Android integrated with factory screen

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toddjb122

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...If $1k is too much then you shouldn't have purchased a Land Rover. A Toyota would be good for your budget.

There are more toyotas on the road than land rovers, If we apply your logic then the Toyota is much better car.
I'm going to step out of the thread after this because it's turning into more of an argument, which was never the intent, and this forum is better than that.

However, you keep bringing up cost, and I don't think that is an issue for anyone looking at this functionality. It is custom niche hardware developed for a specific vehicle and I don't expect it to be cheap. I do expect it to work well, though, and that has been the recurring unanswered question of the thread.

It is surprising to see such a poor warranty policy from the company and a complete lack of real user data out there. That's the only point being made. Glad to hear you are happy with the nav functionality.
 

catman

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I don't think the lack of detail is really that surprising. I put a custom Rosen DVD/Nav unit in my FJ Cruiser and even though they are a more or less "well-known" custom manufacturer, I had a heck of a time getting any support or details on the unit. All I ever got a was a 2 line email from a tech about an ohm detail with the FJ setup. Ultimately I had to bite the bullet and take a chance and then answer a ton of questions for forum members who also wanted the unit, but needed verifications of specs or features first.
 

Surfrider77

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Plus, you usually have far more people posting about problems vs making the effort to take the time to go online and post good experiences. That said, I would need to see some real world reviews too before I spent that much on it.
 

spawnywhippet

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OK, so here is my 1 month update on the system. I carried out the installation myself. First time around I ordered the wrong box and got a Windows CE version with only navigation. I returned it and they exchanged it for the Android unit (Carmani ANDY).

The installation was relatively straightforward, despite the installation instructions not being very detailed and written for Evoque, not LR4. The toughest part was routing the GPS antenna. I ended up sticking it near the rear view mirror on the windshield as every attempt to route the cable through the firewall failed. There were a few gremlins with the kit I ordered. One of the wiring harness connectors had 2 wires in the wrong pins, so I had to switch those over. The unit powered up in Russian, so I had to google how to switch it to English. The vendors were responsive and attempting to help me out also.

I tapped the audio output of the ANDY unit into the wiring for the AUX Input in the central console for the second row of seats.

After the hardware installation was finally finished, I installed Waze, NavMii, Spotify, Pandora and a few other apps I use regularly. These have been mostly OK, but have crashed intermittently. When I checked the OS version of the ANDY unit, it is 4.2.2, which is pretty old and I guess is the cause of the crashing. I have been attempting to find a way to update the OS, but without success so far. The vendors told me that a few owners have managed to update it using APKs, but they will not reply to any email asking where to get these APK's from. If I can get the APKs to carry out an OS update, I think the unit will become a lot more stable.

I use my system with data from a wireless hotspot running on my iPhone 7 that is currently on IOS 11, and I need to toggle the hotspot off and on again every time I start the car. I think this is an iPhone issue rather than an ANDY issue.

In general, the system is a great concept and given more time to iron out the bugs and ability to update it, it would blow most 2017 car infotainment systems out of the water. It integrates very well with overlaying the data on the factory screen and allowing Land Rover information to come up while the Android screen is selected. However, these persistent glitches and under-powered Android hardware makes it less compelling.

Would I do it all over again? Yes, probably, now that I know how to do the installation and could get it all done first time around, but I would not do it if my car had come with the factory navigation installed.

Would I recommend someone else to install it? Only if they don't have a navigation system already and are relatively tech savvy around configuring Android systems and are willing to put up with some application hangs in order to use dynamic routing navigation like Waze, and streaming audio like Spotify.
 

equilibrium

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OK, so here is my 1 month update on the system. I carried out the installation myself. First time around I ordered the wrong box and got a Windows CE version with only navigation. I returned it and they exchanged it for the Android unit (Carmani ANDY).

The installation was relatively straightforward, despite the installation instructions not being very detailed and written for Evoque, not LR4. The toughest part was routing the GPS antenna. I ended up sticking it near the rear view mirror on the windshield as every attempt to route the cable through the firewall failed. There were a few gremlins with the kit I ordered. One of the wiring harness connectors had 2 wires in the wrong pins, so I had to switch those over. The unit powered up in Russian, so I had to google how to switch it to English. The vendors were responsive and attempting to help me out also.

I tapped the audio output of the ANDY unit into the wiring for the AUX Input in the central console for the second row of seats.

After the hardware installation was finally finished, I installed Waze, NavMii, Spotify, Pandora and a few other apps I use regularly. These have been mostly OK, but have crashed intermittently. When I checked the OS version of the ANDY unit, it is 4.2.2, which is pretty old and I guess is the cause of the crashing. I have been attempting to find a way to update the OS, but without success so far. The vendors told me that a few owners have managed to update it using APKs, but they will not reply to any email asking where to get these APK's from. If I can get the APKs to carry out an OS update, I think the unit will become a lot more stable.

I use my system with data from a wireless hotspot running on my iPhone 7 that is currently on IOS 11, and I need to toggle the hotspot off and on again every time I start the car. I think this is an iPhone issue rather than an ANDY issue.

In general, the system is a great concept and given more time to iron out the bugs and ability to update it, it would blow most 2017 car infotainment systems out of the water. It integrates very well with overlaying the data on the factory screen and allowing Land Rover information to come up while the Android screen is selected. However, these persistent glitches and under-powered Android hardware makes it less compelling.

Would I do it all over again? Yes, probably, now that I know how to do the installation and could get it all done first time around, but I would not do it if my car had come with the factory navigation installed.

Would I recommend someone else to install it? Only if they don't have a navigation system already and are relatively tech savvy around configuring Android systems and are willing to put up with some application hangs in order to use dynamic routing navigation like Waze, and streaming audio like Spotify.

Nice to hear that. Initially I faced the same crashing issue however it never happened recently after removing a lot of apps. Actually I was over excited and installed a lot of apps then the system start crashing. It seems one of the installed apps is not compatible with the OS version.

For the data connection I am using a4g USB router and it is plugged in one of the USBs under the center armrest. No need to turn on/off anything it will turn on once the car starts and will connect automatically.

image.jpeg


If you manage to update the system please let me know how to do it.
 

toddjb122

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OK, so here is my 1 month update on the system. I carried out the installation myself. First time around I ordered the wrong box and got a Windows CE version with only navigation. I returned it and they exchanged it for the Android unit (Carmani ANDY).

The installation was relatively straightforward, despite the installation instructions not being very detailed and written for Evoque, not LR4. The toughest part was routing the GPS antenna. I ended up sticking it near the rear view mirror on the windshield as every attempt to route the cable through the firewall failed. There were a few gremlins with the kit I ordered. One of the wiring harness connectors had 2 wires in the wrong pins, so I had to switch those over. The unit powered up in Russian, so I had to google how to switch it to English. The vendors were responsive and attempting to help me out also.

I tapped the audio output of the ANDY unit into the wiring for the AUX Input in the central console for the second row of seats.

After the hardware installation was finally finished, I installed Waze, NavMii, Spotify, Pandora and a few other apps I use regularly. These have been mostly OK, but have crashed intermittently. When I checked the OS version of the ANDY unit, it is 4.2.2, which is pretty old and I guess is the cause of the crashing. I have been attempting to find a way to update the OS, but without success so far. The vendors told me that a few owners have managed to update it using APKs, but they will not reply to any email asking where to get these APK's from. If I can get the APKs to carry out an OS update, I think the unit will become a lot more stable.

I use my system with data from a wireless hotspot running on my iPhone 7 that is currently on IOS 11, and I need to toggle the hotspot off and on again every time I start the car. I think this is an iPhone issue rather than an ANDY issue.

In general, the system is a great concept and given more time to iron out the bugs and ability to update it, it would blow most 2017 car infotainment systems out of the water. It integrates very well with overlaying the data on the factory screen and allowing Land Rover information to come up while the Android screen is selected. However, these persistent glitches and under-powered Android hardware makes it less compelling.

Would I do it all over again? Yes, probably, now that I know how to do the installation and could get it all done first time around, but I would not do it if my car had come with the factory navigation installed.

Would I recommend someone else to install it? Only if they don't have a navigation system already and are relatively tech savvy around configuring Android systems and are willing to put up with some application hangs in order to use dynamic routing navigation like Waze, and streaming audio like Spotify.
@spawnywhippet , thanks very much for the detail. This is the kind of honest detail I was hoping to read.

I'd likely agree with your conclusion, but I don't think I would be as patient with the company after going through the install.

I hope you figure out a simple update path for the firmware. That should be a pretty basic easily supported feature, as... "it's all software these days."

I don't know why every car can't have the infotainment system of a Tesla. I don't need an electric car, but man, it'd be nice to have the rest of that automation and display presentation in a true SUV.
 

magus

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I seriously 'tip my hat' to those of you who have taken this project on and installed the system. I so want an upgrade like this, but am still amazed and frustrated that the best option is a real stretch to install and get to working smoothly without bugs. It's 2017, right? Shouldn't there be a simpler answer by now??.
 

morrisdl

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I dont have this exact unit, but have something VERY similar (10" Android v4.4) in my Cayenne, a Tesla S, and a car with Carplay/AA. None of them are perfect solutions. Tesla has the best UI, but like the Carplay/AA its extremely limited in what it can do (only 3-4 apps). I cant believe my 2006 Lr3 w/Kenwood (KOS-v500) carportal the still the best functionality of the bunch. That said, I would buy one of these for an LR4.
 

ryanjl

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OK, so here is my 1 month update on the system. I carried out the installation myself. First time around I ordered the wrong box and got a Windows CE version with only navigation. I returned it and they exchanged it for the Android unit (Carmani ANDY).

The installation was relatively straightforward, despite the installation instructions not being very detailed and written for Evoque, not LR4. The toughest part was routing the GPS antenna. I ended up sticking it near the rear view mirror on the windshield as every attempt to route the cable through the firewall failed. There were a few gremlins with the kit I ordered. One of the wiring harness connectors had 2 wires in the wrong pins, so I had to switch those over. The unit powered up in Russian, so I had to google how to switch it to English. The vendors were responsive and attempting to help me out also.

I tapped the audio output of the ANDY unit into the wiring for the AUX Input in the central console for the second row of seats.

After the hardware installation was finally finished, I installed Waze, NavMii, Spotify, Pandora and a few other apps I use regularly. These have been mostly OK, but have crashed intermittently. When I checked the OS version of the ANDY unit, it is 4.2.2, which is pretty old and I guess is the cause of the crashing. I have been attempting to find a way to update the OS, but without success so far. The vendors told me that a few owners have managed to update it using APKs, but they will not reply to any email asking where to get these APK's from. If I can get the APKs to carry out an OS update, I think the unit will become a lot more stable.

I use my system with data from a wireless hotspot running on my iPhone 7 that is currently on IOS 11, and I need to toggle the hotspot off and on again every time I start the car. I think this is an iPhone issue rather than an ANDY issue.

In general, the system is a great concept and given more time to iron out the bugs and ability to update it, it would blow most 2017 car infotainment systems out of the water. It integrates very well with overlaying the data on the factory screen and allowing Land Rover information to come up while the Android screen is selected. However, these persistent glitches and under-powered Android hardware makes it less compelling.

Would I do it all over again? Yes, probably, now that I know how to do the installation and could get it all done first time around, but I would not do it if my car had come with the factory navigation installed.

Would I recommend someone else to install it? Only if they don't have a navigation system already and are relatively tech savvy around configuring Android systems and are willing to put up with some application hangs in order to use dynamic routing navigation like Waze, and streaming audio like Spotify.

I have the factory navigation and am still considering this. I'd most times rather get lost than use the factory user interface.

Still, though, for the $850 USD asking price for the ANDY solution, the idea of just somehow mounting an iPad over the factory unit may be more compelling, if less elegant.
 

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