What Android Auto windscreen mounted unit?
Discussion
Looking for device recommendations which ideally meet as many of the below criteria as possible:
Wishlist:
Android auto
Able to mount on windscreen without removing any dashboard guff (probably via suction cup or similar)
Decent quality dashcam
7" or greater screen
Bluetooth relay or FM transmitter to put audio onto car stereo without wires
Option for android auto from the phone via either bluetooth or wired with USB
Waze works well
Non-laggy responsiveness to touches/swipes etc
Ideally would like some kind of decent brand name but accept I might end up with some brand X kit.
Wishlist:
Android auto
Able to mount on windscreen without removing any dashboard guff (probably via suction cup or similar)
Decent quality dashcam
7" or greater screen
Bluetooth relay or FM transmitter to put audio onto car stereo without wires
Option for android auto from the phone via either bluetooth or wired with USB
Waze works well
Non-laggy responsiveness to touches/swipes etc
Ideally would like some kind of decent brand name but accept I might end up with some brand X kit.
These aren't tablet format screens but designed to be low profile and wide generally so I think they're ok, akin to mounting a phone but probably less obstructive.
Example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpuride-Portable-Wirele...
Example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpuride-Portable-Wirele...
Soleith said:
These aren't tablet format screens but designed to be low profile and wide generally so I think they're ok, akin to mounting a phone but probably less obstructive.
Example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpuride-Portable-Wirele...
Just bought one and it works well. My only criticism is the mounts are a bit flimsy and a wide relatively heavy unit can move about a bit . I a working on making a custom housing for it to have it nailed on to the dash better. But works really well, very impressed (mine a w903) Example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpuride-Portable-Wirele...
poo at Paul's said:
Just bought one and it works well. My only criticism is the mounts are a bit flimsy and a wide relatively heavy unit can move about a bit . I a working on making a custom housing for it to have it nailed on to the dash better. But works really well, very impressed (mine a w903)
Ah interesting. Can I ask re the mounting, I plan to use the suction cup from the windscreen and have the device itself attached to the arm but resting on the top of the dashboard, is it possible to mount like this with your kit? Does the device work oriented that way? Is there a lot of play in the arm/suction cup or is it broadly stable?On the device itself speed of responsiveness? All apps work? Are you broadcasting FM or bluetooth relaying to car audio? How is the quality?
I've got an Atoto P8 in my Mazda Bongo campervan.
https://amzn.eu/d/4e1Wqay
Just checked my Amazon account and I've had mine since February 2023.
I also bought and returned a cheaper Carpuride one (not the W903) because of the poor screen quality, it was fine for the viewing angles you'll likely get in a car but in my van the unit has to be mounted a little further away so is viewed from more of an angle.
The Atoto claims to have a QLED screen and in my experience it does live up to the claims of being better, it's a decent image that doesn't wash out at an angle like some do.
The mounting is a standard ball on the back of the unit so you can easily get alternative mounts, although the Atoto mount is actually pretty decent and very adjustable.
I'll upload a couple of pictures, mines kind of permanently mounted, I have a single DIN stereo in a double DIN hole so I have the stereo at the bottom, I removed the plastic cubby hole that previously filled the gap and use the included suction cup mount but stuck to the underside of the dash. I made small plastic panels to fill the gaps
The included remote is an essential IMO, I rarely need to actually touch the screen as the remote allows skipping music and controlling the volume, I've got the included front and rear cameras and the remote can also switch to viewing either camera, you can just see the remote in the 1st picture, theres a narrow spinny ring around the green buttons which does volume.
The screen and touchscreen are both more than acceptable, it's an absolute revelation compared tp the janky double DIN Clarion I had before. Its got a light sensor so the screen brightness is automatic. I do find the touchscreen difficult to use while moving but that's more because it's a bit of a reach where I've mounted it, I did temporarily use the mount so it was just above the airvents and it was better in that respect but as I said I avoid touching the screen while driving anyway.
I use Android Auto connected wirelessly (the initial pairing is via bluetooth but I believe it also uses wifi direct for the display, I've only had 1 occasion where the connection did't work but this was resolved by a simple disconnection of the power.
I use the Aux output so I can't comment on the FM transmitter part I'm afraid.
https://amzn.eu/d/4e1Wqay
Just checked my Amazon account and I've had mine since February 2023.
I also bought and returned a cheaper Carpuride one (not the W903) because of the poor screen quality, it was fine for the viewing angles you'll likely get in a car but in my van the unit has to be mounted a little further away so is viewed from more of an angle.
The Atoto claims to have a QLED screen and in my experience it does live up to the claims of being better, it's a decent image that doesn't wash out at an angle like some do.
The mounting is a standard ball on the back of the unit so you can easily get alternative mounts, although the Atoto mount is actually pretty decent and very adjustable.
I'll upload a couple of pictures, mines kind of permanently mounted, I have a single DIN stereo in a double DIN hole so I have the stereo at the bottom, I removed the plastic cubby hole that previously filled the gap and use the included suction cup mount but stuck to the underside of the dash. I made small plastic panels to fill the gaps
The included remote is an essential IMO, I rarely need to actually touch the screen as the remote allows skipping music and controlling the volume, I've got the included front and rear cameras and the remote can also switch to viewing either camera, you can just see the remote in the 1st picture, theres a narrow spinny ring around the green buttons which does volume.
The screen and touchscreen are both more than acceptable, it's an absolute revelation compared tp the janky double DIN Clarion I had before. Its got a light sensor so the screen brightness is automatic. I do find the touchscreen difficult to use while moving but that's more because it's a bit of a reach where I've mounted it, I did temporarily use the mount so it was just above the airvents and it was better in that respect but as I said I avoid touching the screen while driving anyway.
I use Android Auto connected wirelessly (the initial pairing is via bluetooth but I believe it also uses wifi direct for the display, I've only had 1 occasion where the connection did't work but this was resolved by a simple disconnection of the power.
I use the Aux output so I can't comment on the FM transmitter part I'm afraid.
Soleith said:
Thanks for that Jim. Hadn't seen Atoto before. I like that it can show the car brand logo on startup!
Weirdly the startup logo settings are actually hidden, maybe for copyright reasons I guess.To change the logo set the date and time temporarily to 2008-01-08 01:08, you can change it back once done.
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