09-12-2018, 02:15 PM | #1 |
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Retrofit Android System
Hi, and hello. I'm new to the F20 and also new to this forum.
I just bought a 2013 116d fully M-Sport equipped and so far I'm extremely pleased with it. It's going to be my dd until at least next spring. There is a couple of minor issues that I have to sort out. So forgive me for starting up 2-3 new threads the next couple of days :-) Any members in here tried this Android Navigation++ upgrade? I've seen it comes in different specs and names but some googling showed that it's basically the same unit. They promise it's a 100% plug n play. I think it's fair priced. My car is equipped with zero cool multimedia stuff (S663A Radio BMW Professional) and after 2 days of ownership I'm ready to pull the trigger on a system like this :-) http://graviton.no/produkt/klar/spes...xoCNcMQAvD_BwE I live in Norway and in general radio is broadcasted through DAB+ so that's already a couple of thousands NOK to retrofit right there, and the best and fully integrated DAB adapters probably cost more than that. Having Bluetooth and a nice navigation all in a big 10" screen seems well worth it. What do you think? |
09-12-2018, 03:57 PM | #2 | |
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Let me put it simply: you need to have what BMW call "Navigation system Professional" (refer to F20 configurator/booklet for correct details) to add this thing (which still needs an external phone/modem to use Internet!) to. It gives you a larger display (really trouble-free compatible? ) and (mostly?) duplicate functionality (BMW should feel ashamed ). |
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09-13-2018, 02:43 AM | #3 | |
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I believe I have CIC at least according to this link https://graviton.no/produkt/klar/spe...-serie-e90-e92. The vendor confirmed. I have the same menys, and colors and the square meny "buttons" on top of the screen. The link is not for an F20 but the difference between CIC and NBT should be the same across all BMW series? When you order the headunit you choose if you have CIC or NBT... The Graviton/TX6 unit is also optional with a 4G USB Modem for internet. |
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09-14-2018, 12:50 PM | #4 |
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I was considering it as well, but i have decided to not go for it. First of all You are going to miss extended display functionality with navigation. Second - it isnt supporting iDrive controller.
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09-14-2018, 03:56 PM | #5 | |
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I'm not sure I follow you regarding the navigation, but there's a fully built in navigation with software, antenna etc, and you have all the Android apps like waze etc, plus Google Maps which I'm going to use (ordered the 4G USB modem for Data-Sim... It fully supports all steering wheel buttons and iDrive. I specifically asked them about this and it also says it does so on their website (it mostly in Norwegian but just scroll down and you'll see it)... if it doesnt, I'll return it. Also see this video, looks like it works with iDrive :-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=fwF0CErVMTU |
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09-14-2018, 09:40 PM | #6 |
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iDrive works only with original CIC menu. If go to android apps you have to relay on a touch screen. It's not showing any navi info on your extended display in instrument cluster.
Then you install it in Your car, please make a video how it works with DAB+ and spotify. |
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09-15-2018, 12:18 AM | #7 | |
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If it is like you say, I don't see that much of a problem really. In my wife's VW Golf for instance there's also a touchscreen and it works just fine. Easy to get used too. A good thing about the screen in the F20 is that it is very easy to reach. For everyday use I'll get good use of DAB and Spotify :-) Since sound is important to me I ordered a Focal upgrade kit with tweeters and all too. The TX6 has a much, much better stereo with more powerful amps and better processing and will be better equipped than the base stereo system and maybe even the upgraded F20 systems ;-) And when Google Maps or other internet based apps are being used, well I have to touch the screen :-) No biggie :-) Thx for chipping in... |
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09-16-2018, 09:24 AM | #9 | |
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10-06-2018, 04:45 PM | #12 |
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Hi guys.
I Installed the 10,25 unit today. Somewhat of a hazzle but all in all relatively easy. The Dab antenna was the worst actually as I had to route it above the glove box and up through and behind the A pillar trim. But I got it eventually. Installment of the screen was a little fiddly because the wire harness that came with the system was equipped with a fuse box located very close to the screen connecting switch. It was a bitch to get that tucked in so that the climate vents could be installed again... Anyways it done now. First impressions are unbelievable. The new screen is gigantic compared to the 6,5 inch old screen. The menys look oem and everything is very smooth. The sound improved a lot and sounds much better than the oe setup. Nearly all functions can be operated with the iDrive, and steering wheel buttons. But for Navigation you have to usentge touch screen when you put in adresses and such. The Dab+ app can be used with both iDrive and touch... I haven't been through everything yet and I'm not familiar with Android so it might take me some adjusting and fiddling around. All in all a superb upgrade. Truly... [IMG][/IMG] |
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10-07-2018, 11:30 AM | #16 | ||
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It's not important to me what I had, as long as the result is like it is :-) Quote:
Yes all the buttons on the steering wheel and the center console work. Skip songs in Spotify, volume, go to next station, start navi etc... but to access your playlists when Spotify is on and settings and stuff you will have to use the touchscreen. The DAB+ app is developed by Graviton and works fairly well. There's an update out that I will try, but I'm waiting for the 4G USB modem that they didn't send. Google maps too works extremely well. You will have to use the touch screen here too. It works really well with the touchscreen. As I said somewhere above, I'm used to the touchscreen from other cars we have, no biggie... On a sidenote; Graviton supplies no installation instructions or setup info. Nada!! That's a major letdown I think, and I have been searching the internet feveresly since I got the unit because there's a lot of settings you have to do to get everything working. I still haven't been able to get access to the old car info meny (idrive) but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the settings. Will call them tomorrow. Bluetooth was a pain to get to work until I accendently found a meny hidden well within the system. Works like a charm now and connect to phones automatically as you'd expect. Streams content from your phone and shows music info and some album art.. not all. There was also an 2 meter long AUX cable in the supplied harness. I initially thought it was for an extra AUX option and routed it to the glove box together with the DAB+ antenna (via USB) and the GPS antenna. The GPS antenna can be left inside the dashboard but I wanted it visible for better connection and I placed on top of the dashboard at the bottom of the A pillar. Anyways, as I found out the AUX cable were supposed to be plugged in the car, under the armrest. So today I took out everything again, including the almost all of the centerconsole, ashtray, gearlever trim, iDrive etc... and was able to snug it in there for the stealthy installation a system like this requires (I think). The DAB reception was rather poor and since I placed the antenna in the upper part of the windshield, I had to remove the A pillar trim once more and I then carefully removed/pryed the adhesive copper part of the antenna and scratched/sanded away all paint from the small area of the steel inner part of the A pillar to which I had glued the antenna too... Bummer rookie mistake, but it was my first time installing DAB. Now there's super reception and no fall-outs! So not a system for everybody installation wise, but really not that hard either. 3-4 hours of hours though and the system is installed and fully working (if you know all the steps and settings). |
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10-07-2018, 12:01 PM | #17 |
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Thanks for a great write-up! Now I'm really into getting one for myself. Do you live anywhere Rogaland area? Ohh and I so a lot of people complain about reboot time's. Was your car equiped with factory Bluetooth?
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10-07-2018, 12:11 PM | #18 | |
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10-07-2018, 01:48 PM | #19 | |
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Reboot time is kinda lenghty. About 30 seconds or so... Yes I had factory BT but only for phone and not for streaming. I turned the factory option off in the new system's settings... was the only way to get it up and running and it works fine. These pictures are from the routing of the AUX cable «under» the centre console... it was wuite messy at some point but also easy. You see the end result is quite snug I will take some Spotify and DAB pics in an hour or so... |
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10-07-2018, 01:51 PM | #20 | ||
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10-07-2018, 02:39 PM | #21 |
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They claim you should have either NBT or CIC for this thing to match (while it's hardly a worthy upgrade for those ). You've proved their "CIC" is fine for the Professional radio which does not seem to be a CIC in fact but is what those who should want this thing have - a great clarification for them!
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10-07-2018, 02:46 PM | #22 | |
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