The aftermarket Android head units usually have BT built-in. As to "my" Joying HU, it gives quite adequate voice as heard on the other side, bu BT app itself can not compare to one of factory VW/Skoda's especially in terms of usability of making a call function. "OK Google" might help though if one manages to set up it correctly - I still couldn't.

BT comes with the unit - I sold my old module for a MASSIVE price. 

"OK Google" works now (in my local language) - I now can say after "OK Google" something like "Let's go home" to have GMaps started with traffic situation and ETA (by voice) and route towards home ready. Prior to that I have to start "Google" or "Voice search" app.

 

What I still can not do with OK Google is to make HU dial a contact via BT-connected phone. Google app identifies contact's phone number correctly and pretends it's dialling, but phone set does not respond. But if I say "dial contact 123" (or "dial 123"), it invokes HU's BT app and dials exactly "123" on the phone. Have to sort this out somehow.

Another gadget to enhance HU usability - TPMS system with software for Android:

TPMS (internal)

 

Ordered it on Ali today after a confirmation from HU's forum mate that it works OK on Joying (Intel Atom x3).

Edited 22 September, 20178 yr by ste2000
Soft

Just had it installed during seasonal tyre swap, asked servicemen to pump 2,5 - looks like sensors are quite accurate:

 

Edited 1 November, 20178 yr by ste2000

I know it's been a while since I've posted and hope all are well. 

 

I'm still having problems with the radio function on my stereo. When I contacted the company they said the blue wire has to be connected to a 12v ignition feed, however this being a can bus vehical doesn't have one (according to online sources from many feeds). 

 

So wonderful people what can I now do to try and sort it out. I've tried looking online and no one seems to know. 

 

Fingers crossed someone know 

Hi All,

 

looking at replacing my Columbus but have a few questions.

 

1 - I use Spotify all the time.. do the wheel controls work for that app or is it just with the default player (back and next track etc)

2 - Do you have to setup each player for the exact model of your car (I see lots of videos for Skoda and they choose a VW setting) whats the recommended one for 2009-2011 skoda superb 2.

3 - Does the Station names work in the UK. Most youtube videos only have frequency and do not show the station name.

4 - For installation did ye disconnect the car battery or remove the panel with the airbag light on it ?

5 - What way did ye connect the columbus antenna to the android unit ? Ive seen all types of approaches in videos but most were not RNS510 so not sure what is best approach.

6 - Is there a spilt screen to show 2 apps on the screen at the same time. Id like to have google maps and spotify on the screen at the same time..

4 minutes ago, dfsuperb said:

4 - For installation did ye disconnect the car battery or remove the panel with the airbag light on it ?

 

The car battery disconnect is preferred, although not strictly necessary ... no other way to get the unit out, since there are 4 torx screws that hold it in place behind the outer cover (with the airbag light)

I ordered the Pumpkin Octacore 8" and it should be here next week.

 

One question.. Do I need to disconnect the bluetooth unit under the drivers seat  or is it OK to leave it there connected ?

I think you can leave it down there, but it would be a good idea to disable it with VCDS

55 minutes ago, dfsuperb said:

I ordered the Pumpkin Octacore 8" and it should be here next week.

 

One question.. Do I need to disconnect the bluetooth unit under the drivers seat  or is it OK to leave it there connected ?

 

Why not sell it?  They fetch crazy prices...

1 hour ago, vborovic said:

I think you can leave it down there, but it would be a good idea to disable it with VCDS

 

Is the bluetooth connected to the columbus or to the car computer ?

 

How do you disable it with VCDS ?

28 minutes ago, Noddy90 said:

 

Why not sell it?  They fetch crazy prices...

 

Im contemplating it ...

 

Will hold off for a while to see how the android unit goes.

Even if I sell the car its nearly 10 years old so no ones going to get too excited that the original isn't there.

 

@Noddy90 I know the volume and track buttons work but does the phone button on the steering wheel work too or is it programmable to do something else ?

 

On 17/02/2018 at 22:13, dfsuperb said:

 

Im contemplating it ...

 

Will hold off for a while to see how the android unit goes.

Even if I sell the car its nearly 10 years old so no ones going to get too excited that the original isn't there.

 

@Noddy90 I know the volume and track buttons work but does the phone button on the steering wheel work too or is it programmable to do something else ?

 

 

Yeah; phone button still works on steering wheel. 

@Noddy90 Put in my Android stereo on Friday and its quiet nice. Went for the Pumpkin 8" one.

 

Can you check 1 thing for me though. My battery in the Car info on the stereo seems sometimes low. 

With engine off it goes from 12.2 - 12.45 Id expected lowest of 12.6...

The battery is five years old so may need replacing.

 

What voltage is yours on the android unit when the engine is off.

I assume this information is coming from the Skoda canbus so should be fairly reliable.

 

 

I'd guess that it's time for a new battery. 5 years is pretty good for one on a Superb. 

 

Drefaldwyn 

I had my battery showing some 12.4 for the last 2 years of its 7-year life span. It even could accomodate Webasto under these conditions (dropping below 12 during Webasto cycle) and I had good start even in -26C last winter (when Webasto was broken). Battery died last summer at almost exact 7 year and was replaced by a new one. It now shows some 12.7-12.9 (we have -15C these days).

I'm still running a factory-fitted battery in my car ... on engine off, it measures ~11.87 volts, and the car still starts like clockwork (even on -10° C as it currently is over here in the mornings)

7 hours ago, dfsuperb said:

@Noddy90 Put in my Android stereo on Friday and its quiet nice. Went for the Pumpkin 8" one.

 

Can you check 1 thing for me though. My battery in the Car info on the stereo seems sometimes low. 

With engine off it goes from 12.2 - 12.45 Id expected lowest of 12.6...

The battery is five years old so may need replacing.

 

What voltage is yours on the android unit when the engine is off.

I assume this information is coming from the Skoda canbus so should be fairly reliable.

 

 

 

I've never seen that reading - where would I find that on an Android unit?

Noddy90, in Joying HU there is an apk showing the following info (CAN based, I presume):

Car Info

Edited 1 March, 20188 yr by ste2000

On 2/26/2018 at 21:26, Noddy90 said:

 

I've never seen that reading - where would I find that on an Android unit?

 

@Noddy90 here is the screen I have in the pumpkin. Its an app called Car Settings..

 

One other thing. In my unit I dont see the Air Con settings on the unit when I change something but canbus for all the other bits are fine.

 

Do you see the AC settings on the screen when you change temp or fans or something ?

 

 

I don't have a page like that (wish I did) bit I DO get a brief notification at the bottom of the window of changes to the AC...