[helio_neves]

Hi,

I have been following this topic and have installed the unit I have purchased from Ray this week.
Has an android mobile user opposef of the majority here (Iphone users) I beleive my experinence can bring some added value to others:

1) Installation took aprox 3 Hours, I had already whatched all the videos posted in page 3 of this topic, they cover all the situations and it was not a bad experience you just need a little patiente.

2) Unit is a great improvement over the OEM one and the finish aspect looks smart on the dash of your car.

3) I bought the unit mainly for navigation purposes and YouTube audio/video access, as well as android auto integration.

4) with a third party application i was able to setup Android Auto wirelessly with my samsung phone it works like a charm, connecting the bluetooth to the car and the wifi hotspot to the unit, android auto works perfectly, calls are routed via the oem bluetooth using the oem mic and speakers , but all notifications still appear in android auto.

5) The bad:

A) The unit only works with your car ignition on, meaning if you are parked and want to see some youtube videos or listen to music you need to turn on igniton, the OEM system does not need it.

B) The audio buzzing, already discussed in here an yes it's annoying but not a deal breaker.

C) Google maps navigation instructions, for some reason this is the only app where the external speaker is used, i wish i could use the car speakers. Seems the audio is first routed from car speakers to the external one because i always ear a bip through the car speakers in the beginning of the instructions but then it switches to external speaker. Maybe someone already found a way around this?

D) Fingerprints: with the screen off there is a lot visible, but once on no issues.


Overhall I'm a happy customer, I would buy it again even knowing the 4 issues above that for me are the most annoying ones, for issue c) alternative is yo use google maps in Android auto but visually is not exactly the same.

Regards,
Helio

 

[W84IT]

I will ask the engineers if there's a way to power the unit on without the ignition. It may be something that can be done to the wiring harness to allow power to the unit without the ignition on but I'm not sure if that's a smart thing to do because the Range Rover battery drains very fast.

The fix for the AUX audio buzzing is to just pair the Android unit to the Range Rover Bluetooth for audio...I think this might also solve the Google Maps voice prompt...

You can purchase screen protectors on Amazon that are finger print resistant.

 

[oodathort]

Has anyone figured out how to make the google map bigger for navigation, I know you can zoom in but then it seems to lose track of your position until you go back to origional size, I want to get away from having to put my glasses on to read the map icons ect

 

[SUGO9001]

Hi to all,

Somebody has try to change background image/theme ?
Somebody has try to install a different launcher? i'm trying with Nova, but system don't save my personalizations and dont' set it as default launcher

 

[SUGO9001]

Here in italy a user do this:

 

[W84IT]

Has anyone figured out how to make the google map bigger for navigation, I know you can zoom in but then it seems to lose track of your position until you go back to origional size, I want to get away from having to put my glasses on to read the map icons ect

Google maps are a lot better from CarPlay or Android Auto...most use this option instead of using the navigation apps on the Android unit itself.

 

[W84IT]

Here in italy a user do this: View attachment 291343

This thread is focused on units from Android Aftershock/Merryway. All Android units are not the same. The operating system may be the same but the manufacturers engineering and system files can be totally different.

 

[giulianoseguro]

How many of you guys use the 4G SIM card, and not a WiFi hotspot from your phone or external unit? My phone doesn’t provide hotspot access, unless I change my plan, and I’m trying to think through the use cases for this unit before I buy.

1. Without data going to the Android unit, through a SIM or hotspot, I’d basically only gain CarPlay? Is that right? The Android unit’s GPS wouldn’t get maps while I was driving, the apps wouldn’t work, etc. Don’t get me wrong, AirPlay functionality and the largest screen are likely reason enough to buy, but I want to be clear on expectations.
2. If anyone in the U.S. has gotten a separate SIM for the Android unit, what are you using? Which plan? How often do you use the data, and what kind of data usage do you get?
3. If anyone is only using the CarPlay, so no data going to the head unit, how does the calling situation work?
   1. If you don’t link the phone to the car via Bluetooth, and only do it to the Android unit, will it answer incoming calls? Steering wheel controls? What if you’re toggled to the “factory” screens and receive a call or want to make one? Any complications?

I’ve got some other questions, and I know that Ray is happy to help, but there’s a lot of info out there and stuff like this may stop others from asking the same questions in the future. I get that others are trying to steal Ray’s work, so it’s unfair to put everything into a document that they can steal, so I’m trying to go about this methodically without bothering him unless necessary for proprietary info. I don’t think any vendor is gaining anything with the above info. Thanks.

Seth

I'm in the same boat as Seth. Want to pull the trigger on this one from Ray asap but it would be good to have an understanding of these points as well, especially data related

 

[W84IT]

Anyone with questions or concerns can just contact me and I will be happy to assist you. If you are outside the USA then you can use WhatsApp to contact me.

 

[giulianoseguro]

Anyone with questions or concerns can just contact me and I will be happy to assist you. If you are outside the USA then you can use WhatsApp to contact me.

thank you Ray! Just placed my order 😁

 

[easyski]

I have read every single post in this thread. I just wanted to clarify regarding using this with an android phone.

It seems that even with the add on dongle, the only way to use android auto on the system is to physically plug my android phone into the dongle (no option for a wireless connection). Otherwise I would just use apps from the app store such as waze and spotify etc and use it like a regular android tablet that is now installed in my car?

Also, if I were not to install a data sim, will the tablet connect to the car via bluetooth then to my phone as a wireless hotspot? How does it handle phone calls on my phone? Can the vehicle connect to 2 bluetooth devices at the same time so I do not lose that functionality?

Thanks.

 

[giulianoseguro]

I have read every single post in this thread. I just wanted to clarify regarding using this with an android phone.

It seems that even with the add on dongle, the only way to use android auto on the system is to physically plug my android phone into the dongle (no option for a wireless connection). Otherwise I would just use apps from the app store such as waze and spotify etc and use it like a regular android tablet that is now installed in my car?

Also, if I were not to install a data sim, will the tablet connect to the car via bluetooth then to my phone as a wireless hotspot? How does it handle phone calls on my phone? Can the vehicle connect to 2 bluetooth devices at the same time so I do not lose that functionality?

Thanks.

Even though the dongle itself doesn't work with android auto wirelessly, there is a way to make it work wireless through a third party app called HeadUnit Reloaded (thanks to helio_neves) for the recommendation. My unit arrives tomorrow so I haven't tried it out yet but it does seem to work. You can find a few videos online if you search it on Youtube. I can post it back here once I have mine up and running.

 

[moonstone]

Hi all,

First of all, let me make it clear that I did not buy this unit from Ray / Android Aftershock.

I'm in the UK an bought it locally to avoid customs charges etc. I have a fair bit of experience with these types of Android units but not with this version. In the past with a BMW version I plugged the unit into a 12v power supply and set it all up at my desk before installing it into my car.

I'm trying to do the same with this by connecting my power supply to the yellow and black cables on the power connector. I can hear the unit switch on with a quiet client and then a very quiet fan spooling up but the screen remains black. Is there anything else that I need to do to get this working on the bench, like install the OEM boards from the car into it, or have I got a faulty unit?

Appreciate any help or advice.

 

[oodathort]

I think you need the OEM boards to get it to power up

 

[moonstone]

I think you need the OEM boards to get it to power up

If you don't know for certain can you explain your reasoning as to why you think this is the case? Not that I mean to challenge your answer, it's just some context would be helpful and any additional info would be good whilst I'm trying to get a definitive. My car is currently in JLR having a couple of faults sorted and it would be good to have a play around with my new unit and get it set up whilst it's away.

 

[Seth Horwitz]

How long does it take for the unit to be loaded from the time you start the car? (Let’s say I start the car and need the back up camera right away, because the car is fully loaded. How long will I have to wait?) Does the unit restart at the same screen that the car was shut down from? I haven’t seen any start up videos.

Speaking of the cameras, I don’t see in the videos anywhere where the camera is loaded (from the car being placed in reverse) directly from the “android view.” Every time it seems to be in factory mode, so I don’t understand the function if I’m using CarPlay and put the car in reverse. Does it go to factory mode with the camera, does the camera show up in the Android mode, or does my CarPlay stay unchanged unless I manually go back to the factory mode to see the camera?

Is there any video of any navigation program running via CarPlay? Does it take up the whole screen? Is it touchscreen?

How do the steering wheel buttons work? (Phone, Voice, Volume, and Previous/Next)

What is the recommended Bluetooth set up? Do you pair the phone to the car, or to the Bluetooth unit?

Thank you for any info, from anyone. Honestly, it’s not even the money. I just don’t want to do the whole install and be unhappy, after hacking apart the chrome surround making reversal that much more of a headache.

 

[moonstone]

How long does it take for the unit to be loaded from the time you start the car? (Let’s say I start the car and need the back up camera right away, because the car is fully loaded. How long will I have to wait?) Does the unit restart at the same screen that the car was shut down from? I haven’t seen any start up videos.

Speaking of the cameras, I don’t see in the videos anywhere where the camera is loaded (from the car being placed in reverse) directly from the “android view.” Every time it seems to be in factory mode, so I don’t understand the function if I’m using CarPlay and put the car in reverse. Does it go to factory mode with the camera, does the camera show up in the Android mode, or does my CarPlay stay unchanged unless I manually go back to the factory mode to see the camera?

Is there any video of any navigation program running via CarPlay? Does it take up the whole screen? Is it touchscreen?

How do the steering wheel buttons work? (Phone, Voice, Volume, and Previous/Next)

What is the recommended Bluetooth set up? Do you pair the phone to the car, or to the Bluetooth unit?

Thank you for any info, from anyone. Honestly, it’s not even the money. I just don’t want to do the whole install and be unhappy, after hacking apart the chrome surround making reversal that much more of a headache.

If it's the same as other Merryway units I've had in other cars then the answers are as following:
1. About 20-30 seconds unless this generation is faster than previous versions across the board.
2. Regardless of whether the unit is still booting up or not, when you engage your back-up camera by putting the car in reverse it activates a hardware relay which then switches to your OEM camera so boot-up sequence does not affect the operation or availability of your camera display.
3. I've answered this above. Regardless of what is displayed on your screen, when you engage reverse, your factory camera is displayed and then it reverts back to whatever you were doing before.
4. Carplay navigation is in full screen but only the factory navigation system will display information on your HUD or your instrument cluster. Any of the other non-OEM navigation options will show on the screen only.
5. Once you're in Carplay everything is then down to your phone. it works exactly the same as all other Carplay units in terms of the interface. It's full screen and it's touchscreen.
6. Can't answer that on this particular unit but some will work as the do normally for volume, back, track skip etc.
7. Normally you need to pair the phone to the unit as if you pair to the OEM unit then you're basically by-passing the new unit. Wireless Carplay usually works with a bluetooth handshake between phone and Carplay unit to then set up a wifi connection.

All of my experience has been on programming and setting up the BMW version so I cannot 100% state that the above is absolutely accurate but my experience is that all of the Merryway units operate the same way but with difference Android launchers to suit each car so the behaviours described above should be the same whether it's a BMW, Mercedes or Audi unit.

Also. I suggest you watch Ray's videos on youtube as these pretty much answer most of your questions. The links are on the Android Aftershock website.

 

[Seth Horwitz]

If it's the same as other Merryway units I've had in other cars then the answers are as following:
1. About 20-30 seconds unless this generation is faster than previous versions across the board.
2. Regardless of whether the unit is still booting up or not, when you engage your back-up camera by putting the car in reverse it activates a hardware relay which then switches to your OEM camera so boot-up sequence does not affect the operation or availability of your camera display.
3. I've answered this above. Regardless of what is displayed on your screen, when you engage reverse, your factory camera is displayed and then it reverts back to whatever you were doing before.
4. Carplay navigation is in full screen but only the factory navigation system will display information on your HUD or your instrument cluster. Any of the other non-OEM navigation options will show on the screen only.
5. Once you're in Carplay everything is then down to your phone. it works exactly the same as all other Carplay units in terms of the interface. It's full screen and it's touchscreen.
6. Can't answer that on this particular unit but some will work as the do normally for volume, back, track skip etc.
7. Normally you need to pair the phone to the unit as if you pair to the OEM unit then you're basically by-passing the new unit. Wireless Carplay usually works with a bluetooth handshake between phone and Carplay unit to then set up a wifi connection.

All of my experience has been on programming and setting up the BMW version so I cannot 100% state that the above is absolutely accurate but my experience is that all of the Merryway units operate the same way but with difference Android launchers to suit each car so the behaviours described above should be the same whether it's a BMW, Mercedes or Audi unit.

Also. I suggest you watch Ray's videos on youtube as these pretty much answer most of your questions. The links are on the Android Aftershock website.

I’ve watched Ray’s videos, but without any narration is kind of hard to keep up with what’s supposed to be happening. This is all good info. Thanks.

 

[W84IT]

I have read every single post in this thread. I just wanted to clarify regarding using this with an android phone.

It seems that even with the add on dongle, the only way to use android auto on the system is to physically plug my android phone into the dongle (no option for a wireless connection). Otherwise I would just use apps from the app store such as waze and spotify etc and use it like a regular android tablet that is now installed in my car?

Also, if I were not to install a data sim, will the tablet connect to the car via bluetooth then to my phone as a wireless hotspot? How does it handle phone calls on my phone? Can the vehicle connect to 2 bluetooth devices at the same time so I do not lose that functionality?

Thanks.

The L405 thread has a lot of information as well...

10.25" Android Screen for Range Rover L405 2013-2016

Hey guys, I've worked out a deal with the company that makes these units so that I can offer them for sale here in the US. I will be keeping inventory stocked with the most popular units. Check out my new website... www.androidaftershock.com

www.rangerovers.net

 

[W84IT]

I’ve watched Ray’s videos, but without any narration is kind of hard to keep up with what’s supposed to be happening. This is all good info. Thanks.

Please call me and I will be happy to assist you. Obviously a lot of people are taking advantage of my YouTube videos and the threads that I've posted but seem to be purchasing the units from other retailers just to save a little money. However, those retailers don't seem to be very helpful when the customers have questions or issues with the unit.