Avin Avant 4 Headunit users?

[Mayan-Viking]

Funny that decade old Dynavin install notes are more helpful than Avin “customer service” yet people keep opting for that couple hundred dollar “saving”…🤔

As my daughter would say, “That’s all” … in her Miranda Priestly voice (The Devil Wears Prada).

maw

I didn't know there was another viable (muck less better) option available when I ordered. I went with what I thought was the best product available. If the Dynavin is the better product I'll be happy to return everything to Avin just to prove a point. Be right back, going to the google machine...

[maw1124]

It’s debatable… I’m just yanking chains.

They might be basically the same with Jeff Bechtel providing better service (in the USA).

maw

[Casa de Mesa]

Whatever the antithesis of stellar is, that's how I would describe Avin customer support.

Lol, classic!

This is a business model that escapes me: Produce a technical product, keep the decoder ring on how to use it a secret.

[jdamore44]

Also to note, I’ve gotten confirmation from a representative at Avin that they will be releasing an avant 5 this week or next week. Now the question is, should I go ahead and buy the 4, or wait for the 5?

my only concern is buying something new that may have bugs that haven’t been worked out yet, versus the avant 4 which has been tried and true.

thoughts?

Hmmm. I don't see the Avin avant 5? Doesn't seem to be out yet.

[Chanman1029]

Hmmm. I don't see the Avin avant 5? Doesn't seem to be out yet.

They didn’t call it the avant 5. Originally, the PX6 was the highest option available, when I was chatting with the rep, she was talking about the upcoming release of the option qualcomm upgrade with 4G LTE capabilities. Even more recently they have added another qualcomm upgrade with twice as much ROM and an extra 2 gigs of ram

[usdmej]

This is a business model that escapes me: Produce a technical product, keep the decoder ring on how to use it a secret.

it's THE current business model and it applies to everything from video games to makeup. you don't create instruction manuals, you invest in engaging with influencers and assist them with creating content (DIYs, reviews, forum threads) and the marketing/customer support takes care of itself

[jdamore44]

They didn’t call it the avant 5. Originally, the PX6 was the highest option available, when I was chatting with the rep, she was talking about the upcoming release of the option qualcomm upgrade with 4G LTE capabilities. Even more recently they have added another qualcomm upgrade with twice as much ROM and an extra 2 gigs of ram

Ah, thanks for clearing that up for me!

[dukeofchen]

About to pull the trigger on an AVIN with the new chipset, but have a few questions about the third party accessories they offer:

• For those who opted for the backup cam + transmitter, does it work well? And in the case of the camera itself are there better options out there or is the unit sufficient? For example this looks like it might be the exact same part for cheaper. Better video quality would be nice if there is something out there but maybe this one is good enough?

• Same question for the microphone they sell for handsfree calling. Is the audio pickup good enough if mounted in the overhead panel, or would an alternative result in better audio quality while remaining compatible with the AVIN? Call voice quality seems worth investing in if possible given we have more cabin noise than modern cars.

• Others mentioned they used a generic carplay adapter instead of overpaying for the unit they sell, are there any specific models people used that work well? Amazon is a sea of Chinese hardware so it would be nice to narrow one down that is reliable.

Edit: after a bit more digging it looks like I'll be sourcing a mic and camera solution myself. So far this Olympus mic and maybe this backup cam are in the running. The Olympus might not be a clean looking install located in front of the gauge cluster but if the directionality results in clear audio for the other end it seems like a worthy sacrifice to make.

[whoissuprme]

Following because I might be ordering an AVIN Avant 4 for myself as a Christmas present lol

[dukeofchen]

Following because I might be ordering an AVIN Avant 4 for myself as a Christmas present lol

I researched and picked out my own parts for wireless carplay and rear camera (their option looks pretty mediocre and replaces one of the license plate lights which would make it look stupid / imbalanced between L&R), just waiting on the relocation bracket to install and I'll report back on how it all worked out. Also looking at a better microphone to install in the factory location, but might just see how the in-unit mic works out before taking that on.

[whoissuprme]

I researched and picked out my own parts for wireless carplay and rear camera (their option looks pretty mediocre and replaces one of the license plate lights which would make it look stupid / imbalanced between L&R), just waiting on the relocation bracket to install and I'll report back on how it all worked out. Also looking at a better microphone to install in the factory location, but might just see how the in-unit mic works out before taking that on.

I'm most interested in the wireless carplay dongle. Theirs does look like some generic chinese janky one. I did a bit of research and came across the OTTO U2-X Pro. Just wondering if it will work with the avin unit

[Obioban]

I'm most interested in the wireless carplay dongle. Theirs does look like some generic chinese janky one. I did a bit of research and came across the OTTO U2-X Pro. Just wondering if it will work with the avin unit

The OTTO U2-X Pro looka to be a dongle to convert wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay. Not useful here.

Honestly, there’s not much room for improvement over the chineseium wireless CarPlay unit Avin sells— it works as well as any OE wireless CarPlay I’ve ever used. Avin’s wired CarPlay dongle was kind of junk, at least last time I used it, but not the wireless unit.

[whoissuprme]

The OTTO U2-X Pro looka to be a dongle to convert wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay. Not useful here.

Honestly, there’s not much room for improvement over the chineseium wireless CarPlay unit Avin sells— it works as well as any OE wireless CarPlay I’ve ever used. Avin’s wired CarPlay dongle was kind of junk, at least last time I used it, but not the wireless unit.

Good to know. Not looking to reinvent the wheel here just keeping the options open. Now the question is do I do the avin unit loaded out and do the bavsound speakers at the same time since that is also on sale. Mind you I’m coming from a non h/k regular hifi system 🤮

[Kcalhoun27]

Avin’s wired CarPlay dongle was kind of junk, at least last time I used it, but not the wireless unit.

Yes, this is still 100% true. If youre determined to suffer through this awful headunit, buy the wireless. I went wired thinking it would double as a charger and it sucks at both tasks.
example: leave phone plugged in and stop for a fill up. If you dont unplug the phone before turning the car off, upon starting the car again, carplay wont work again until you turn the car back off and completely let the avin unit power down, then start the car again and plug the phone back in. If youre curious what avin customer support has to say about it, so am i, they never responded to me

[4getr34]

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