9" Aftermarket Android Head Unit (Feature Overview / Installation)

[jepoi03]

I blocked the hazard and ac vents just a little bit. Not a big deal

View attachment 75292

Is there any significant improvement in the sound? Thanks.

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[panda_fk7]

Much better with built-in EQ (custom, flat, rock, pop, jazz, voice) compared to the 5” stock audio

 

[Green82]

would this work in the hatchback sport? ask because it does not have touch screen

 

[DrToothache]

would this work in the hatchback sport? ask because it does not have touch screen

Yes it will work perfectly. I installed it on my LX, which has the same radio as your sport.

 

[hatchbacksport17]

I recently installed an aftermarket 9" android head unit and was asked to do a review / overview of features. The price was $325 after shipping from China. The device works with all existing features in the 10th gen civic and adds some other features:

• Backup camera - all angles available, also has trajectory lines that follow steering wheel movement
• Lane watch - Can be disabled in the settings
• Bluetooth - works with both Iphone and android-based phones. Downloads your contact list.
• GPS antenna - Can use pretty much any GPS app from the play store. If you want to use ones that also require data (Waze, Google Maps) then you either have to tether your phone or download the offline maps to the device
• Wifi - Works great with tethering
• 2 USB ports - one routes to the OEM USB input, the other one goes behind your dash to the glove box. I keep a 1TB external hard drive connected with all my music / videos etc.
• Steering wheel controls - Fully functional, can map any button to perform whatever function you would like. (The cruise control buttons are not able to be mapped however).
• EasyConnect - a phone mirroring app - works with both iphone and android-based devices. Also allows you to play music over wifi.
• Update: Apple CarPlay - possible through the purchase of this USB dongle.

System Specs:

• OS: Android 6.0.1
• 1 GB of DDR-3 RAM
• 16 gigabytes of ROM storage
• SD slot
• 2 USB ports
• CPU: A9, Quad Core 1.6GHz frequency
• Screen Resolution: 1024 x 600

I have had the unit installed for over a week. Overall I am very happy with it so far. It is a major upgrade from the LX head unit. Music quality is at least equal to that of the OEM headunit, however I am only using the stock speakers. I am not sure how well it would handle an AMP and aftermarket speakers. It does come with the connectors to hook up that equipment however. An equalizer is included and does a decent job, but there are plenty of other ones that on the play store.

I made a video showcasing everything that I could think of. I am not an audiophile, or a master reviewer for head units / sound systems so take it for what it's worth. I made the video by request to show what you can do with this head unit.



I am working on an installation video next. The install was relatively easy and took a little over an hour for me, but could easily be done in less time. The unit is basically plug and play, with the exception of having to connect 2 wires which are clearly labeled.

If you are interested in the head unit or have any questions let me know.

Link to head unit.

-----UPDATE-----

CarPlay / Android Auto is now able to be used on this head unit. You just have to purchase this dongle. Works like a champ!

Link to latest firmware for ZBox dongle

See this video on how to update ZBox firmware. This will ensure that steering wheel controls work properly with the Apple CarPlay dongle.

Hey do you or anyone have HONDA SENSING? Which of those features are connected somehow to the headunit I’d any? Do they get messed up or still work?

 

[panda_fk7]

Hey do you or anyone have HONDA SENSING? Which of those features are connected somehow to the headunit I’d any? Do they get messed up or still work?

Since i dont have HondaSensing, i assume those are some Honda Sensing Features in the settings for the Phoenix Radio

 

[DrToothache]

Hey do you or anyone have HONDA SENSING? Which of those features are connected somehow to the headunit I’d any? Do they get messed up or still work?

The settings on my unit are almost identical to what panda_fk7 posted above this. It seems like they were made with honda sensing in mind, but we don't have a trim that came with honda sensing so I can't guarantee the functionality.

 

[simon_lefisch]

So would I still have to use the CarPlay dongle even though my trim came with CarPlay?

 

[ysutarko]

So would I still have to use the CarPlay dongle even though my trim came with CarPlay?

Yes, since this is a complete headunit replecement

 

[ysutarko]

This is how’s mine looks like. Custom launcher (Car launcher AG), tomtom nav with live traffic, pandora, etc.

 

[simon_lefisch]

This is how’s mine looks like. Custom launcher (Car launcher AG), tomtom nav with live traffic, pandora, etc.

I assume you need to tether for the nav?

 

[ysutarko]

@DrToothache ... i like the design of your phone dialer ... maybe i can try to dig around and change mine to like yours

 

[ysutarko]

I assume you need to tether for the nav?

Yes. NAV Live traffic, Pandora, weather, etc require data. Fortunately, i have an extra iphone5 with hotspot with unlimited 4G data from work.

 

[DrToothache]

So would I still have to use the CarPlay dongle even though my trim came with CarPlay?

Yes you would still need the dongle. CarPlay is dependent on the headunit sending a signal to your iphone that it is "CarPlay capable". The dongle basically does that so that it is compatible with any android headunit.

This is how’s mine looks like. Custom launcher (Car launcher AG), tomtom nav with live traffic, pandora, etc.

@DrToothache ... i like the design of your phone dialer ... maybe i can try to dig around and change mine to like yours

Nice! I like the look of Car Launcher AG. I might have to install that on mine. Thank's for sharing. You probably could find a way to change the phone dialer to the style mine has. Both of our units were made by Phoenix so it should be an easy swap. I can try and locate the apk if you are interested.

Yes. NAV Live traffic, Pandora, weather, etc require data. Fortunately, i have an extra iphone5 with hotspot with unlimited 4G data from work.

Just a note, if you ever needed to use navigation without using data, there are navi apps on the PlayStore that don't require data and can navigate with the GPS antenna alone.

 

[simon_lefisch]

Just a note, if you ever needed to use navigation without using data, there are navi apps on the PlayStore that don't require data and can navigate with the GPS antenna alone.

That’s good to know. Do you happen to know what apps those would be? I’d like to take a look before making a decision on this unit or something else like a Pioneer/Alpine.

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