Advent Navigation Unit

I HAVE read the posts.

What is very, very clear is that the CANbus connections that turn the JBL amp on are present and working fine with these Chinese units. The problem seems to be with the audio level setting, which is set in software. Maybe you've not looked at how the US JBL system works. There are audio feeds from the head unit direct to some speakers (same as the European/UK version) and also audio feeds to the JBL amp that drives the front door speakers (and sub-woofer, I believe, if you have it fitted). The amp is turned on and off via a CANbus generated digital data signal on the US model, whereas the European/UK model has a simple amp-on wire. Aftermarket head units for use on US JBL equipped cars either have to have a built-in CANbus interface (as the Ottonavi and one or two other Chinese units seem to have) or they need a separate uP box to generate the digital signal the amp requires.

The issues being reported for the Ottonavi and related units are pretty typical for Chinese units. The hardware is essentially OK, but the firmware isn't always great. It's clear that some companies are taking these Chinese units and trying to sort out the firmware bugs and market them with their own brand, providing valuable customer support in the process. I'm not knocking this at all, as it has to be better than trying to wade through a baffling Chinglish manual and trying to get help from so far away.

Maybe I'm wrong, and this Advent unit is all-new and made in America. I'd happily bet that it isn't though, if only because the economics of developing such a specialised bit of kit for a relatively small market would be pretty tough here in the West. My money is on it being a Chinese unit with some value-added firmware, and frankly I don't think there's anything wrong with that at all.

 

Having used an older Navteq-based GPS in the past (Mio), and recognizing that Navteq supports several levels of functionality... I have a few questions for whoever actually is using this unit:

1) Does it support traffic detection? (built in or option?)
2) Does it support rerouting?
3) Does it support estimated time to destination?

I'm guessing #3 only, which is based on historical not current data. That's what my MIO had. Not bad but quite different from navigation with up to date traffic info.

Other than that, this looks like a very interesting unit!

(Note: I agree with others: this is most likely similar hardware to other units, but with nicely cleaned up firmware. Windows CE makes that a very doable chore. ALSO note: most of the time, Win CE units can be "jailbroken" in a sense... and other software added. I use OziExplorer which supports real Topo maps...)

 

Yes, the Chinese units can be adapted to run pretty much any WinCE software, up to a point. The primary difficulties to overcome are that WinCE is usually a Chinese language version and is locked into ROM, rather than EEPROM, so any changes have to run at boot. Not a major problem when it comes to running things like Oziexplorer (I had this running on one) but there are challenges in getting things like Memory Map to run, as mapping the GPS data port for that was beyond me!

The same goes for music playing software, pretty much any MP3 type player, or video player, can be made to launch and run OK.

What seems harder is getting at the radio driver, or the DVD/CD element. They both run on separate, dedicated, processors and it's only the video/audio stream that's switched.

 

Jeremy--I'm not going to edit my posts but they don't read the way I intended.

I understand US Toyotas' require a signal on the CANBUS to "turn on" the JBL amp. The (US) JBL amp looks for a fixed signal with the amp controlling the volume. A JBL amp "turn on" feature is of little value if the unit doesn't also supply the correct signal for the amp to work.

Any unit which is designed to look like factory navigation is going to look similar. Too many posters think a unit is the same just because it looks the same.

I don't know if Audiovox uses US factories for the OE Navigation line. It's possible it's made in China. It's made to Audiovox standards.

I want to apologize to Jeremy. I forget he's not from the United States. I'm not sure if he ever even heard of Audiovox before this thread.

This line is being marketed to new car dealers. The intent is a $2000 installed price. Used when the dealer has a customer who wants nav but the cars in stock don't have it. Or for cars, not just Prius, where navigation is part of a $$$ technology package. The dealer can accommodate a customer who only wants a factory style navigation. The GM units will actually work with the factory SAT radio unit.

 

Please take pic of where the mic location is. Thanks.

 

Did anyone use the FCC registration number to attempt to determine if a different company manufactured the unit.

 

removed

 

I got my Flyaudio unit from Canada and could't find a FCC number.

 

Have you heard anything back regarding a fix for this? I listen to a ton of podcasts while driving (probably more than I do actual music) so having access to my podcasts is very important. Are you saying the unit doesn't list podcasts at all or that they're just listed conglomerated in the "Music" section?

I'm debating between this and Rosen, but the software on the Advent seems to be better going off forum impressions and the videos on ADCmobile's site. I wish I could find a local dealer for this though, just for some peace of mind.

I really don't want a new head unit for the GPS at all, mainly just want to be able to add a backup camera and have a better iPod interface, since I've yet to find a good mounting solution for the ipod that puts it in easy reach when plugged into the Aux of the standard Prius II radio, and if I keep buying cables and mounts I'll spend nearly as much as a new HU. :

 

There is a quite fresh FW update (http://voxxsupport.com/downloads/OTOPRI1/).

 

THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO on this unit to date

I know it has been awhile now, was wondering if anything (positive or negative), has changed with this unit. I am trying to decide between this model or an Alpine double din unit. I love the "factory" look though.

Any new info I would be truly grateful, Again thanks for the prior info and the pictures

David

 

My name is Rod in NY. Thanks for your posts and clarification about the subject. Retrospectively , I whish I bought a Prius II. Based on your input I got an Advent OTOPRI1 for my Prius III 2011. I love the streaming feature. I have few questions if you do not mind as you seem to have a very good understanding of the system:
1- The button on the unit are not lit even with the headlights on at night It is difficult to use them in the dark: you said you had to run a wire. Could tell me form where to where.
2- I run into the same problem you reported as for the front doors speakers. I had to change the setting to make the rear speakers somewhat higher. The dashboard speakers were overpowering. What kind of amp did you use to bypass the JBL amp.
3- Is it poosible to use the toyota bluetooth with the features on the wheel to speak, pick up or hang up the phone? Mine is now using the Advent touch screen to execute these functions.
4- I feel that at time the speeakers fade out randomly for a fraction of second? Did you feel that?
I thank you so much for your time and input.