Xtrons HU install/upgrade thread

[timmyc]

I just recently purchased and installed an Xtrons HU. I followed Crystalworks video and thread for help on running the wiring. That was great. The hardest part was finding the actual wiring instructions to the HU and existing hardware. I had so many questions and had to scour the internet and forums to find answers. This took up the majority of my time for the installation.

The company, Xtrons, sucks for help (as I had read on many forums) so this led me to think that maybe the Xoutpost community could come together for a dedicated thread for installation, upgrades and just general support for us with Xtrons HU's in the e53 platform.

I had the factory NAV and DSP so I had to do the harder of the 2 installs. I am more than happy to report my tips on the install, but I was just wondering if the moderators have anything to say about starting and maintaining the thread?

What do you all think? Does it need a certain amount of info to be a sticky or can it just start out that way? Please comment.

[Overboost]

We haven't seen a new sticky in over 10 years but always post your experience. It helps those in the future that may choose any of the 3 or 4 major Android conversions.

[Patriks7]

Originally Posted by timmyc

The company, Xtrons, sucks for help (as I had read on many forums)

That’s an understatement pretty good idea, I installed mine based on a guide for a different make stereo combined with a few YouTube videos.

How has your experience been with it so far? I have a feeling that the screen quality and GPS signal have been degrading on mine. Not sure if it’s software or hardware related. Of course Xtrons has been of no help at all.

[timmyc]

I have been less than thrilled with the overall experience. I'll post a pic of the installed unit in a bit.

I'm really new to the new android HU, so I didn't really understand how much of a PITA it is to use. Especially the offline maps. That is a tool I use daily for my job. Google maps. I never got to experience the factory NAV as the screen went out while it was in the shop for repairs ( I dropped it off to my indy for a Post purchase inspection). When I got it back, the radio died within a few days. I haven't had a radio in it for a year.

It is supposed to have a split screen option for the NAV as well and I can't seem to get that to work. I was curious about using the factory NAV unit or at least the GPS antenna that came with the X. I stuffed the GPS antenna that it came with under the dash and stuck it to the metal brace in there. Same for the WiFi.

[timmyc]

Patriks7,

How long have you had your HU installed? What model is it? I ended up with the PSD1053BL:
https://xtrons.com/bmw-x5-built-in-d...-rom-psd1053bl

It's not the latest and greatest, but I wanted to see how it performed before throwing tons of money in a new HU. I saw SpookX5's HU and really liked the look of it. Especially the larger screen. Easier for my aging eyes to see!

[eskirvin]

I have this model:
https://xtrons.com/bmw-x5-e53-androi...-rom-ib9953bpl

I vastly prefer its capabilities to stock. Offline maps are super easy with Google, you just select an area and download it. It expires after a period of time, because construction happens so often, but updating the downloaded maps is easy as well. I'm not fond of connecting the unit to my phone for internet, but there are models with built in 4G as well, which I am considering an upgrade to.

Things that might make you want to keep your old stock system would be television usage (which you can also make happen with these Android units), enjoying the nostalgia of the 8 color navigation from the early 2000s, radio usage (something I don't do at all since I'm in Kuwait and don't understand Arabic. You can integrate your antenna system and such with the Android systems, I just never bothered.), or some other oddity like owning an old ass Nokia keypad phone that fits in the center console.

I see no value in keeping a car stock that has no value in it to others, but some do. I love this Android system and the rest of the audio I replaced the BMW antiquities with.

[eskirvin]

Originally Posted by timmyc

Patriks7,

How long have you had your HU installed? What model is it? I ended up with the PSD1053BL:
https://xtrons.com/bmw-x5-built-in-d...-rom-psd1053bl

It's not the latest and greatest, but I wanted to see how it performed before throwing tons of money in a new HU. I saw SpookX5's HU and really liked the look of it. Especially the larger screen. Easier for my aging eyes to see!

Might I ask, how well does this unit mount? I have an older model in another X5 I own and due to having rounded corners around the edges, it doesn't mount securely in the hole. The unit I have that I named above, has corners that help to fix it in the hole and honestly could get by without even having screws in it.

[timmyc]

Originally Posted by eskirvin

Might I ask, how well does this unit mount? I have an older model in another X5 I own and due to having rounded corners around the edges, it doesn't mount securely in the hole. The unit I have that I named above, has corners that help to fix it in the hole and honestly could get by without even having screws in it.

After using my multi tool to remove some of the plastic in the dash it fits like stock. What year is your X, eskirvin?

My wife has taken over the X while her Audi is in the shop (anyone want to buy an Audi? ) so I keep missing the opportunity to take pictures. I should be able to do it today.

I did download the Google maps and about an hour after I did, it wanted to update the area so it wouldn't load. Frustrating. I may order the 4G dongle just for maps.

Another slight annoyance is that the first screen is supposed to be your home screen that you can personalize. I can't do that with mine. It's just the factory loaded apps and I cannot change them. I have to swipe to the next screen for my apps.

When ordering, I forgot to get the antenna. I was thinking about adding DAB+. Does anyone know if you need to get the other 6m cable in addition to the DAB+ for radio reception?

[eskirvin]

Originally Posted by timmyc

After using my multi tool to remove some of the plastic in the dash it fits like stock. What year is your X, eskirvin?

Sounds like it should be a tight fit then. I've got two X5s, both 2005, one 4.4i, the other a 3.0i. How do I add that to a "signature" on my profile? It sucks that the "home page" can't be altered. The one I got allows for whatever. Maybe I'll stick with this one.

[timmyc]

Originally Posted by eskirvin

I've got two X5s, both 2005, one 4.4i, the other a 3.0i. How do I add that to a "signature" on my profile?

Go to user CP at top right of page>edit signature on left side of page half way down.

Here is a dark picture that I had to snap to get it posted today before it got dark. More to come tomorrow....