Compromised4Runner
New member
OMGWTFBBQ is up with that price. I looked at the 2018 HU and saw it was going for $500-750 new. Thought it would be around that price + a new "shell". $4k? F that.
So it looks like the CTHome T9 head unit is out, waiting for reviews.
- Thread starter zonzin
- Start date
OMGWTFBBQ is up with that price. I looked at the 2018 HU and saw it was going for $500-750 new. Thought it would be around that price + a new "shell". $4k? F that.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
It's a Chinese unit for sure, but what is it a knock off of? Is there a namebrand product that fits these trucks that I'm not aware of?
The T8's failed to deliver IMO. The T9 so far, looks much improved. The dust issue has been addressed and should be resolved before consumer units ship out, and all the other little issues with the T8's seem to have been resolved. I'm hoping they are all they promise to be, even if I'm not a potential buyer in the near future. I've been following along on the FB thread.
I'll be watching from the sidelines with interest.opcorn:
I'm following the threads on FB as well, mostly just another infomercial by Sevag. Personally after all the issues with the T8 I won't be wasting my money, but always interested to see others' experiences.
zonzin
Member
Well I'll bet dollars to donuts that every aftermarket head unit is made in China.
.
Jesse1983
5th Gen Moderator
what do you think was slow? I watched the video and thought it looked very responsive.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Very true, but not all head units have chunks of dust and dirt behind the LCD
a t l a s
New member
One of the biggest rules of thumb in aftermarket car audio is to steer well clear of the random no name Android based headunits.
Even if most headunits are physically built in China, the reputable names like Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood, etc are the way to go for their quality control, software stability, and decades of proven track record. Not to mention they are actually licensed by Apple to use CarPlay software.
HurricanePDX
New member
This is my big concern, I feel like Apple could update iOS and plug that hole realllll quick. CarPlay is really the only reason why I want to go aftermarket. I had it in my 2016 GTI and thought I wouldn't miss it that much, boy was I wrong...
These CTHome units are absolutely beautiful, but there certainly seem to be a lot of downsides. Frankly I have no interest whatsoever in an Android based head unit application.. I'll be keeping a close eye on this one as we get some real life reviews.
Would really love to see some of the bigger names adopting such a clean installation for the 4Runner. Most of the competitors out there seem to be way too small for how much space they have to spread out. Only after market unit that really has me intrigued right now is that Alpine floating halo unit, but even that just looks kind of ratchet!!
Would really love to see some of the bigger names adopting such a clean installation for the 4Runner. Most of the competitors out there seem to be way too small for how much space they have to spread out. Only after market unit that really has me intrigued right now is that Alpine floating halo unit, but even that just looks kind of ratchet!!
zw470
New member
If you Google the part number it shows up as being for a bunch of different years and pictures show the current headunit, so I don't know if I'd believe it's specifically for the new 2020 HU.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Exactly
dot_tom
New member
I'm holding out for either the Apple Carplay update for my 2017, wishful thinking, or the T10 or T11
It's good to see improvement. I''ll definitely keep my eye on this once more reviews come out.
SIDE NOTE: I ordered their led light kit for $66. Wanted to directly compare these to the ARC Lightleds I already have. The rear hatch ones are great. Center light fits like crap. The button fell apart in my hand during install. Didn't even waste my time on the front ones. Left my ARC lights in there.
Review: Junk, but super cheap. If you go this route, be very very careful with install.
It's good to see improvement. I''ll definitely keep my eye on this once more reviews come out.
SIDE NOTE: I ordered their led light kit for $66. Wanted to directly compare these to the ARC Lightleds I already have. The rear hatch ones are great. Center light fits like crap. The button fell apart in my hand during install. Didn't even waste my time on the front ones. Left my ARC lights in there.
Review: Junk, but super cheap. If you go this route, be very very careful with install.
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Blu42
Member
Not really sure its a rule of thumb. More of a choice at this point. These units (all of them) are not quality consumer products. They are cool depending on your individual needs. Bluetooth quality is shit across the board. Hardware failures occur regularly. Audio quality is what it is. Think of these as car tablets because that is what they are. Android tablets that interface to cars easily. I would argue that it should come down to what your needs are and where you are willing to compromise with your money. Brand loyalty? @&^# no. I would rather choose something that is functional in my life rather than running over the cliff based on notion thats its the only way to go. Jeep guys been saying the same thing for years.
I had one. Used it normally for awhile. Changed the firmware several times. Did a couple of hardware mods. Setup Tasker and some other apps to do things no regular car headunit would. I like this aspect of it. Not the quality but the flexibility. Having Google maps, youtube, web browser, etc built into the dash is awesome because it means I'm not streaming over bluetooth or hogging up my phone with Android Auto running. Having unlimited cellular data to tether is definitely a big reason why this works for me.
Your typical aftermarket headunits, while offering good to great audio fidelity, often have really shitty interfaces and are stupid expensive. Why the hell does a android auto headunit from a name brand need to cost so much? These are often touted as budget units too. Even with good quality control and nice components why do they opt for low res displays and clunky designs (looking at Alpine). Frustrating as all hell in my opinion because someone could definitely do better but its a hard business to be profitable in. Hence overpriced name brand vs lower cost chinese.
The aftermarket headunit scheme needs a massive shakeup. While these chinese units arent quite it, its still a sign of things to come. Carputers, tablet/phone interfaces, and mainstreamed OS on units are going to be the norm. I myself am a firm believer that the future of most of our tech will become UCD's ( universal computing devices). Its all ready happening from several directions.
a t l a s
New member
The point of my response to the "everything is made in China" comment was that the no name Android units are more often than not, junk. They often have more issues than it's worth to the general consumer, and as such it's a rule of thumb to stay away from them versus the big brands. Most consumers want something that works well out of the box, and a no name headunit isn't it.
The topic about how the name brands are behind in innovation and capability is another thing entirely, and I agree with you. I'm all in for a full blown computer in my vehicle but as you said, no one reputable has stepped up to the plate to provide that as an affordable turnkey solution, yet.
WhiteRunner10
New member
I sincerely hope I am wrong and the unit is in the realm of reasonable/affordable. One can dream...
I just recently purchased the T9 unit after also having purchased the T8.
The T8, for me, has been a good unit. I didn't ever use car play or android auto so I can't comment on that.
What I didn't like about the t8 was primarily the weak microphone capability. I wanted to use it to keep it very hands free and it limited my capability to do that. However, I was able to work around that mostly by modifying the gui interface with other software launcher and shortcuts to what I wanted it to do.
As someone else mentioned on here, if you are use to using Android and can "work with it" then the unit mostly does what it advertises. If you are pretty illiterate with working with electronics and all you want out of a head unit is music, then it probably isn't your cup of tea.
Will keep you posted on T9 once I get it.
The T8, for me, has been a good unit. I didn't ever use car play or android auto so I can't comment on that.
What I didn't like about the t8 was primarily the weak microphone capability. I wanted to use it to keep it very hands free and it limited my capability to do that. However, I was able to work around that mostly by modifying the gui interface with other software launcher and shortcuts to what I wanted it to do.
As someone else mentioned on here, if you are use to using Android and can "work with it" then the unit mostly does what it advertises. If you are pretty illiterate with working with electronics and all you want out of a head unit is music, then it probably isn't your cup of tea.
Will keep you posted on T9 once I get it.
[MENTION=402773]Andason[/MENTION] when you get it can you download and run CPU Z or a similar app to check what processor and SoC it has.
Ita being sold as the T9 but allwinner doesnt even list the T9 on their website so I cant find specs, I'm curious if this is just the T8 with more ram
Ita being sold as the T9 but allwinner doesnt even list the T9 on their website so I cant find specs, I'm curious if this is just the T8 with more ram
mrblah
Senior Member
be careful of no-name brands that come out of nowhere and the shills that accompany these products. I don't care if its made in china, india or the USA.
Big name companies like alpine, pioneer, and kenwood, have their reputations at stake when they release products, so they tend to thoroughly test a product before releasing to the market.
Chinese manufacturing companies that produce products for these big name companies typically have a QC division/unit that is forced upon them by their parent/contract company and those products are good to go.
MOST chinese companies that aren't contracted with big parent companies, don't have any quality control associated with their products. The end user is their quality control department.
I would not consider being a end user, beta tester as a form of quality control.
I'm not shitting on their products, just know what you are buying by asking yourself: "Is the product I'm buying the best product at that price point?".....and purchase accordingly.
Big name companies like alpine, pioneer, and kenwood, have their reputations at stake when they release products, so they tend to thoroughly test a product before releasing to the market.
Chinese manufacturing companies that produce products for these big name companies typically have a QC division/unit that is forced upon them by their parent/contract company and those products are good to go.
MOST chinese companies that aren't contracted with big parent companies, don't have any quality control associated with their products. The end user is their quality control department.
I would not consider being a end user, beta tester as a form of quality control.
I'm not shitting on their products, just know what you are buying by asking yourself: "Is the product I'm buying the best product at that price point?".....and purchase accordingly.
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