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Technical Radio Upgrade - Double Din Swap - S600

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Technical Radio Upgrade - Double Din Swap - S600

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KMOR said:
Hello all,
I only recently got my Bravo, its a great little car, chuffed to bits with it.


The radio's being a pain at the minute, so was looking at this one.


Any news on how well they last? Any problems after a few months use?


Looking around other replacements, its a bargain at that price!!


Cheers


Keith
Click to expand...

I have a pure android unit that has been going well for a year now. It takes a bit of setting up to your taste but well worth it when you get there.

Bought mine from Aliexpress. Make sure you get one that is quad core and 1024x600 for best performance and lcd sharpness. Also get familiar with the Huifei thread and the Android Auto forum on XDA developers for troubleshooting, firmwares, app suggestions, discussion etc. Some patience and android tinkering knowledge really brings out the best in these units.

The only major downside with the majority of these units is the in-built microphone. It's awful, and can only be fixed by opening the unit up and messing with the chip. HOWEVER, If you already have blue & me then there is no issue; it works with these units and you'll be using the car's mic. You just need to connect the blue&me sound connectors to the aux in on the unit. The blue&me voice is lost for some reason, but you can select contacts through the display behind the steering wheel as normal.

You will also have full steering wheel control with the inbuilt apps, however, a bit of tinkering is needed to skip on other music apps, such as google music. You'll need to flash a rooted firmware and install xposedmtc to do that, which also brings other cool features for a headunit. All info on xda.

It is also fully CANBUS integrated (make sure the seller has the decoder included), so picks up all of your door openings, and the buttons light up with your headlights.

Other things to note: The installation for the most part is largely plug and and play as the seller will include the correct connectors specific for fiat. However in my case the speakers were a bit mixed up, so I had to swap some pins around myself on the connector. I followed a diagram off google, so no big deal.

I'm extremely happy with mine, and although any generic hardware from China is a bit of a gamble, I'll be checking what's available for any car I have in future, as I can't settle for bog standard since having this.
 
maiod said:
I have a pure android unit that has been going well for a year now. It takes a bit of setting up to your taste but well worth it when you get there.

Bought mine from Aliexpress. Make sure you get one that is quad core and 1024x600 for best performance and lcd sharpness. Also get familiar with the Huifei thread and the Android Auto forum on XDA developers for troubleshooting, firmwares, app suggestions, discussion etc. Some patience and android tinkering knowledge really brings out the best in these units.

The only major downside with the majority of these units is the in-built microphone. It's awful, and can only be fixed by opening the unit up and messing with the chip. HOWEVER, If you already have blue & me then there is no issue; it works with these units and you'll be using the car's mic. You just need to connect the blue&me sound connectors to the aux in on the unit. The blue&me voice is lost for some reason, but you can select contacts through the display behind the steering wheel as normal.

You will also have full steering wheel control with the inbuilt apps, however, a bit of tinkering is needed to skip on other music apps, such as google music. You'll need to flash a rooted firmware and install xposedmtc to do that, which also brings other cool features for a headunit. All info on xda.

It is also fully CANBUS integrated (make sure the seller has the decoder included), so picks up all of your door openings, and the buttons light up with your headlights.

Other things to note: The installation for the most part is largely plug and and play as the seller will include the correct connectors specific for fiat. However in my case the speakers were a bit mixed up, so I had to swap some pins around myself on the connector. I followed a diagram off google, so no big deal.

I'm extremely happy with mine, and although any generic hardware from China is a bit of a gamble, I'll be checking what's available for any car I have in future, as I can't settle for bog standard since having this.
Click to expand...

What does the blue&me connector look like as I'm in the middle of purchasing one android 4.4 any snap shots available
 
richardrs123 said:
What does the blue&me connector look like as I'm in the middle of purchasing one android 4.4 any snap shots available
Click to expand...

Sorry haven't got any snaps to hand, but the connector from blue & me out of the car is a standard ISO aux connector, usually blue. This then plugs into the harness provided by the seller, and converts the the ISO into red and white RCA cables. These then plug into the corresponding red and white aux cables that come out the back of the android head unit.
 
maiod said:
Sorry haven't got any snaps to hand, but the connector from blue & me out of the car is a standard ISO aux connector, usually blue. This then plugs into the harness provided by the seller, and converts the the ISO into red and white RCA cables. These then plug into the corresponding red and white aux cables that come out the back of the android head unit.
Click to expand...
Is the harness provider a aftermarket kit to keep steering wheel control £44 on ebay ?
I'm getting a xtrons TD626AS android 4.4.4 quad core
 
Last edited:
richardrs123 said:
Is the harness provider a aftermarket kit to keep steering wheel control £44 on ebay ?
I'm getting a xtrons TD626AS android 4.4.4 quad core
Click to expand...

I didn't need to as I have a bravo specific unit complete with canbus decoder. You may need to buy the adapter separately then.

I can't help much with xtrons as I don't know what hardware they use or how customisable the software is.

Have you checked Aliexpress for the bravo units? No need for any facias either as they are an exact fit. They look built in once installed

Edit: This is a similar listing to the one I bought from the same seller:

1024*600 Quad Core Android 4.4.4 Fit FIAT BRAVO 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Car DVD Player GPS TV 3G/WIFI RDS Radio
http://s.aliexpress.com/2iuQV3IJ
(from AliExpress Android)
 
Last edited:
maiod said:
I didn't need to as I have a bravo specific unit complete with canbus decoder. You may need to buy the adapter separately then.

I can't help much with xtrons as I don't know what hardware they use or how customisable the software is.

Have you checked Aliexpress for the bravo units? No need for any facias either as they are an exact fit. They look built in once installed

Edit: This is a similar listing to the one I bought from the same seller:

1024*600 Quad Core Android 4.4.4 Fit FIAT BRAVO 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Car DVD Player GPS TV 3G/WIFI RDS Radio
http://s.aliexpress.com/2iuQV3IJ
(from AliExpress Android)
Click to expand...

Thinking this http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=261495268666&alt=web
48hr delivery
 
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This post contains affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
maiod said:
I'd avoid that one. Doesn't look like an android unit. Processor looks underpowered too at 700mhz single core, and is a lower res screen.

I think you'd find it a bit laggy and lacking options when it comes to customisation.
Click to expand...

Thanks 4 the heads up
Been looking on ebay at them back to work tomorrow till next Wednesday 3pm when I'm looking to buy
 
richardrs123 said:
Thanks 4 the heads up
Been looking on ebay at them back to work tomorrow till next Wednesday 3pm when I'm looking to buy
Click to expand...

No worries. Check this item number on eBay: 182055805638

Ticks all the boxes if I were buying it again.

But just a last warning, you need to comfortable with flashing a Rom to get the most out of it. It's a very easy process, but there's always a small risk of it not working. That said, 99% of the time you just try again and it works.

As an example, I use TomTom on mine, but it needed a rooted rom, with a tweak to a file (all pre done), to allow TomTom to install and use maps
 
maiod said:
No worries. Check this item number on eBay: 182055805638

Ticks all the boxes if I were buying it again.

But just a last warning, you need to comfortable with flashing a Rom to get the most out of it. It's a very easy process, but there's always a small risk of it not working. That said, 99% of the time you just try again and it works.

As an example, I use TomTom on mine, but it needed a rooted rom, with a tweak to a file (all pre done), to allow TomTom to install and use maps
Click to expand...

Flashing Roms piece of cake
Long time XDA member here ?✔
 
richardrs123 said:
If you wouldnt mind it'll save so time and I can just download then
Click to expand...

There's two firmware types to worry about. First is the MCU, which is specific to your unit brand. Check which one you have in the about tablet section in settings before you flash anything. Mine is KGL4, but there is JY, KLD, etc. Just flash the one that matches, otherwise you'll have issues. They are on this thread:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61291848&postcount=14139


Then there is the usual android firmware to flash. The stock and rooted stock firmwares are here:

http://huifei.fs-fileserver.de/content/firmware/

It doesn't matter which brand you flash here. I've just flashed the most recent one which was the JY version. Make sure you pick the right res and chip for your unit. (Make sure you buy RK3188 chip and 1024*600 res)

On xda you may have come across malaysk ROMs, which appear to have loads of features added over stock. I've tried them a couple of times but generally found they are so cutting edge that they may break something elsewhere that you can't do without, so I've stuck with rooted stock, and put Nova launcher on instead.

Then once you've got one of the rooted ROMs install xposed framework and get the xposedmtc module. That will make sure steering wheel controls work with 3rd party apps amongst other things. I disabled the inbuilt music app to make sure there was no button conflict. Maxlock is also useful to pinlock specific apps for when MOT time comes around.

Tasker is the next must have app I reckon. I use my phone as a hotspot for the headunit, so I've set it up to create a hotspot when the blue & me is connected, and then switch off when not connected. The head unit then just connects automatically.

I also have it on the head unit to start playing music on boot, pause when a video player is opened, resume when I close it etc.
 
Last edited:
maiod said:
I have a pure android unit that has been going well for a year now. It takes a bit of setting up to your taste but well worth it when you get there.

Bought mine from Aliexpress. Make sure you get one that is quad core and 1024x600 for best performance and lcd sharpness. Also get familiar with the Huifei thread and the Android Auto forum on XDA developers for troubleshooting, firmwares, app suggestions, discussion etc. Some patience and android tinkering knowledge really brings out the best in these units.

The only major downside with the majority of these units is the in-built microphone. It's awful, and can only be fixed by opening the unit up and messing with the chip. HOWEVER, If you already have blue & me then there is no issue; it works with these units and you'll be using the car's mic. You just need to connect the blue&me sound connectors to the aux in on the unit. The blue&me voice is lost for some reason, but you can select contacts through the display behind the steering wheel as normal.

You will also have full steering wheel control with the inbuilt apps, however, a bit of tinkering is needed to skip on other music apps, such as google music. You'll need to flash a rooted firmware and install xposedmtc to do that, which also brings other cool features for a headunit. All info on xda.

It is also fully CANBUS integrated (make sure the seller has the decoder included), so picks up all of your door openings, and the buttons light up with your headlights.

Other things to note: The installation for the most part is largely plug and and play as the seller will include the correct connectors specific for fiat. However in my case the speakers were a bit mixed up, so I had to swap some pins around myself on the connector. I followed a diagram off google, so no big deal.

I'm extremely happy with mine, and although any generic hardware from China is a bit of a gamble, I'll be checking what's available for any car I have in future, as I can't settle for bog standard since having this.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this info. I just I installed one myself. I can't find the xda forum pages relevant to these head units. It sounds like I have the same one as you.

I need to figure out how to connect the head unit to blue&me as the built in mic isn't good enough for acceptable call quality.
 
mikem1989 said:
Thanks for this info. I just I installed one myself. I can't find the xda forum pages relevant to these head units. It sounds like I have the same one as you.

I need to figure out how to connect the head unit to blue&me as the built in mic isn't good enough for acceptable call quality.
Click to expand...

No problem. Check my later posts, I described how it connects to unit, and the link to the xda forums.
 
I've been reading through the forum. Although there is a hell of a lot of pages and posts! It all gets a bit confusing.
There is some stuff that has peaked my interest though.
Updating Android, the redesigned sound processor update. Getting it to work with DAB radio. Viper4Android which requires root.
How do I go about flashing it? I used the search function but it brought back a lot of irrelevant threads. I was looking for beginner threads and I came across a guy asking for help.
He wrote "things either do not work or do not make sense to me. I have a feeling it is because people are posting steps 4-10 because everyone here already knows what steps 1-3 are."
Which is exactly how I feel when reading that forum lol.

Although I am hesitant to change anything, 'if its not broken don't fix it' springs to mind. The performance of the head unit is more than adequate for my needs and I could probably ruin it by trying these things to improve it slightly.
 
I need a ignition live for my double din wife bought me
But I can't find it with multi meter only 12v so that's 1
But the ignition no feeds so lighter is impossible to get
So where is the cigarette lighter fuse location behind the glove box if so which one
 
mikem1989 said:
I've been reading through the forum. Although there is a hell of a lot of pages and posts! It all gets a bit confusing.
There is some stuff that has peaked my interest though.
Updating Android, the redesigned sound processor update. Getting it to work with DAB radio. Viper4Android which requires root.
How do I go about flashing it? I used the search function but it brought back a lot of irrelevant threads. I was looking for beginner threads and I came across a guy asking for help.
He wrote "things either do not work or do not make sense to me. I have a feeling it is because people are posting steps 4-10 because everyone here already knows what steps 1-3 are."
Which is exactly how I feel when reading that forum lol.

Although I am hesitant to change anything, 'if its not broken don't fix it' springs to mind. The performance of the head unit is more than adequate for my needs and I could probably ruin it by trying these things to improve it slightly.
Click to expand...

Flashing updates is easy. You either need to get into recovery (keep the power button pressed on mine), or the unit detects an update.img on your sd card and asks if you want to update. Once you're in recovery it's self explanatory.

I definitely agree on the 'if it ain't broke', so I've only updated to a point where I've gained the extra features I want. I'm on the modded KGL4 2.55 MCU, which includes sound improvements and the sleep timer, so I'm happy to stay there.

The only caveat is that I also needed to flash an android rom that had the sleep timer updates to make use of the updated MCU, which I don't believe KGL do.

Theerfore I went for a rooted JY stock rom from the huifei server link I posted, with added tweaks included to give extra app storage and to allow tomtom to work. Fully stock roms are also available on the server.

I haven't used Viper4android but I've changed the inbuilt EQ to my liking anyway.
 
richardrs123 said:
I need a ignition live for my double din wife bought me
But I can't find it with multi meter only 12v so that's 1
But the ignition no feeds so lighter is impossible to get
So where is the cigarette lighter fuse location behind the glove box if so which one
Click to expand...

Do you have the driver's manual? the diagram and table is in there. I'd get mine and check but it's raining. Just remember to turn the book upside down to get the correct view of the fuses.

I think the manuals are also in the download section
 
maiod said:
Do you have the driver's manual? the diagram and table is in there. I'd get mine and check but it's raining. Just remember to turn the book upside down to get the correct view of the fuses.

I think the manuals are also in the download section
Click to expand...

Sorted strip car down connected but all back together fully working
 
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