Android Dash Display Screen

[AnubisZed]

Well following on from my Retro-Fits thread the other day I said I'd post this up separately once I had some proper information on it, well now I do.

Firstly, disclaimer :- I have absolutely NO connection either personal (apart from talking to them) or financially with the manufacturers/sellers of this unit, ie; I gain NOTHING from this it is solely for information.

Ok, so this unit fits on top of the dash and either replaces your cubby hole or iDrive screen as it's compatible with both ways. If you don't have iDrive then you also get an iDrive controller with it (Having spoken to the manufacturer the iDrive controller is still in development so is currently not supplied with it, it will be once it's sorted) and it'll connect to your Professional head unit. If you do have the iDrive system then this screen replaces your current screen and connects to your existing system.
It gives you all the usual Android apps & benefits with a nice choice of BMW style screen layouts (NBT, EVO or ID6 style).
Here are the specs...

Android 8.1
●Rockchip PX6(RK3399)
●6 core: Dual Cortex-A72(CPU 1.8GHZ)+ Quad Cortex-A53(CPU 1.4GHZ)
●2GB DDR4 32GB Emmc Memory.
●Build-in Microphone
●Support external Microphone

●GPU :Mali T860MP4
●Capacitive 8.8/10.25 inch
●Resolution: 1280*480
●2 x USB , 1x SD;
●Support Mirrorlink - Android & IOS.
●Built-in high sensitivity GPS.
●Bulit-in WIFI,Support 3D Map
●Support Multi Touch.
●Built-in BMW Canbus,Support iDrive.
●Support Steering Wheel Control.
●Support Original car info.
●GPS Sound is output from Front-left Speaker.
●Be compatible with original screen 6.5/8.8/10.25inch.
●Be compatible with/Without Optic fiber.
●Be compatible with/Without Original Navigation
●Support Original ALL FUNCTIONS.
●Support Original Radio.
●Built-in Bluetooth and Support Original Bluetooth.
●Support Idrive control in Android Menu.
●Support Idrive control in original Menu.
●Support Original/aftermarket camera.
●Support Parking trajectory/Radar.
●Support AUX Switch automatically-some old cars switch manually.

Attached are all of the photos I currently have, I'll add more stuff as soon as I come across it.

 

[tintoverano]

thanks Dave for all the efforts so far, looking good :fuelfire:

 

[clarker63]

Worth noting that I've got a chinese rockchip android 8.1 double din unit in my other car, and not all android apps work on it... e.g. BBC Sounds you can't log in, bbc radio iplayer crashes all the time etc. Plus radio reception is pretty poor, the microphone doesn't work very well for voice calls and the screen contrast isn't great for google maps, and you can't modify the volume between apps either.. £300 not well spent in my opinion!

It does look nice though...Hopefully someone can be the guinea pig and tell us all how good it is.

 

[R.E92]

I'm surprised how OK it looks. I expected some nasty looking DIY tablet like almost every other aftermarket infotainment unit but this looks less crap than most.

I think this is intended for the Chinese market so any English UI is going to be full of spelling mistakes and poor grammar. In the initial promo photos you can see "Turn on Bluetooth device and make a calle" and the description for the navigation sounds like the output from google translate. They might fix a few of the obvious issues but you can guarantee it's never going to be 100%.

If it is linked into the CANBUS then hopefully you can use programs like MHD and Torque. That would add something truly useful.

 

[AnubisZed]

Sorry guys I should have included these videos as well.
OK this is for the e90 but it's by the same people and uses the same connection system, hardware (except for the mounting bracket) and software.
How to install it (ignore cutting the dash, this is not needed for the e89) jump to 6:22 then from 6:52 jump to 8:06 (enable subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzRvDBqxokw

How it works...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYhmrsm2iAY

Like I've said I'm not connected with these guys, but they have been selling these systems and the replacement iDrive touch screen screens for a few years now, they are not a new company they are an experienced, BMW only, iDrive replacement company. I believe that these are the same ones that AVIN USA sell for the US market as well.

 

[Pyranha]

ike I've said I'm not connected with these guys, but they have been selling these systems and the replacement iDrive touch screen screens for a few years now, they are not a new company they are an experienced, BMW only, iDrive replacement company. I believe that these are the same ones that AVIN USA sell for the US market as well.

I asked the a-carnavi people the relationship with AVIN and they said AVIN are their US distributor. They also told me in Europe they had a distributor in Germany and Hungary. I am trying to find out who these are as it might be easier for us located in the region.

I think this is intended for the Chinese market so any English UI is going to be full of spelling mistakes and poor grammar. In the initial promo photos you can see "Turn on Bluetooth device and make a calle" and the description for the navigation sounds like the output from google translate. They might fix a few of the obvious issues but you can guarantee it's never going to be 100%.

From what I have seen on other forums it looks like AVIN the US distributor updates the software themselves and provides support releases after purchase to take care of issues like this. Again if we can find out who the EU distributors are it might be interesting to see if they do the same before deciding who to source from.

 

[Broads]

And the important question, how much was it? and how much of a PITA was it to install?

 

[tintoverano]

I asked the a-carnavi people the relationship with AVIN and they said AVIN are their US distributor. They also told me in Europe they had a distributor in Germany and Hungary. I am trying to find out who these are as it might be easier for us located in the region.

started finding them in Hungary, keep you posted...

 

[Nictrix]

The only thing that lets it down are the 2 white blocks on either side of the screen.
These look a bit odd, are they just for a mock up model to keep the screen in place?
I have been looking at the Avin sight for quite a while waiting for one for the Z as it looks like a good bit of kit.
Don't think I would buy anything from a facebook account though. Here today gone tomorrow.

 

[clarker63]

The only thing that lets it down are the 2 white blocks on either side of the screen.
These look a bit odd, are they just for a mock up model to keep the screen in place?
I have been looking at the Avin sight for quite a while waiting for one for the Z as it looks like a good bit of kit.
Don't think I would buy anything from a facebook account though. Here today gone tomorrow.

they're black in the pictures above...yes - white would look very weird!

 

[Z4Sparky]

I messaged them on Facebook and they came back with a price of US$750

 

[Nictrix]

The only thing that lets it down are the 2 white blocks on either side of the screen.
These look a bit odd, are they just for a mock up model to keep the screen in place?
I have been looking at the Avin sight for quite a while waiting for one for the Z as it looks like a good bit of kit.
Don't think I would buy anything from a facebook account though. Here today gone tomorrow.

they're black in the pictures above...yes - white would look very weird!

No its not, the pic of the Z4 dash has white blocks on each side of the screen.
Just had a look at the facebook page and the link to their website, its coming from China so I am definitely out. Will wait and hopefully Avin sort one out.

 

[clarker63]

US$750

a tad too expensive for me then...

 

[clarker63]

The only thing that lets it down are the 2 white blocks on either side of the screen.
These look a bit odd, are they just for a mock up model to keep the screen in place?
I have been looking at the Avin sight for quite a while waiting for one for the Z as it looks like a good bit of kit.
Don't think I would buy anything from a facebook account though. Here today gone tomorrow.

they're black in the pictures above...yes - white would look very weird!

No its not, the pic of the Z4 dash has white blocks on each side of the screen.
Just had a look at the facebook page and the link to their website, its coming from China so I am definitely out. Will wait and hopefully Avin sort one out.

I have a daughter who swears that black is white sometimes too! :rofl: I mean in the pictures above that, not the one in the dash which I guess is some sort of prototype!

 

[Pyranha]

No its not, the pic of the Z4 dash has white blocks on each side of the screen.
Just had a look at the facebook page and the link to their website, its coming from China so I am definitely out. Will wait and hopefully Avin sort one out.

We think the picture of the unit in the car was just a prototype. If you look at the standalone pictures of the unit you can see they have added a surround that matches the contours of the dash. So it should look much better when we get a picture of the final unit installed in a car (I hope!)

 

[AnubisZed]

The part in white is a prototype, it's the black that you'd receive.
I fully get the "not buying through Facebook", totally understand. I'd assume it'll be on their website soon enough as well as AVIN USA's site.
Don't forget $750 US is the cost but does not include import/customs duties and you WILL be charged this from anything imported from the US guaranteed, but you may get away with it from China, I'm not suggesting anything just your personal choice.

I would buy one right now except that I have more important places to spend circa £600, shame as I've been looking into this for well over a year now

 

[tintoverano]

I asked the a-carnavi people the relationship with AVIN and they said AVIN are their US distributor. They also told me in Europe they had a distributor in Germany and Hungary. I am trying to find out who these are as it might be easier for us located in the region.

started finding them in Hungary, keep you posted...

found the reseller, asked them about availability, waiting for response...

 

[Pyranha]

I would buy one right now except that I have more important places to spend circa £600, shame as I've been looking into this for well over a year now

Hopefully a few offers appear over time and the price comes down. I am also in no rush! I have got on ok up until now with the aux in cable and my phone mounted to the dash!

 

[eff1guy]

Looks really interesting. I presume there isn't a flip up version for people who already have iDrive, it's just a straight replacement with this one that stands there permanently? Or are the screens interchangeable with the existing iDrive screen and you keep the motorised flip lid?

 

[Pyranha]

Looks really interesting. I presume there isn't a flip up version for people who already have iDrive, it's just a straight replacement with this one that stands there permanently? Or are the screens interchangeable with the existing iDrive screen and you keep the motorised flip lid?

It appears that the screen is a straight replacement if you have idrive and that stands fixed, No motorised option.