Tesla head unit install (pre2016 LC) - first impressions and a couple bugs to figure out

[kcjaz]

As a software developer (but firmware / Android isn't my wheelhouse), I find the userdebug and test-keys stuff mildly amusing, but I would honestly prefer to see production versions in use. They're probably keeping costs down by using questionable development / test licenses.

The other thing I conclude is that your original firmware (APPver) is the same as mine which would mean that EC Offroad’s firmware is exactly what Zhi Fang put in both of our units at the factory. There seems to be no EC Offroad customization at the firmware level.

 

[kcjaz]

I just noticed that EC Offroad is no longer selling the Android 9 units. That’s are Android 10 now. I do not think there is Sergey firmware for Android 10.

 

[greynolds]

The other thing I conclude is that your original firmware (APPver) is the same as mine which would mean that EC Offroad’s firmware is exactly what Zhi Fang put in both of our units at the factory. There seems to be no EC Offroad customization at the firmware level.

The customization EC Offroad does on these Tesla style head units is most likely their own mix of preinstalled apps and some settings tweaks.

I just noticed that EC Offroad is no longer selling the Android 9 units. That’s are Android 10 now. I do not think there is Sergey firmware for Android 10.

Correct, any real support for Android 10+ units is probably going to take some time. When I ordered mine, it sounded like the newer units were close to shipping and I debated whether it made sense to wait. I'm glad I went with the Android 9 unit for now. I suspect I'll end up upgrading to something newer in a few years.

 

[kcjaz]

The customization EC Offroad does on these Tesla style head units is most likely their own mix of preinstalled apps and some settings tweaks.

I pinged EC last night as they said they were going to send me some files. They got back with me (email) and said "Sorry they take 2-3 weeks to make as they are all custom". This makes no sense. Their answers to questions are always cryptic. They can't possible be "making" anything for me personally. If they have custom files, they would just be sending me a link for down load. More likely is that that they have a third party doing something and it takes 2-3 weeks to get their attention. Even that doesn't really make sense.

What I want to do is compare the files they send me to the files Sergey has sent to verify that they are in fact the same. Currently the only thing I can do is compare the entries on the system info tab. That doesn't 100% verify that the firmware and MCU files are the same. My concern is that if EC really does customize something that whatever that is gets deleted or doesn't play nice with the new system files I might load.

I'm sure that I am getting to worried over these files but I just want to make sure I understand the whole picture before I start hacking. If EC would just be more open that would be easier.

 

[BVE]

You can do an MD5 sum to see if the file hashes match

 

[greynolds]

I pinged EC last night as they said they were going to send me some files. They got back with me (email) and said "Sorry they take 2-3 weeks to make as they are all custom". This makes no sense. Their answers to questions are always cryptic. They can't possible be "making" anything for me personally. If they have custom files, they would just be sending me a link for down load. More likely is that that they have a third party doing something and it takes 2-3 weeks to get their attention. Even that doesn't really make sense.

What I want to do is compare the files they send me to the files Sergey has sent to verify that they are in fact the same. Currently the only thing I can do is compare the entries on the system info tab. That doesn't 100% verify that the firmware and MCU files are the same. My concern is that if EC really does customize something that whatever that is gets deleted or doesn't play nice with the new system files I might load.

I'm sure that I am getting to worried over these files but I just want to make sure I understand the whole picture before I start hacking. If EC would just be more open that would be easier.

My experience with communicating directly with the manufacturer was that they were reasonably responsive to questions, but I haven't had a need to get files from them since I opted to go with Sergey's solution. It's quite possible that getting firmware/MCU files from them could be a painful back and forth exercise.

If you install the files Sergey sent you and find that something stops working, you will most likely be able to install the files EC Offroad sends in a few weeks and be good again, but there are obviously no guarantees. I guess it mostly comes down to how patient you want to be. My own inclination would probably be to just run with the stuff Sergey sent you and move to his custom solution assuming your boot times are back to where they should be.

EC Offroad just doesn't provide a ton of value add, unfortunately. I felt like it was the same with the interface module I had prior to switching to the T-style head unit. It was always difficult to send them an email with a list of what seemed like simple questions and get complete answers back for each one. They would often answer 1 question and ignore the rest. Then you end up in the uncomfortable situation of replying with "thanks, but can you please answer the other questions too?". I was even careful to use numbered bullet points to try to make it very clear there was more than one question. Don't get me wrong - I get the impression that they're good guys with good intentions, just too busy and not savvy enough on the non-install side of things.

You can do an MD5 sum to see if the file hashes match

Yeah, after EC Offroad eventually sends him the files, but I suspect he would prefer to not wait for a few weeks.

 

[kcjaz]

My experience with communicating directly with the manufacturer was that they were reasonably responsive to questions, but I haven't had a need to get files from them since I opted to go with Sergey's solution. It's quite possible that getting firmware/MCU files from them could be a painful back and forth exercise.

If you install the files Sergey sent you and find that something stops working, you will most likely be able to install the files EC Offroad sends in a few weeks and be good again, but there are obviously no guarantees. I guess it mostly comes down to how patient you want to be. My own inclination would probably be to just run with the stuff Sergey sent you and move to his custom solution assuming your boot times are back to where they should be.

EC Offroad just doesn't provide a ton of value add, unfortunately. I felt like it was the same with the interface module I had prior to switching to the T-style head unit. It was always difficult to send them an email with a list of what seemed like simple questions and get complete answers back for each one. They would often answer 1 question and ignore the rest. Then you end up in the uncomfortable situation of replying with "thanks, but can you please answer the other questions too?". I was even careful to use numbered bullet points to try to make it very clear there was more than one question. Don't get me wrong - I get the impression that they're good guys with good intentions, just too busy and not savvy enough on the non-install side of things.

Yeah, after EC Offroad eventually sends him the files, but I suspect he would prefer to not wait for a few weeks.

Thanks guys, I am going to wait to get the files from EC before I do anything. The head unit as it sits right now is functioning except for the long hard boot. This past weekend it seem to be hard booting about every other start which was completely annoying. I as I have the truck here with me now, And have been starting it up every day it seems fine. I have a camping trip this weekend so I just don’t wanna mess with it now because I want the maps for navigation.

At this point I’m really just focused on figuring out what EC off-road really does just for the point of it and let it others know so they can make an informed decision on where to buy. I’m not yet willing to say they offer no value add but it sure doesn’t seem likely that they had $1000 worth.

 

[kcjaz]

So I think I just fixed the boot time issue I have been having. I had tried connecting a usb drive for map files but couldn’t figure out how to get the various apps to read/write to/from the usb. I thought I had unplugged the drive. It turns out that I had not removed the drive and it had become corrupted. I unplugged it and now it all seems to work like it should. Sergey helped me figure this out.

I’m going to let EC send me file updates just to see what they provide.

 

[greynolds]

So I think I just fixed the boot time issue I have been having. I had tried connecting a usb drive for map files but couldn’t figure out how to get the various apps to read/write to/from the usb. I thought I had unplugged the drive. It turns out that I had not removed the drive and it had become corrupted. I unplugged it and now it all seems to work like it should. Sergey helped me figure this out.

I’m going to let EC send me file updates just to see what they provide.

That’s great news!

 

[jwmNC]

I'm in contact with Jackie at Shenzhen about a Tesla style HU for my 2016 LC. She's recommending the 13.6" unit with the 8Gb RAM/128 GB ROM. If I've read this thread correctly, Sergey is not yet doing custom firmware for this unit, is that right?

 

[greynolds]

I'm in contact with Jackie at Shenzhen about a Tesla style HU for my 2016 LC. She's recommending the 13.6" unit with the 8Gb RAM/128 GB ROM. If I've read this thread correctly, Sergey is not yet doing custom firmware for this unit, is that right?

8GB / 128 GB is most likely an Android 10 / 11 unit with a CPU other than PX6. Sergey only has custom firmware for Android 9 PX6 CPU units at this time. I have a hunch that will change at some point, but that's probably heavily dependent on when he decides to upgrade to newer hardware on his end. IMHO, it's kind of a tough call as the newer units should probably be faster, run cooler, have more headroom for future enhancements, etc. But support is king if or when you run into any problems.

FYI, we have a thread for 2016+ PX6 / Android 9 discussion, so you may want to take a look there if you haven't already:

T-Style Android Head Unit first impressions - 2016+ model

Did the install of a 16" Tesla style HU last weekend and promised a write up. I'm sure I'll leave a ton of info out but will come back as I think of things I missed. I'll start from the beginning of the research and work through my impressions after a week of use. Initial Research Started...

forum.ih8mud.com

If you end up going with the 8GB / 128GB unit they're suggesting, it might make sense to start a new thread where the title makes it clear that it's for the newer CPU / Android 10 or 11 units and 2016+ LC's. I suspect a number of us who already have the PX6 units will follow and participate in such a thread, but I think it's helpful to keep the discussions separate as it can get really confusing trying to figure out which unit any give comment is about. The existing thread title for 2016+ should probably be changed to something like "T-Style PX6 Android 9 Head Unit first impressions - 2016+ model".

 

[jwmNC]

Got it, thanks for the link to that other thread.

 

[Romer]

I had an issue that was self inflicted over the weekend. None of my Apps would work. The Music player and HVAC did though. The apps wouldn't open

I figured out I was out of memory so the Android had no memory to use for scratch work (my guess) like a windows swap file. It filled up due to Gaia updates. I looked at Gaia via the web and I had everything on Sync and it filled up 7GB of memory. I went into Gaia via my desktop and cut down what would sync and deleted a lot of old maps which many were overlap of others. I deleted the Gaia app on the Android and then reinstalled it and everything works fine now

So check your memory usage and make sure you have some open space

I had a few movies which I also deleted as I can use a memory stick in the USB port if I want to play any

 

[kcjaz]

So EC Offroad did send me an MCU file update. Its version 129 and seems to be the latest file according to Sergey. Sergey also told me that only the factory OEM can make the MCU file updates. He had a copy of this version already.

Here's a link to the v120 MCU file EC sent me.

Jason Zoller 13.9.22

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

For what its worth, here is a link Sergey sent me to the OEM firmware. Users beware though. I'd really want EC to give me the firmware if I was in a situation where I needed to reload it just for warranty concerns.

px6-9.0.zip

Посмотреть и скачать с Яндекс.Диска

disk.yandex.ru

 

[Romer]

What are the updates in the latest file and what is different in the Sergey file?

Curious if I should update my unit, but would only do it if there was some benefit

 

[greynolds]

What are the updates in the latest file and what is different in the Sergey file?

Curious if I should update my unit, but would only do it if there was some benefit

I wouldn't attempt to update the MCU file unless you are having issues, confirm those issues will be fixed in the newer version, AND confirm the file is compatible with your hardware. MCU updates can brick the unit, so only install them if you really need to IMHO.

 

[Romer]

I wouldn't attempt to update the MCU file unless you are having issues, confirm those issues will be fixed in the newer version, AND confirm the file is compatible with your hardware. MCU updates can brick the unit, so only install them if you really need to IMHO.

agreed, that is why I asked what the update did

 

[kcjaz]

agreed, that is why I asked what the update did

Yes, that is the prudent way to go. I asked EC if I should install the update as my booting issue seems resolved and their answer was "no". I also asked Sergey the same question and he said it would be OK to do so. I'm going to take the "if not broke, don't fix" approach here but I'm also going to keep asking EC and Sergey questions. My understanding of the MCU file is that it allows the interface between the vehicle and the Android software. It allow the backup camera to come on when the unit isn't completely booted for example. I think if it bricked the unit there would be no way to put the old file back short of reformatting the hard drive and starting over.

That said, I thing people with a 2013 LC with the same PX6 would likely be OK with the file update, at least in terms of bricking potential and in my case, if it bricked, I'd have some recourse back to EC as they gave me the file.

Also, what I know about MCU files is from Google searches and questions I ask Sergey. I am in no way any kind of knowledgeable expert. I am just documenting here what I find and learn as I go. Here is a link (from Google search) to some info on updated MCU files.

Comprehensive Updated MCU List for MTCD Head Units

Compiled list of MCUs for MTCD from 4pda - the website is in Russian. Exact version numbers of each MCU is currently unknown; only the release date was provided. These MCUs are for MTCDs with RK3188 CPUs, compatibility with the newer MTCD with...

forum.xda-developers.com

 

[Bryanmc]

I’m looking for a 2010 LX570 OEM radio. Mine has an electrical short.

Anyone have one they’d be interest in selling? The part number is 86120-60G10, I’m not sure if later years have the same unit but I know 2008-2009 won’t work.

Thanks!

 

[tbisaacs]

I’m looking for a 2010 LX570 OEM radio. Mine has an electrical short.

Anyone have one they’d be interest in selling? The part number is 86120-60G10, I’m not sure if later years have the same unit but I know 2008-2009 won’t work.

Thanks!

Have you tried ebay?