Hi

 

My Bolero HU has decided to start cutting out and its getting annoying. So, I would like to replace it with a decent HU that has Android Auto while still showing climate control info etc. I have a MFSW to put into the car so i would like it to be compatible with the controls on it as well. I want to avoid the chinese android unit because i know they are not without their quirks. A branded device under 400 quid would be great. I stream music from google play music and want hands free of course.

 

I currently have a Fiscon plus bluetooth module for hands free, its just a shame the Bolero does not show track names when they are playing. Thats a must!

 

So on that light shopping list, can anyone make any recommendations?

 

Alternatively, are any of the more expensive OEM units worth putting in and what benefit would one of them be? I just hate the idea of laying out a fairly decent sum just to end up feeling like i haven't got what i'm looking for!

I've not seen any inexpensive quality solutions to add android auto the a FL MK2 Octavia.

 

- The only OEM units that support android auto will be expensive and you'll also have to bypass component protection (even more cost) as they aren't designed for a FL MK2 Octavia.

- Most Chinese units don't seem to have android auto yet so that probably won't help.

- The only other option I've seen is the Kenwood DNX516DABS, supports Android Auto/MFSW/parking sensors/climate control/bluetooth but isn't cheap.

 

I know it hasn't really given you an answer but you might be asking too much for £400. If you do come up with any other options, let me know as I also want android auto...

Rather depressingly I think you have confirmed my own research. The options are either Chinese android based units (may be ample, but I'd rather a few extra quid for more than ample!) a reasonable non-android auto unit, or spend ££££££ - on a car radio? I think not.

 

I think option 2 is the most likely. So, do i buy OEM (second hand) or is there a decent aftermarket unit about that shows climate control etc?

Get the new Kenwood DMX7017DABS! It has Android Auto, DAB and everything else you could think of!

It's around £400 and you can integrate it with a Can-BUS kit from Connects2.

I have pre-FL so I can't say which, but I think I will buy one soon to replace my immortal Stream.

That's a good shout! That'll do nicely

I think you'll lose out on parking sensors and climate display. You'll also need a facia adaptor as it's double din rather than Bolero or Columbus shaped

Yes fascia. The parking sensors display and other car data should be taken care of by the Connects2 CAN bus adapter.

A connection adapter from Quadlock to ISO is needed anyway but the ones with CAN bus boxes are more expensive. 

 

Not ideal but I'm going to add some info from @rumburake other thead.

 

15 hours ago, rumburake said:

I found these 2 adapters:

 - http://www.connects2.co.uk/Product/ProductItem/CTUSK01 - £160 by itself (add fascia and antenna to get to £200)

 - http://www.connects2.co.uk/Product/ProductItem/CTKSK02 - £60 (including antenna and fascia)

 

You see, both have the CAN bus interfaces, but does the more expensive one give the rear parking sensor data that the other can't?

 

 

The cheaper CTKSK02/CTKSK03 (depending on car age) looks to provide:

- switched power feed

- factory MFSW support

 

The more expensive CTUSK01 looks to provide:

- switched power feed

- factory MFSW support

- parking sensor/climate support

 

The way they've added parking sensor/climate support is interesting though.

 

It looks to use the reverse camera input to show the information rather than letting the headunit do it. Just as a warning, this means that when this is displayed it may not match the UI style of the headunit and may also cause the headunit to mute/lower the volume.

 

I would of course suggest you contact connects2/kenwood to make sure they are compatible.

Summarising a proper installation would cost £600.

The price of the CTUSK01 connector put me off a bit especially as the car is 10 years old.

I mean £160 for a chip. Meh.

 

Doesn't half stack up the costs. 

 

And its starting to become hassle! I think it could be a second hand columbus for me...

Edited 26 April, 20179 yr by cs.rogers

It depends if inbuilt satnav is a requirement.

 

If it isn't, you could try one of the RCD 330/330+/330G headunits. From what I've seen some are Skoda branded, have inbuilt bluetooth, integrate with the car and also have Apple Carplay. They are £100-£150 for new ones from ebay/aliexpress and don't have component protection. I haven't had any first hand experience with them but it's an option, it'll need a Columbus shaped facia. Should be a little more modern than the Bolero.

 

Also, have you considered just replacing the Bolero as that's the cheapest option given you already have a BT module.

Yea considered that, but i want DAB and satnav would be a nice to have. I plan on driving this car for another few years yet and so would like to throw a few toys in. I also have a MFSW to throw on so the Bolero going faulty is providing the opportunity to add couple of features to the car. Unfortunately maxidot clusters for the petrol vrs are hard to get otherwise i'd be putting one in too.

 

To be quite honest the only requirement for Android Auto is to have google play music on the display lol

OK I bite. Instead of the Kenwood I got Witson B5703 - the latest and greatest Chinese HU: http://www.witson.com/en/displayproduct.html?proID=102525574

I ordered it for £305 from IceBoxAuto but to my surprise, I had to pay £16.50 extra for delivery, and really pay by PayPal to the Chinese factory directly and I have no idea when I'm getting it!

Most likely shipped from HongKong.

 

I chose it over the Kenwood because of the lower total fitting price and better integration: it keeps the original Skoda look, and it replaces the Stream without fascia or extra adapters.

But it doesn't have DAB integrated or Android Auto.

It has MirrorLink though which I think it's the same base technology but less restrictive. And it has a full Android 6.0.1 OS so you might skip the phone mirroring altogether!

Also it has better media connectivity: 2xUSB, 1xCard, 1xDVD instead of just Google Play Music.

 

I might buy later some optionals, DAB, dash/rear camera, microphone etc

 

You also might get to pay VAT and import duty when it arrives. That's be a nice surprise.

13 minutes ago, Rustynuts said:

You also might get to pay VAT and import duty when it arrives. That's be a nice surprise.

 

Nope. Worst case I would refuse to pay any taxes and then ask for a refund.

The seller is still a UK based company. Not exactly customer delight but according to other posts it's not that bad.

 

Let me know how you get on with that.