Aftermarket Headunit - Newsmy Carpad 2S

[gregspam]

I recently purchased a new headunit to replace my RCD310. Quite impressed with the quality of it so thought I'd post a review on youtube to help others out.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[rich-s]

Looks good. Was it difficult to install? Do you have to enable the VW to talk to it, or is it plug and play? What site did you buy from?

edit: I don't have any experience of android. Could you load a TomTom app onto it, or is there not enough memory?

 

[motacyclist]

Thanks for posting that review Greg, it looks better than the VW OEM unit. I guess it would be about £2k if it was on the VW options list.

Like Rich says, would be interesting to see what was involved in the installation.

Colin

 

[gregspam]

Installation was quite straightforward. In summary, my recollections are:

1. Remove trim around existing headunit. Involves undoing a couple of screws and prising the trim around the centre console off (2 minute job, videos available on youtube).
2. Remove four screws holding the original headunit in place and slide it out and disconnect aerial, canbus and I think that's it.
3. All the wiring supplied with the new headunit works without any fiddling or splicing of cables. Connect in canbus connector and aeria. Additionally there is the GPS antenna to mount (I just fixed it under the dash in the void below dash tray) and route a microphone for handsfree wherever you want it.
4. There's a small android box (included) that fits in the glove compartment that also needs connecting to the headunit. I routed the cable through where the VW ipod connector would normally go. The android box has a slot for an SD card and a couple of USB ports you can use to connect phone(s) to charge.
5. Refix screws and replace trim and that's it.

Being very cautious I think it took me under an hour after watching youtube videos on how to remove trim.

I purchased from here:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/News...24-600-resolution-android4-4/32223984334.html

And for geeks, there's a lot of support and development around this headunit and its variants here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/4-4-2-kitkat-head-unit-newsmy-carpad-t2865525

I used some of the resources there to put the more California / VW specific boot logos and animations in - otherwise you get the generic Newsmy ones.

 

[777111]

Hi,

Thanks for this - very interesting and a serious amount of expense saved versus OEM options.

There is a lot in this device and that leaves me with a few technical questions -
1) Sound quality - how good? Spec states "50w x 4" amps - RMS or PMPO? (the former would be good!)
2) Does it have 4 x pre-outs for connection to remote amps?
3) The canbus support - needs no dealer intervention to code it in? The reversing / climate options just work?
4) How about Bluetooth with existing VW BT prep ? Could it use the external mic?
5) Controls - I don't have MF steering wheel but all the DIS options present via canbus and the right stalk buttons can access the unit?


For the money its incredible. I would love to actually hear one.

Thanks again.

Simon

 

[briwy]

What is the radio performance like?
I put a similar unit into our first Cali a couple of years ago and was very disapointed with the radio. Overall though was quite impressed with it for the money.

 

[gregspam]

1) Sound quality - how good? Spec states "50w x 4" amps - RMS or PMPO? (the former would be good!)
2) Does it have 4 x pre-outs for connection to remote amps?

I've got the standard California speakers which aren't great so it's hard to tell just how good the quality is. The guys over at XDA who have better setups seem to suggest it's good though. The radio reception is fine too, though it might be improved by having a proper dual fakra adapter (I have it plugged into just one).

Believe output is closer to RMS, but take a look here. Lots of details that enterprising souls have measured all sorts of outputs.

I believe it has 2x pre-outs, again details at the above link.

3) The canbus support - needs no dealer intervention to code it in? The reversing / climate options just work?

Just works out of the box for reversing sensors and climatronic, no dealer intervention required.

4) How about Bluetooth with existing VW BT prep ? Could it use the external mic?

I didn't have the VW BT Prep so hard to comment, but the mic is just a 3.5mm jack, so if the VW BT prep mic has one of those I don't see why it wouldn't be a simple swap.

5) Controls - I don't have MF steering wheel but all the DIS options present via canbus and the right stalk buttons can access the unit?

Not sure re the stalk you mention. Worth noting that the only thing this unit doesn't do is present radio/track information or Nav instructions in the DIS. It just displays Volkswagen Audio, Volkswagen Navigation or something similar. I think Nav in DIS is only ever going to be available on OEM units as its so tied to the (relatively poor) VW Nav software implementation. Shame but not a big issue.

Regarding TomTom, in theory yes easily possible, but I understand there is a widely known problem with TomTom not working on a lot of Android tablets due to a problem with the way TomTom reads the GPS signal.

 

[777111]

I've got the standard California speakers which aren't great so it's hard to tell just how good the quality is. The guys over at XDA who have better setups seem to suggest it's good though. The radio reception is fine too, though it might be improved by having a proper dual fakra adapter (I have it plugged into just one).

Believe output is closer to RMS, but take a look here. Lots of details that enterprising souls have measured all sorts of outputs.

I believe it has 2x pre-outs, again details at the above link.



Just works out of the box for reversing sensors and climatronic, no dealer intervention required.



I didn't have the VW BT Prep so hard to comment, but the mic is just a 3.5mm jack, so if the VW BT prep mic has one of those I don't see why it wouldn't be a simple swap.



Not sure re the stalk you mention. Worth noting that the only thing this unit doesn't do is present radio/track information or Nav instructions in the DIS. It just displays Volkswagen Audio, Volkswagen Navigation or something similar. I think Nav in DIS is only ever going to be available on OEM units as its so tied to the (relatively poor) VW Nav software implementation. Shame but not a big issue.

Regarding TomTom, in theory yes easily possible, but I understand there is a widely known problem with TomTom not working on a lot of Android tablets due to a problem with the way TomTom reads the GPS signal.

Thanks for this and yes I followed the link to the listed spec.
The audio spec could be better - they are 4 x 28W RMS which is a little weak (not just volume but resultant distortion with a lower spec amplifier stage) and they only provide a pre-out pair for the front speakers.
Every other aspect looks really good tho and for the money its a fabulous option.
I think I will stick with what I have which is a retro fitted bluetooth system in the rear using upgraded rear speakers ( totally agree about the poor quality OEM speakers - could have done better for a £50K van surely?!)

Thanks for all the info.

 

[gregspam]

4 x 28W RMS which is a little weak

I'm no expert on this, but I believe all OEM headunits are 4 X 20W, so this unit is potentially an improvement on stock.

Like you said the factory speakers are quite poor. I've thought about upgrading the speakers but been put off by stories of speaker grilles being plastic welded. Thought of removing door cards etc is not something I'm keen on with a nice new vehicle. What's your experience?

 

[777111]

I'm no expert on this, but I believe all OEM headunits are 4 X 20W, so this unit is potentially an improvement on stock.

Like you said the factory speakers are quite poor. I've thought about upgrading the speakers but been put off by stories of speaker grilles being plastic welded. Thought of removing door cards etc is not something I'm keen on with a nice new vehicle. What's your experience?

My experience, and I spent some while considering options, was to leave the front speakers alone & avoid almost certain damage to door cards / poppers and put the effort into the rear which is a lot more useful when parked up anyway. I installed Focal component speakers into the rear drop down cupboards, a 4 x 100w RMS amp and a modest but decent quality 8" Rockford sub which tucks in under the gap to the n/s side of the sliding seat. I connect via Bluetooth with an Arcam min bLink ( http://www.arcam.co.uk/mini.htm ) which is hard-wired to the 4 Kenwood 4 x 100w amp. It was a bit of a job but resultant sound worth the effort.
The OEM RNS 310 GPS does ok for driving and the GPS is adequate - it also has full Bluetooth prep which works well.
Hope that makes sense? Can offer advice on upgrading the rear speakers as required.

 

[reserves]

My experience, and I spent some while considering options, was to leave the front speakers alone & avoid almost certain damage to door cards / poppers and put the effort into the rear which is a lot more useful when parked up anyway. I installed Focal component speakers into the rear drop down cupboards, a 4 x 100w RMS amp and a modest but decent quality 8" Rockford sub which tucks in under the gap to the n/s side of the sliding seat. I connect via Bluetooth with an Arcam min bLink ( http://www.arcam.co.uk/mini.htm ) which is hard-wired to the 4 Kenwood 4 x 100w amp. It was a bit of a job but resultant sound worth the effort.
The OEM RNS 310 GPS does ok for driving and the GPS is adequate - it also has full Bluetooth prep which works well.
Hope that makes sense? Can offer advice on upgrading the rear speakers as required.

Sounds good.

How does this work exactly, do you switch to Bluetooth from the the headset?

Not sure what the extra Arcam unit is for, guessing you don't physically have the amp connected to the head unit?

 

[777111]

Sounds good.

How does this work exactly, do you switch to Bluetooth from the the headset?

Not sure what the extra Arcam unit is for, guessing you don't physically have the amp connected to the head unit?

I typically use my smartphone as the source and allow it to Bluetooth connect to both the rear amp (via the Arcam bLink which has a far superior DAC to any smartphone) and also connect it to the OEM RNS 310 for taking calls etc. So yes, you are correct there is no wired physical connection.

 

[reserves]

I typically use my smartphone as the source and allow it to Bluetooth connect to both the rear amp (via the Arcam bLink which has a far superior DAC to any smartphone) and also connect it to the OEM RNS 310 for taking calls etc. So yes, you are correct there is no wired physical connection.

Thanks, so volume / music control all takes place on the phone?

 

[777111]

Thanks, so volume / music control all takes place on the phone?

Correct. Sits on the convenient tray in the top of the front dash.
I can use the OEM whilst driving as twiddling with a phone is definitely not a good plan ! (major cause of RTAs I suspect and just plain irresponsible)

 

[reserves]

Correct. Sits on the convenient tray in the top of the front dash.
I can use the OEM whilst driving as twiddling with a phone is definitely not a good plan ! (major cause of RTAs I suspect and just plain irresponsible)

Interesting, didn't know Bluetooth could connect to 2 devices at the same time?

 

[777111]

Different services - uses apt X for HQ audio streaming to bLink and standard BT for OEM calls. An incoming call kills the volume to the bLink too.

I also stream audio to my wifes BT OEM GPS in her Seat whilst her phone is still BT connected for calls. Its a flexible and useful standard and aptX is a definite sonic improvement.

 

[estresao]

Veeeeeery interesting... Greg, could you please upload some screenshots showing parking sensors and climate working? Have you tried Torque in your unit?

 

[zeratul]

I would like to know about Parking Sensor display as well. And how much were the EU import taxes?
I was also looking at an Android based car hifi system. Being able to install and use all your favorite apps is just great: Spotify, Tom Tom, iCoyote, Booking.com, Google Maps, Netflix, ...

 

[zeratul]

Did it come from Ali Express with all necessary cables and adapters, or should one buy some DIN adapter, mounting case, .. ?
What shipping method did you choose? They say it China mail is included (up to 50 days which would be okay for me, Cali isn't here yet), but I cannot select it in the options

 

[estresao]

Hi Greg, I've watched again your video, this occasion with sound , and I've found pretty helpful your explanation. I think I'll get one of this.

I think you said parking sensors works fine, have you had problems with that?

One more question, I think a SIM card dongle is optional, isn't? That's not a problem to me providing it ca use my phone tethering capability, is that the way are you connecting to Internet?

Thanks a lot for the information.

 

[zeratul]

Given that this is standard Android, you should be able to use tethering.
I happen to work on Android's internals for professional projects. I read full source code is available and the chipset is rk3188, one I've recently done a lot with. That opens up a lot of interesting possibilities.

 

[estresao]

It could be very interesting what can be done using the CAN-BUS interface

 

[estresao]

Interesting!!! Reading the xda-developers.com page I've learned that there is an European distributor based in Madrid (Spain).

They are selling it now by 380€ VAT included. It´s like this device were calling me

http://exclusivecarauto.com/android-radio-quadcore-carpad-wifi-newsmy-p-1017.html?language=en

 

[estresao]

In this web page they state this device is compatible with VW California/T5 (2011-2012).... Mine one is 2015 so it could be a little risky to buy it with no check it before. Have someone tried before?

 

[marshian70]

I would have thought it would be OK. You may also wish to look at units produced by A-Sure for comparison.
http://www.a-sure.com.hk/en/index.html
They are also sold through ebay via a UK based seller. I have one and pleased so far however it is less 'techy' than the Newsmy