Adieu, Android Auto: Why I replaced my Android head unit with the stock radio

My car came with a radio called an RNEG, which was a bit crap, so I replaced with another model-specific radio, called the RT6, which was much better. Then I got rid of that and installed an Android head unit.
That unit is now gone. Which begs the question: why? Why did I remove the Android head unit after only 4 months?
Lovely C5 X7-specific 3D-printable models at www.cgtrader.com/polymetric

[@baddriving3966]

So I have installed a Junsun V1 Plus 4/64Gb (very fast) - zero complaints and it cost €166 from Ali. Added DAB+, reversing camera and a 1TB flash drive. Canbus is either 11 or 58 for the C5 X7. Also bought a cheap SIM from Lebara (40GB @ €5 a month). Downloaded some great apps for Nav, Network Radio, Spotify etc. All of the steering wheel buttons work and I have AI voice commands too. Parking sensors all work - it even overlays an image of the car and shows which sensor(s) are working. What's not to love?

[@MadTazHFR]

Hello from France,, thank you for your shared experience. C5 X7 best car ever !!

[@gsmmanijak]

I was considering your path with android unit for months. Than decided to get samsung tablet with 4gb/128gb. Installed everything that I wanted. Headunit emulator for android auto, split screen with deezer and Google maps, Google driving mode, bought a game car launcher etc. I'm very pleased because I remove tablet from holder whenever I want and have all features like 600-700€ units. For holder there are few options. I bought cd slot holder(but it was not a lot of space to change gears so I've put it in vap between climate control and display( just like you did that 3d printed phone holder)) and it's great.so now have 10.5 inch lcd tablet with all features

[@EelcoRomeijn]

Haha, nice rant. Liked your detailed observations and reasoning.

[@willpine7343]

The Android had units have come a long way they even have 2000 by 1200P Android 12 etc way better than the older iterations

[@hristoivanov4021]

Hello! I am so thankful for making those videos. I even tried your 3D printed cupholder and it is almost perfect. Anyway this topic right here is bothering me now - my C5 is equipped with Harman/Becker's NaviDrive 3D (NG4) and it is alomost dead I assume. Just shows the Citroen logo and then black screen appears, a short whirring sound could be heard too. So now there is no audio, navigation (it was crappy anyway and my country is not covered), no parking assistance, etc. So I wonder is that the only solution to have a car media again since nothing helps and I am tired of this system already.

[@comcarclub]

Well, that sucks, and I can only give you my opinion on what I would do in that situation. I would get rid of the NG4, and if you didn't use it, I would recommend the RD45. The RD45 is the best non-nav radio, it has BT calls, streaming and the left stalk button becomes a voice command activation, control. BUT that also would imply changing the dashboard fascia, and I am not sure if it is compatible with your instrument cluster (I am assuming it's a colour one). I am happy with the RT6, but if you want a more advanced head unit with a touchscreen, there are the SMEGs and the MAC, though I am not sure how well installation would go.

[@hristoivanov4021]

@@comcarclub Thank you for the timely answer! Truth is this system has been buggy since I bought the car 2.5 years ago (constant and random resets) and it is driving me crazy because otherwise the C5 is not a bad car, especially for its price. Problem is I don't know if the issue is in the media itself or in some other electronic module (I heard the C5 has plenty). Also in my country and in my city (pretty small one) even Citroen dealership's staff have no idea what to do with it. All they do is oil change and trying to make a sale. So even if I get my hands on a RD45 or SMEG nobody could help me install it. While googling around I saw a couple of shops in a reasonable distance offering replacement with something similar to your device, promising that all functionality of the factory system will be kept. Your video kind of gave me the courage to try. All the best!

[@comcarclub]

@@hristoivanov4021Good luck!

[@baddriving3966]

Ditch it and get a Junsun V1 Plus 4/64 with the C5 adaptor - you won't regret it.

[@hristoivanov4021]

@@baddriving3966 Thanks for the suggestion. I will keep it in mind for next time. Now I am lucky to be using an original NG4 from a donor car. Found it on a really good price too. Probably won't have such luck next time it fails (and I know it will) so thanks again for the idea!

[@citromaz]

Had the same car and you can't compare the navi from more than 10 years ago to the modern android. tbf i just installed such a head unit in my renault a few months ago and it has it's downfalls but prefer it to the original radio till now

[@batansond2841]

Como decía el gran Charles Chaplin.. Has experimentado que la radio con suponía más inconvenientes que ventajas, y has vuelto a colocar la original del Citroën C5 X7. Para llegar a esta conclusión de primera mano, has tenido que comprar la otra y luego tener una opinión objetiva. Esta experiencia te ha hecho rectificar, y has aprendido y valorado la opción de cambiar. Claro que servirá de ayuda y orientación a los propietarios que estén valorando realizar este cambio. Un saludo y gracias por compartirlo.

[@comcarclub]

Era ideal poder experimentar antes, pero és asi la vida. Gracias y saludos

[@nietoperek671]

Can anyone tell me how the parking sensors work with some higher end android units? Are they still slow? And are they playing the sound through said speaker behind unit instead of car speakers?

[@baddriving3966]

No, very fast - the front ones still work through the car, the rear ones work through the included speaker with a different tone. If you add a reversing camera (really cheap) then you get the video from that and a car image overlaid with each of the 4 sensors showing different colors depending on how close you are to things. If you get one, get at least a 4GB model - Android will thank you

[@nocturnal1970]

Hurrah and glad you got rid of that monstrosity. As you know I was considering doing it then concluded that I would hate it with a passion then feel guilty for buying crap. I just changed the colour of my RNEG screen and burnt a few more data mp3 cdrs (remember those?). I had lots cd recordable discs left so I can get 10-12 music onto each disc, remember I have no USB socket on my RNEG but it plays data mp3 from cds, but does it on starting the car without needing input. Great video and congratulations again getting your car back.

[@user-ft2qi9rw7f]

The major answer he says itself - buy a chip one , on correct unite everything work fine, all genuine car function,/tpms, rear camera , front and rear park sensor/ all command from steering is correct, no lag ,no trouble and problem with BT, very good integration with the car + many additional benefits .

[@PeterCieply]

I got the z link model the aound quality is terrible nothing close to my previous sound. I really dont know why ...I have a ram with a harmon kardon sound system ,for the canbus info they told me chrysler jeep dodge xp04. The android paid 220$ a replacement oem unit costs about 1500$ It works well with waze. Itd a nicer display radio works good just ghe sound quality and the low memory is my main issue.

[@marcinozog8238]

I bought one of the more expensive Junsuns. those with wifi and 4g. It works properly, the buttons on the steering wheel work quickly and effectively. Parking sensors work a little slower than with the original radio, but it's not bad. I'm leaving the Android radio for now. As for Spotify, it's a problem with the Android Auto application. I have the same problem with Spotify not working in Ford Mondeo via cable and in Citroen via Bluetooth or cable.

[@comcarclub]

Do you mind if I ask if your unit exhibit outside temperature? Did you map the buttons yourself or is it a Canbus. Thanks in advance

[@marcinozog8238]

After activating the canbus, it shows the temperature. The steering wheel keys assigned themselves. I haven't checked yet whether it's possible to assign the keys yourself.

[@comcarclub]

@@marcinozog8238 thank you for the prompt reply. It's weird I couldn't activate it in mine

[@Theag393]

Its the software and hardware that is different. You get what you pay for...

[@marcinozog8238]

@@Theag393 It looks similar from the outside, but has different components and slightly different software.

[@Pro1er]

I am by no means an Android head unit expert but the reason you were not satisfied with the unit you bought is because you bought cheap, _BIG_ mistake. The fact that it didn't come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay should have been a big red flag. I didn't know they even made Android head units without AA and CP. I have two Android head units, one in my car and one in my pickup truck. I also have a very nice factory head unit in my SUV that has wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. I much prefer the Android head units to AA. I can do anything on the Android head units that I can do on my factory AA/CP unit, plus with the Android head unit I can install a ton of apps not available with either AA or CP, I can even completely change the look of the screen if I want to dozens of different layouts or even custom make my own. That factory head unit in your car looks like it's crap, I've never seen such a piss-poor way of entering an address to navigate to, you could never safely do that while driving which means that you would have to pull over somewhere - ridiculous. With AA, CP or an Android head unit you simply speak the address or POI into Waze or Google Maps. I use Waze and it notifies me of myriad of traffic information (selectable on or off) and will re-route me if there is a road incident on the current route. Also I can use voice control for many apps with Google assistance so I don't have to look at the screen. For example I can unlock my house door, turn on my exterior lights and open the garage door when I get near my home, (or from anywhere), just by using my voice. Both of my units also support an external microphone which sounds better than the built-in mics. With al of the good Android head units available today I could never live with the unit you have in your car.

[@hal752]

To go againts the grain. Your best to describe these to android phones. Low end you can expect lag etc. High end units like teyes ect run well.

[@CarlosMedina82]

Great video, well explained and lots of nice pointers. Pity about it being a bit misleading though. Should be "Adieu NOT Android Auto, but cheap Chinese knock off". Imagine "Adieu Apple" Video because I bought a Chinese knock off.

[@comcarclub]

Thanks! In my defence, I don't think it was a misleading title, as I really DID say goodbye to Android Auto and hello again to stock radio. All the best!

[@Hk7762Tube]

KZbin is a bully and holds my OG comment hostage! Now, next stage is to spend a fist full of money on 'NAC Citroen C5 X7' transformation? * wink-wink *

[@comcarclub]

That's not off the cards

[@lukek2300]

Sounds like you need that 80quid head unit😅

[@Optikification]

What do you expect driving a Citroen. My Seat came with a built in android head unit and steering wheel controls work great. Even the rear view camera works great.

[@khalidacosta7133]

Well done. This car came out in 2009. Android Auto was first released in 2016.. when this car was no longer being produced.

[@darkoz1692]

To be fair, all your complaints about the Android head unit is simply because you chose a shit unit. You chose poorly.

[@comcarclub]

Oh, I accept that. I would say you're right about most of my complaints. However, even a cheap crap one would have shown potential, and I would have wanted to upgrade. I just don't get on with touchscreens

[@darkoz1692]

@@comcarclub - fair enough

[@tomburnham6640]

@@comcarclub The problem is hardware specs for Android literally make or break a device, it's a fairly heavy OS, hence there is a 'Go' release for lower spec devices. You can have a super good looking device, big screen, great speakers etc. but if the processor and RAM or even the storage aren't up to scratch it'll totally ruin the stability of the device completely. If you'd spent another £100 (or equivalent) on a higher spec variant of the same head unit you'd have had a completely different experience.

[@baddriving3966]

@@comcarclub That's why the steering wheel buttons work on the latest models using 11 or 58 for the Canbus. When configured, you hardly ever need to touch the screen especially if you get AI Voice.

[@frankmetcalfe9391]

Probably because ur in a Citron, famous for electric wiring

[@mikescudder4621]

So the wiring worked fine with the original radio, not well with a cheap Chinese android unit, and you blame the wiring on the car? Sharp.

[@frankmetcalfe9391]

​@@mikescudder4621 sharper than you getting a Chinese Unit in crap French car for poor wiring proof as the original unit went Boosims Up. Just saying due to knowledge

[@mikescudder4621]

@@frankmetcalfe9391 He put the original radio unit back in mate.