Taken A Gamble On A Chinese Head Unit

[Funkstar De Luxe]

For a while I've been looking to replace the POS head unit / CD player that's in my car. Long story short, I've bought a Chinese Android based head unit from eBay that looks like it will suit my needs perfectly. It does DVD/MP3/WiFi/SatNav, all the bells and whistles. It's called a Eonon G2110 (I think), and I paid £175 including delivery.

It's going into a late 2000s German card, so I'm assuming wiring is going to be a headache, but nothing unsurmountable.

I'm an electrical engineer by trade, so hopefully there shouldn't be too many problems using or installing. I'm hoping to use this thread as documentation for anyone else looking to buy one or install one. And of course, as evidence of the great deal (or large amount of money I've wasted).

Unit should arrive this weekend, I'll take pics and post my initial thoughts then.

Anyone else got one of these? Any advice? Any warnings?

Tony

[Major Fallout]

I was all excited then found out it was double din.

[Al U]

Micro USB? Interesting.

[anonymous-user]

I have always been tempted by these given the features for the price, but when you come across anyone in the west that has actually bought one they say that they are usable, but have bloated interfaces, ancient hardware and the life span of a lemming with the hopes of getting a replacement from Chinese head office non existent. I will be interested to hear how you get on, there's only matter of time before they get them right.

[bullitinhead]

279 said:

I have always been tempted by these given the features for the price, but when you come across anyone in the west that has actually bought one they say that they are usable, but have bloated interfaces, ancient hardware and the life span of a lemming with the hopes of getting a replacement from Chinese head office non existent. I will be interested to hear how you get on, there's only matter of time before they get them right.

This could be the one, fingers crossed


Bullit

[r11co]

Funkstar De Luxe said:

Anyone else got one of these? Any advice? Any warnings?

My experience of Eonon D5165.

OK, so it isn't the same device, but the customer services experience should be pretty identical if you have any problems. My 2nd unit is still going strong, BTW.

[aizvara]

I looked into something similar a while back, and was very tempted with one which seemed to be imported by various companies into the UK, who would then resell as official vendors. However, I then read at lot of horror stories, and at least one of those importers altered their own website to warn people off the product amid claims that the suppliers offered zero support.

In the end I did it myself with an android tablet, custom OS version, and double din mount, even got the steering wheel controls and a reverse camera working with that.

Still £175 sounds like a reasonable amount to risk on this.

[Rincewind209]

These do look tempting, interesting to see how you get on.

[soad]

Al U said:

Micro USB? Interesting.

A mini-USB.

[Al U]

soad said:

A mini-USB.

My mistake, mini-usb never really became widely adopted did it? My point is I'd much rather have a normal USB port.

[soad]

Al U said:

My point is I'd much rather have a normal USB port.

Me too. Then again, SD card slot helps...

[Sargeant Orange]

Keep us posted, I nearly got something similar for my old CRV but couldn't get past the reviews and a mates bad experience with a supplier for his

[Al U]

soad said:

Al U said:

My point is I'd much rather have a normal USB port.

Me too. Then again, SD card slot helps...

Can't charge my e-cig on the go with an SD slot

[Funk]

I'm very wary of anything with the words 'Chinese' and 'Android' in the same sentence that isn't from a trusted or well-known manufacturer since it was revealed that Chinese devices are shipping with malware 'built-in'.

https://blog.gdatasoftware.com/blog/article/androi...

[JimbobVFR]

Al U said:

soad said:

A mini-USB.

My mistake, mini-usb never really became widely adopted did it? My point is I'd much rather have a normal USB port.

I believe it does have a full size USB on the back and a Mini plug to full size socket adapter included.

[Al U]

JimbobVFR said:

I believe it does have a full size USB on the back and a Mini plug to full size socket adapter included.

Fair enough, not sure I'd want that sticking out of the dash though you are bound to knock it at some point.

[r11co]

JimbobVFR said:

I believe it does have a full size USB on the back.

The obvious thing to do then is plug a full-size USB extension lead into that and bring it out to the front of the dash somewhere. That is how it is on the 5165 unit I have - full size USB socket and iPod connector on flying leads stashed in the glovebox.

[Hoofy]

Agree with Al U apart from the mini USB not taking off. I have loads of products with mini USB.

And yes, have a lead that comes round to the front.

The problem with Chinese electronics is that it is a gamble as you've said - read through product reviews on Amazon and you soon come to realise your headunit may do anything from perform perfectly to catch alight and leave your car a smouldering shell.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

279 said:

I have always been tempted by these given the features for the price, but when you come across anyone in the west that has actually bought one they say that they are usable, but have bloated interfaces, ancient hardware and the life span of a lemming with the hopes of getting a replacement from Chinese head office non existent. I will be interested to hear how you get on, there's only matter of time before they get them right.

I had a look at the specs, as well as watching a few user videos on YouTube and it all looks decent. The UI isn't great, but it should be very easy to customise.

There's a root image avail for this particular chip set, so that's really all you need to customise. I'll review it with regards to its default setup though.

Edited by Funkstar De Luxe on Tuesday 9th December 18:53

Edited by Funkstar De Luxe on Tuesday 9th December 19:04

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Funk said:

I'm very wary of anything with the words 'Chinese' and 'Android' in the same sentence that isn't from a trusted or well-known manufacturer since it was revealed that Chinese devices are shipping with malware 'built-in'.

https://blog.gdatasoftware.com/blog/article/androi...

Not sure I fully agree with that. I travel to China frequently for work, so I get to see a lot of factories and facilities that produce these items. The majority of which are legitimate and very good with regards to assembly.

I'm quite sure if you own any android device, there's probably a 90% chance it was assembled in China.

As for spyware software, they're more than welcome to see what music I play in my car, or see my drive to work 😂 But in all seriousness, I wouldn't be keeping private details on it.