2017 Android 6.0 9" New head unit, Opinions yet?
 

Just came across this one. Most of the discussion has been centered around the smaller screen units. Curious if there is any real use feedback yet on this unit?

9" BMW X5 E39 Android 6.0 9" Car Video GPS Stereo Player Head Unit 5 SERIES E53 | eBay


UPDATED: I went with the factory looking 7" Android head unit instead of this 9" version. Pics on page 9 of this thread.

1GB of ram, no thanks

I input my 2006 X5 into the compatibility boxes and it says its not compatible?

Get with 32GB from seicane

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Hey pearlpower let me know how it goes with that radio? I wanted to get the same radio for myself.

Man, that would look A LOT better if he just rounded the corners off the bottom of the unit so that he could make it flush with the dash. I'm pretty sure I'm going NBT though. $$$$$$

I like the way it looks in the dash thinking I'm gonna get one today

I don't mind the tablet look. I just mean that the unit is designed for an e39 and not an e53. Avin used to have this problem with their units. You had to manually round off the bottom corners of the unit to get it to fit flush (like factory) in the dash. The e38 (and possibly e39?) uses flat bottoms so they are manufactured that way to fit multiple chassis.

If you manually round off the corners... it looks great and no one can tell. But not all have the cajones to take a dremel or sander to the faceplate of their new android nav unit.

I strongly believe in solid customer service. When someone is looking to buy these units for the price, pause for a second and ask yourself what's the level of customer service are you gonna get when you run into an issue?
I was the guinea pig so to speak for the Dynavin N6 for DSP equipped E53 when they first came out with them (long thread on here called Dynavin N6 install).
I had numerous problems with the unit since no one really tried it before to see how it behaves but Jeff from J&T Distributing went above and beyond to make sure it works and that I wouldn't have any problems in the future.
I even shipped the unit to California to have them look into why so many errors and screen flickering etc. Everything got fixed and it's been trouble free ever since.
Jeff would even answer my emails late at night . That's what I call great customer service.

So if you were to run into some issues with these cheaper no name units, who is gonna be there for you when you need them the most?
I don't know, it's just a thought but one worth taking into consideration.

Customer service on a product like this is the most important thing. Without it it its going to be a nightmare for someone.

JJ when you go NBT I will be following your thread closely. This is the route that I would like to go once that day arrives and since your in Texas I feel that at least I have a resident expert in the vicinity in the event I run into problems.

:thumbup: No problem, I'll do a full thread on it like I did the Avin... probably also do a .pdf for those wanting to take the info into the garage during install as with the Avin. After playing with the wife's CIC I want that in my X5 in the worst way. Wish I could run android apps on it, but honestly the android head units aren't powerful enough to run as smoothly and bug-free as I would like.

I also agree with four.8is, customer service on the ebay android head units is usually very lacking. I had great CS with the Avin Avant but I paid $650 for all of that gear from the US.

This is something I have been considering too. While I love my E53, I believe the head unit is the one feature that is lacking. Mine is the full screen version and I've updated the mapping disc, however it lacks so many features that 'modern' units have, I'm tempted to undertake the upgrade albeit something I don't have time to do...
There seems to be a few options out there, for the cheap Chinese android units - some claim they're suited to the E53, yet using their compatibility chart reveals it's not so. Before biting the bullet, I need to know if this is going to work or not and which one to go for. There is the tablet type: 9" BMW X5 E39 Android 6.0 9" Car Video GPS Stereo Player Head Unit 5 SERIES E53 | eBay
And the smaller screen type with control buttons on each side: 7" Win CE BMW X5 E53 Car DVD GPS Stereo Player Head Unit DAB+ Radio Camera BT M | eBay

So.... which one to go for? I already have a rear view camera and wonder if the wiring to it can be used...and what will become of the dvd mapping unit...redundant no doubt...and what about the microphone that's already there (in the rear view mirror I think)? So many questions I know - for those of you who have already gone down this path, I would be in your debt if you could give me some pointers. TIA.

I bought extra mic and plugged in the back of unit! I wired it up through the instrument cluster! Looks terrible but I will ask to rewired it up thgrough airbag to the roof

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The factory navi dvd and cd after that u can throw away

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2001 E53 X5 CD Player
 

Can someone tell me what the small connector on the back of the CD Player is? I know the big coax connection is the antenna, what's the other connection? I have no DSP, no NAV. Thx, Alan.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a95d48ca0b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...586898a00b.jpg

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Appears the new 9" versions are out with 2GB of RAM.

9� BMW ANDROID 6.0 E39 E53 X5 SERIE 5 OCTA-CORE 2GB RADIO GPS WIFI DAB USB 3G SD | eBay

I am still on fence on whether I want the OEM look of the smaller screen w/buttons or this flatter tablet style which appears to offer a friendlier angle. Not concerned with rounding off the bottom corners myself.

Had one of these in a previous car. The plug and play is nice plus the OEM fitted look.

My X5 though I went with a Pioneer NEX4100 with Android Auto and CarPlay. I prefer this actually more than the other unit

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Anyone installed one of these yet?

I prefer this one with the same hardware specs, but you do lose screen real estate. The longer I look at it the tablet style just looks hideous to me for some reason. Perhaps I'm just too used to the OEM styling.

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1RK8_Q...c30292e14e68b3

That's 1gb of Random Access Memory is quite good for an Android unit. Storage memory is probably 16gb or 32gb. The soccer mom minivan has an android unit with 32gb of storage.

http://www.siennachat.com/forum/memb...a-trim-kit.jpg

I used to have it when I owned E53! Pls do not get it! Screen is not straight....during the day you will see nothing! Get this with 2ram and 32gb with straight screen! Wide screen no f...g buttons!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3484a13ada.jpg

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thanks fot posting, do you have a link? The only 7.1 9" I found on ebay states 'not DPS' comptaible,

They are everywhere on ebay as well :D mostly on aliexpress.... they are for dsp as well, but connecting will be more difficult

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My 2012 nexus 7 has 2GB of ram, trying to multitask with 1GB would be a struggle.

Putting customer service aside and price aside, which of the options that will work with DSP has the most features and works well with Apple phones (in your opinions).

From posts here I have felt the Dyavin N6 is the best option. However, I am concerned that it is dated technology and perhaps options like this one or Eonon will be better for the longer run.

I have not found a single 9" which supports DSP, so I am purchasing a smaller 7.1 unit which includes the extension cable. I will let others march forward as beta testers. Been there too many times with cars. :)

I agree a bigger screen is a plus. To get a bigger screen did you lose features that you would have had with other options?

They all claim to work with DSP, but depending on the conection you may need an extension cable...

There is one that is 9" with a Octa-Core procesor and 2gb of ram with 32gb running 6.0. or the quadcore 2gb model running 7.1...

I really like the Octa core model.

None of the 9" 7.1 units I found claim DSP compatible, and none have an optional extension cable either. Unless you found one otherwise. I see the 6.0 units offer this.

This one below states extension cable only for factory amp, but above the text states not for factory nav/DSP
http://www.ebay.com/itm/9-WiFi-3G-An...NZjS2-&vxp=mtr

They all support dsp! When I bought mine....I had to say seller do I have dsp or not!

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It says this on the description. saw another seller asking $60 for it by the way.

3. Extension Cable (Need extra USD$30.00). If your car has a factory amplifier, you'd add it.


as stated above, I believe they all support it, it's just a matter of if you need the extension or not. but don't take my word for it. do ask the seller and verify what you have. I'm going by what I've read so far.

Well the company I just ordered from listed ALL of theirs able to work with the dsp system using their cable solution and all included the extension cable at no extra charge.

I think eonon also does the same thing now as they seem to of solved the dsp issue from what Ive read. Back when I ordered the eonon radios I put in my other bmw's they hadn't solved it yet but they seem to have it working now.

That's what I have in f150 and love it. Works flawless and great nav features. I like it nagging me when I go over the speed limit.

I just remembered while typing this I have the nex5100 actually but I think they are basically the same radio.

Well, I decided to opt with an aftermarket amp so DSP is no longer relevant to me. :) Going to buy one this evening and hopefully receive it late next week. AMP recommendations?

Stick with a class AB amp.

They are the most efficient while maintaining great sounds quality. But they do use a bunch more power from the car than class D's but the sound difference makes the AB the way to go.

Stay away from class D except for subwoofers. Class D is best left to subwoofer use. Most of the Cheap amps today are Class D.

Thank you for the information. Thinking I just run my own cabling to the back where the amp(s) will be. According this auction it has RCA cables for the output, figure run those to the rear amps.
Android 7.1 CAR DVD GPS Player Navigation 7" Touch Screen Radio for BMW X5 E53

Looks very similar front panel wise to the one I have coming. The back panel where the connectors are is different though.

I think all of them come with the rca setups for connecting an amp to them.

I second the above. Some really slick 5 channel amps actually use AB 4 channel and D classes in the same amplifier to give you the best both worlds in one chassis.

Oh and something I ran across that could save you some grief.

Avoid the new fangled amps that have Bluetooth built into them.

The concept looks good on paper but the manufacturers forgot to add pairing logic on all the models I looked at.

Basically anybody that has a cell phone can pair their device to your amp and hijack it. So they can play what they want on your stereo. That in itself isn't that big of a deal except that means they can turn the volume all the way up and play stuff that can damage your speakers.

Just something to avoid as its asking for trouble either way.

That looks like the gerneric of Eonon's latest that I have yet to install in the E46. I am replacing the dual core unit when the new cable arrives.

But oh, wait say the boys... New cable? Yes, dammit. For some silly reason, the new unit has *different* connections from the one I installed 7 MONTHS ago! :tantrum: But really, we know the reason: cheapest way to make the sh!t from people who have ZERO idea about upgrade paths, customer care, or anything that would make a real product successful for the long term. Making the same connections would have cost another 12 cents. That's rt. 12 CENTS. They're not in this for the long term though. The ODM's just want to push the shit out as cheap and as fast as possible. The changes to short antennae with soldered connections instead of a nice cable that twists on are perfect examples of these manufacturing shortcuts.

This isn't Eonon, Dynavin, Skyshadow, or any of the other crap brands that throw a decal and some firmware on these things. It's the ODM. They make it for less than $x, sell it for $x*1.5, and the boys with a website have to deal with the customer for the extra $x*3.5/unit. Consider that no matter what name is on it, you're getting the same hardware. Firmware, service of a dead unit, and the stuff you need to use it is what the decal gets you. If you can't figure out how to load a navigation map from the online community, then you're not doing it.

So having said that, buy one of these first on the objective specs the hardware brings: CPU/cores, RAM, Storage. Then consider that NONE of that matters at ALL with sh!tty firmware. It is absolutely no different from the bazillion flavors of Android on phones with cr@pware, bloatware, or annoying cell carrier sh!t that they try to block your own preferred use of your android device/phone. And then consider that an entire community likely exists around hacking these things to be what the user wants. (it does exist, I'm just not there yet) Just like the early days of Android on a phone. The OS doesn't care if it's a phone or a radio. Give it some firmware and solid code and you'll be off to the races.

So understand this: Go with Captain Nemo and you're on your own. At least the big boys have a 'reputation' inasmuch as it is. You b!tch ab China-Ware, Inc with EastEuro firmware daht ru and you're up for what you bought.

Which brings the next point: Unless you're just gonna start screwing with the thing even before you install it, it's totally worth another $30 to get the decal you'll eventually remove with acetone.

Now that I think of it, these things are like buying a used E53. :rofl: So buy one. Know that you're in for sh!t that doesn't work exactly like you'd have it. Expect very similar aggravations with regulators, banging transmissions, and SLS errors. But be happy the radio in your 17 yr old BMW pairs with your phone and plays the music you like. But don't expect things like high sunlight visibility, immunity from heat in the summer, or Wifi range greater than the doors of your car. Even if it's new, it's cheap and far from perfect. Accept that and buy knowing it. Or don't and choose an always on, always reliable retrofit that does exactly what the new cars do every time. One is $300. The other is WAY more expensive. There is reason. No one gets to b!tch when they take the cheap route.

The final message: Be cheap. Don't be stupid.

Who multi task while driving? I just listen to the radio or stream music from my phone while the GPS tells me when to turn. If you are composing letters or memo while driving you need to stop.

I haven't seen a lot of input from folks that have had aftermarket units installed for an extended period of time other than the Dynavin and Eonon. Seems like no installation is problem free in the beginning but over time things get ironed out for most. My perception is some Eonon owners continue to have problems and become dissatisfied. I don't recall reading about a Dyavin buyer that wished they hadn't purchased the product.

I called/emailed both Dyavin and Eonon about their products. Acknowledging I am far from an expert, I am convinced the Dynavin N6 is worth the extra money based on the custom designed software, fit and function, the support to iron out any issues quicker and that it becomes trouble free.

I will be purchasing the Dynavin N6 before long and based on the number of installs that have taken care of the early startup issues, I expect the install and startup to be a plug and play.

Remember you can kiss off resetting the mpg and trip meter if you go dynavin.

In most bmw's like the e46 I would never stick my nose into someone buying a dynavin as its just another Chinese head unit to me with usa support so to each their own. I have actually helped people that bought a dynavin with their installation before.

But on an e39 or e53 I would go with something with android operating system and at least one free usb port so you wont lose features by changing the factory nav radio or factory mid unit out.

The Eonon units allow you to keep your OBC function?

Interesting. Any special wiring or equipment needed? Hard to tell from the link. It looks like it's just an app that replaces OBC functions?

You need this piece of hardware to go with it.

iBus interface for BMW Navcoder

My radio shipped and claims 3 to 5 days shipping so I should have it by Friday at the latest. I will install it while doing a howto on that part.

Then I will order the app and that module since that saves me having to do the android io. No since in re-inventing the wheel and also means if someone wants to copy what I have they don't have to build the io board they can just buy that one and plug it in.

I will do a howto on installing it and showing how it works.

etc.

So radio installed this week and ibus interface the following week. I don't have time to go faster than that :)

Trying to get the front wheel bearing installed this weekend to be free to do the radio when it comes in.

Looking forward to your write up

Good Lordy, this thing looks awesome! Watched the video and my Dynavin N6 seems really outdated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDCe...ature=youtu.be

Looking at one of these, also....crossover recommendations?

https://www.amazon.com/Hifonics-BRX5...+class+a%2Fb+d

https://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosg...+class+a%2Fb+d

Its best these days to go with an amp with built in crossover control. My old school hifonics amps have them built in. The newer hifonics amps didn't impress me that much but that was the ones that came right after the ones I have and that was over 10 years ago so I have no experience with what they make now.

I know Rockford had gone downhill too back in the day but again no experience with their new stuff.

Im going with zapco from my research it seems to be the best there is at the moment for what I want to do.

Crowz--which unit did you order?

Im doing an install thread on it right now here :

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ll-thread.html

I didn't actually see a model number yet :)

I will post it and a link to where I bought it when I get done doing the install. Just came back into the house to eat real quick and then will get back at installing it.

You bought that fu....g screen??? What do you want to watch during day light :D after installing you will regret your mistake :D

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If your referring to mine I have the screen glare protectors that are designed for privacy originally. Depending on how you apply them you get no glare. I use them in my other bmw's.

Cant be any worse than the factory radio.

I am saying that it is not straight...that designed you mentioned is useless! It is like mobile you take oit from pocket and you see nothong on the screen

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This is the one I went with and so far I love it.

https://www.seicane.com/android-car-...wifi-sia-s6902

Its a model S6902

Got mine installed today. I like the factory look and flush fit. Glad I went this route vs. the 9".
Bypassed the factory amp. Ran my own loom from the head unit to the rear. Initially is sounded OK, about the same as stock. I then added 2 crossovers I had laying around from a car long past gone, and wow, after a little tweaking all 10 speakers came alive. Sounds far better than the OEM DSP system previous. Have not yet installed an amp yet. Going to play with it for a little while before deciding if I 'really' need one.

If you keep the factory speakers I wouldn't bother with an amp to be honest. Amp is only going to help with a speaker upgrade.

Thinking your right. I prefer the open space behind the panel as I yanked all of the factory stuff (amp, nav, bluetooth module). Might fab a nice storage compartment in there.

My 4.4 has the DSP system as well and a side by side resulted in an impressive win for the new head unit. I'm leaving that one as is.

After reading several newer posts, I am not so sure the Dynavin is the best way to go. What are the features offered by units like the Seicane that are not offered on the Dynavin N6?

TPMS tire pressure monitoring systems

Being able to reset the mpg and trip meter

Any map software available to any android device aka a ton of navigation choices

Games

Business software

Educational software

Rear entertainment system

Screen mirroring of your phone

The ability to update the operating system

The ability to update the programs (apps)

The entire google app store worth of programs.



Needless to say I think dynavin is toast :)

Speaking of TPMS, my E53 was not equipped with a factory system and I retrofitted this to my Eonon GA6166 head unit

https://xoutpost.com/1101325-post214.html

I liked it so much I added it to my Eonon GM5150 in my E46 who's factory TPMS has been defunct for quite some time.

Mike

Thanks! Now looking at Android based units. Sometimes I have had my iPad set over the Nav screen sometimes to use the Torque app and a couple others I have. Really liked the bigger screen.

With all the things that are coming out for all the different android units now its a no brainer to me to buy an open ended android system. Its future proof at least for the foreseeable future.

Dynavin is a closed system which means you cant add anything to it or change it much. Its a dead end street as far as I can see.

So when a new feature like the tire monitoring system or digital tv receiver or anything else comes out you just get to watch everyone else add the new stuff while your stuck with a radio that can't have any upgrades.

I imagine future dynavin models will be open ended if they want to keep selling radios but for now I wouldn't buy one until they address this.

But to each their own.

You've got me reconsidering a Dynavin purchase also. Love to see your write up on the complete install including the module and software needed so you can use OBC.

Well the write up on the install is on going now.

The module for the reset ability will be the next part I do when I finish the main install howto. Rain and bad weather is slowing me down.

I'm almost done on the basic install.

Awesome. Looking forward to it. Looks like it's cheaper than the Dynavin as well. I have Nav and no DSP. Does this unit come with the long cable to run back to the existing radio and nav connections under the spare or is there a bunch of wire you have to run yourself? Thanks!

This thread shows the entire install and what comes with the unit.

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ll-thread.html

It also shows how to install the system with the same factory stuff you have now.

thanks!

I find my Dynavin N6 boring. Paid so much for it several years ago- $800. It's akin to having an expensive pc that you cannot add or remove any software or access the web. Just imagine! And your buddies have a cheapo $300 pc (equally nice looking) with access to anything everywhere. Sheesh!

I would not do Dynavin either. It's like buying an Apple product. I went Avin last time and it was a solid unit. Still functioning after a few years now in my previous X5 (sold to brother in law). It was an old quad core and only ran 4.1.1 so the newer android units have certainly progressed.

I keep going back and forth between one of these cheapie android units with the 8 core processors and an NBT upgrade. Both have their benefits. The NBT is hella expensive, but OEM and super nice and functional. The Android units are cheap up front, though I have DSP so would need active processing and an amp or two which adds cost and takes up space. Both routes can access OBC functionality which is one thing that lacked (at the time) with my Avin.

Decisions... decisions.

I would be surprised if Dynavin develops an all new model for the E53. With the number of competitive products and the declining E53 market it is likely development will be dedicated to new model BMWs.

I'm inclined to agree. They never had a really compelling product to me as the UI looked pretty bland and without android functionality it left the unit pretty dead. The only thing they had going was the integration with DSP and solid customer service. I could see them continuing to offer their current model, but a redesign might be too costly an investment even though the E53 is not far removed from the E39 and E46 market which greatly increases the customer base.

As you mention, with the cost of competing units being half their offering while being much more functional and customization (though I'm sure with less access to customer service) they are going to cut their losses.

Installed the reverse camera today. Slightly dremeled out one of the existing openings on the trim piece and it slid right in. Factory look, works great.

Pics? Helps people see how to do it and how it looks :)

Mine should be here in 3 days.

Posted below

I installed the 8 core Eonon in my E46 today. It is a HUGE improvement over the dual core unit. I am happy enough at this 4th hour of ownership to say I will have one in the E53.

I am SUPER excited to see the OBC adapter and apps. I wanna see THAT work correctly. Crowz- you up for an install some day? :cool:

Some pics below: I still need to slightly adjust the right side of the headunit which has a little gap, other wise I am very happy. I also utilized the backup distance markers from the head unit instead of the camera itself, which was not as sharp. Two wires, one-RCA for video, and then the power, both run alongside the factory loom in the hatch up to the top, then down into the rear left wiring area where the power was spliced into the reverse signal wire from the head unit to the canbus.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4409/...45f01940_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4331/... height="597">

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4400/...alt="Camera-1"

Adjusted and now it fits nice and flush on the bottom.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4359/...c9708f90_b.jpg

Poser Shot
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4331/...239be65f_b.jpg

Is that the back up camera in the deck release handle?

It is mounted in the screw recess next to the handle. Dremel it out a little and it fits great. The screw mount on the camera goes through an enlarged drilled hole (where old screw went through) on the trim piece, then a nut secures the camera.

If all my parts get here this week and I finish installing it all then next week is obc functions.

@pearl: I like that camera solution. Better than working hard to get my camera to fit the number plate illumination. Came out great, but was a lot more trouble than necessary. Nice looking truck too btw. :thumbup:

This is what I am waiting for... my E53 will be undergoing a full audio system in the near future if you get this working with DIY documentation.

Sucks I'll have to rip out the DSP stuff and add an amp, processing, and all that good stuff. But such is the price of adding amenities to a vehicle in a factory looking/functioning way. :dunno:

For context, here's what my interior looked like during my Avin install.

https://s6.postimg.org/hnirv6owh/image.jpg

Ouch, I bet that took awhile to do.

Crystalworks, why did you go to an extreme disassembly just for the audio install? Looks like an X5 being parted out.

Hats off to you, sometimes less frustrating to rip it all apart than to feed wires through tight spots.

About a week. Worked between 4-8 hours a day. My installs typically take quite awhile. The OCD is real for me when it comes to wiring... for better or worse.

I used to do installations as a side gig. I've always thought the best wire runs followed (and were integrated into when possible) the factory harnesses. I typically even wrap all my wires in the BMW Tesa tape to keep with the OEM look/fitment. It takes an insane amount of time... but that's how it goes.

Exactly. Plus, it really helps me clean the interior of a car. I usually lay the interior out in the living room and my wife steam cleans and then conditions everything that got pulled. :D

this is the camera I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I tried these, but they would not fit (long one) or the mount was too large in diameter.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any of you guys tries this one? https://www.amazon.com/Canying-Rever...+backup+camera

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife...

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife...

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife....

:eeps:

I was gonna say...........

:iagree: I have the blow by blow manual of that install crystalworks shared graciously

The issue is the existing lens assembly is part of the trim piece. It can be hacked, removed, and installed, just a lot of work. I believe Crowz ran stated the same in his thread.

The one I linked is a replacement for the trunk latch, NOT the license plate light.

:bustingup:bustingup:bustingup:bustingup

Yesterday was our 12th anniversary. I think we're both in it for the long haul... sorry boys. ;) Here's a shot to tease you... E46 M3 interior in the cleaning process.

https://s6.postimg.org/ew43ibfrl/IMG_0812.jpg

Doing that manual added quite a bit of time to the install as well.

BTW in that manual for anyone interested is a step by step for how to modify one of the e39 cameras to fit the e53. It looks good if done right... but it's not easy. Not easy at all.

https://s6.postimg.org/n07m9bcsx/DSC_0120.jpg

Ahh, gotcha, still....I do not see how it would mount. The E53 does not have a handle where this would mount. The latch on the E53 is two buttons covered by nub, then covered with a rubber pad. The buttons are spread out so it would take a lot of fabricating to fit this and still allow the latch to work properly. Definitely not a bolt on solution. So many sellers advertise E53 compatibility without actually checking. :dunno:

:rofl:

I clicked that link and this is what amazon had on the top of the screen.

So we will have the same camera it seems :)

From what I could tell when I took the lip assembly off my x5 the handle isn't much easier to swap either which is why I just went with the stand alone camera.

Basically all of the plug and play camera ideas only work on vehicles that the item your replacing goes directly into the trunk lid.

The E53 X5 and my E46 323i have a lip that bolts onto the trunk/hatch lid. None of the off the shelf gadgets will fit cars that use that lip to hold the lights/handles. Only ones that go directly into the trunk itself will work with them.

For instance my wife's 528i has the tag lights that bolt into the trunk itself. No lip assembly. All of the bolt on gadgets work with her car.

^Yes, sorry I said e39/e46 in my post about how I did my reverse camera... I'll correct it so someone doesn't get confused.

Avin also advertises theirs as having e53 and e46 compatibility (unless they corrected it since I did my install, I did notify them)... which is as you say, wrong.

In light of fitment issues reported here and other threads I was looking around and found this backup cam on a YouTube demo by JD cars. What is your take on this one?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ff0432fc398a50




Garage:
E53 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04 (SOLD)
E53 4.8iS N62s born 2006-03-16
E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06

Looks terrible... IMO of course. Probably functions just fine though... has tons of reviews and they look mostly favorable. Remember though, if going this route, you will have to find a way to get the wiring up and into the hatch. Then you will have to weather proof that hole. :(

Fair enough. The YouTube demo was on E90 and I forgot the lightbulb used to wire the camera in the trunk is inside the upper trunk lid on E53.



Garage:
E53 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04 (SOLD)
E53 4.8iS N62s born 2006-03-16
E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06

Instead of tearing into the hatch trim and latch mechanism and down to the area under the rear floor, I chose a simple wiring route up from the hitch and into the under floor area through the same access hole as the factory hitch wiring passes. This was a priority for me in my camera selection and install.

While not a "purist" camera install, it works for me and I'm happy with it. :dunno: :dunno:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ac...Q=w852-h442-no

Mike

Better in number plate light or in number plate cover! This is very low and lens will be dirty much fastwr

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Yes, I have found the lens to dirty quickly.

I gave some thought to lower area of number plate but that would have had me running a wire on the tailgate down under :dunno: :dunno: or drilling into the tailgate (yikes) to bring the camera wire in the tailgate and then out where the tailgate light wires exit.

So I just live with what I've got until I see a better solution.

Mike

Why you chose with wire? Much easier wireless!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I'm all ears for wireless recommendations and experiences people have had with specific wireless cameras.

Mike

I have one of those on my F150 and a similar one on my F250. Both work great. Perfect for trucks since the camera is closer to the trailer hitch.

I want the hidden look on my BMW's is why I didn't use one of those on them. But they will work fine.

That's good to hear.



Garage:
E53 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04 (SOLD)
E53 4.8iS N62s born 2006-03-16
E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06

Sorry can't give any wireless recommendations. I never ran across one that I liked over the reliability of a wired unit.

That was some time ago though so wireless tech has probably improved quite a bit...

.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b3a5c95826.jpg

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

At least as it pertains to powering a camera on the hatch of an E53, that looks like a lot of wires for a wireless solution.

How's the radio reception of this head unit compared to the factory unit?

I cant answer for his but the one I added actually picks up better than the factory radio did.

Where did you buy yours from? Please post a link. Radio reception is very important to me.

Thanks!

I posted a link in the my x5 radio upgrade thread. It was on sale yesterday too. I would look it up for you but I'm headed out the door right now.

Radio reception is very good, though I seldom use it. I plan on adding DAP to it. I paid $260ish or so for mine without the long cable. I preferred to run my own. I have the factory TPMS so no need to add another, with large valve stems which will only get stolen. It appears the unit Crowz picked up and mine are very similar is most ways, even the GUI, which is a bit limiting with SD-card media, but usable.

Overall I am pleased with it. The factory looking backup camera works well, I do not plan on adding any video feeds as I have front, interior, and rear dashcams already, and this is not my daily anyhow. In fact it is under my carport in the back of the house, not in my garage.

I filled up each of the 36(?) available presets with zero problems. Reception is very good.

Did one in my girls E46. Took me a little time to mount the camera (the 'drop in' license plate bulb style) and get the best spot for antenna reception (taped to the interior panel on the trunk, zip-tieing it to the metal trunk itself would cause some static issues). Left the front antenna right behind the radio.

Works great so far. Night vision is pretty damn good.

Few photos of my dashcams. I like the ability to play the videos from the sdcard on the Android headunit. Pop out the sd card from the camera and into the headunit, and the video plays great with audio. Front/Rear/Interior video.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4440/...47dcdc7a_b.jpg


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/...685452ec_b.jpg



https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/...71047c8e_b.jpg

So far I don't like the backup camera we got.

Its field of view is a bunch smaller than my other backup cameras but I've got so much on my plate right now I will wait a bit before hunting for a replacement. All of the ones I have on the other cars are discontinued or out of stock which is why I had to go with this one. It looks good but its night vision is a bit weak compared to the others and its field of view is bunch worse.

I want to see more up top is the main complaint. I can see right behind the X5 just fine but I'm used to being able to see other cars moving around and even the driver of cars behind me which this one won't show with the limited field of view.

The front dash cam, is it from Aukey? Looks a lot like Aukey DR02



Garage:
E53 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04 (SOLD)
E53 4.8iS N62s born 2006-03-16
E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06

Street Guardian SG9665GC v3 for the front. It replaced an A119C which went out on me, cheap=cheap. I will no longer buy cheap cameras, had 4 go out on me. So far the SG has been reliable, and the night video and audio is what sold me, along with the known durability. We shall see.

Rear is a Vantrue N2, not Pro. So 720P interior, and 1080P Rear.

Agree on the field of view, would like a bit more, but it shows me what matters-hitch hookup, and people. There are times I tend to tune out the rear parking sensors, so between the two should prevent most mishaps.

Thanks for confirming




Garage:
E53 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04 (SOLD)
E53 4.8iS N62s born 2006-03-16
E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06

Unsure if others with Android head units are experiencing the same, however I noticed it takes a few minutes for the GPS signal to acquire once the vehicle is turned on. The antenna is not obstructed, and on the windshield.

Mine pops up within 5 or 10 seconds at the most.

Usually its almost instant.

Might try this.

Thanks, I saw that on Pumpkin. I also have another GPS receiver 6" away. Will mess with options over the weekend. :)

Rearranged things, new dash cam as the Vantrue failed, picked up a Thinkware system which has integrated GPS (not external), so far the Android unit GPS pickup is quicker now. Now only if the app for changing steering wheel controls worked properly..... Otherwise nice system, definitely needs an external amp, even with stock speakers.

On some of the radios the steering wheel controls had to be set in the hidden menu "factory settings" section to the correct car (which isn't always correct by whats in the list) to get it to work right. Some ignore that setting all together. Id email the manufacturer and see if they can help on that one.

The amp part can be helped some on eonons for instance by turning up the volume levels for particular components. I think that's in the hidden area too.

The seicane works flawless sound wise with no tweaks. I had to tweak all my eonons source volume levels in that menu to get them to do decent.

I went into the factory settings to adjust the steering wheels controls, no dice. No big deal, just want to flip the up/down selection button as they are reversed. I swear I saw a default volume setting in there someplace. Just little time these days.