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Taking a chance on an AliExpress Head unit.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by mhdriver, Sep 23, 2023.

  1. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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  2. tgtech

    tgtech Member

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    I bought an android head unit a few months ago from aliexpress from the "Sadocom Official Store": Carplay 6GB+128G 4G LTE DSP 9" Android 12.0 Car DVD Player 8 core left right car radio autoradio GPS For Toyota PRIUS 2009-2013 ... 8GB 128G wireless L

    I'm very happy with it but it took a lot of work to install.

    I have a 2011 with JBL and Nav and NO parking assist. Getting a compatible harness was tough, and I also had to feed the factory backup camera with a separate 6VDC source since the radio expects to feed it 12VDC. I also needed the CANBUS converter to keep the steering wheel controls. It takes a lot of tinkering and fitting, but it does work.

    Without the JBL option, I think it is easier to get a compatible harness.

    Good luck!
     
  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Crutchfield.....
     
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  4. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    2015 Prius 3 trim 5 with JBL. I've noticed reviews with Android 10 seem to have more satisfied users. Android 11 & 12 upgrades are more about security than performance, which isn't an issue to me. Store I'm planning to buy from has 97.7% rating. Pulling my head out and sending pics to dealer to make sure I minimize issues. I agree it's probably going to be a hassle. How is the responsiveness of your unit?
     
  5. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    No doubt, it's just pricey. :).
     
  6. tgtech

    tgtech Member

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    Responsiveness is fine. Even sending pics of the head unit and connectors to the seller didn't really work; they sent a generic "Prius" harness, then sent another version, then finally one that worked. I had sent pics even before ordering. See attached, it may help you.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Plug and use a lot less time consuming and stressful than having to fight with something
    for days or weeks!

     
  8. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    True, but where's your sense of adventure? :)
     
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Easier, and less stress is ALWAYS better.

     
  10. prius2010II

    prius2010II Member

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    A few years ago I installed an Ali unit in a 2010 Prius, factory JBL no factory navigation.

    I had to send a picture of the back of the factory radio and factory harness. I was told there were 2 different harness for the JBL car. They sent me the correct harness.

    It was plug and play for everything but BT. I had the wiring to connect to either factory back up camera or aftermarket camera, which they supplied. You need to use, and wire, included BT mic.
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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  12. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    That website is for products made in China. If it works at all it won't be for long. You're usually risking catastrophic failure. Things made in China regularly go up in flames and take everything with it. You didn't buy a Chinese car so why would you buy Chinese parts for your car?
     
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  13. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    You buy all sorts of Chinese things, whether you know it or not. Quite a few satisfied customers, they aren't hard to find. For $250, I'll take a chance.
     
  14. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    That's true... But, there is quality to think about. Cheap china copies are the cheapest
    parts they can make. Some manufacturers demand higher quality parts.....


     
  15. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    I'm not kidding myself that it compares to a $1200 unit by a name brand manufacturer. But if it's android with a lot of memory, it's going to be pretty good. A lot of sales with a 98% satisfaction rate makes me think it'll be ok. I've had good luck buying Chinese stuff like this in the past. You just have to have realistic expectations. I'll be here to report back on it, with pics. But I've got a lot of other stuff to do before I get to this.
     
  16. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I hope it works for you.
    I NEVER go by reviews. A company gets peopel to write good reviews.

    I've been thinking of getting a newer radio so I can do the Carplay.
    I've looked on Crutchfield and they go from $200 to $500.
    Which is way too much for me. Since 99% of what I do is listen to podcasts.
    If I finish them, I have music. And I use Maps.

     
  17. w84me

    w84me Active Member

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    I have this unit but I bought from Amazon. At best it’s 7.5/10. Similarly, I just use it for car play. It feels like I’m dealing with an old tablet. Not quick but not terrible. It auto connects to wireless CarPlay and runs semi-seamlessly except it’s slow. Maybe 15 seconds to connect from start up. I have had to reset the head unit a few times but that’s ok. The upside is the fact that it looks factory. A double din hu does look out of place imo. This just modernizes the interior to me.

    Few gripes. No instructions but customer service was great via email. Also to skip forward to the next track, I have to press back/down rather than up/forward.
     
  18. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's probably a chinese model. And being slow, is another hint of a cheap chinese copy.
    I have a bluetooth adapter that plugs into the back of the stock non jbl radio where the external
    cd player goes, from china. It's slowish, disconnects occationally. And the first one
    lastest about 2 years.
    I had to press the numeral 2 pause it, and #6 to get it to play. On the replacement one, the has
    the exact same label on it, I have to press them twice to get it to work.
    And when a podcast finishes, with the first adapter, the next podcast would start. With the latest
    model, it moves to the next podcast, but doesn't play. So I have to press play.
    But for $40, good enough for me!

     
  19. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's probably a chinese model. And being slow, is another hint of a cheap chinese copy.
    I have a bluetooth adapter that plugs into the back of the stock non jbl radio where the external
    cd player goes, from china. It's slowish, disconnects occationally. And the first one
    lastest about 2 years.
    I had to press the numeral 2 pause it, and #6 to get it to play. On the replacement one, the has
    the exact same label on it, I have to press them twice to get it to work.
    And when a podcast finishes, with the first adapter, the next podcast would start. With the latest
    model, it moves to the next podcast, but doesn't play. So I have to press play.
    But for $40, good enough for me!

     
  20. w84me

    w84me Active Member

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    I’m not quite sure how this is pertinent or helpful to the OP’s post.

    they are posting about a new headunit (not a Bluetooth adapter) and I have a similar head unit that I’ve installed. I’ve provided insight into the product that they are looking into.

    OP the unit is good, not great. I would do it again in a heartbeat.