Xtrons Maps Free Download
Helen Drewski
Enhance your in-car entertainment with the latest range of Android car stereos at XTRONS. We stock a wide range of Android car stereos including: Android 6.0 Marshmallow, 5.1 Lollipop, 4.4.4 KitKat custom fit for a wide range of makes and models. Shop our Android car stereo range here:
GPS maps are an essential add on if you are purchasing a GPS enabled unit. The software we promote for use with our units is called KUDOS. Please remember to choose the correct version for your location Also please check the compatibility chart so you buy the correct size map card SD or TF
Hi all, I use the original car radio mainly for navigating when I am on road trips. I am 57 years old, needless to say, the small screen car radio is really inconvenient for me when I am trying to select a map.
One of my tech friends recommend me to buy a standalone Garmin Navigation system, but I am worried if it is safe and really don't like to put extra things on the dash.
What I am thinking about is replacing the original car radio. Buy a new XTRONS car radio online from EBay and then get it installed by an local autoshop. XTRONS seems a really reliable brand on eBay.
My question here is that will it come with all the offline maps? Or do I have to start over to start the navigation maps by myself? I'd rather not start over again.
Hi, Derionna.I have a 7" double din unit from XTRONS, it has been working for almost 2 years now. I got it from Amazon. Not sure if they still have this model, it is a TE706PL with Android 8.0. Navigation, music, and phone apps are controlled on its big 7" fast capacitative touch screen. I usually use offline Google maps, it doesn't use my phone data. It is 4G compatible too, but you need to get a 4G dongle. XTRONS outfit their products with lots of features for the money, you can find a very nice unit under 200. They have larger 10.1" screen too. Check them out on google or their website.
Part one: Why I chose this headunit
When it comes to technology and cars, I find most choices are an exercise in compromise. Do I want the best sound quality? Do I want a recognised brand I trust? What does it look like aesthetically? Does it have all the features I want etc..
For me I've always been someone to prioritize sound and function over looks, but with the GT86 I really didn't want to go with a standard double DIN unit and have to have those plastic fillers in the dash. A compromise too far for me in order to have a headunit from a recognised brand.
The second big factor for me is that over time I've moved away from listening to CDs or MP3s, and I listen almost exclusively to Spotify. This means either streaming from my phone, or an android headunit. I decided that I didn't want to have to either plug my phone in, or rely on Bluetooth.
Thirdly the satnav on the Toyota touch and go is rubbish, and I find that no other satnav comes close to the power of Google maps. See above - having this native on the unit rather than plug my phone in is my preference.
Lastly, I've been using a Chinese made OnePlus 5 phone... this has convinced me that most android products coming out of China are actually very good quality. This gave me confidence to try XTRONS even though I've never heard of them!
You can find the unit here on the XTRONS website:
-android-8-octa-core-4gb-ram-32gb-rom-multimedia-dvd-player-with-6-95-display-custom-fit-for-toyota.html
I decided to buy through Amazon for some added piece of mind.
As for China products in general .. they can make anything there according to what is ordered. Their current heavy & high tech industry is capable of. Both very high quality/up to strictest standards & requirements but also accordingly higher priced, and shitty but dirt cheap products, however customers wishes/whatever they order them. It's just that most of western world that move production there, still order those subpar quality but cheap as possible products, all so that cost can go down and profits margin go up. They can make better, but WE order/buy cheap alibaba/rep crap, whichever tops the list when one sorts by price.
Part two: Install and Initial Impression
One thing I was pleasantly surprised by was how easy to install this was. Fitted it using the OEM brackets from the touch and go. Only needed to grind off 1 locating tag that wasn't quite in the right place. No adaptor main wiring harness needed, the wiring with the unit was Toyota specific and we'll labeled. Interestingly the wiring is all modular: don't need aux out - don't fit the specific cable module. Makes the back very neat. Comes with a GPS antenna however I used two adaptors to make use of the OEM GPS antenna. You can find these here and here. Only other adaptor was one to utilise the front USB port. The unit comes with 2 other rear usb ports on a long wire that can easily be routed to the glove box.
Quality wise it feels solidly put together. All the wire clips locate well, and generally it's pleasing to look at.
Here it is in-situ after first powering up.
I'll gather my thoughts on daily use over next few weeks.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
Part three: first impressions
Software and usability:
This XTRONS unit is running Android 8 Oreo with a custom launcher overlay. There are software buttons along the notification bar for switching between apps, and changing the screen brightness to its lowest setting. This seems a bit redundant as the unit dims automatically to a brightness level you can specify when you turn the sidelights/dipped beams on. The standard android notification panel is there when you swipe down from the top for accessing WiFi, Bluetooth and so on.
The home screen has 4 widgets for controlling the radio, Bluetooth phone connection, music player and a clock. Other apps are displayed as rectangular buttons. All the other apps are not in a tray, but all displayed on multiple pages if you swipe right. They aren't in any order, and frankly this is poor design. The other notable software element is the lack of lock screen.
This being android though, all of this is completely fixable! Using my phone as a WiFi hotspot, Google Play Store holds all the answers.
In the first few days of ownership I tried a number of different launchers to replace the XTRONS one. I settled on Smart Launcher 5 and added a lockscreen. Scroll down to see the results.
Re: the hardware buttons. They are of the capacitive touch sort you find on smartphones and are acceptably responsive. I agree with Church - I'd have preferred a rotary control for volume, but the touch buttons work well enough.
Sound quality: Once I'd tuned the equaliser to my liking, to my ears the XTRONS sounds marginally better than OEM. This is on stock speakers and I will be fitting Focal IS165TOYs in the future and will update you all then. I can always add an amp and sound deadening if the SQ isn't up to par.
My overall first impressions are very positive. It connects quickly to my WiFi hotspot. Apps are very responsive. Radio reception is ok but not amazing. I don't really listen to the radio as the stations down here play utter rubbish. In any case - internet radio apps solve that problem. I play music through Spotify and that works like a dream. GPS locks instantly. Google maps is fantastic for satnav and offline maps can be downloaded for patchy signal. One word of warning - I haven't been able to get Co-pilot satnav working as it's been designed with phones in mind. Therefore the starting screen where you have to accept a license agreement assumes a portrait orientation with no scroll: you can't get to the accept button. Stupid really as easily fixable by the Dev team and I have alerted them.
In conclusion my first impressions are overwhelmingly positive. A few niggles but they can be overcome. The versatility of android in your car is absolutely great. Will live with it for a bit and then write a bit more.
Cheers all!
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
Great stuff. Never used Android (been using Apple since their first phone) so I've never really known that much about these sorts of units. I like the fact it fits well without an adapter plate. Which adapters did you need for OEM GPS and USB?
Forgive my ignorance, but what's the deal with satnav on an Android HU? You mention downloading offline maps, so I presume that if you want a 'regular' satnav capability you either need to fit a SIM or use your phone's data? And that you'd then be limited by your data reception.
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