General Add on Android Auto/Carplay Units

[Whysub]

I have had several cars in the past where I changed the standard head unit for a decent aftermarket double DIN unit (Pioneer, Clarion, Kenwood).

I now drive a 2017 Doblo 1.3 diesel Pop, of very basic spec. The stereo is fine, but I have seen lots of cheap aftermarket add on units that run Android Auto and Car Play. Anyone have one? How do you rate it? Is it good for showing Google Maps, Waze etc, which will be the main use I will have for it?

Just as importantly, how have you attached it? I see on mine there is a narrow "lip" above the radio facia and before the dash starts. Is this wide enough to mount one of these units?

 

[the green vanper]

Cheap android won't work. You'll get annoyed by the speed. Android works in a more or less satisfying way with 4 GB RAM onwards. So, they are not that cheap. Of course cheaper than the ones from Sony or Pioneer. Or not much

I took the first result on Aliexpress, then model with LTE, 4GB RAM.

These chinese radio units have generally a poor FM / AM reception. Work OK in a city not far away from the transmitter, but further away, in the countryside becomes more problematic. But if you buy one with LTE or 5G, you can use www, so internet radios or your favourite streaming app.

I think I've also seen units with DAB However I have no idea on how they work.

But otherwise are great. I've installed one in my 2011 Ducato, bought some kind of rack which I've attached to the central console and a fascia that covers the space around. And an FIAT-ISO connector for easy connection.

 

[clayts450]

I have a standalone unit in my Doblo, suckered to the windscreen, and to the right of the steering wheel (UK). Ideally the stereo already in the car/van needs to be Bluetooth compatible, or at the very least have an AUX IN socket, although the one I got can also transmit via FM (you tune your radio to an unused station and the standalone unit sends the sound to that FM frequency - not really reliable, especially in London where there are a few pirate stations broadcasting !).

To be honest, I chucked £70 at one and thought, if it works superb. If not, bang it in one of the cars. As a same day courier, I need good sat nav (I use TomTom Go Navigation mainly). I do have a standalone TomTom, but I like the be able to hear the instructions loud and clear (Doblo 1.3s are very noisy on the motorway at 70mph/3000rpm !).

Have to say, it works wonderfully well with the Bluetooth enabled stereo (stock one that came with the van) - navigation instructions loud and clear, streaming music from Youtube and Deezer loud and clear.

They're fairly rudimentary (I think they run off Windows CE), and they don't have a battery as they run off 12V. Have to say, it turned out to be a bit of a bargain in the end.

It was this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CDWF6Q9J

 

[Whysub]

I have a standalone unit in my Doblo, suckered to the windscreen, and to the right of the steering wheel (UK). Ideally the stereo already in the car/van needs to be Bluetooth compatible, or at the very least have an AUX IN socket, although the one I got can also transmit via FM (you tune your radio to an unused station and the standalone unit sends the sound to that FM frequency - not really reliable, especially in London where there are a few pirate stations broadcasting !).

To be honest, I chucked £70 at one and thought, if it works superb. If not, bang it in one of the cars. As a same day courier, I need good sat nav (I use TomTom Go Navigation mainly). I do have a standalone TomTom, but I like the be able to hear the instructions loud and clear (Doblo 1.3s are very noisy on the motorway at 70mph/3000rpm !).

Have to say, it works wonderfully well with the Bluetooth enabled stereo (stock one that came with the van) - navigation instructions loud and clear, streaming music from Youtube and Deezer loud and clear.

They're fairly rudimentary (I think they run off Windows CE), and they don't have a battery as they run off 12V. Have to say, it turned out to be a bit of a bargain in the end.

It was this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CDWF6Q9J

Thanks for that

My Doblo has Bluetooth for the phone (which works well, crystal clear for both sides of the conversation), a USB port (plays my music via a memory stick) and an aux socket (that I can connect my phone to).

Seeing as these stand alone units work with a lead connected to the aux, I've ordered one similar to the one you have, and it has a rear camera.

If the carplay doesn't work that well, I'll just use it as a reversing camera monitor. Didn't need one before, and then I tinted the rear and sliding door windows very dark (the sun shines here 300 plus days a year).

 

[clayts450]

You can always get a matte screen protector if there's too much reflection - any 9 inch tablet protector will do, cut it to size.

If your phone is connected to your stereo already by Bluetooth, you don't need a connection between the unit and the stereo via AUX as well - you just tell the unit to output Bluetooth audio, and it does it without a problem. You can (on Android at least) choose not to have phone calls going to the unit (the hands-free on the Doblo is pretty good to be honest).

One thing that isn't too clear - when you set it up make sure your wifi is on but not connected to another network - for initial set up it seems to want a wifi connection, but after that it's not needed - just connects automagically via Bluetooth.

Of course, I'm a geeky Android user, so your mileage may vary as an Apple user.

 

[Whysub]

Sorry I meant Android Auto, as I don't use Apple.