Android head units ?
Discussion
Like these ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-ANDROID-5-1-E-C...
How would they compare to the OEM NTG 2/2.5 in Mercedes ?
Are they utter crap or being ten years more advanced are they better than the aged OEM system ?
Can you keep all the functionality ?
Do they worth with the existing speakers ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-ANDROID-5-1-E-C...
How would they compare to the OEM NTG 2/2.5 in Mercedes ?
Are they utter crap or being ten years more advanced are they better than the aged OEM system ?
Can you keep all the functionality ?
Do they worth with the existing speakers ?
I had one in my MX5 last year (so obv not the exact same model as this) and I loved it. Download apps over the internet (used my phone as a hotspot) and I could play google music through it too. I used google navigation too. It was just like having my phone integrated into the dash.
The downsides with mine was just it took a long time to first start up (about a minute until it was fully up and ready to do everything) that might not sound a lot but when a normal car system takes seconds you do notice it.
I would still be using mine but I invested in a bimmer as I needed something a bit more "business" and the bimmer wouldnt fit the double din unit in without a lot of messing about.
The downsides with mine was just it took a long time to first start up (about a minute until it was fully up and ready to do everything) that might not sound a lot but when a normal car system takes seconds you do notice it.
I would still be using mine but I invested in a bimmer as I needed something a bit more "business" and the bimmer wouldnt fit the double din unit in without a lot of messing about.
I have something similar in my Rover 75 as the old head unit had got so broken the only thing it could receive was R4 long wave.
The Android 5.1 models boot much faster - 15 seconds or so, which is not bad really, and certainly workable. All the steering wheel controls work fine (you can re-map them as well, which is very nice), the GPS reception is good, I now have conference calls by bluetooth in the car which makes me feel like a powerful director, the FM reception is better than the OEM radio, and the new UIs the recent models have don't look too badly cobbled together at all.
The only niggle I can think of is that the lighting under the buttons isn't dimmable, which is hardly a showstopper.
On my car the installation was a bit of a fiddle (custom adaptors and stuff) but that's because a Rover 75 behind the dashboard has quite a lot of BMW e46 grafted into it - it should be fit and forget for your car.
I'm very happy with it.
The Android 5.1 models boot much faster - 15 seconds or so, which is not bad really, and certainly workable. All the steering wheel controls work fine (you can re-map them as well, which is very nice), the GPS reception is good, I now have conference calls by bluetooth in the car which makes me feel like a powerful director, the FM reception is better than the OEM radio, and the new UIs the recent models have don't look too badly cobbled together at all.
The only niggle I can think of is that the lighting under the buttons isn't dimmable, which is hardly a showstopper.
On my car the installation was a bit of a fiddle (custom adaptors and stuff) but that's because a Rover 75 behind the dashboard has quite a lot of BMW e46 grafted into it - it should be fit and forget for your car.
I'm very happy with it.
Have ordered a cheapy 4.4 system, I read a bit that said avoid 5.1, its a refurb and was only £179, didnt want to spend much, had a look on Ebay and the original system goes for quite a decent price so might flog it if it all works well, the original system takes a little while to boot.
Not sure on the wiring, am hoping it just plugs in, have ordered a reversing cam as well.
Not sure on the wiring, am hoping it just plugs in, have ordered a reversing cam as well.
Just waiting for my new unit to arrive, confused as to the wiring, mine doesnt have the HK amp, 9 versus 12 speakers, I am told that regardless there will be a separate Amp but I cant seem to find one, I believe the NTG 2.5 comand unit has a built in amplifier, so I am guessing it uses that, am hoping that its just a case of plugging it in.
I fitted that same unit in an E class a few years ago and it was great. Fitting was simple plug-and-play and it used the existing amp. It fully integrated with the wheel controls and the quality was as good as OEM. From memory I think the manufacturer was Xtrons and I ran Cygic maps.
maxc said:
I fitted that same unit in an E class a few years ago and it was great. Fitting was simple plug-and-play and it used the existing amp. It fully integrated with the wheel controls and the quality was as good as OEM. From memory I think the manufacturer was Xtrons and I ran Cygic maps.
Cheers Max, it is an Xtrons, I will check it out later as it has arrived, hopefully should get some time to install it at some point.If its any good, will flog the original, they go for good money, some people like originality, I am not bothered if it doesnt look too bad.
Got the unit in and working, pretty pleased, got it connected to my home wifi and installed Spotify. have ordered a Fakra to SMA lead to connect it to the cars Sat Nav aerial rather than using the supplied one.
Just nee to get it to fit properly, seem to be some lugs in the slot that stop it slotting home perfectly, might have to remove them, will spend some time to get it to fit correctly as otherwise it will annoy me for all eternity.
Got it hooked up to google Playstore, will get Waze on it later.
I heard they didnt boot quick enough but it seems to be around 10 to 15 seconds similar to the NTG 2.5, but then the OEM unit is 9 years old, perfectly acceptable, sound quality seems pretty much the same, radio reception seems ok.
Need to route the USB connectors somewhere and then it is just getting it set up with phones, apps, music etc, will see if I can get my SKY Q set up on it so I can watch telly whilst waiting in the car.
Overall, so far, for £180 (got a refurb 4.4) it is good.
Can feel the weight and quality in the NTG 2.5 though.
Just nee to get it to fit properly, seem to be some lugs in the slot that stop it slotting home perfectly, might have to remove them, will spend some time to get it to fit correctly as otherwise it will annoy me for all eternity.
Got it hooked up to google Playstore, will get Waze on it later.
I heard they didnt boot quick enough but it seems to be around 10 to 15 seconds similar to the NTG 2.5, but then the OEM unit is 9 years old, perfectly acceptable, sound quality seems pretty much the same, radio reception seems ok.
Need to route the USB connectors somewhere and then it is just getting it set up with phones, apps, music etc, will see if I can get my SKY Q set up on it so I can watch telly whilst waiting in the car.
Overall, so far, for £180 (got a refurb 4.4) it is good.
Can feel the weight and quality in the NTG 2.5 though.
All complete and dash back together, wasnt too bad, got the USB leads into the ash tray/cubby underneath, so can connect my pone and charge it, seems to work pretty well, need to spend some time setting it up properly in terms of apps and settings.
Overall very pleased with the improvement for £180
Overall very pleased with the improvement for £180
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