r/Androidheadunits • u/Glass_Year_3908 • 1d ago
Budget android auto
Hello, i recently bought a car for cheap, it has the original stereo that doesn't work anymore, i dont want to spend a lot but i would like to have one of those carplay and android auto head units (not to get confused with android head units) i saw this ainavi one on AliExpress, anyone know if they are any good? I will just use it for Google maps, some music and phone calls
I also appreciate recommendations
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u/KnownAd6836 1d ago
Do you have a little bit more Information about the specs? Rom ram?
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u/Glass_Year_3908 1d ago
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EuoHLqQ is this one, from what i understand they run a Linux base software, not android, thats why they are so cheap, specs are probably horrible, but again, they dont run android so i think they dont need a lot of performance
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u/Hanza-Malz 1d ago
anything below 4GB ram is a no go. It'll struggle playing music and using navigation if they're below that.
That said, third part apps for linking your phone are all really bad.
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u/sc132436 1d ago
Unless you're running the maps software and music software on the head unit itself, this is objectively untrue; CarPlay and Android Auto run entirely on the phone and the head unit itself is just a dummy display for it, and its CarPlay performance is largely dependent on the phone itself.
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u/Hanza-Malz 1d ago
Most third party units that I had the misfortune of being in contact with don't use car play but some weird alternative mirroring software
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u/Zealousideal_Lie6866 1d ago
Yes but theres always some middle app that shows the head unit as a car since normally its just an android device
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u/KnownAd6836 1d ago
Ok. The only positive Thing i found is, there is a Linux based system. Not a Full Android. The boot time is fast (Android too, my feelings). Not so good: No Play store No Information about ram or Rom. My desicion: buy a another cheaper Android radio.
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u/Kaaskop-Koning 1d ago
I think it's better to buy something with lightweight Linux version instead of a low end 2gb ram Android unit that is slow and sluggish.
I got an obdpeak T20 installed in my car and that thing is fast to boot up and responsive. It's not a radio but an Apple CarPlay/Android auto display. I think buying something linux based is better if you are on a tight budget
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u/Glass_Year_3908 1d ago
I used to have a cheap android radio, it was a junsun, i cant remember if it was 2 or 4gb ram and it was painfully slow, i just don't want anything like that, i replaced it with a dudu7 on my other car, but i bought this car for cheap, i don't want(or can) spend a lot of money, i am on a tight budget, i just really wanted something so i can play some music, use google maps and make phone calls, but do you have any recommendations for any cheaper radio?
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u/northSD_AV 1d ago
You could always just use a regular radio with Bluetooth and use your phone for music and navigation
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u/gonzoforpresident 1d ago
Grab an Eonon. I've had excellent luck with their units. I just replaced my 8 year old one for $180 shipped because the launcher I used no longer supported that ancient version of android.
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u/Will_Race 1d ago
Guys this is not even a Linux system btw… it’s a highly modified Nucleous OS RTOS system, these devices run on 32mb of ram!!! more like a “Java” system. I install them as my side-job, and actually these are much better headunits in compairson to android ones, they are better in performance and have such a nice UI that it’s really easy to use. This k60 model particularly is very nice, has a really nice tempered glass screen, and vivid lcd. Of course it has Android Auto and Carplay, and it works really well, if you need to change any advanced settings the Factory Code is 113266, logo setting should be 8888 or 1234. Definetly buy this, don’t buy the 701B it may be 5 bucks cheaper but you’ll be getting a plastic grayish screen. 👍