Are there any good Android head units yet?

[jlee]

I want one. Are there any that don't suck, or should I just try to dash-mount a Nexus 7 or something over a tradition head unit? I'm not really interested in building a CarPC..seems far too much effort to do essentially the same thing I can do with my cell phone.

I just want live gauge display from Megasquirt (Shadow Dash), digital media playback, etc..starting to wonder if a tablet with bluetooth sync for audio playback would be the way to go.

 

[skyking]

I think the current crop of head units are overpriced and underfeatured, and will always be so.
I'd use something that has an aux in and do what you proposed. So much nicer to take it in the house and do updates, replace when tech changes, etc.
I feel the same about combo receiver/NAV after market units. They are obsolete as soon as they are made.

 

[Raduque]

I want to recess a 7" Android tablet in my dash, but nothing really fits. Everything has too much damn top/bottom (in portrait mode) bezel to fit. I'd ideally like something with a dock connector along the left/right edge as well to easily wire into power.

So far, I'm just sticking with an Android phone and an aux cable.

 

[jlee]

That's what I do now, but I want to use Shadow Dash MS and that's not really practical with a small screen on a phone. I want a hard-mounted tablet somewhere for that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd like to install an Alpine NAV HU in my car but I'd lose some of the features of the stock HU to control settings on the car, hybrid readout and bluetooth steering wheel controls. I wish they could make one that was compatible with the systems in my car.

 

[skyking]

I'd like to install an Alpine NAV HU in my car but I'd lose some of the features of the stock HU to control settings on the car, hybrid readout and bluetooth steering wheel controls. I wish they could make one that was compatible with the systems in my car.

That's what I'm talking about. The aftermarkets lose features like that, are pricey as hell and just about obsoleted when they get on the market.
Often they start out reasonably priced, but every thing you want is a module that adds another $200 or more. Yikes!

 

[RedRooster]

They need to make a generic touch sensitive bluetooth display that just shows exactly what's on your phone screen but can transmit touch responses back to the phone as well. First company to make that wins.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

That's what I'm talking about. The aftermarkets lose features like that, are pricey as hell and just about obsoleted when they get on the market.
Often they start out reasonably priced, but every thing you want is a module that adds another $200 or more. Yikes!

*shrug* I've been extremely happy with my Pioneer Z110BT. Flashed it and now it is a Z140BH.

 

[jlee]

~$1500 for 800x480 display? A nexus 7 is 1920x1200 and is $229...the high end head units are pretty spendy for what you get.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

But you have to set up an amplifier with your android tablet. Not that hard but it would increase costs versus using the amplifier built into a headunit. Pretty sure I'm going to do the tablet thing in my '70 truck once I get to that stage.

 

[jlee]

But you have to set up an amplifier with your android tablet. Not that hard but it would increase costs versus using the amplifier built into a headunit. Pretty sure I'm going to do the tablet thing in my '70 truck once I get to that stage.

Not by $1250, it wouldn't

If I did run that way I'd get a ~$150 deck with bluetooth streaming.

 

[dbk]

I wanna try this mirroring stuff in my car..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnqegR2-oHs

 

[sdifox]

But you have to set up an amplifier with your android tablet. Not that hard but it would increase costs versus using the amplifier built into a headunit. Pretty sure I'm going to do the tablet thing in my '70 truck once I get to that stage.

not when they want an arm and leg just because it runs android. In that case you are better off with tablet + amp that takes usb input.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Sorry, I didn't mean that it would push the cost above an android head unit, I just meant that it is an expense that shouldn't be over looked..

As I said I will be running a dual channel amp in my truck along with an android tablet instead of putting a stereo system in it(it doesn't have a hold in the dash for a normal headunit, and I dont want to decrease the value by cutting one into it).

 

[Crono]

Cup holder mount + Nexus 7 or Dell Venue 8 Pro. Dash mount if you don't mind the additional trouble/expense.

Windows 8 is ideal for car. Otherwise Android with Gigianticon app (worth it, in my opinion, since it's harder to hit small touch targets of stock Android).

 

[shortylickens]

I'd rather mount a tablet. Maybe get extra long cables and run them around in such a way as they are hidden. Download maps straight to the device.

 

[arnoc]

These guys look like they'll make a product that won't permanently cutting into your dash. I was looking into one for my nexus 7, and they produce a swivel mount with a permanent charging wire that you can hide and connect to your car. Or a cigarette charger version too. All in all selection on options shouldn't cost more than 150 plus shipping charges.

Link: http://www.proclipusa.com

 

[thelostartof]

The problem with using a tablet for anything in a car is that it is typically not designed for the kind of heat that it will experience sitting in a car dash here in AZ.

If you build something making sure the tablet can come out easily for those summer days and that it will have some kind of cool air flow over it.

 

[sdifox]

The problem with using a tablet for anything in a car is that it is typically not designed for the kind of heat that it will experience sitting in a car dash here in AZ.

If you build something making sure the tablet can come out easily for those summer days and that it will have some kind of cool air flow over it.

I always assume people will detach the tablet, not necessarily for heat but for car window protection

 

[bigi]

Check me out

Apparently this unit is more than decent for the price.

 

[Fritzo]

Dynavin is the go to source for that type of thing. They keep it looking OEM too. http://www.dynavin.com/products.php