Decent Head Unit running Full Android?

[FuzzyYellow]

Anyone have suggestions on head units that are running full android? looking for something for my 2006 Accord. I don't want to rely on CarPlay because I have to mount the aftermarket stereo in the cubby below the stock unit due to the climate controls being built-into the stereo. this makes it hard to see for navigation, so I want my phone to be independent on it's window mount. 

 

 I want full android so that I can run torque pro for extra gauges using an OBD2 bluetooth adapter, in addition to bluetooth audio from my phone.

 

Here's what the center console looks like, the aftermarket HU would mount where the cubby is below the climate control system. there's a retrofit doubleDin kit that I will buy along with the head unit.

 

Anyone have recommendations? I'd also like a volume knob, but begs can't be choosers at this point.

 

[MangetsuNeko]

Hmm... If you don't mind spending a bit of money, I'd recommend Pumpkin. This one in particular would probably be about what you're looking for. They sell on Amazon, too. just do a search on Amazon for "Pumpkin double din android" or something similar to that.

[FuzzyYellow]

7 minutes ago, MangetsuNeko said:

Hmm... If you don't mind spending a bit of money, I'd recommend Pumpkin. This one in particular would probably be about what you're looking for. They sell on Amazon, too. just do a search on Amazon for "Pumpkin double din android" or something similar to that.

I've seen those, but reviews seemed like they're flaky at best. what about something like this one? a bit cheaper, but the reviews are better.

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/ATOTO-Android-Navigation-Stereo-Bluetooth/dp/B077JLY24S/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1541439033&sr=1-3&keywords=android+head+unit

[MangetsuNeko]

9 minutes ago, FuzzyYellow said:

I've seen those, but reviews seemed like they're flaky at best. what about something like this one? a bit cheaper, but the reviews are better.

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/ATOTO-Android-Navigation-Stereo-Bluetooth/dp/B077JLY24S/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1541439033&sr=1-3&keywords=android+head+unit

Those seem fine to me - Just do what you're doing now and check out the reviews. This one lacks a volume knob, but at least it still has physical volume buttons. Also make sure it has a decent amount of RAM (2GB will suffice IMO). It will probably be a good idea to buy something that is fulfilled by Amazon in case you need to return it if you are worried about getting a unit that is DoA or that craps out on you shortly after you start using it.

 

I actually used this this one in my last vehicle before the engine locked up. I never had any issues with it, but there are definitely nicer headunits out there.

 

EDIT: In addition to 2GB of RAM, also pay attention to other specs based on your needs, such as 8GB or 16GB of ROM (Internal Storage) and processor speed. My old unit was only 1GB RAM, and most of the time it was sufficient for my use cases.

Edited November 5, 2018 by MangetsuNeko
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[Switchboy]

Be sure to go for a head unit (HU) sporting a at least MTCD/MTCE with a PX5 preinstalled with Oreo (Android 8.0). The PX3 ones are not going to be upgradable to android Oreo. So you run the risk of the HU becoming unsupported by the google play store before the lifetime of the car. Google maps on the PX5/PX3 on android 6 has an annoying bug where the app's cache gets corrupted every time the HU shuts down while the app is still open. This corrupted cache will make the app crash the first time you try to navigate after that, which is really a pain. Also offline maps would cause random crashes. On android 8 google maps works fine.

 

Also get one with the appropriate CANBUS adapter for your car, so the HU can take advantage of the buttons on your steering wheel, proximity sensors and it can display some car information on screen (like ambient temperature, open doors, current speed by speed-o-meter, engine RPM, oil pressure and temperature).

 

Most importantly get one with physical buttons! Trust me you don't want to be looking at the screen every time you want to change the playback volume, radio station, or navigation.