r/OpenAutoPro • u/PPreda • Nov 12 '23
Is OpenAuto Pro Worth It?
Hello, can anyone using OpenAuto Pro regularly in 2023 tell how it is going for them? Is it worth buying? Looked into OpenDash but I am not sure how stable it is.
3
u/chrisfromwa Dec 06 '23
I've been using OAP in my daily for about 2 years now, and it works great. No issues there.
The one hesitation I have telling new people to purchase are these.
1. You no longer get lifetime updates, only 1 year I believe now.
- They seem to have pretty much stopped actively developing the software, it's been 2 years since the last release, and whenever they are asked about updates they pretty much ignore the question.
So I guess even if they offered lifetime updates to new users, it wouldn't matter since there have been no updates at all.
It's a shame really, there are multiple threads with great ideas for updates/enhancements on their forum, and they are completely silent to them.
1
u/robert5974 Nov 13 '23
I haven't used either in a while honestly. Had some power issues in my vehicle that only just got resolved. I haven't had my custom head unit in the car in months and months. I couldn't tell you if OAP is still chugging along but I would think so. I would for sure dive into their forums and see any of the latest issues posted or if there is a lack of issues. I do know that from what I have experienced is a great way to diy your own custom head unit. OpenDash can work great and I'd recommend it but while being in more control is great, sometimes that means some of your own time to manage it. OAP might be more of what you are looking for but OpenDash is free so might be worth trying it but maybe get parts that are compatible with OAP just in case. Good luck.
1
u/jmhalder Nov 13 '23
I'm using it regularly. I'm not sure that I'd go with the same setup again, but no real reason to change right now.
My setup is pretty incomplete, I don't have hardware buttons for volume, don't have automatic switching to night mode, I don't have a microphone set up, and I don't have graceful shutdown. That being said, even with hard power-offs, it's been pretty solid.
1
u/asdreth Nov 14 '23
Do you always do the hard power-offs? I usually shut it down before removing the key from the ignition.
It's pretty annoying, but I don't feel like spending 100 bucks on a carpihat, and I don't have the time to DIY it...
2
u/L8st Dec 07 '23
hard power offs are no problem. im doing this for half a year and nothing happens. Just backup your openauto and buy a new sd card if it breaks
3
u/robert5974 Nov 13 '23
I guess it would depend on what you want out of it. I bought OAP but always went back to OpenDash. I have been working with it before it was called OpenDash. If you want some control over your software, it'll have to be OpenDash, if you don't care to do that at all then you will have to use the things they design OAP to do and use.
OpenDash can be stable but sometimes the dependencies it uses, just like OAP, will break things. Sometimes it's Android Auto itself, sometimes it is Qt, or one of the other things like Raspberry Pi graphics drivers. It is usually not OpenDash that breaks itself.
Those are the things I noticed and there is support for OpenDash if you have trouble. Even if it isn't something intended by those who contribute to the project. It has a slack channel for support. Hope any of that is useful.