Chinese Copies

[nodashi]

So I'm in the market to buy a new head unit, I'm tired of using a FM transmitter .
Anyhow I have budget of around 300 and Im trying to stick with looking stock. So my options are OEM or knock offs. However OEM cost wayyy to much for some reason, So im going to invest in a copy. So my question is , How good is the navigation software on those head units compared to lets say Google Maps? Thanks for the input.

[SickTRed08FSI]

Will $300 really buy you a decent knock off? I am going to be real, you get what you pay for. Maybe save up a bit more and search for used RNS 510 on all forums, and make offer. For instance.....

http://golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173849

[nodashi]

I looked up RSN 510's and the average price they go for on ebay is around 800 dollars. That is out of my budget range, and also i refuse to 800 dollars for a navigation then I can buy one after market for 200. Im just a little confused why VW would charge so much for a nav unit.

[SickTRed08FSI]

I agree. Its just how it is. That`s why I said to find good used unit for maybe a few hundred more.

[nodashi]

Well I could skip doing the brakes then I'll have enough

[coderedcomputing]

From what I've read the chinese copies are fine but you will probably pay more than $300 for a decent one from like Erisin or Rosen: http://www.erisin.com/Supply-for-volkswagen_c38

They are ok, but you need to expect that you will be doing a fair amount of work to install, run all the extra wires, then do some OS hacking to get the software the way you want it, getting updates/etc

VS just going out and buying an OEM unit or going aftermarket and getting a known good company like Pioneer etc... heck a used Pioneer nav unit may be doable for $300

I wish I could say "just go do XYZ" but I'm still on the fence about upgrading audio. I've got a Premier 7 and a Garmin unit...really itching to upgrade to a RCD or RNS-styled system and get some sort of bluetooth functionality.

[JohnEcanuck]

I like OE and OE looks, but I put a double din Pioneer sat-nav unit in my Passat. Companies make adapters that fit the oddball space perfectly and it looks reasonably OE.

I already had the unit from my B5 and didn't see the point in spending over a grand for an OE unit that would still require the bluetooth unit ($200) and the ipod unit ($200).

My Pioneer AVID F700BT (IIRC) is a sat-nav unit, am/fm, full sat radio compatability, ipod (controls on the HU), bluetooth and is voice activated for phone library and music library. I paid $800 for the unit about four years ago. I'm sure you could pick up a used unit way less.

[koza]

I'm shopping around for a Chinese OEM looking unit myself.
So far best deal I found was around $380 shipped.
I'm trying to fly below $300 range.

[SickTRed08FSI]

Buy cheap ****...get **** results....just saying. If you are on that much of a budget, put away more for a better unit.

[coderedcomputing]

I'm shopping around for a Chinese OEM looking unit myself.
So far best deal I found was around $380 shipped.
I'm trying to fly below $300 range.

There's the kicker... I'm looking at a Pioneer AVH-P4400BH and it's hitting right at $380 shipped. No NAV but I have a Garmin with lifetime maps so for me it's just picking OEM / OEM-fake / Aftermarket.

bleh.

[EVANGELIONHD]

there is some chinese sstuff that are really good, actually i think is korean...

we talked about this a few weeks ago in other post

my favorite

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/74...id-7501-a.html

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ighlight=eonon

[JohnEcanuck]

BTW there's an extensive thread on chinese HUs on passat world, if you go there and have a read it might help out.

[nodashi]

Buy cheap ****...get **** results....just saying. If you are on that much of a budget, put away more for a better unit.

I hardly think 300$ish is cheap for buying A head unit. Anyway it seems that no one has answered my question yet. Is the navigation on the knock offs good? Thanks

[EVANGELIONHD]

read the reviews.... i posted the links there is your answer its a question where only you can get the right answer... as you can read from the answers on this topic its good for some bad for others

because some of the chinese units run windows ce or android you can actually choose the navigation software that you want to instaall

[nodashi]

Thanks. Could anyone send me a link to a android base Unit? Thanks

[EVANGELIONHD]

www.ebay.com

[nodashi]

Thanks

[nodashi]

Well after some research I decided im going to to buy a android based unit. Such as this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-In-Dash-...item2a2153c4da
The interface looks alot better and OEM than the Chinese ones. And also it has 3G and WiFi, and the App store so i can download TomTom on there .

[B6REDHELL]

Buy Rosen unit. They are better than chinese piece of funky smelling plastic. Rosen selling them on ebay for like 300-350$ refurbrished plus customer service is here in US phone call away...

[Bill6211789]

I hardly think 300$ish is cheap for buying A head unit. Anyway it seems that no one has answered my question yet. Is the navigation on the knock offs good? Thanks

300$ is very cheap for buying a HU w/ nav.

A quality aftermarket HU from pioneer or Kenwood w/ nav will run you around 1k easily. All oem units and chinese units are pretty junky if you are really looking for quality. Maps, sound, ect....

My Kenwood excelon single din HU w/ no nav or what not, and no screen ran me about 350$ about 2 yrs ago

The nav on the Chinese knock offs are OK, nothing to go crazy over. Vinnyty has one and i wasnt really impressed

My cell phone has better nav then any HU or even garmin/tomtom tht i have used.

The only good thing about an in car HU with nav is its a cleaner look. (i have never personally used a higher end HU from pioneer premier or kenwood excelon but when i do get a nav unit it will be one of those 2 brands)

Sent from my Galaxy SIII

[coderedcomputing]

Well after some research I decided im going to to buy a android based unit.

You will also need to install Tapatalk on there too. That way you can just do a direct feed from a GoPro into a post on the forum so we can do ride-a-long's with you.

If you do end up getting the unit you linked, please make a thread about it, I'm very curious about how well the Android based HUs perform vs the WinCE ones in the world of OEM-clones. Do you plan to go with a 3G setup or just use the included wifi?

[nodashi]

You will also need to install Tapatalk on there too. That way you can just do a direct feed from a GoPro into a post on the forum so we can do ride-a-long's with you.

If you do end up getting the unit you linked, please make a thread about it, I'm very curious about how well the Android based HUs perform vs the WinCE ones in the world of OEM-clones. Do you plan to go with a 3G setup or just use the included wifi?

Im going to make a review on it. Since i havent seen anyone with this unit. I figure ill atleast give it a try If i dont like it ill warn everyone and i have a 30 day money back. Also im going to try with 3G

[Bill6211789]

Im going to make a review on it. Since i havent seen anyone with this unit. I figure ill atleast give it a try If i dont like it ill warn everyone and i have a 30 day money back. Also im going to try with 3G

i just looked through tht HU a little better and i do like the look and the capabilities it has. Id be interested in the audio quality it puts out

[EVANGELIONHD]

Well after some research I decided im going to to buy a android based unit. Such as this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-In-Dash-...item2a2153c4da
The interface looks alot better and OEM than the Chinese ones. And also it has 3G and WiFi, and the App store so i can download TomTom on there .

nice choice i never seen the 8" with android dont forget to post some pics here and make a review of it. and remember that for the 3g to work with you need to contract the service with a company first

[nodashi]

Ill make sure post plenty of pictures and a review. I wonder what kind of sim card the 3g takes if at all.

[coderedcomputing]

Dude...

Ok I'm now seriously hoping this setup works and you have a great review for the HU.

Mostly because of this:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...dsLnRvcnF1ZSJd

If you can get this to work with a bluetooth OBD2 connector... or heck maybe a wired one into the headunit... damn this could be GOOD.

No need for gauge pods/etc!!

[nodashi]

yeah i know. However my CV boot decided to rip so my radio has been put on the back burner