T10 12 inch headunit: impressions?

[EEEliminator]

Does the unit have its own built in nav? and if so is it better than the OEM toyota nav?

You can download navigation apps like Google maps and Waze from the Google play store and they will run on the android OS without Apple Carplay. However, you do need an internet connection I believe, you can either use a mobile hotspot or the unit has the ability to use a sim card with its 4G antenna. The unit does have a GPS antenna and I've verified it works since the head unit allows you to look at the GPS data.

I'll have to try the map apps and see if it works with just GPS or if it needs a hot spot or 4G. I'll report back when I get a chance to test it.

 

[jdm-v35]

You can download navigation apps like Google maps and Waze from the Google play store and they will run on the android OS without Apple Carplay. However, you do need an internet connection I believe, you can either use a mobile hotspot or the unit has the ability to use a sim card with its 4G antenna. The unit does have a GPS antenna and I've verified it works since the head unit allows you to look at the GPS data.

I'll have to try the map apps and see if it works with just GPS or if it needs a hot spot or 4G. I'll report back when I get a chance to test it.

Thanks, please let us know. A lot of times this is left out of reviews, but I think this can be especially useful when off-grid without cell reception. I have used the OEM nav to get me out of places with no cell service before and its very nice to have as a backup

 

[plummerg]

It does have its own navigation, not sure how good it is though. The unit does come with its own gps antenna you can mount somewhere. My son did not care about it so he just plugged it in but left it tucked in the dash behind the unit.

 

[EEEliminator]

Thanks, please let us know. A lot of times this is left out of reviews, but I think this can be especially useful when off-grid without cell reception. I have used the OEM nav to get me out of places with no cell service before and its very nice to have as a backup

I played around with this a little bit when I was out of cell signal yesterday, I was able to open Google maps and have it locate my position. I couldn't get it to route to another point turn by turn though. I could see all the roads/trails that are on google maps zoom in/out and it was updating my position as I was driving. You can download offline maps for an area ahead of time, I'll try this next time and see if that gives me the ability to get turn by turn directions without a cell signal.

Can one of you post a quick video of the boot up time to display the rear camera? So...fire up the vehicle, immediately pop it in reverse and see how long it takes to boot, cycle through CarPlay connection and then show the rear view.

I have a 2011 without an OEM backup camera. I just bought an aftermarket camera, when I get that installed I can get you a video if you're interested in that.

 

[EEEliminator]

Can one of you post a quick video of the boot up time to display the rear camera? So...fire up the vehicle, immediately pop it in reverse and see how long it takes to boot, cycle through CarPlay connection and then show the rear view.

I managed to get the camera installed, it was PITA mounting and routing wires through the factory wire looms. I made a short video, you can hear the truck start and when I shift into reverse and see when the camera comes on, it is fairly quick IMHO....

4Runner Android T10 Backup Camera Activation Time - YouTube

Both T10s I had for brief periods took a bit to boot to the point where you get your backup camera. That was even with the boot settings tweaked to allow rapid turn on. It was pretty annoying sitting in every parking lot waiting for the headunit to boot so I could back out. Not sure if this has been corrected in the software for the latest version.

Did it take as long as my unit in the video? It seems pretty quick to me, apple carplay takes 30 sec to a minute to connect and it takes over the screen while it is doing that can be annoying.

 

[3rd-genner]

Install looks real clean, almost OEM.

 

[EEEliminator]

Seems that earlier units using the dongle for wireless CarPlay connectivity was the holdup. Typically the unit did a fast boot and then cycled in to CarPlay connection....the backup camera was not available during any of this time and it took probably 30 seconds.

Mine does use the USB dongle for carplay and it takes ~30 sec to connect, but does not interfere with the backup camera. How fast do OEM units with carplay connect to the phone?

 

[osugsxr]

Mine does still use the USB dongle for carplay and it takes ~30 sec to connect. How fast do OEM units with carplay connect to the phone?

OEM car play is right away for me

 

[plummerg]

Can one of you post a quick video of the boot up time to display the rear camera? So...fire up the vehicle, immediately pop it in reverse and see how long it takes to boot, cycle through CarPlay connection and then show the rear view.

I just jumped in and tried this out. The backup cam came on almost immediately. It did not wait for CarPlay to load or anything else to boot up.

 

[Matteblack]

Looks good! I see you have a TE, did you have the nav and JBL?

 

[EEEliminator]

Looks good! I see you have a TE, did you have the nav and JBL?

Are you asking me? (I posted the video) I have a 2011 SR5 no nav or JBL.

 

[JustinFro]

I've been running this one for about a year now, and I'd say it is well worth the money. Carplay is obviosuly a huge bonus, but the ability to utilize it is a tv on long trips has been the best benefit.

Toyota 4Runner 2011 - 2019 9" Android Radio – Rhino Radios

 

[EEEliminator]

Wireless CarPlay

Here is my one gripe, maybe someone can help me.

Is there a way to disable the wireless carplay? It is great when I'm in the truck and have my phone, but if I'm not it keeps popping up on the screen that it is searching/trying to connect to the phone. When it does this it takes over the whole screen, it will keep doing this over and over if it can't find the phone. So if my wife is taking the car or I let someone borrow it, it'll keep doing this.

I was thinking of moving the dongle to to the glove box so it can be unplugged from the USB conveniently. I haven't confirmed that unplugging it will disable it (is is the app or the dongle?).

I don't know if just disabling the Bluetooth in the setting will do it?

Other than this it has been working great, I did have one instance where the unit froze up while I was driving and using it for navigation with google maps. I happen to notice it was stuck on 2.8 miles to next turn and not updating. I had to wait till I could pull over and turn the truck on/off/on to reset it. This is the only time it has frozen, but made me consider adding a switch inline with the power so I could cycle the unit on/off with out the ignition.

UPDATE: I looked through the settings and I was able change it so that it doesn't auto start the carplay app. A little less convenient now that I have to tap the app on the screen, but now it won't pop up endlessly trying to connect to a phone.

 

[T4Rgarage]

I purchased my T10 v1.0 out of pocket for my 5th Gen and put a review on my YouTube channel when I first installed it.

I can say after two years of use that is still functions great. I have only had to use the RST (reset) button twice during this time to get car play working correctly again after a glitch.

Drawbacks:
-The built in mic isn't very good but it's useable and there are ways to make it better.
-The screen (at least the one of have V1.0) isn't very visible if you are wearing polarized sunglasses.
-When the sun hits on a certain angle I notice a bit of dust behind the screen as the corner might not be sealed perfectly.

Other than those small quirks it is a great unit and looks amazing/OEM

 

[EEEliminator]

I purchased my T10 v1.0 out of pocket for my 5th Gen and put a review on my YouTube channel when I first installed it.

I can say after two years of use that is still functions great. I have only had to use the RST (reset) button twice during this time to get car play working correctly again after a glitch.

Drawbacks:
-The built in mic isn't very good but it's useable and there are ways to make it better.
-The screen (at least the one of have V1.0) isn't very visible if you are wearing polarized sunglasses.
-When the sun hits on a certain angle I notice a bit of dust behind the screen as the corner might not be sealed perfectly.

Other than those small quirks it is a great unit and looks amazing/OEM

Where is the reset button?

I noticed the mic isn't great, mine came with a wired mic I could remotely mount but haven't figured out a place I'd want to put it that is out of the way.

 

[osugsxr]

Where is the reset button?

I noticed the mic isn't great, mine came with a wired mic I could remotely mount but haven't figured out a place I'd want to put it that is out of the way.

Is the stock mic wiring left in the dash and not used with the T10 unit? If so why not just cut the end of the stock connection leaving enough to strip and solder it back on if you ever go back to stock. Use the OEM mic with the T10 head unit by soldering the wires.

 

[Pavement Tested]

Subscribing. Will need to come back to this. Really interested but have so many questions. I am not at all tech savvy so I don't really understand how all these apps and things work.

What is needed when buying this unit? Do I need the dongle if I don't use Car Play? I've got a '16 Trail. Basically just stream music with Amazon Music and make calls. Is this unit a waste of time and money for me?

I assume the 6+128G version is better than the 4+64G version.

Is the black option actually black or the dark charcoal bezel color?

I don't understand how the 4G module works. I assume the SIM needs to be tied to an active cell phone plan, but it doesn't support phone calls. Is it really needed? What for? Internet connectivity?

I'm a bit out of my league with this thing, lol! Guess I'll need to start watching YT videos.

 

[EEEliminator]

Subscribing. Will need to come back to this. Really interested but have so many questions. I am not at all tech savvy so I don't really understand how all these apps and things work.

What is needed when buying this unit? Do I need the dongle if I don't use Car Play? I've got a '16 Trail. Basically just stream music with Amazon Music and make calls. Is this unit a waste of time and money for me?

I assume the 6+128G version is better than the 4+64G version.

Is the black option actually black or the dark charcoal bezel color?

I don't understand how the 4G module works. I assume the SIM needs to be tied to an active cell phone plan, but it doesn't support phone calls. Is it really needed? What for? Internet connectivity?

I'm a bit out of my league with this thing, lol! Guess I'll need to start watching YT videos.

It is all really simple I'd recommend buying from a decent retailer that will provide you with support vs buying direct from China. I got mine from Rhino Radios they have the carplay and cameras as optional accessories and they were really responsive when I had questions or issues during the install.

If you look at my video I posted you can see the black color trim, my stock trim is silver and I figured I'd rather have the black that blends in with the screen when off and not risk it being a slightly different shade of silver.

I don't use the wireless 4G although I have the antenna installed but no sim card. If I want data I just turn the hotspot on my phone on and connect the headunit to the Wifi. I can watch netflix, youtube, internet, weather etc... this way.

 

[EEEliminator]

Anyone have an issue where if you're listening to music at a high volume on spotify or even youtube where it will skip back to the start of the song after about 20 seconds? I noticed backing the volume down seams to fix it. I'm guessing the speakers are drawing too much power?

 

[jtack]

Do these android based head units eliminate the need for a DSP to remedy the “Filters” that the factory head units have built in…basically do these head units provide a clean signal?