Android users - is an Android Auto head unit worth it? (1 Viewer)

[richmondbob]

Looking to upgrade the factory deck to a double-din touch screen unit to include:

• Wireless audio streaming for more than one device
• Bluetooth hands free calling
• DVD playback and outputs to headrest monitors (already installed)

Keeping the above in mind, is it worth it to bump up to an Android Auto capable head unit?

*Using a Google Pixel 3 with Android Auto currently.

 

[pnwcruiser]

Looking to upgrade the factory deck to a double-din touch screen unit to include:

• Wireless audio streaming for more than one device
• Bluetooth hands free calling
• DVD playback and outputs to headrest monitors (already installed)

Keeping the above in mind, is it worth it to bump up to an Android Auto capable head unit?

*Using a Google Pixel 3 with Android Auto currently.

Depending on which one, it's essentially a touch screen that's wired to your speakers that you share your phone to

 

[slow95z]

100% worth it

 

[Dork]

I could never get it to work reliably with my Pioneer head unit, so I gave up. Therefore, I say not worth it.

 

[Lumpskie]

I've had a double din with Android Auto and one without. The only advantage I see with Android Auto is the Waze/Google Maps display. I, personally, am not into the voice activated stuff... and I find that not being able to use blue tooth audio while using Android auto is a little annoying.

Google maps are cool though. And it's handy to be able to use the touch screen.

 

[paulzak]

Definitely worth it.

 

[clx16]

I have two android auto units, my alpine in my 80 works great, my pioneer in my taco is cranky about the usb cables. In short... VERY worth it.

But know this... the dash is not designed for touch screen and glare etc, so you can get a lot of glare off the passenger seat in sunlight.... if i had to do it again i would have gotten one with an adjustable angle screen.

 

[mudgudgeon]

I have a Sony XAV-AX5000 Android auto unit

I find the Android auto good, but occasionally it won't recognise the phone. (Don't know if it's the phone or head unit)

Mine is supposed to allow a connection with phone, and audio from a second device by Bluetooth or 2nd USB jack.

I use Google maps and find the voice activation pretty good, didn't think I would use it but it's worked well. My Aussie accent and really low voice don't usually make a good match with voice activated stuff.

I use Spotify with mine quite a bit.

I bought it believing I could have 2 phones connected simultaneously (work and personal), but no joy

 

[Irish Reiver]

I've had a Joying double din unit for a out 4 years. I love it but mine is an old (very) version of android which I now notice is impacting the apps I run. The only downside is that my unit has built in amps which I don't need and a radio tuner I never use. I am currently looking at what it takes to convert a standard 8" tablet to replace my current setup. For sure I will never go back to a normal radio.

 

[richmondbob]

Looking at Sony XAV-W651BT, Kenwood Excelon DDX396 and Kenwood DDX5706S.

Likely go with the Kenwood since it hits all my needs plus Android Auto and video output to connect to my already installed headrest monitors for the kids to watch.

 

[clx16]

Having more than one camera inputs is nice if you do any wheeling with hills. A front camera can be very handy...

Also on the joying headunits...they are cheaper often and you can install some great apps.

 

[Lumpskie]

@richmondbob
I have a Kenwood DDX8905S and I like it well enough. It has the variable angle screen, great sound quality and I like being able to fully customize the equalizer as well as the screens on it. I only have 1 camera hooked up to is but it will take another. The bluetooth related stuff works great (blue tooth audio, pandora, spotify), the DVD player works great, and I like being able to use a USB stick to play movies. Mirror Link doesn't work so well, in my experience. I tried to play Youtube videos on the screen and had trouble. Like I mentioned above, none of this uses Android auto.

@clx16 @paulzak @pnwcruiser

What do you guys use your Android Auto for? I suspect that I'm missing out on some features because I typically turn it off when I get in and drive.

 

[clx16]

@Lumpskie I wish i would have gotten the same model you have, but I cheaped out. I use android auto for the maps, pandora and voice controls (navigate to etc, voice respond to texts). I put my phone in a center console where it is out of view and can be cooled.

if you are still mounting your phone where you can see it, you don't need maps on your headunit, nor do you need to have pandora run through your headunit. But for me in winter, using a vent mount isn't good as it heats up the phone and in GA we aren't supposed to touch or handle our phones while the car is running. Plus I like the clean put a way portion.

remember I have an LX with a high center console allowing me to use it as an arm rest and a great place to bury my phone.

I also have something like this installed in the lower portion of my console:
Amazon product ASIN B01MU5CXK1 (I have an ASUS tinkerboard connected to the HDMI in)

Amazon product ASIN B07BF6DN9D

 

[pnwcruiser]

@clx16 @paulzak @pnwcruiser

What do you guys use your Android Auto for? I suspect that I'm missing out on some features because I typically turn it off when I get in and drive.

I don't. I use Google Maps (which uses Waze data as well now). Our '05 4Runner still has the stock head unit. I've debated getting an Android head unit, but everything is touch screen and require you taking your eyes off the road to use. Voice control on Google/Android and Amazon/Alexa both suck still so it's more frustration rather than helpful. Tactile controls, hard to beat when driving.

 

[sunrk]

Android Auto and Apple Carplay are so gay. You should *never* interact with your phone or tablet for *anything* when driving. If you need to interact with a portable electronic device you need to stop and get off the road to a safe place. Or get a passenger to do the interaction if you're driving with someone else capable.

 

[richmondbob]

Where I live using a handheld device is a ticketable offence.

I've been using Android Auto's voice commands on my Pixel 3 and found it works well. An Android Auto head unit seems the natural progression.

It'll keep my phone from heating up while running navigation, music, etc. since the head unit will be carrying the load now.

The advantages of a touchscreen stereo in your car

Assistance and convenience on display

www.crutchfield.ca

 

[thecapedcapper]

I couldn't live but without it.

 

[richmondbob]

I couldn't live but without it.

What head unit are you running?

 

[Dan Armino]

I recently installed the Kenwood DNX995S, It's absolutely amazing. HD 720p screen ( only one available ), wireless Android Audio ( hardwire Apple car play) Garmin GPS navigation, two zone audio video outputs ( the kids could watch a movie in the back while you listen to the radio in the front ) local weather updates on the home screen ( automatically updates location via GPS as you drive ) incredible sound quality, two camera inputs, to many other things to list. I payed $614 from Amazon which was more than I wanted to spend but worth every penny.

 

[thecapedcapper]

What head unit are you running?

In my daily driver 2012 Scion tC I have a pioneer avh 4100nex and in my lx450 I have an Alpine ILX-207(which was in it when I bought it). I like the pioneer head unit better because the UI outside of Android auto flows a bit better and it auto launches Android auto which the Alpine doesn't and can be annoying to use. Both also do car play which is neat but the 4100nex does it through a separate USB port which is annoying.