Android RNS-E

[TheTomCutler]

The Xtrons support provided me with the UK address. However as I'm located in Denmark, the shipping price can be £30-40.
I did everything I could with the power and reset button. Nothing's changed.
There's a possibility to make a bootable SD card. I got this info from xda-developers.com and 4PDA.ru. I'm waiting for the 4GB micro-sd card to arrive to try it out.

Good luck!

 

[Ike]

I’m looking at getting the Xtrons Octa-core to replace my RNSE, I have Bose so I hope it works (having read mixed reviews). I have a couple of questions if that’s ok?

Can I reuse any of my existing BT hands free or can all that be removed along with the RNSE?

Can the Extron BT microphone be located where the factory Audi mic is?

Can I reused my existing SatNav aerial or do I need the Xtrons one and l tuck it up above the unit?

Is there any VCDS coding required?

Thanks in advance.

Sam

I recently fitted the 7.1.2 version of the Xtrons head-unit... No reuse of BT hands free (assuming Audi or CD-changer after-market type). You can't use the audi microphone, not sure if you can put the Xtrons one in-place or how well that will work. Head-unit mic works well for me. Existing GPS aerial plugged straight in. No VCDS coding needed.

 

[Patrico777]

The unit I have is a KGL variant, 1024x800 screen and RK3188 SOC and is pretty much an Android tablet, mated to some extra hardware for GPS, sound, amp, radio and various USB and SD card ports. In essence, it's not too dissimilar to many of the tablet-in-dash installs, but with all of the external amps, radio bits integrated into one box. Here is a picture of the settings page:
View attachment 68267

No DIS integration at the moment, but if Alpine can do it, I wouldn't put it past some XDA member with an Audi to come up with a solution for it at some point in the future

The XDA thread you want is this - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2660662 It contains everything you will need in one place.

Feel free to PM me, but for the benefit of the forum we may want to keep things public, so that others can learn from our experiences/mistakes, plus I can't guarantee that my assistance will be correct as I'm also just starting to learn about these HUs

Link where to get this ?

 

[Patrico777]

I've now got an Xtrons 8-Core unit. BOSE Sound is fantastic, rear speakers are great, tons of bass from the sub, very loud too and sound quality is really good. Plugged in with everything out the box, no extras.

Got link where to purchase it plsss

 

[samuelh_888]

I recently fitted the 7.1.2 version of the Xtrons head-unit... No reuse of BT hands free (assuming Audi or CD-changer after-market type). You can't use the audi microphone, not sure if you can put the Xtrons one in-place or how well that will work. Head-unit mic works well for me. Existing GPS aerial plugged straight in. No VCDS coding needed.

Thanks @Ike - re the coding - if I remove my RNSE, BT do I need to code these out, essentially tell the car they aren’t fitted or do I just leave it? Or, will the new items require this coding?

And yet another question, would the MMI in the glove box still work or can this go too? I don’t use it so no real issue; the Xtrons has BT which is all I use the MMI for.

Cheers again,
Sam

 

[Ike]

Thanks @Ike - re the coding - if I remove my RNSE, BT do I need to code these out, essentially tell the car they aren’t fitted or do I just leave it? Or, will the new items require this coding?

And yet another question, would the MMI in the glove box still work or can this go too? I don’t use it so no real issue; the Xtrons has BT which is all I use the MMI for.

Cheers again,
Sam

np. can't say for sure (as i had an aftermarket dongle in the cd changer input) with the bluetooth though i suspect it wouldn't matter as it would make no difference to the after market unit? also not sure re mmi, suspect not as it would use a proprietary connection (i had a cd changer in mine, now i have a hole with usb leads coming through - unfortunately a 5 1/4" blanking plate is too small).

 

[dp_motley]

While I'm waiting for the SD card to arrive (I need to make a bootable SD card to reanimate my Xtrons), I put my old Concert back. And you know what? Both my wife and I noticed that the Concert sounds better. I play the same MP3s from a CD (I play them from the SD card on Xtrons), and the sound is clearer than from the Android HU. You would say I had to install the right audio player and use the EQ properly. But I thought I did. I used Poweramp and had correct (I guess) EQ adjustments and I used to like the sound very much until I put the Concert back. Did you notice any difference in the sound quality?

P.S. I don't have the BOSE.
P.P.S. I would put the Xtrons back due more features anyway when/if I un-brick it.

 

[maxpayne]

While I'm waiting for the SD card to arrive (I need to make a bootable SD card to reanimate my Xtrons), I put my old Concert back. And you know what? Both my wife and I noticed that the Concert sounds better. I play the same MP3s from a CD (I play them from the SD card on Xtrons), and the sound is clearer than from the Android HU. You would say I had to install the right audio player and use the EQ properly. But I thought I did. I used Poweramp and had correct (I guess) EQ adjustments and I used to like the sound very much until I put the Concert back. Did you notice any difference in the sound quality?

P.S. I don't have the BOSE.
P.P.S. I would put the Xtrons back due more features anyway when/if I un-brick it.

And that’s my biggest concern with these Android units. I have the old single DIN Concert II (non Bose) and when playing from a CD my friends always comment how great the sound is. Guess the only way up is using a branded HU from the likes of Pioneer or Kenwood.

 

[samuelh_888]

And that’s my biggest concern with these Android units. I have the old single DIN Concert II (non Bose) and when playing from a CD my friends always comment how great the sound is. Guess the only way up is using a branded HU from the likes of Pioneer or Kenwood.

I’m struggling with this decision at the moment too

Thinking Kenwood but the UI is too dark and dated.

 

[maxpayne]

I’m struggling with this decision at the moment too

Thinking Kenwood but the UI is too dark and dated.

For some reason they all are a bit gimmicky! If I do go for a Pioneer or Kenwood it will have to be CarPlay as the UI will be familiar.

 

[CoolAsIce]

Got link where to purchase it plsss

http://xtrons.co.uk/audi/audi-a3-s3...dvd-player-custom-fit-for-audi-a3-s3-rs3.html

 

[Tommmygunnn]

hi guys recently got an android headunit. im sure its been covered a number of times but was wondering if someone could give a quick answer as i plan on installing next weekend.

Is it straight forward to use an aftermarket sub/amp with my current BOSE speakers using an Android head unit?

Can I just wire the sub into the sub input on the head unit, whilst retaining the original bose speakers. Or would this also cause the BOSE sub to be active? Can it be bypassed easily? Or am I looking at replacing all speakers to do this successfully?

 

[TheTomCutler]

1. Absolutely, just run a new battery supply and twin RCA cable from the sub out on the new unit. You'll have to dig out the bose sub and disconnect it but why not leave them both running? If your car had Satnav before you'll need an adapter to use the Audi dash mounted GPS receiver that's already installed. Also an audio filter to cut out annoying engine whine this one works a treat!

 

[dp_motley]

Xtrons sells the Android 8.0 Octa Core 4GB RAM already. Anyone tried it already?

They state that this device is optimised for BOSE system out of the box, but you need to modify wiring to make it work with non-BOSE systems. Do you know how much work is involved in this type of mod?

 

[leonwilliams]

Xtrons sells the Android 8.0 Octa Core 4GB RAM already. Anyone tried it already?

They state that this device is optimised for BOSE system out of the box, but you need to modify wiring to make it work with non-BOSE systems. Do you know how much work is involved in this type of mod?

Hi I have the pumpkin version mines work straight out of the box..came with correct leads mines not bose but has sub in boot ..works great

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[maxpayne]

Soon decision time will be on me. Have ordered a all parts required for a double DIN conversion

To Android or not to Android, that is the question.

On one hand, the new generation CarPlay units like the XAV-AX5000 (https://www.sony.com/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/xav-ax5000) or the MVH-1400NEX (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/MVH-1400NEX) on the other, the Android 8x units. Decisions...


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[dp_motley]

Hi I have the pumpkin version mines work straight out of the box..came with correct leads mines not bose but has sub in boot ..works great

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I had Xtrons myself. Mine was with Android 5.1.1 and worked out of the box. But those who had bose had to make the rear speakers work. The newer version of Xtrons is optimised for bose, but they state on the product page that the non-bose system owners should use a professional assistance to make the rear speakers work.

 

[eddom1971]

hi guys
i was about to bite the bullet and invest in 1 of these units but the info im reading on this and other forums is so confusing.
i dont have a bose system in my car . just an audi half amped system with sub in the boot concert 2din headunit 58 plate s-line.
wiring loom is quadlock connector . on the xtrons website it mentions a non bose system with an audio port connector . mine doesn't have an audio port just quadlock and dual fakra Ariel connections. im assuming the audio port connector is just a part of the standard multi iso connections some older cars had before quadlocks where introduced ?????.
so one of my questions to xtrons uk was if i buy a unit that comes with the quadlock wiring harness will i have to make some wiring alterations to get it working with my car .
ive sent them a pic of the top of my concert headunit showing the wiring diagram of the quadlock . and looking at the wiring diagram on their product page it seems to match .
but the reply i got was just a copy and paste about non-bose system owners with the audio port should seek professional assistance to make the rear speakers work.
Not sure how to go forward with this now. anyone got any advice please .

cheers
eddom1971

 

[dp_motley]

hi guys
i was about to bite the bullet and invest in 1 of these units but the info im reading on this and other forums is so confusing.
i dont have a bose system in my car . just an audi half amped system with sub in the boot concert 2din headunit 58 plate s-line.
wiring loom is quadlock connector . on the xtrons website it mentions a non bose system with an audio port connector . mine doesn't have an audio port just quadlock and dual fakra Ariel connections. im assuming the audio port connector is just a part of the standard multi iso connections some older cars had before quadlocks where introduced ?????.
so one of my questions to xtrons uk was if i buy a unit that comes with the quadlock wiring harness will i have to make some wiring alterations to get it working with my car .
ive sent them a pic of the top of my concert headunit showing the wiring diagram of the quadlock . and looking at the wiring diagram on their product page it seems to match .
but the reply i got was just a copy and paste about non-bose system owners with the audio port should seek professional assistance to make the rear speakers work.
Not sure how to go forward with this now. anyone got any advice please .

cheers
eddom1971

It looks like you spoke with a wrong person. I've got the same system like you and I asked the same question yesterday and they sent me this link: http://bbs.xtrons.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=61&p=61&hilit=bose#p61

I read at xda-developers forum that these 4GB Android 8 units work really well and fast. People who bought them enjoy so far. I'm going to get one too.

 

[maxpayne]

Quick one: I have Concert II single DIN with what appears to be mini ISO connection. If going for the XTrons unit, would I need an additional adapter?

 

[eddom1971]

hi dp-motley
yes m8 im looking at an android 8 4gb unit myself

thanks for the link . ive seen that one before but just dismissed it as it doesn't show the Audi quad-lock connector i have in the back of my concert stereo.
does your system have connectors the same as in the link the standard iso type ?

same as this photo
if it does then its not the same as mine mate .
mine has this connector . quadlock

ive sent my question to about half a dozen sellers on ebay .
only 3 of them even replied to me 2 of them said get it installed by a specialist the other 1 said they would look into it and get back to me .
that was over a week ago so im assuming they dont know . i would install it myself if i could find the info i need to do it but there is just to much conflicting info on the internet .
****** great aren't they. they want you to part with your cash but dont have a clue how their product works in the vehicle they are selling it to you for.

any more advice greatly received

cheers

eddom1971

 

[eddom1971]

Quick one: I have Concert II single DIN with what appears to be mini ISO connection. If going for the XTrons unit, would I need an additional adapter?

Quick one: I have Concert II single DIN with what appears to be mini ISO connection. If going for the XTrons unit, would I need an additional adapter?

hi m8
according to the link dp-motley added to the post above yours you will need to make some wiring changes to get your rear speakers working if you dont have the bose system. dont know about an adaptor m8.
are you going to do the single din to double din conversion then ?

cheers

eddom1971

 

[dp_motley]

hi dp-motley
yes m8 im looking at an android 8 4gb unit myself

thanks for the link . ive seen that one before but just dismissed it as it doesn't show the Audi quad-lock connector i have in the back of my concert stereo.
does your system have connectors the same as in the link the standard iso type ?

same as this photo
if it does then its not the same as mine mate .
mine has this connector . quadlock

ive sent my question to about half a dozen sellers on ebay .
only 3 of them even replied to me 2 of them said get it installed by a specialist the other 1 said they would look into it and get back to me .
that was over a week ago so im assuming they dont know . i would install it myself if i could find the info i need to do it but there is just to much conflicting info on the internet .
****** great aren't they. they want you to part with your cash but dont have a clue how their product works in the vehicle they are selling it to you for.

any more advice greatly received

cheers

eddom1971

I've got the same quad-lock connector like you. The brown iso-type connector shown on the picture is located in the middle of the quad-lock housing, if I recall it correct.

As to who to ask for support, you shouldn't ask ebay sellers. They are just sellers and I don't believe they are qualified to answering your technical questions. I asked Xtrons' support, not an ebay seller.

 

[dp_motley]

Quick one: I have Concert II single DIN with what appears to be mini ISO connection. If going for the XTrons unit, would I need an additional adapter?

I'd address this question to Xtrons' support, but according to my experience with an older 5.1.1 version, there were two different adapters in the package. Perhaps one of them would fit your set up.

 

[leonwilliams]

hi guys
i was about to bite the bullet and invest in 1 of these units but the info im reading on this and other forums is so confusing.
i dont have a bose system in my car . just an audi half amped system with sub in the boot concert 2din headunit 58 plate s-line.
wiring loom is quadlock connector . on the xtrons website it mentions a non bose system with an audio port connector . mine doesn't have an audio port just quadlock and dual fakra Ariel connections. im assuming the audio port connector is just a part of the standard multi iso connections some older cars had before quadlocks where introduced ?????.
so one of my questions to xtrons uk was if i buy a unit that comes with the quadlock wiring harness will i have to make some wiring alterations to get it working with my car .
ive sent them a pic of the top of my concert headunit showing the wiring diagram of the quadlock . and looking at the wiring diagram on their product page it seems to match .
but the reply i got was just a copy and paste about non-bose system owners with the audio port should seek professional assistance to make the rear speakers work.
Not sure how to go forward with this now. anyone got any advice please .

cheers
eddom1971

Hi I don't have pics to show sorry but my sport back with amp in boot worked fine.the unit came with extra quadlock mines is pumpkin but there nearly all the same .if that helps get it .Halfords sell the quadlock .

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[eddom1971]

ok guys .
so i took a chance and ordered the xtrons 8 core android 8 rnse look alike .
should be here this week .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTRONS-A...104654&hash=item3f92f797cf:g:OiwAAOSwkvdacYXT
hoping it works out of the box with no rewiring or faffing about but willing to do it if needs be .
there maybe a bucket load of questions heading the forums way..
wish me luck.

cheers

eddom1971

 

[TheTomCutler]

Fingers crossed!

 

[dp_motley]

ok guys .
so i took a chance and ordered the xtrons 8 core android 8 rnse look alike .
should be here this week .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTRONS-A...104654&hash=item3f92f797cf:g:OiwAAOSwkvdacYXT
hoping it works out of the box with no rewiring or faffing about but willing to do it if needs be .
there maybe a bucket load of questions heading the forums way..
wish me luck.

cheers

eddom1971

Good luck!
I'm the next one. Xtrons offered me a 60% refund on an older version of the HU that I returned to them for reparation. I'll buy the Android 8 unit as soon as I receive the money.

 

[dp_motley]

Update on my last post: I ordered the Android 8 Xtrons HU today

 

[maxpayne]

What are folks using for connectivity with these units? For example when using navigation or google maps?

 

[TheTomCutler]

I have most of south London where I live saved into Google maps and I use sygic maps when I'm away and have no phone signal. To get traffic updates I set up a hotspot on my phone when I get in the car(if you've got an Android then you should be able to set it up to do this automatically) or if I'm lucky enough to get a parking spot outside my house I can jump on the house WiFi and get the journey downloaded whilst it's warming up. The hotspot is the usual thing though and it doesn't use up much data.


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[maxpayne]

I have most of south London where I live saved into Google maps and I use sygic maps when I'm away and have no phone signal. To get traffic updates I set up a hotspot on my phone when I get in the car(if you've got an Android then you should be able to set it up to do this automatically) or if I'm lucky enough to get a parking spot outside my house I can jump on the house WiFi and get the journey downloaded whilst it's warming up. The hotspot is the usual thing though and it doesn't use up much data.


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Hmm... I have an iPhone and don’t think Apple would do an automatic hotspot anytime soon. This means I have to turn on the hotspot manually which will be rather annoying.

Shame that iOS supports hotspots over Bluetooth and USB too but in all cases the hotspot feature needs turning on first.

How about 4G dongles? Has anyone used one and if so how was the reliability?

 

[TheTomCutler]

I have to turn on the hotspot manually which will be rather annoying

Unfortunately so, and it is very annoying. This will be my first and last iPhone for this and a handful of similar annoyances.

I tried talking Vodafone into giving me a dongle that shared the data on my phone plan but they said they didn't offer it any more. It works out pretty expensive just to have data full time in the car so I opted for just doing the hotspot thing for now.

 

[dp_motley]

I used hotspot. Turned it on and off every time I needed despite I've got an Android phone. For some reason Tasker didn't work for me. I agree, it's a little annoying but not the end of the world I'll try to automate it with the new head unit when it arrives.

 

[sumo]

What are people using for radio apps? The normal areil is poor signal and the Dab signal is bad too. Have tryed a few apps over the phone but not found one I like.
What are you guys using?

 

[eddom1971]

Ok guys so my new toy arrived yesterday . xtrons octo core 4gb/32gb/ android 8 oreo.
Got a spare couple of hours today so thought i would give it a go.
After looking at the harnesses that came with it i realised it wasnt going to be as hard as i first thought.
Ive got the quadlock connection to my concert radio so it was pretty straight forward.
My car has the non bose half amped system with the sub in the boot (58 plate s/line sportback)
The picture below shows the cables connected to the back of the unit.

The canbus box was already connected to the quadlock harness so i just plugged that into the back .
I then plugged the other leads into the back of the unit.
I haven't got a reverse camera yet so i left that 1 out.
I started with cable no.3 on the diagram below (Amp Con)and connected that to cable no.17
and then the rca cables no.4 to no.22 no.5 to no.23 6to20 7to21 8to35 9to34.
I then plugged in the gps and the fackra aerial cable. The fackra connector is a pain because the cable runs horizontally across the back of the unit
So best to run it across the top of the the other cables so it makes it easier to shove the cables down the back of the unit when pushing it into the dash.
Then i connected the quadlock to the cars quadlock.
I put the unit loosely into the dash and put the key in the ignition and turned it to position 1 .
Unit booted up in about 20 secs.
Radio tunes in all the local fm and am stations ok but sound was lacking . Loudness needs turning on in amplifier screen .
All speakers and sub working fine. relief . I plugged in my usb stick full of banging trance tunes and picked a tune .
WOW .Sounds amazing. I played around with the amplifier presets and picked rock . Sounded the best of all of them.
Thats as far as i got in the couple of hours playtime i had today.
Tomorrow if i get time i shall have a good play .

cheers

eddom1971

 

[eddom1971]

Forgot to add .
Tried the unit with the engine running and headlights and heated screen and heater running .
No signs of interference at all.
One other thing.
When i put the headlights on and dim the cluster lighting the headunit lights dont change they stay on full brightness.
It might have something to do with the illumination cable on the back of the unit but i will have to look into that 1.
And i haven't sussed out how to turn the screen off so its not distracting at night.
There is a little box with a cross in it at the top of the screen that if i touch it turns the brightness down a bit but its still quite bright.

cheers

eddom1971

 

[dp_motley]

Glad it worked for you mate! I'm looking forward to receiving the same unit next week and I hope it would work out of the box too as I have the same sound system like yours.
On the sound quality, I don't know if the manufacturer changed anything in this department, but the older units didn't have enough bass, so many, myself included, installed Poweramp app which is a great improvement over the stock music player. And the ability to create play lists as well as assign different EQ profiles to different artists and even songs worth the app price.
On the dimming the display when you turn on the headlights, you can adjust it in settings. Also, I use Car Launcher Pro app that, among other features and great user interface, allows you to turn on the screensaver with a simple tap on the corner of the screen, so you see the dark screen with a clock only (you choose colors). It worth trying.

 

[ab1702]

Forgot to add .
Tried the unit with the engine running and headlights and heated screen and heater running .
No signs of interference at all.
One other thing.
When i put the headlights on and dim the cluster lighting the headunit lights dont change they stay on full brightness.
It might have something to do with the illumination cable on the back of the unit but i will have to look into that 1.
And i haven't sussed out how to turn the screen off so its not distracting at night.
There is a little box with a cross in it at the top of the screen that if i touch it turns the brightness down a bit but its still quite bright.

cheers

eddom1971

If you got to factory settings and the code you need is 126 then you can change settings for dimming etc and also for default volume settings etc.
To turn the screen off you hold that little box with a X in it for a second or two and the screen will go off.
What is your fm signal like? I’ve got a octo core android 6 unit but there’s something wrong with it so I’m sending it back and getting a refund. Mine doesn’t have the fakra connector for radio mine has a din adaptor with a seperate power cable that has to be connected so I just wondered how it worked without the power cable and only using the fakra connection?

 

[samuelh_888]

@dp_motley, @eddom1971 - I’m awaiting your feedback (and images) before I commit...