Vhedia Android Head Units (29 Viewers)

[Romer]

I have a 2020 Android Head Unit I bought from EC Offroad and have been running it for 5.5 years. It doesn't have a lot of memory, doesn't connect well to my phone as a Hot Spot and doesn't have Android Auto

I try and download Google Maps local to the unit for navigation and they don't stay

When I download a new map for Gaia, I generally have to delete some stuff if it is large in size. It doesnt have a lot of on-board storage.

However, it has worked great for Topo maps using Gaia on the trail, playing my music collection, making calls, watching video. All my steering wheel controls work and the HVAC all works great. I still feel it is one of the best mods I have done

I did try and download a google app that provided Android Auto. It worked OK for short trips in the city, but locked up 5 times on a long 6+ hour drive and I had to remove it as it locked the whole unit up to a black screen. Once removed, everything worked perfectly the way it did before.

I want to update the technology in my 200. Having Android Auto in my 2024 Tacoma has been awesome and that basically will keep the technology fresh for years to come

A lot of companies sell units that look the same and maybe they come from the same factory

This may be the factory for all of them
ZF-1806/1806H-for TOYOTA-ZhiFang Car Multimedia Electronics Manufacturer - https://szzhifanggps.com/?products_38/164.html

Phoenix Automotive sells one. They are the least expensive. I have had to ask the same question 3-4 times due to the Language barrior and still don't get clear answers. The majority of their team is in China and that is who responds to emails and answers the phone
Shop now [ G6 octa-core ] 16" Vertical Screen Android 11 Fast boot Navi Radio for Toyota Land Cruiser 2008 - 2015 - https://phoenixautomotiveinc.com/products/g6-octa-core-16-vertical-screen-android-9-fast-boot-navi-radio-for-toyota-land-cruiser-2008-2015?variant=42046966169786

EC Offroad sells one. It is more expensive at $1540 USD (sale) plus shipping
16inch Head Unit Head unit to suit LandCruiser 200 Series SAHARA - https://www.ecvisionsound.com/products/toyota-landcruiser-200-series-sahara-16inch-head-unit

I just found another Australian Company called Vehdia. The price when converted to USD is $1272 (Todays exchange rate) and I also found a 7% off code in one of their review videos YST7. Shipping is $85 so a total of under $1300 shipped
Head Unit Suitable for Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series 2007-2015 Sahara - VHEDIA - https://vhedia.com.au/product/head-unit-suitable-for-toyota-landcruiser-200-series-2007-2015-sahara/

Phoenix Automotive doesn't have a lot of technical information on their web site. Trouble shooting can be a chore especially with the language barrior. It does have Android 13. Their units ship from China.

EC Off Road's unit is Android 11. Their videos are all 5 years old on the older unit (Not current) and not a lot of other info out there. Unclear if it has wireless Android Auto. They said yes via email and the web site says plug in. I bought from them before because they said they customize their units to the 200 and provide support in english. They did help me work through an issue. My unit did ship directly from China.

Looking at the Vehida site, they have all kinds of videos on this newer unit on setup. They have a link to cheat sheet on set up info. I asked Vehida what makes their unit stand out

Regarding your comparison with the Zhifang unit, while the hardware may appear similar, here’s what sets Vhedia apart:

1. Custom Firmware & Optimisation: Our software is specifically tuned for Toyota vehicles, with configurations tailored for Australian and international variants, ensuring smoother integration with factory features.
2. Local Testing & Quality Assurance: Each unit is tested in-house to work reliably with the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series, with adjustments made for known compatibility points.
3. Dedicated Support & Updates: We offer responsive customer support, ongoing firmware updates, and detailed installation guides created for DIY or professional installs.
4. Peace of Mind After-Sales Service: Unlike many offshore suppliers, Vhedia provides full warranty support and after-sales service to ensure you're well supported long after your purchase.

I watched a couple of videos and the unit boots up with a Vehida logo. It also comes with an OBD dongle and OBD app built in for reading operating data like Transmission temp

The only problem is their units are backordered with approximately 40 days left

I just have a couple of custimization questions and I will likely order this unit even though there is a backlog

I like they have the newer components and Android 13
I like all the current information in their set up videos and cheat sheet. No one else has that.
I like they test all their units in house to work with a 200 series before shipping
I like they customize the unit for the 200. Although EC Offroad says the same thing

I will document how this works in this thread, but it likely won't be for 40+ days

 

[UT08LX570]

I have never heard anybody recommend one of the large tesla-like units after owning one. I have only read about bad experiences due to glitches, hvac control issues, poor sound quality, and so on. I personally wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.

 

[Romer]

I have never heard anybody recommend one of the large tesla-like units after owning one. I have only read about bad experiences due to glitches, hvac control issues, poor sound quality, and so on. I personally wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.

As I said in the first post, I have owned one for almost 6 years and would recommend one. I just want to upgrade to a newer unit with Android Auto and more memory. I did buy from EC Off Road for more $$ than Phoenix since they seemed more intune with Land Cruisers which is why I am looking at this company for the newer unit.

The people I know that have them, love them.

My only glitch was when I tried to use software to gain Android Auto for a version of Android that wasnt designed to do that. Otherwise, my sound was great, all HVAC controls worked and it was pretty glitch free for since March 2020.

 

[kcjaz]

I have never heard anybody recommend one of the large tesla-like units after owning one. I have only read about bad experiences due to glitches, hvac control issues, poor sound quality, and so on. I personally wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.

I’ve had mine for about a year less than Romer. While it does have some annoying bugs at times, I’ve figured how to deal with them when they happen. All my steering wheel buttons and HVAC controls have always worked as well as my cameras. The large nav screen is awesome. Of course a fully integrated OEM unit like in my 2025 Tacoma is much better but not an option for my 2015.

 

[kcjaz]

@Romer, I’m following this. I meant to talk to you about this at COTR. At some point I’ll upgrade too. When I do, I’d like to wire the front at rear cameras differently that just reusing the OEM circuits to take advantage of better resolution capability. I’ve already replaced my rear camera with aftermarket but still use the OEM harness so I don’t get any better resolution on the screen.

Edit: I always wondered if EC off-road really did anything to the firmware that was actually custom. They did send me a couple files when I had some issues but still I don’t think their unit was fundamentally different than the Phoenix unit. It’s interesting that this other Australian company’s unit boots up with their logo. That suggests they have done something. I could never figure out a way to change the images on the boot up screen on the EC off-road unit, the only people I know who have done that used Sergey‘s firmware update for android 11. His firmware allowed the user to customize a lot of things.

 

[Romer]

Interesting when I go to the Vehida link above the price shows $2150 AUD and then if I refresh it goes to $1954 AUD. Then less the 7% coupon and plus $85 shipping, it comes to $1902.73 AUD which is $1242.81 USD based on todays exchange rate

Edit. CC shows @1245.14 pending USD

The Backorder also improved to 14 days

So I ordered mine. I wouldn't expect to see it for a month