP after it's rooted? Also what dash kit/harness are you using for the HU, would the beatsonic one work?

You need a bluetooth management app. I posted a link to the one I used in the OP.

Beatsonic will need modifications like anything else. I actually prefer the Metra dash kit myself. It's cheaper and has better mounting.

Wiring harnesses are standard toyota harnesses, and the lexus antenna adapter. Made by Metra.

[ph0en1xtk]

after rooting my HU, it would appear sygic is no longer installed? Do i just download it again from the play store?

[privfaith]

Naw its still on the deck. Use the file manager to look through the folders. You should find an apk

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

[Skippman]

On the XM thing, as these units have an Aux In you could get an external XM/Sirius tuner and wire it into these head units using standard RCA connectors. I know this isn't as clean an install as it would be if the HU supported it nativily but it is an option and shouldn't result in any loss of fidelity/SQ.

[Brody602]

Originally Posted by Skippman

On the XM thing, as these units have an Aux In you could get an external XM/Sirius tuner and wire it into these head units using standard RCA connectors. I know this isn't as clean an install as it would be if the HU supported it nativily but it is an option and shouldn't result in any loss of fidelity/SQ.

DIY would be lovely

[ph0en1xtk]

ill probably get a DIY up for my audio install once its all complete. I plan on using a separate siriusXM receiver since this HU doesnt support integrated.

The rest of everything is pretty straightforward, ill be installing my rear view camera this weekend as well So far im loving this unit.

[privfaith]

I'm curious where you're tossing that camera

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

[ph0en1xtk]

Originally Posted by privfaith

I'm curious where you're tossing that camera

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

im going to be using the following camera:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Vehicle-Backup-High-definition-Viewing/dp/B005CTKYB4"]Amazon.com: Waterproof Car Rear Vehicle Backup View Camera High-definition Cmos 170 Degree Viewing Angle E363: Electronics[/ame]

the camera has a thin mounting plate that happens to fit perfectly in the space between the 2 license plate lights on the trunk, directly below the emblem. Nice and hidden, with room behind to drill a hole for routing the wires. Ill have some pictures up once everything is finished.

[ph0en1xtk]

Does anyone have any idea what to do if your unit just shows a white screen all of the sudden? I took mine out to make a modification to the dash kit and when I plugged the harness back in, its unresponsive and just has a white screen. I can turn it on and off with the volume knob, but nothing else works

Any help would be great!