Who has Android or other 2DIN screen stereo installed in their 986?....

[oldskool73]

I've got a Chinese unit from Xtrons, Runs latest Android (8), 8 cores, 32gb ROM, 4gb RAM, 3USB, works great.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/XTRONS-7-HD-Android-8-0-Octa-Core-OREO-4G-RAM-PX5-Universal-Car-Radio-Stereo/32849740334.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4due4 pzV

For navigation I use Google Maps no issues, GPS locks on fast (I just mounted the receiver directly on top of the unit under the air ducts), you can even say 'ok google navigate to xxx' and it'll fire up. Android 8 has PiP and split screen, so you can have maps and e.g. the radio visible at once, or have a small floating map always over whatever other screen you're on. Radio works fine, but commercial radio... meh. For music I normally use Google Music, works great and the album art looks good on the screen. I share internet from my phone over wifi. Calls come through ok, I didn't bother mounting an external mic but the other end seem to be able to hear me fine. Screen dimming works based on the headlights being on/off, as do the button illuminations. Volume increases based on the speed from the GPS. Torque works fine via a cheap bluetooth OBDII. Reverse camera works great when I put it in reverse, and can be used instantly on power on. Normal boot up takes about 20s, there's an instant boot mode also, but I leave that off because I assume it's keeping it powered on to do that and don't want to drain the battery. I use one of the USB inputs to power my dashcam, so that powers down when the unit turns off also.

This is the second unit I've had, the first was a couple of years ago, and it was pretty crap, way underpowered. I'm a lot happier with this one. If I could change one thing it'd be the lack of a volume dial, but the screens are .5" smaller with a physical knob layout.

Overall I'm happy, and it was a lot cheaper than the 'name brand' options, you just need to shop around and pick carefully based on specs and reviews, as there's a lot of crap out there also.

[gonzzo]

Originally Posted by oldskool73

I've got a Chinese unit from Xtrons, Runs latest Android (8), 8 cores, 32gb ROM, 4gb RAM, 3USB, works great.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/XTRONS-7-HD-Android-8-0-Octa-Core-OREO-4G-RAM-PX5-Universal-Car-Radio-Stereo/32849740334.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4due4 pzV

For navigation I use Google Maps no issues, GPS locks on fast (I just mounted the receiver directly on top of the unit under the air ducts), you can even say 'ok google navigate to xxx' and it'll fire up. Android 8 has PiP and split screen, so you can have maps and e.g. the radio visible at once, or have a small floating map always over whatever other screen you're on. Radio works fine, but commercial radio... meh. For music I normally use Google Music, works great and the album art looks good on the screen. I share internet from my phone over wifi. Calls come through ok, I didn't bother mounting an external mic but the other end seem to be able to hear me fine. Screen dimming works based on the headlights being on/off, as do the button illuminations. Volume increases based on the speed from the GPS. Torque works fine via a cheap bluetooth OBDII. Reverse camera works great when I put it in reverse, and can be used instantly on power on. Normal boot up takes about 20s, there's an instant boot mode also, but I leave that off because I assume it's keeping it powered on to do that and don't want to drain the battery. I use one of the USB inputs to power my dashcam, so that powers down when the unit turns off also.

This is the second unit I've had, the first was a couple of years ago, and it was pretty crap, way underpowered. I'm a lot happier with this one. If I could change one thing it'd be the lack of a volume dial, but the screens are .5" smaller with a physical knob layout.

Overall I'm happy, and it was a lot cheaper than the 'name brand' options, you just need to shop around and pick carefully based on specs and reviews, as there's a lot of crap out there also.

Oldskool, this is the post I was waiting for!!!!....

If you don't mind, can you elaborate on what you used to install this stereo?, dash install kit?, adapter harness?, any additional install/hardware instructions/recommendations?...

Is the sound better than factory?, anything you would do different?...

I'm glad you had success with your stereo, as long as you don't mind sharing, I cant wait to hear back from you....


Thanks ALL!!!.....

[oldskool73]

Originally Posted by gonzzo

Oldskool, this is the post I was waiting for!!!!....

If you don't mind, can you elaborate on what you used to install this stereo?, dash install kit?, adapter harness?, any additional install/hardware instructions/recommendations?...

Is the sound better than factory?, anything you would do different?...

Mine already had a replacement single din in when I got it, so don't know if it sounds better or worse TBH. With the addition of a compact woofer behind my seat it sounds fine for a 20 year old convertible is all I can say

That also means that someone had already done a rather shoddy job of slicing off the OEM adapter and splicing in a standard ISO one, which did mean I could just plug the adapter that comes with the Android one straight in. If I was doing it from scratch though I'd probably get a plugin adapter just to avoid hacking the wires up. Mines an early car with no MOST, so the connections are simple.

I used an install kit from Connects2 Ltd ... I like that the facia panel has the slight curve at the top that matches the original parts, all the others I've seen are just flat. If you're not concerned about that though, there's a Euromotorspeed one available, or a much cheaper Metra 99-9605B ... it's just a bit of plastic after all! Ebay has them all.

One thing you do need to take care of is the size of the unit, these Chinese units can be a few mm larger in height/width than a 'standard' 2DIN unit, and end up not fitting in the cage properly.

Because I wanted it to sit flush I also needed to take care with the side 'ears' that hold the panel onto the main body. On the first one I had they stuck out a few mm from the body making it not fit into the cage as deep as I wanted and preventing the unit sitting flush with the fascia. Kind hard to describe, but see how the tabs are recessed into the body here instead of standing proud...



Getting a good fit is more an art than a science, you will need to get the dremel out and increase the size of the fascia panel hole, and cut and trim a few bits in the OEM console surround.

When it comes to replacement launchers, I've tried lots, but the only other one I use is AutoMate, which copies the look and feel of Android Auto nicely, but it has a few issues with maps and placing calls that keep me from using it full time.