Xtrons HU install/upgrade thread

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by bagpype

Do you have a pic of it installed?

Excuse the filth. Haven't been able to wash her since the last rain. I went with this one for the adjustability. I liked the one that mounts through the handle, but was worried about it not being properly aligned and not being able to adjust.

[bagpype]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Excuse the filth. Haven't been able to wash her since the last rain. I went with this one for the adjustability. I liked the one that mounts through the handle, but was worried about it not being properly aligned and not being able to adjust.

That doesn’t look bad at all. I don’t like the thought of drilling through the car for a camera either.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by bagpype

That doesn’t look bad at all. I don’t like the thought of drilling through the car for a camera either.

You will still have to drill holes for the wire and the screws.

[jsoto]

The piece that get's drilled to is the most logical and invasive area IMO. To replace it with a brand new one, is relatively inexpensive too. I think it's around $60 for that trim, which is cheap in bmw world...

[X5only]

Here's the plastic part that needs drilling. I had to also drill through the metal of the trunk itself that the grip sits on because the 18mm metal stem of the camera prevents it from sitting flash on the trunk grip. Both holes are small and clean. If you can cut the stem in half without damaging the camera wire that passes through it (perhaps using a dremel), the camera will sit flash without having to drill through the trunk metal part. Cutting the stem will leave enough of it for the nut to hold the camera in place. I made sure to paint the hole on the metal with touch-up paint to prevent rust. The end result is a clean OEM-like installation.

Note: I tried in vain to find a similar camera with a shorter stem.

[Attacking Mid]

Want to install a Resler Ibus Module on a new Xtrons unit with the long cable going to the back (factory Nav). Do I need the pictured adapter (top pic)? The long extension cable has this unused plug with 4 wires, so I assume I can plug into that?

The bottom picture shows that unused plug with only 4 wires coming right off the harness that plugs into the back of the HU. Mine isn't like that, but the long extension cable DOES have that connection and is unused. Just want to make sure I'm ordering the right stuff.

AM.

[Attacking Mid]

Given no response to this, I'm guessing most people just wired it up the old-fashioned way without using this nifty adapter.

I'm now questioning the utility of the Resler addition since I've already spent too much money on this upgrade. Since I don't have a DSP amp, I'm only out the ability to control/reset the OBD functions. I guess I could always temporarily hook up the old HU and radio in the back to reset the clock if I had to disconnect the battery for some reason. But with all the functionality of the Android HU, I'm not sure it's all that important to have access to the OBD functions.

Otherwise, I got the unit all functioning and am halfway done reinstalling trim panels, etc. I was happy to find a power wire off the harness for the backup camera. I used the Nakita camera suggested by X5Only. It seems like a quality unit and I like how it fits. Running the wire was a pain, though. I had a heck of a time getting the wire through the little accordion boot by the hinge of the hatch.

I abandoned my thought of using the factory microphone, but I did run the auxiliary mic (included with the radio to my surprise) up to the O/H console and positioned it essentially where the factory mic sits. I haven't tested it yet, but that just seems like the best location.

The only oddity I haven't solved is..... the AM radio tuner goes in 9 kHz increments rather than the US standard 10 kHz. I'm sure there must be a setting I just haven't found yet, but.... odd.

AM.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

Given no response to this, I'm guessing most people just wired it up the old-fashioned way without using this nifty adapter.

Very nifty - and seems to take the guess-work out of installer the Resler interface.

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I'm now questioning the utility of the Resler addition since I've already spent too much money on this upgrade. Since I don't have a DSP amp, I'm only out the ability to control/reset the OBD functions. I guess I could always temporarily hook up the old HU and radio in the back to reset the clock if I had to disconnect the battery for some reason. But with all the functionality of the Android HU, I'm not sure it's all that important to have access to the OBD functions.

The iBus/Resler combo offers MUCH more than just replacing the missing OBD functions.... being able to communicate with the car via the Android unit opens up a tonne of cool features.... it's the number one reason to choose Android over WindowsCE or Kenwood/Apline etc. (although there are LOTS of other good reasons too!).

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

Given no response to this, I'm guessing most people just wired it up the old-fashioned way without using this nifty adapter.

I'm now questioning the utility of the Resler addition since I've already spent too much money on this upgrade. Since I don't have a DSP amp, I'm only out the ability to control/reset the OBD functions. I guess I could always temporarily hook up the old HU and radio in the back to reset the clock if I had to disconnect the battery for some reason. But with all the functionality of the Android HU, I'm not sure it's all that important to have access to the OBD functions.

Otherwise, I got the unit all functioning and am halfway done reinstalling trim panels, etc. I was happy to find a power wire off the harness for the backup camera. I used the Nakita camera suggested by X5Only. It seems like a quality unit and I like how it fits. Running the wire was a pain, though. I had a heck of a time getting the wire through the little accordion boot by the hinge of the hatch.

I abandoned my thought of using the factory microphone, but I did run the auxiliary mic (included with the radio to my surprise) up to the O/H console and positioned it essentially where the factory mic sits. I haven't tested it yet, but that just seems like the best location.

The only oddity I haven't solved is..... the AM radio tuner goes in 9 kHz increments rather than the US standard 10 kHz. I'm sure there must be a setting I just haven't found yet, but.... odd.

AM.

I'm not familiar with the Xtrons, I have an Avin unit, so I'm not familiar with how the Xtron gets wired. The Resler interface is definitely worth having. I'd do whatever I had to to figure out how to get it working.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by wpoll

The iBus/Resler combo offers MUCH more than just replacing the missing OBD functions.... being able to communicate with the car via the Android unit opens up a tonne of cool features.... it's the number one reason to choose Android over WindowsCE or Kenwood/Apline etc. (although there are LOTS of other good reasons too!).

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

I'm not familiar with the Xtrons, I have an Avin unit, so I'm not familiar with how the Xtron gets wired. The Resler interface is definitely worth having. I'd do whatever I had to to figure out how to get it working.

^ What they said. You absolutely get more out of the Resler interface than simply being able to reset your OBC functions. A LOT more. Use it every time I get in the X5. If for nothing else, the comfort flash for turn signals and the ability to monitor coolant temp are awesome features. I love comfort flash.