[bjmsam]

I installed an Android v4 (KitKat) head unit in my Corvette nearly three years ago (GS-C0219 / JY-C0227 from Pumpkin - thread here) and remain so pleased with it that I just bought an Android v6 (Marshmallow) model for my 2009 RAV4 (non-JBL). This one (C1067106A3 from "BonRoad") has double the CPU cores, twice the RAM and ROM, higher resolution, custom form factor and plug-and-play installation (took less than 30 minutes total), all for only $287 shipped. Impressive! It arrived within a week with no customs tariff, looks stock, responds quickly, runs all of my apps (Torque is a favorite), has excellent navigation (iGo works offline), offers flexible equalization for much better sound quality out of the stock speakers, and makes my 2009 feel like a 2017. These units are so good that it really is hard to imagine ever going back to a traditional head unit from a mainstream manufacturer.

 

[bjmsam]

SD "CRAD" lol
That would drive me nuts.

"CARD" is misspelled in about half of the photos in the listing, suggesting that it changed in a subsequent manufacturing run. It does not bother me, but if it would drive you nuts, then be sure to confirm with the vendor.

 

[rav4system2]

I just may order one of these.

 

[nouse4aname]

How's the actual sound quality compared to a name brand?

 

[vanib]

Can you run the GPS and make a BlueTooth phone call at the same time?
Can you adjust the MID in the sound settings? Mine is just for show and does nothing.
The 2GB RAM/32GB ROM version shows as US$311. Is this what you got?

 

[@2011rav4]

All these China units come with outdated maps. I have wince 6.0 version and mine came with IGO 8 and my maps were 3 years old. I just updated to IGO Primo 2.4 with text to speech and latest maps. You can find latest IGO maps by searching GOOGLE " USA & Canada HERE 2016.Q3".

 

[bjmsam]

How's the actual sound quality compared to a name brand?

I didn't bother replacing the stock head unit with a name brand head unit before installing this Android head unit so have no basis for that comparison, but most modern head units employ commodity op-amp components and produce equivalent output. Anyone serious about sound quality (to the extent that it even makes sense in a vehicle) will use the line level outputs to feed an external amplifier driving better speakers. The Android head unit in my Corvette feeds the stock Bose amp, which presumably is the appropriate configuration for this Android head unit in a RAV4 with the optional JBL audio package.

Can you run the GPS and make a BlueTooth phone call at the same time?

Yes, I can use iGo for GPS navigation, Torque to monitor OBD-II via a BT ELM327 device, and place a BT phone call simultaneously, which is true for the older Android head unit in my Corvette as well.

Can you adjust the MID in the sound settings? Mine is just for show and does nothing.

Yes, which is true for the older Android head unit in my Corvette as well. With your head unit, perhaps the bass and treble can be adjusted to achieve the desired midrange level (boost both to reduce relative midrange, attenuate both to increase relative midrange).

The 2GB RAM/32GB ROM version shows as US$311. Is this what you got?

No, I opted for the model with 2GB RAM / 16 GB ROM and will spend $10 to add a 32 GB MicroSD card if more storage is needed. The Android head unit in my Corvette has only 1 GB RAM / 8 GB ROM yet the 32 GB MicroSD card still has 26 GB free (primarily apps, music and Torque logs).

All these China units come with outdated maps. I have wince 6.0 version and mine came with IGO 8 and my maps were 3 years old. I just updated to IGO Primo 2.4 with text to speech and latest maps. You can find latest IGO maps by searching GOOGLE " USA & Canada HERE 2016.Q3".

What head unit is not from China? The Android head unit that I installed in my Corvette back in 2014 came with 2012Q4 maps (i.e.- just over one year old), and the late 2016 model that I just installed in my RAV4 came with 2011Q2 maps (five years old), which admittedly seems odd. The GPS Power forum is a good source for free iGo map updates, and the latest is 2016Q3 as you pointed out.

 

[rav4system2]

I tried to buy this today and they wanted copies of my credit card, bank statement, driver's license, passport,most recent physical, dental records, reference from 3rd grade teacher, blood type and results from my last proctology exam (if applicable). They can suck a fatty if they think I'm gonna get a good reference from my 3rd grade teacher. I guess I will do without.

 

[@2011rav4]

I tried to buy this today and they wanted copies of my credit card, bank statement, driver's license, passport,most recent physical, dental records, reference from 3rd grade teacher, blood type and results from my last proctology exam (if applicable). They can suck a fatty if they think I'm gonna get a good reference from my 3rd grade teacher. I guess I will do without.

Have you tried getting it from the aliexpress app (you can download it from the play store).? It will save you a few dollars!

 

[rav4system2]

Yeah...they kept rejecting my payment source and requesting documents that I will not give them.

 

[@2011rav4]

Yeah...they kept rejecting my payment source and requesting documents that I will not give them.

Thats strange. I've purchased a few items from aliexpress over the years and never had a problem with the credit card I used . Are you using one of the major credit cards?

 

[bjmsam]

For me, purchasing through AliExpress was no different than purchasing through Amazon.

 

[tRAVellintom]

I've considered swapping head units for an Android one but my biggest concern is the rca out voltages for my sound system. I've had units with 2 volt pre out's and they don't cut it. I need 4 volt or greater. Do you happen to know the voltage on your head unit?

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

 

[bjmsam]

Do you happen to know the voltage on your head unit?

No, but a link to contact the seller is on the left side of the listing. Please post their answer here in case others have the same question! :thumbs_up:

 

[rav4system2]

Thats strange. I've purchased a few items from aliexpress over the years and never had a problem with the credit card I used . Are you using one of the major credit cards?

I tried with my visa and amex and got same results. From some searching this seems to happen often enough. Several people said they emailed the documents they wanted, but blocked off vital information. I may give that a shot since I really like this unit.

 

[@2011rav4]

I tried with my visa and amex and got same results. From some searching this seems to happen often enough. Several people said they emailed the documents they wanted, but blocked off vital information. I may give that a shot since I really like this unit.

I would NEVER send them my personal info! Maybe you can try another computer or browser and see if that works. If that doesn't work then maybe look on ebay to see if they have the same thing.

 

[rav4system2]

I would NEVER send them my personal info! Maybe you can try another computer or browser and see if that works. If that doesn't work then maybe look on ebay to see if they have the same thing.

Have already tried both of those ideas and looked on Amazon. This is what I'm thinking. They want a copy of my driver's license so they will get that tho all numbers will be blocked off. They will see only my name and address and they need that stuff anyway. They want a photo of my credit card statement, they will get that with any account info blocked out. From my reading they do this to verify I actually own the credit card. If they want my dl number or account numbers I will send them a picture of my "junk" and tell them what they can do with it LOL.

 

[vanib]

Well, that's bullsh!t. Just like others, I have purchased from Aliexpress over the years and never needed anything apart from my credit card info.

 

[rav4system2]

Yeah seems goofy...I have read that people have good luck with prepaid credit cards. I thought about getting one of those.

 

[tRAVellintom]

No, but a link to contact the seller is on the left side of the listing. Please post their answer here in case others have the same question! :thumbs_up:

Thanks for the link! I have sent them a message and will post my reply when they answer :thumbs_up: