10.25" Android Unit Retrofit

AndrewW

AndrewW

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Hi,

Just looking at options to upgrade my MMI system.

Previously when I had the Concert standard Audi system I bought a Unique AD CarPlay kit, I was very happy with this and it worked really well for the £375 I paid for it.

Unnamed


I've now moved onto a car with MMI 3G now so the CarPlay kit from Unique AD now lives in my girlfriend's A5 w/ concert. I've looked into what they offer for the 3GH unit but it doesn't offer the touchscreen digitiser. This wouldn't be the end of the world usually however from experience I know the button configuration is a bit naff. I.e. in the last one there was no skip/previous track, all you got was direction to move the icon on screen and OK/Return. So if you had maps open with spotify playing in the background, you'd have to open the spotify app to skip track then reopen maps, this wasn't too much of a pain with touchscreen but probably a pain without it.

One option I have come across is a full screen upgrade in the form of a 10.25" Android unit, this would allow me to use all android apps on the device however would also mean I could use a CarPlay -> USB dongle to get touchscreen CarPlay back!

Stock image below - Looks to be almost £500 for a RHD kit and then another £50-100 for the CarPlay Dongle.

Andra4


Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these units before I take the plunge.
 
Ooh. Could be interested in this.

Where does the hazard warning go?
 
I have had a look at these also from Seicane but they say not yet available in rhd. Where's this one from?
 
AGL80 said:
Ooh. Could be interested in this.

Where does the hazard warning go?
Click to expand...

The switch is relocated to the other side of the panel and tucks mostly behind the new screen from the pictures I’ve seen.

I’m still very tempted but I’ve also spent a fortune on the cars recently so might hold off for a little
 
Well, I’ve ordered one so we shall see. I’ll post the conclusion when it arrives.
 
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Still waiting for the Android unit to arrive but in the meantime the wireless CarPlay dongle has arrived so I tested it out on the only Android device I own, an old android TV box.

Seems to work very well, both wired and wireless:
17460DE7 2BCA 439F 837E F10A2C088061
 
Well, after some incorrect components turned a 1 hour job into a 4 hour job (with some custom fabrication, and needing a bit more work) it’s in but only just.

9502B4BC 4742 4B68 9E7A CEE518E9A3AF


The metal frame which goes in the place of the original MMI screen and provides a base for the new bracket to attach to was a LHD frame so bolt holes in completely the wrong place, so I had to drill and tap a couple of new holes to get it attached.

seems really good so far but I’ll finish the job and have a better play tomorrow.
 
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AndrewW said:
Well, after some incorrect components turned a 1 hour job into a 4 hour job (with some custom fabrication, and needing a bit more work) it’s in but only just.

View attachment 191366

The metal frame which goes in the place of the original MMI screen and provides a base for the new bracket to attach to was a LHD frame so bolt holes in completely the wrong place, so I had to drill and tap a couple of new holes to get it attached.

seems really good so far but I’ll finish the job and have a better play tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Looks like a solution that I've been hunting down for my 2016 Q5 LHD in US. Do you recommend or are there other brands you suggest trying?
 
CharleyK said:
Looks like a solution that I've been hunting down for my 2016 Q5 LHD in US. Do you recommend or are there other brands you suggest trying?
Click to expand...

I bought from a seller called HFCYJIA on AliExpress and would not recommend their RHD kit, I had to modify the metal mount (drill and tap new holes!) and then modify (relocate and solder the connector) the hazard switch wiring to make it fit, luckily that kind of task doesn’t daunt me but it certainly wasn’t an easy job.

However, I suspect the reason behind this was that they just took their LHD kit and mirrored all of the designs and had them manufactured, unfortunately it doesn’t quite work like that. So the LHD kit is probably ok. The unit itself is great.

From my research the go-to seller for these is RSNAV however I didn’t want to pay that much, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.
 
AndrewW said:
From my research the go-to seller for these is RSNAV however I didn’t want to pay that much, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.
Click to expand...

I second that, 100% and I would suggest legging it if interested because they're apparently demising their RHD products due to low demand...

https://rsnav.com/

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
fa4b34ebf2a1e11ad3b3f90c09a8153a.jpg
3d1fd3889934f4c00868c30660c95184.jpg
 
Last edited:
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Few pictures of the finished install.

All in all (including Wireless CarPlay interface which is hidden under the dash) it's cost me around £375, but a lot of custom work and figuring stuff out.

IMG 2576


IMG 2584


Both USB ports of the unit routed to the location where the AUX would be on a non-AMI car, the left one via the CarPlay interface to provide wired CarPlay if required.

IMG 2624


And a DIY wireless charger to finish it off.

IMG 0014


And that is the LAST money I'm spending on mods for a long while now...
 
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briceportier said:
I second that, 100% and I would suggest legging it if interested because they're apparently demising their RHD products due to low demand...
Click to expand...

I read this and panicked, too late :(

Hi,
I am sorry to say this, but your order will be cancelled as we ran out of the plastics for RHD 7" screen for sedans. Please consider 10.25" version which is available at least for now.
Click to expand...
 
Hi mate, couple of questions if you don't mind. Did you install a back up camera at the same time? How does this look with the parking sensor graphic, how is the audio quality?

What is the car play dongle for, is this just for wireless apple connections? Have you installed a simcard in the unit? I plan on having a simcard installed and stream Spotify on the unit rather than from my phone.

Cheers
 
Boundy said:
Hi mate, couple of questions if you don't mind. Did you install a back up camera at the same time? How does this look with the parking sensor graphic, how is the audio quality?

What is the car play dongle for, is this just for wireless apple connections? Have you installed a simcard in the unit? I plan on having a simcard installed and stream Spotify on the unit rather than from my phone.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Camera works ok although you won't be getting HD quality there... but it works.
Even though true audiophiles will probably consider the audio quality a bit below their standard personally I'm super happy with the end result...
I've had a sim card in the unit since day one and I just don't understand why so many have been insisting on using the dongle when the unit is self contained and sufficient.


Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 
Does yours support Google assistant? Can I ask it to play a song on Spotify like I currently do on my phone? Did you need to change the microphone? Does it need it's own GPS antenna or does it pull data from the factory fit unit?
 
audi upgrades
Boundy said:
Does yours support Google assistant? Can I ask it to play a song on Spotify like I currently do on my phone? Did you need to change the microphone? Does it need it's own GPS antenna or does it pull data from the factory fit unit?
Click to expand...
Google assistant, well yes and no...
It does work but isn't listening like your phone or Google home do... you do have to wake it up first.
The unit comes with its own antenna which can be located in the subwoofer's housing on top of the dashboard... as for the microphone I believe that it's located on the left side of the frame...

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 
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Yeah the carplay dongle is to connect my iPhone, it does wired and wireless and also wired Android Auto. I rarely use mine without my phone connected. It does come with the easy connect phone mirror app installed but from what I’ve seen it’s not very good (tried it a couple of times and got a black screen...)

Ensure you get the 4G version if you’re planning on adding a data sim

My car had factory reverse camera so no need to install one but it works well with the factory camera and just switches back to the oem car display when you select reverse.

At the end of the day it’s an android tablet on your dash so pretty much anything that works on a generic android tablet should be fine. Spotify should be fine
 
Have many people fitted these screens and is there a review or any downsides please
 
I'm really interested in this, but where does the air bag button go that under the hazard switch??
 
Ive got one being delivered on Wednesday from China. /had a deal flash up on AliExpress and was too good not to.

Plan to instal in the next couple of weekends (time dependant) so will try and do a full write up/instal guide if anyone is interested.
 
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