Project Mk5 GTI Android head unit WIP

[chanjmc]

I've got an 8 inch version also.
Had trouble with rooting it so had to factory reset it to get it functional again.
Haven't had a chance to play with much more than installing a few different nav apps and streaming media from my home nas. But the interface is very smooth and responsive, much more than the old winCE unit it replaced.
Steering wheel controls work very well with no input lag.
Impressed so far.

I think I had the same problem with getting root to work. I figured it out in the end. It turned it the problem was that I wasn't letting superuser run and install binaries before I went ahead with the root process. Once I ran superuser once before initiating the root process, everything worked smoothly.

[kamold]

Yeah I reckon that's what the issue was also, just haven't had a chance to go at it again. Have a newborn and work happening around the house so it got put on the backburner (the nav unit, not the newborn...)

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[dportaz]

Yeah I reckon that's what the issue was also, just haven't had a chance to go at it again. Have a newborn and work happening around the house so it got put on the backburner (the nav unit, not the newborn...)

Update:

Bought an 8 inch unit off an alibaba supplier, and everything works perfectly, except that they accidentally sent me the wrong canbus decoder. So as a temporary fix my mate helped me wire up a constant 12V and a ACC line to the unit and it powers on and off with key turn fine. Have rooted and configured unit to my liking by following xda forum instructions. Can post photos of the unit if people want to see.

What would be the benefit of rooting the device..? Chanjmc, pics would be great and a link to the unit you bought also...

Going to consider this in a couple months I think...

[chanjmc]

What would be the benefit of rooting the device..? Chanjmc, pics would be great and a link to the unit you bought also...

Going to consider this in a couple months I think...

I'll get some pictures tomorrow after work maybe? Benefits of rooting: Top 10 Benefits of Having an Android Rooted Device
You don't really lose any functionality per se on the headunit, but I've always rooted my android devices (been using android since the Nexus One). If you're into that kind of thing, with root access on your headunit, you are able to mount the external SD card as the "internal sd" to allow you to run your maps, songs etc off the larger external SD.

My 2 cents is that this unit is definitely worth the investment, you can muck around with it as much or as little as you want, out of box functionality is pretty smooth and complete imo. You'll need to be careful which supplier you get your unit from as some do not supply Nav and maps out of box (others do preload and provide map on microSD card)

[dportaz]

I'll get some pictures tomorrow after work maybe? Benefits of rooting: Top 10 Benefits of Having an Android Rooted Device
You don't really lose any functionality per se on the headunit, but I've always rooted my android devices (been using android since the Nexus One). If you're into that kind of thing, with root access on your headunit, you are able to mount the external SD card as the "internal sd" to allow you to run your maps, songs etc off the larger external SD.

My 2 cents is that this unit is definitely worth the investment, you can muck around with it as much or as little as you want, out of box functionality is pretty smooth and complete imo. You'll need to be careful which supplier you get your unit from as some do not supply Nav and maps out of box (others do preload and provide map on microSD card)

Yeh thats what I thought... I used to root my androids, but that was mainly to get new roms on it, but since ive gone to the new nexus, no need as pure android is sooo good...

What is the inbuilt microphone like on the units..?? That is one thing I am hoping is better than my unit coz I sometimes get complaints that mine is pretty rat*****...

[kamold]

Yeah the inbuilt Mic is always a problem. Dunno why the don't put a 3.5mm Jack on the back of these so you can use your own external mic if you want. And they are always mount them on the left of the unit for those that drive from the wrong side of the car.
The upsides greatly out way the downs though. Interface is fast and fluid. Access to the play store for apps. Nav software is much better than vw. Sound quality is good.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[richmurphy]

Update:

Bought an 8 inch unit off an alibaba supplier

Do you have a link to that unit?

[chanjmc]

Alibaba link

Been busy so haven't gotten photos of unit in action yet... but here's a picture of the unit after I set it up before installing into car.



Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[nickymb]

After seeing your youtube video review of the head unit I am considering purchasing one for my golf mk5 2006. Looks like a great product all round. I would be purchasing this from the same guy you got yours on ebay. Did you need to use a canbus adapter to connect this? Unlike yours, my golf doesn't have any buttons on the steering wheel. The seller told me this can be provided at an additional cost but i'm not sure if i need this. I have a 2006 Golf mk5 1.4 Petrol. I was told this would be necessary to prevent battery drain. Any updates and taughts on the unit after having it for a while? Just waiting for some feedback from you before i go ahead and buy it ! thanks

[chanjmc]

I might be wrong, but you'll probably need a canbus decoder/adapter that suits the golf to enable reverse camera, allow unit to stay on after key turn off? At least i'm hoping that's what my canbus decoder will do once it arrives... supplier sent me the wrong one first time around and i had ghetto modded a harness to enable power and acc so i could start using the unit.