hardrivn
09-16-2014, 06:45 PM
1561815619I am a geek for a living so when I saw I could get an android based head unit for my new toy I was all over it. Originally I tried one of the cheaper units on E-Bay but after getting it installed it did not work with the HK Amp in my unit, So after research etc I figured out how to get it to turn on the AMP with the right wires etc. still it sounded like crap and did not work well. Speakers would make a crackle noise every time it would start to play any audio, Bluetooth would connect but not get any sound, and the GPS wouldn't get any signal etc. No response from the seller no knowledge of the product. Further it was crashing left and right and I ended up returning it, and getting a refund.
After doing some research I decided to go with an Avant 2 via Avinusa.com after IM chatting with Tommy, the site owner, confirming that it works fine with the factory amp, he offered me a $50 discount to buy it "today" so I decided to go ahead with the purchase.
This thing is awesome to say the least, and the support I received from AvinUSA.com is top notch.
Removal of the existing head unit was straight forward and tons of videos on Youtube, as well as detailed instructions at avinusa.com.
Installation was fairly straight forward for the head unit, and the hardest part is finding a place to stuff all of the wiring harness's as you close it all back up. All of the factory harnesses remain completely in tact and you need the HVAC relocation kit if you do not have NAV, or you need the power cable if you do have NAV.
Installing the license plate light backup camera and running the wires for the backup camera is a complete pain in the ass. not complex just time consuming. But it looks completely factory and works great.
Had some challenges with radio reception but a software update (do the software update first as it wipes EVERYTHING) and it was fixed.
Overall happy with the unit, extremely happy with the support and help from Avinusa and very happy with the performance.
The Bluetooth works great, and my wife says I am clear but a sound just a little far from the Mic, still she can hear me great and it works great with the steering wheel buttons.
Torque Pro works great with a cheap Bluetooth ODB2 adapter that I already had, but I do wish there was an accelerometer in the head unit, as it relies on just the GPS for calculations and it would be really nice to have a G-Meter on the screen.
I have a T-Mobile family plan for my personal cell so they give me a data/tablet sim for $10/Month with 1GB this allows me to use a MiFi with the battery removed, attached via USB to the Avin so it turns on when it gets power and shuts down when it doesn't. I have the free Mapfactor Navigation for offline use:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator
And for online use the T-Mobile 1 GB gives me more than enough data for Waze, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Roadtrippers, Accuweather and other apps I find useful for being on the road, not sure I want to stream videos or even do Pandora (I will test it for a day to figure out how much data it will burn).
There are just so many apps you can use with this it is insane, things like GPS Lap timers etc.
I have not tested the iphone cable or integration.
Wishes for updates:
Would love an accelerometer in the unit for Torque.
I would love to be able to map the R/T button on my steering wheel to something (an App or a speed dial list or voice recognition or anything).
Would love to be able to add apps to the initial start up screen.
Generic WiDi / Miracast for use with any android or windows device.
After doing some research I decided to go with an Avant 2 via Avinusa.com after IM chatting with Tommy, the site owner, confirming that it works fine with the factory amp, he offered me a $50 discount to buy it "today" so I decided to go ahead with the purchase.
This thing is awesome to say the least, and the support I received from AvinUSA.com is top notch.
Removal of the existing head unit was straight forward and tons of videos on Youtube, as well as detailed instructions at avinusa.com.
Installation was fairly straight forward for the head unit, and the hardest part is finding a place to stuff all of the wiring harness's as you close it all back up. All of the factory harnesses remain completely in tact and you need the HVAC relocation kit if you do not have NAV, or you need the power cable if you do have NAV.
Installing the license plate light backup camera and running the wires for the backup camera is a complete pain in the ass. not complex just time consuming. But it looks completely factory and works great.
Had some challenges with radio reception but a software update (do the software update first as it wipes EVERYTHING) and it was fixed.
Overall happy with the unit, extremely happy with the support and help from Avinusa and very happy with the performance.
The Bluetooth works great, and my wife says I am clear but a sound just a little far from the Mic, still she can hear me great and it works great with the steering wheel buttons.
Torque Pro works great with a cheap Bluetooth ODB2 adapter that I already had, but I do wish there was an accelerometer in the head unit, as it relies on just the GPS for calculations and it would be really nice to have a G-Meter on the screen.
I have a T-Mobile family plan for my personal cell so they give me a data/tablet sim for $10/Month with 1GB this allows me to use a MiFi with the battery removed, attached via USB to the Avin so it turns on when it gets power and shuts down when it doesn't. I have the free Mapfactor Navigation for offline use:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator
And for online use the T-Mobile 1 GB gives me more than enough data for Waze, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Roadtrippers, Accuweather and other apps I find useful for being on the road, not sure I want to stream videos or even do Pandora (I will test it for a day to figure out how much data it will burn).
There are just so many apps you can use with this it is insane, things like GPS Lap timers etc.
I have not tested the iphone cable or integration.
Wishes for updates:
Would love an accelerometer in the unit for Torque.
I would love to be able to map the R/T button on my steering wheel to something (an App or a speed dial list or voice recognition or anything).
Would love to be able to add apps to the initial start up screen.
Generic WiDi / Miracast for use with any android or windows device.