I've been seeing a new kind of Android head unit pop up on aliexpress that replaces the navigation unit but seems to keep the factory radio in place. This keeps the factory look of the center console and IMO looks way better than the "Tesla style" that is popular.
Has anyone tried this out? I'm wondering if it has the same quirks as the Tesla style units. (inaccurate temp displays, unit conversion problems, noisy auido lines, etc)

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807041142152.html
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806558283554.html
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807396490318.html

 

There is a video of this headunit, installed by a user in one of the FB groups.
To be honest, judging from the video the interface is still pretty slow, but there should be a review video soon.

 

Is this the guy you’re talking about? He goes pretty in depth on the wiring in his “first look” and he just released a short showing he was able to rewire everything to work with the factory stereo. Full review isn’t out but the head unit doesn’t seem to be slow when he shows it. There’s also multiple models and the cheaper ones have slower processors and less RAM. Maybe it’s just the cheaper units that are laggy? Anyway from his videos this is looking very promising.

 

yeah this is the guy

 

Definitely nice addition if it offered pre-outs for aftermarket amplifiers

 

Mines just recently came in, and I'm in the process of putting it in. I ordered the model with 8GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage. I recommend getting the model with more RAM, as It also has the ability to:

• connect to the internet via wifi or sim card
• GPS
• two microphones (an external one that you could mount somewhere, and one built into the unit. The one on the unit is pretty good, so I won't use the external one)
• Back up Camera (haven't tested it yet)
• 360 cameras (this was with the highest model head unit, I just went for the one with the back-up camera)
• Android Auto/ Apple Carplay (works wireless or wired)
• Hands free calling via bluetooth
• 2 USB ports that you can fit anywhere you please
• Communicates with the Canbus, and displays on the screen for a brief moment what door is open, or if the trunk is open via a mini car model
• Control AC using the buttons or using the onscreen buttons.
• Download any app from the Google Play Store
• Play games from Xbox Cloud Streaming Service (need to connect a bluetooth controller to it)
• Keeps the stock look
• Can watch movies/TV shows/videos from apps like Netflix, Televizo, YouTube, Hulu, Crunchyroll, etc.
• etc.

It is just as responsive as my 2017 Ford Focus Electric's Sync 3 system (which is pretty snappy). My only complaint so far is the audio, even in the lowest volume, is around a medium loud. And the Bluetooth audio is also loud. Maybe there's a setting to change this though...

 

To add onto this, the model with the most RAM has 8 GB. The less RAM you have, the less responsive the head unit will be, especially if you have multiple apps open, or are trying to play games.

 

Good call, I am on board for an upgrade.......Thanks

 

Thanks for posting.
Does it have RCA L/R outputs for both front and reach?
I'm looking to add aftermarket amp/speakers and sub.