Tesla style unit, are they worth it/will I regret it?

[psilocyBen]

I know this topic has been covered before but I feel like most of the stuff I’ve read isn’t too recent. I know there are some firmware updates that have been made and I’m wondering if there are any more recent ones that improves the experience. I came across a good deal on one and I’m debating if it’s worth it (about 40% off) or if I should just hold out and keep hunting for the HVAC so I can do a true non nav conversion. I actually don’t mind the large screen, but the main thing I’m turned off by is the ugly interface (menus at the top, and gross AC controls at the bottom of the screen). Can anyone chime with some insight? Has there been any updates to make the home screen look cleaner? I like how the standard CarPlay units interface is very clean. Any insight is greatly appreciated here.

 

[jdevtac]

I know this topic has been covered before but I feel like most of the stuff I’ve read isn’t too recent. I know there are some firmware updates that have been made and I’m wondering if there are any more recent ones that improves the experience. I came across a good deal on one and I’m debating if it’s worth it (about 40% off) or if I should just hold out and keep hunting for the HVAC so I can do a true non nav conversion. I actually don’t mind the large screen, but the main thing I’m turned off by is the ugly interface (menus at the top, and gross AC controls at the bottom of the screen). Can anyone chime with some insight? Has there been any updates to make the home screen look cleaner? I like how the standard CarPlay units interface is very clean. Any insight is greatly appreciated here.

I speak for the px6 unit on my 470 only. For what it is and accomplishes for my purposes, I’d give it a 8/10. CarPlay is nice, however does have some input/output lag. I don’t know how the CarPlay licensing and whatnot works, but these units run it off of Chinese android apk’s. Either way, it’s not as good or responsive, even directly wired in via usb, as compared to CarPlay on your typical big name double-din.

There is a guy over on a Tesla screen Facebook group (a Russian guy) making some custom firmware for these units. It does allow you to hide the top and bottom bars to utilize the entire screen space. The px6 also seems locked from factory on the UI, and this custom firmware allows you to change themes to one you actually want. Bad thing is it’s still android and to me, most android themes are pretty cheesy or cartoonish, especially the ones on these units. So I run Nova Launcher for a custom home screen and hide my top UI bar and leave the lower bar for easy AC control access. The custom firmware also allows you to change fan speed using steering controls. Runs a one time $100 fee with free updates.

The biggest thing is that by no means should anyone buy one of these units for a plug n play 1 and done solution. If you don’t mind troubleshooting and tweaking it to get where you want it, it’s perfect. If you don’t want to deal with wiring in your OEM cam or aftermarket, tweaking multiple different settings menus, reading different sources for install and watching multiple vids on YouTube to avoid issues ahead of time, then it’s probably better to stick to the non-nav conversion.

I see so many people on Facebook groups with issues and probably 99% of those are user error. That being said these units come with no instructions and filled with Chinglish or menu items that don’t affect anything, so it sets people up for frustration.

If I had to do it again I’d probably still get the Tesla unit. My setup is sort of weird though, so I have a Tesla, then below that I installed a single din unit to retain CDs and Sirius XM which most people could care less about, but my future plan is to run a PAC kit to the single din to allow it control over the ML, basically then just use the Tesla unit as an expensive android tablet/HVAC/CarPlay and that’s it, and let the single din with its better EQ run the sound system.

 

[psilocyBen]

I speak for the px6 unit on my 470 only. For what it is and accomplishes for my purposes, I’d give it a 8/10. CarPlay is nice, however does have some input/output lag. I don’t know how the CarPlay licensing and whatnot works, but these units run it off of Chinese android apk’s. Either way, it’s not as good or responsive, even directly wired in via usb, as compared to CarPlay on your typical big name double-din.

There is a guy over on a Tesla screen Facebook group (a Russian guy) making some custom firmware for these units. It does allow you to hide the top and bottom bars to utilize the entire screen space. The px6 also seems locked from factory on the UI, and this custom firmware allows you to change themes to one you actually want. Bad thing is it’s still android and to me, most android themes are pretty cheesy or cartoonish, especially the ones on these units. So I run Nova Launcher for a custom home screen and hide my top UI bar and leave the lower bar for easy AC control access. The custom firmware also allows you to change fan speed using steering controls. Runs a one time $100 fee with free updates.

The biggest thing is that by no means should anyone buy one of these units for a plug n play 1 and done solution. If you don’t mind troubleshooting and tweaking it to get where you want it, it’s perfect. If you don’t want to deal with wiring in your OEM cam or aftermarket, tweaking multiple different settings menus, reading different sources for install and watching multiple vids on YouTube to avoid issues ahead of time, then it’s probably better to stick to the non-nav conversion.

I see so many people on Facebook groups with issues and probably 99% of those are user error. That being said these units come with no instructions and filled with Chinglish or menu items that don’t affect anything, so it sets people up for frustration.

If I had to do it again I’d probably still get the Tesla unit. My setup is sort of weird though, so I have a Tesla, then below that I installed a single din unit to retain CDs and Sirius XM which most people could care less about, but my future plan is to run a PAC kit to the single din to allow it control over the ML, basically then just use the Tesla unit as an expensive android tablet/HVAC/CarPlay and that’s it, and let the single din with its better EQ run the sound system.

Thanks for the response. That’s all good to know. Yeah I was expecting there to be a bit of troubleshooting considering where they are from and being that they are not from one of the major brands. I’m happy to hear you are able to hide the top menus. Do you by chance have a photo of what that looks like on yours for CarPlay? Honestly though, if I I did a true non nav conversion, the other headunits I was looking at are also chinese ones that I think are also android but run CarPlay. They are the 9” screen ones that just fit the GX way better than the bigger name brands which would sit deeper inside, are smaller, and don’t look like a factory fit. So I feel like those wouldn’t be much better than the Tesla style unit. However, I of course would really like a cleaner interface and physical AC buttons. How do the side control AC buttons work that come with the Tesla unit? You can only use them to adjust a couple main parameters correct? Thanks again

 

[Jstawgn]

Dash integration looks better with tesla.
Non Nav is still the way to go for the long run.

Alpine got a nice one that stick out a bit. They still way expensive than Chinese android since the OEM amp adapter are separate and needed to control oem amp.

Alpine Halo9 iLX-F259

Digital multimedia receiver — a 9" touchscreen that fits in a DIN dash opening (does not play CDs)

www.crutchfield.com

 

[jdevtac]

Thanks for the response. That’s all good to know. Yeah I was expecting there to be a bit of troubleshooting considering where they are from and being that they are not from one of the major brands. I’m happy to hear you are able to hide the top menus. Do you by chance have a photo of what that looks like on yours for CarPlay? Honestly though, if I I did a true non nav conversion, the other headunits I was looking at are also chinese ones that I think are also android but run CarPlay. They are the 9” screen ones that just fit the GX way better than the bigger name brands which would sit deeper inside, are smaller, and don’t look like a factory fit. So I feel like those wouldn’t be much better than the Tesla style unit. However, I of course would really like a cleaner interface and physical AC buttons. How do the side control AC buttons work that come with the Tesla unit? You can only use them to adjust a couple main parameters correct? Thanks again

I don’t currently have a photo of CarPlay with the UI hidden. I can post one later.

The buttons on the Tesla are the same buttons the stock nav units have for HVAC. Nothing more or less. So basically everything minus fan speed. If I could slap the engineers that decided putting fan speed on a touch screen was a fantastic idea, I would. Nothing like taking your eyes off the road to concentrate on a touchscreen to change fan speed. Luckily the custom firmware I have fixed that so I can use steering controls to do it.

 

[psilocyBen]

I don’t currently have a photo of CarPlay with the UI hidden. I can post one later.

The buttons on the Tesla are the same buttons the stock nav units have for HVAC. Nothing more or less. So basically everything minus fan speed. If I could slap the engineers that decided putting fan speed on a touch screen was a fantastic idea, I would. Nothing like taking your eyes off the road to concentrate on a touchscreen to change fan speed. Luckily the custom firmware I have fixed that so I can use steering controls to do it.

Yeah I agree. I honestly don’t mind the ghetto navigation screen in my 2005 (although I definitely am trying to replace it obviously), however the one thing I can’t stand is the menu diving/touch screen just to change the fan speed. I guess with the Tesla its at least there on screen, but as I mentioned I don’t like the interface. That’s super cool you can do it from your steering wheel. Which buttons does it replace? Also I heard you can’t change music tracks with the steering wheel, is that true? If you could just snap a quick photo with both the top menu and bottom ac controls I would really really appreciate that, just want to see the cleanest I can get it looking. Right now I’m kind of leaning towards just doing a true non nav conversion but I’d definitely love to see what it looks like. May also just pick up this PX6 since it’s a great deal. Thanks so much.