need electronics help- double DIN related
 

So I'm thinking of installing a double DIN in my truck . There are tons of name brands and even more non name brands . This particular non name brand unit caught my eye . It is reasonable in price , has a good amount of memory and supports rear view camera which I want . What I need help with is the GPS on this unit . I am confused on how it works or what data it uses to supply GPS maps .

It states it has a built in map program but then say's it only supports online maps . You can " connect to the wireless network " or you can " use your phone hotspot " . I want to make sure I am NOT burning up data on my smart phone plan and I think if I use it as a hot spot it will . Is that correct ? In the advertising it shows Google maps , so if you want to use Google maps how do you use it ? Do you push on an icon and it logs into " the wireless network " ???

Talk to me like I'm a 10 year old :D so I can understand . Also in general what are your thoughts on this unit . My main goals are radio stations , downloaded music , back up camera and GPS . Here is the link . I am in the Georgia mountains and wifi internet while driving is hit or miss but I never have an issue with my stand alone Magellan GPS .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Android-9-1-2GB-RAM-2Din-Car-Stereo-Radio-GPS-Navi-Wifi-Quad-core-Mirror-Link-/383068949907

I think you'll need to get clarification from the manufacturer.

My interpretation - it uses bluetooth to connect to whatever device you have in the vehicle that is connected to a data plan ie: you provide the hotspot from your device.

I think GPS features on vehicle infotainment systems are something that the need has passed. The most basic smart phone can support GPS/ mapping apps like Waze which is very good btw.

I replaced the head unit in my 4 runner with a poineer. I told my installer or sale guy that I want something simple to operate and dislike layers and layers of buttons just to get at one thing. I could care less what the background color is of it can be changed or not. He recommended the Pioneer. If I need gps, It comes from my I phone. Basically my i phone is on the screen and I can control it from there. I almost never use it. he claims the wireless units aren't completely reliable yet. I like it so much that I had him installed on on my truck and other on my wife's van. I think it was 3-400 bucks. I learn one thing, no cheap crap for me. They only break and I have to do it all over again. Not worth going cheap IMO

Your phone has to turned on as a wifi hotspot (option on modern smartphones) and the radio has to be hooked to it. Phone will act like well, wifi and pull information thru the cell network.

It will draw data through your phone.

If you have unlimited, great. if you don't that would get pretty expensive pretty quickly if you use it a lot.

In your situation it would be best to use a dedicated GPS / nav that didn't rely on google maps, trying to use google maps while going thru areas with no service is not cool.

rjp

Thank you for the precise and easy to understand explanation .

My new Kenwood in my 996 has android auto. Apples have carplay. For android auto to function the phone has to be physically connected with a provided USB cable to operate. At this point functions such as call, google maps, spotify, etc. are accessed through the app and it does use data for streaming and maps. I rarely use the native GPS maps function in my vehicles that have it. I typically use google maps because the functionality is so much better but if you are regularly traveling through areas with poor cell reception or have a limited data plan that won't work for you.

I see it as using your cell phone's GPS as a speedometer (app) when the vehicle already has one.

Is there no such thing as a double DIN that has a stand alone GPS ? Or do ALL of them use your phone ? If that is the case then I will continue to use my current GPS .

No phone needed with ones like this.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AVW6600/Pioneer-AVIC-W6600NEX.html?tp=20222

Ok I learned something , I should be looking for an in dash GPS with the extras I want . I may just buy an Android based double DIN and use my stand alone GPS . I have it , it works great and free online map updates for life.

There are definitely options to have the new double din have GPS built in. You can also include a separate GPS antenna to improve the signal. If your truck lacks a back up camera you can add that as well.

I went with a Pioneer 1550 for my Excursion its plug in Appleplay which works for me my, research showed any of the standalone GPS units were pretty expensive and I use my phone 99% for GPS anyway.

On the Crutchfield website you can filter for all the features you have described above. Carplay (wired), Carplay(wireless), Android, GPS, etc.

You quickly move from $250 to $750 with the higher end options...

Even if you don't buy from them the site is extremely helpful, including all the parts you need to interface your radio to your specific vehicle.

And their phone support is excellent.

Hey guys well I have analyzed this to death :rolleyes: like I normally do ( I can't help it ) and just now decided to purchase this unit . It is cheap enough so if I'm not happy with it so be it . But for my truck I think it will work fine . Time will tell :D . I am sure I will have to get an extension cable for the camera , my truck is an extended cab with an 8 ' bed so she's a biggin :D .


https://www.ebay.com/itm/383103325503