HotBadgerFart
"Is it dead?"
- Thread starter
- #1
So, I picked up one of the units called the AND-8550.1 and here are some initial thoughts. I'll reserve a few posts below this for later thoughts and whatnot.
Please keep in mind, I got it pretty late last night, and I was trying to install it in the dark, while it was 40 degrees out- and raining- so I haven't spent ANYWHERE enough time with it as I'd like for a full review.
Initial thoughts- Unboxing it, everything seemed packed quite well. It's nothing to hem and haw about, out of the box it looks almost exactly like a TomTop, with another unit that replaces the factory CD player.
Installation was kinda wonky. Before attempting to install one, I recommend watching the videos on installing a TomTop- It's nearly identical when it comes to swapping over the HVAC board. I don't know if trimming is required on the back plastic, because mine was already trimmed from having a TomTop before.
Assuming at this point you understand the installation process of a TomTop or Moddiction unit, I'll move forward.
Installing the host (the box that replaces our CD player) didn't seem to want to align as it should reusing the factory braces from our CD player, and the wiring harness to the screen plugs in to the TOP of the host, which interferes with a cross-brace. (Again, it could be I wasn't paying attention) but I decided to mount the host with the screen wiring harness side DOWN, and the brackets flipped to the opposite sides. This helped a lot.
The wiring that connects the host to the car is somewhat cumbersome. Not because it's complicated, just that it kinda gets in the way. There is (1) GPS antenna, (2) 4GLTE antennas, an external USB to run to the Glove Box, and an external SIM Card Harness (ran to the glove box as well.)
With some creative shoving, I got all the wires tucked in, and fired it up to test. It was nice having my HVAC instantly ready, 'cause I was freezing cold and shaking like Michael J, Fox on a paint mixer.
It has a generic boot logo, which is very easy to change, and overall boot time is rather quick. Initial boot ran through and did all the Android Upgrading stuff of an initial start, and was still negligible in wait time. It picked up the 2.4Ghz WiFi network in my house 80 feet away without issue. I installed Waze and Spotify, they work great, especially with their own mutual integration.
There is minimal "Engrish," in fact I only saw it once, when the car starts, it warns you that your headlights are off if it's dark, but it says something like "Caution, the lights are closed." So far, everything else is VERY clean looking- Fresh as hell, with an OEM'ish look, but MUCH smoother. Despite the claim of being Android 7, it's not. it's Marshmallow (6) but I'm not complaining. Anyone who thinks it needs to be Nougat or Oreo to be viable needs to spend less time on xDA and get a girlfriend. (A real one.)
General Section Thoughts
Sound - It sounds stellar! I have a single 12 in my trunk that sounded good with the stock system, but now it's hits harder than Chris Brown on Rhianna's face if I want it to. I can hear her face starting to swella, ella, ella.
Display - Very responsive to touch, with a very intuitive UI.
Installation - Do this in the daytime. Take your time, and use zip ties.
Bluetooth - I didn't stream any music, but I will come back later to update, as well as checking things like OBD2 usage with Torque.
Hands Free Calling - This integrates with STYNC, but I'm pretty sure I can eliminate that. I called my house and left a message. I'll report back tonight when I check it, to see how it sounds with the integrated mic.
USB Ports - My Center console and under-radio ports might still work... I forgot to check. I know they're connected to something in there.
SWC's (Steering wheel controls for those of you that are new to this) They all work. Perfectly. Changing "Mode" is accompanied by what sounds like a tiny Asian Adjacent female audibly announcing what you've selected. (You Hentai pervs will love this, but your mom would be ashamed.)
Backup Camera - Mine is offline, so I didn't get a chance to check. Will update when I reconnect mine.
Screen Mirroring - Worked Flawlessly (via USB, didn't try WiFi) with my Galaxy S8+. I will never use this. Anyone who says they will, I wanna know why.
Android Auto - Didn't check. I can if you want, but I lump this with screen mirroring, because the unit itself is a damn Android, why do you need Android Auto to connect the Android in your Auto to the other Android in your Auto?
RCA Output - Yep. It has em. Did I try em? Nope. I'm tapped into my rear deck speakers. You're on your own, Cochise.
Disappointments -
1. Installation being a little awkward, trying to cable-cram.
2. Any time you change a setting on your HVAC, it pops up on the screen to remind you that you just did that thing you did, and stays on the screen for 10 seconds just to remind you that you turned the fan speed down.
3. No MicroSD slot. Not a deal breaker for me, it has USB out the wazoo.
No installation instructions. If you've never installed a TomTop/Moddiction unit before, it will take you longer than an hour.
A couple quick pictures:
Taken late at night, during installation test.
Waze with Spotify integration:
Spotify alone:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Developers and people who like to break shit only]
If you're interested in the Modding side of things, keep reading.
I found menus that I probably wasn't meant to find, and was able to get into some decent meat and potatoes here. The boot loader can easily be unlocked, and I think the entire software package is on GitHub for the unit.
It can also be selected to use the head unit as a USB HOST or DEVICE, which tells me ADB is a likely option here.
Please keep in mind, I got it pretty late last night, and I was trying to install it in the dark, while it was 40 degrees out- and raining- so I haven't spent ANYWHERE enough time with it as I'd like for a full review.
Initial thoughts- Unboxing it, everything seemed packed quite well. It's nothing to hem and haw about, out of the box it looks almost exactly like a TomTop, with another unit that replaces the factory CD player.
Installation was kinda wonky. Before attempting to install one, I recommend watching the videos on installing a TomTop- It's nearly identical when it comes to swapping over the HVAC board. I don't know if trimming is required on the back plastic, because mine was already trimmed from having a TomTop before.
Assuming at this point you understand the installation process of a TomTop or Moddiction unit, I'll move forward.
Installing the host (the box that replaces our CD player) didn't seem to want to align as it should reusing the factory braces from our CD player, and the wiring harness to the screen plugs in to the TOP of the host, which interferes with a cross-brace. (Again, it could be I wasn't paying attention) but I decided to mount the host with the screen wiring harness side DOWN, and the brackets flipped to the opposite sides. This helped a lot.
The wiring that connects the host to the car is somewhat cumbersome. Not because it's complicated, just that it kinda gets in the way. There is (1) GPS antenna, (2) 4GLTE antennas, an external USB to run to the Glove Box, and an external SIM Card Harness (ran to the glove box as well.)
With some creative shoving, I got all the wires tucked in, and fired it up to test. It was nice having my HVAC instantly ready, 'cause I was freezing cold and shaking like Michael J, Fox on a paint mixer.
It has a generic boot logo, which is very easy to change, and overall boot time is rather quick. Initial boot ran through and did all the Android Upgrading stuff of an initial start, and was still negligible in wait time. It picked up the 2.4Ghz WiFi network in my house 80 feet away without issue. I installed Waze and Spotify, they work great, especially with their own mutual integration.
There is minimal "Engrish," in fact I only saw it once, when the car starts, it warns you that your headlights are off if it's dark, but it says something like "Caution, the lights are closed." So far, everything else is VERY clean looking- Fresh as hell, with an OEM'ish look, but MUCH smoother. Despite the claim of being Android 7, it's not. it's Marshmallow (6) but I'm not complaining. Anyone who thinks it needs to be Nougat or Oreo to be viable needs to spend less time on xDA and get a girlfriend. (A real one.)
General Section Thoughts
Sound - It sounds stellar! I have a single 12 in my trunk that sounded good with the stock system, but now it's hits harder than Chris Brown on Rhianna's face if I want it to. I can hear her face starting to swella, ella, ella.
Display - Very responsive to touch, with a very intuitive UI.
Installation - Do this in the daytime. Take your time, and use zip ties.
Bluetooth - I didn't stream any music, but I will come back later to update, as well as checking things like OBD2 usage with Torque.
Hands Free Calling - This integrates with STYNC, but I'm pretty sure I can eliminate that. I called my house and left a message. I'll report back tonight when I check it, to see how it sounds with the integrated mic.
USB Ports - My Center console and under-radio ports might still work... I forgot to check. I know they're connected to something in there.
SWC's (Steering wheel controls for those of you that are new to this) They all work. Perfectly. Changing "Mode" is accompanied by what sounds like a tiny Asian Adjacent female audibly announcing what you've selected. (You Hentai pervs will love this, but your mom would be ashamed.)
Backup Camera - Mine is offline, so I didn't get a chance to check. Will update when I reconnect mine.
Screen Mirroring - Worked Flawlessly (via USB, didn't try WiFi) with my Galaxy S8+. I will never use this. Anyone who says they will, I wanna know why.
Android Auto - Didn't check. I can if you want, but I lump this with screen mirroring, because the unit itself is a damn Android, why do you need Android Auto to connect the Android in your Auto to the other Android in your Auto?
RCA Output - Yep. It has em. Did I try em? Nope. I'm tapped into my rear deck speakers. You're on your own, Cochise.
Disappointments -
1. Installation being a little awkward, trying to cable-cram.
2. Any time you change a setting on your HVAC, it pops up on the screen to remind you that you just did that thing you did, and stays on the screen for 10 seconds just to remind you that you turned the fan speed down.
3. No MicroSD slot. Not a deal breaker for me, it has USB out the wazoo.
No installation instructions. If you've never installed a TomTop/Moddiction unit before, it will take you longer than an hour.
A couple quick pictures:
Taken late at night, during installation test.
Waze with Spotify integration:
Spotify alone:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Developers and people who like to break shit only]
If you're interested in the Modding side of things, keep reading.
I found menus that I probably wasn't meant to find, and was able to get into some decent meat and potatoes here. The boot loader can easily be unlocked, and I think the entire software package is on GitHub for the unit.
It can also be selected to use the head unit as a USB HOST or DEVICE, which tells me ADB is a likely option here.
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