M3 with Nav or no Nav

[mtpktz]

I really want to try to develop a fully plug and play (using the rotary controls), no Video Module (TV Tuner) required solution for CarPlay, but mannnnn, I just don't think there are enough Nav cars left to justify the development required .

Baris' solution is nice, but there's so much extra stuff required (either the iDrive controller or swapping the BMBT screen).

-Ted

I think there are many people with dead pixeled original nav cars that would love a plug and play solution, especially from somebody with your reputation who is active in the community.

I’ve also read multiple instances of people being fed up with their Avin Avant. I’ll volunteer to be a Guinea Pig if/when you decide to develop something t3ddftw

[Jimbo's M]

https://geographiamaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/product-image-rand-mcnally-road-atlas-easyfinder-2023.png

[Slideways]

I really want to try to develop a fully plug and play (using the rotary controls), no Video Module (TV Tuner) required solution for CarPlay, but mannnnn, I just don't think there are enough Nav cars left to justify the development required .

Baris' solution is nice, but there's so much extra stuff required (either the iDrive controller or swapping the BMBT screen).

-Ted

Is the Avin hardware the issue or the software they are using?

[Obioban]

I really want to try to develop a fully plug and play (using the rotary controls), no Video Module (TV Tuner) required solution for CarPlay, but mannnnn, I just don't think there are enough Nav cars left to justify the development required .

Baris' solution is nice, but there's so much extra stuff required (either the iDrive controller or swapping the BMBT screen).

-Ted

I really want you to develop that, too 🤣

[Will]

I really want to try to develop a fully plug and play (using the rotary controls), no Video Module (TV Tuner) required solution for CarPlay, but mannnnn, I just don't think there are enough Nav cars left to justify the development required .

Baris' solution is nice, but there's so much extra stuff required (either the iDrive controller or swapping the BMBT screen).

-Ted

I'd convert both my cars to Nav for this. I'd love the CarPlay and a backup camera.

[t3ddftw]

Is the Avin hardware the issue or the software they are using?

Really, it's just the fact that it's not factory. The software is buggy and their support is... meh.

I'd convert both my cars to Nav for this. I'd love the CarPlay and a backup camera.

I think if I did this, it would make sense to to allow standalone use. I.E. you pop in the factory monitor up front, but if your Navi is dead, or the radio is dead, you can just run this module standalone for those features (although perhaps I wouldn't implement AM/FM and instead make it Bluetooth / AUX only, just to keep the complexity down).

We will see! BlueBus sales are almost good enough to justify quitting my full time job, at which time I would have all the time in the world to implement something like this.

Thanks!
-Ted

[Slideways]

Really, it's just the fact that it's not factory. The software is buggy and their support is... meh.



I think if I did this, it would make sense to to allow standalone use. I.E. you pop in the factory monitor up front, but if your Navi is dead, or the radio is dead, you can just run this module standalone for those features (although perhaps I wouldn't implement AM/FM and instead make it Bluetooth / AUX only, just to keep the complexity down).

We will see! BlueBus sales are almost good enough to justify quitting my full time job, at which time I would have all the time in the world to implement something like this.

Thanks!
-Ted

Could you send the manufacturer of the Avin your specifications and have them build a reliable headunit? My guess is it is more complex than the Bluebus. Bluebus with a responsive wide touch screen, useful buttons and wireless Carplay/AA would be perfect. If I had an Avin, I wouldn't even use the Android part of the software or apps TBH. Maybe something like the Pioneer units that have wireless Carplay/AA and no Android software.

[Epsilon]

Why don't you start an interest list?

Really, it's just the fact that it's not factory. The software is buggy and their support is... meh.



I think if I did this, it would make sense to to allow standalone use. I.E. you pop in the factory monitor up front, but if your Navi is dead, or the radio is dead, you can just run this module standalone for those features (although perhaps I wouldn't implement AM/FM and instead make it Bluetooth / AUX only, just to keep the complexity down).

We will see! BlueBus sales are almost good enough to justify quitting my full time job, at which time I would have all the time in the world to implement something like this.

Thanks!
-Ted

[M3 Driver]

has the Avant 4 fallen from favor as an OEM look upgrade?

[dr_011]

has the Avant 4 fallen from favor as an OEM look upgrade?

nope, not in my opinion. dynavin is still to 'blocky' for my tastes and the cheaper chinese shit (eonon etc) is even worse.

[oceansize]

nope, not in my opinion. dynavin is still to 'blocky' for my tastes and the cheaper chinese shit (eonon etc) is even worse.

This is too blocky?

[maw1124]

has the Avant 4 fallen from favor as an OEM look upgrade?

It was never in favor for me. It was just cheaper than Dynavin and maybe it still is. People have since found out exactly WHY it was so much cheaper. oceansize has the most recent unit I believe. Before that, the Dynavin unit didn't even have the branding on the front (as I'm sure some will complain about that). See attached, which is the N7-Pro. Here's a secret: no one not on this Board knows it's not factory.

I would rank your options as (1) the latest Dynavin unit for OEM look + sound quality; (2) Sony if you don't care about OEM look but still value sound quality; (3) restore the pixelated screen and add bluetooth, as this is now a LOT less expensive than it used to be (though you may spend your savings adding DSP amps and subwoofer to bring this option up to par with (1) or (2) above in terms of sound quality); or (4) Avin (which you're virtually guaranteed to hate and rip out or continuously struggle with, from all I've read).

If it's only OEM look and functionality you care about but not sound quality, (EQ, sound shaping, independent subwoofer control, etc.) run the 20 year old factory stuff until it gives out.

maw

[Obioban]

This is too blocky?

To fisher price for me. Looks like the buttons are designed to be used while wearing mittens.

[Obioban]

After having my Avin flake out of me, I’m trying an xtrons unit this time. Going with the version they advertise as having “automotive grade hardware”… which you’d think would be a prerequisite on a car stereo, but they only advertise one unit as having that.

I was fairly dubious that they were actually not just identical units with different branding, but based on the backs they must have different internals.

Fronts (Identical):




Rear (unrelated, everything in different locations):



Also, the new unit has internal wireless carplay, instead of a dongle.

[T.J.]

After having my Avin flake out of me, I’m trying an xtrons unit this time. Going with the version they advertise as having “automotive grade hardware”… which you’d think would be a prerequisite on a car stereo, but they only advertise one unit as having that.

I was fairly dubious that they were actually not just identical units with different branding, but based on the backs they must have different internals.

Fronts (Identical):




Rear (unrelated, everything in different locations):



Also, the new unit has internal wireless carplay, instead of a dongle.

Xtrons was terrible on my Audi. It would frequently crash and the sound had noise I couldn’t defeat