Replacing the Media Unit in Honda

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gnfb

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#210373 24-Mar-2017 17:56

I recently bought a Japanese import with a Japanese media sat nav etc.

I want to replace it. I see there are multiple choices. I am thinking a android unit would be the way to go. Anyone on here give me some guidance?

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Blurtie

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#1747414 25-Mar-2017 09:35

While I don't have a Honda, I recently replaced the double din head unit in my ford with an android unit I picked up on aliexpress. There are a tonne of them on there at varying prices... I just went for one that had reasonable specs for the price. The unit I got was a straight replacement of the old unit so there was no messing about with getting extra parts or face plates etc.

The units are pretty much android tablets in your car. Most come with Bluetooth, GPS, Radio, DVD player and USB connections as bogg standard. You can get a Digital TV box and USB modem sticks as optional extras too.

I suggest you have a look on aliexpress or ebay for a head unit for your make/model of car and see what comes up.

Installation was relatively straight forward, YouTube helped with removal of the dash components, then it was simply a matter of plug-n-play. I installed a wireless reversing camera at the same time and overall am pretty pleased with it.

Few minor points would be the time it takes for the unit to fire up from cold, about 30s, reverse camera overrides the start up engages as soon as you select the reverse gear tho. Also the unit I have doesn't seem to work unless the engine is running/turned on. It wont seem to run if the keys are switched in the 2nd position (as my old unit used to). So something to look out for I guess.

gnfb

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#1747439 25-Mar-2017 10:32

Thank you for the comprehensive reply I will have a look on aliexpress

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Jase2985

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#1747457 25-Mar-2017 11:06

what car do you have? generally thats an important piece of information :)

Ge0rge

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#1747468 25-Mar-2017 11:26

Blurtie:
It wont seem to run if the keys are switched in the 2nd position (as my old unit used to). So something to look out for I guess.

I would suggest having a quick look at the wiring diagram for the head unit and then throwing a multimeter at the loom - it sounds as if for some reason the switched power is connected to the wrong key position. The more I think about it the harder it is to work out why that would have changed being that it was simple plug and play though. Unless the original stereo had three feeds to it (constant, acc and ignition) which would be uncommon but not unheard of. Very odd indeed, but I imagine with a little tinker you could easily correct it.

Blurtie

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#1747530 25-Mar-2017 12:32

Thanks GeOrge, I have already looked into the wiring diagram and it all seemed correct. I should've clarified that the power thing was more to do with the unit itself (possibly the settings). It would power on when keys are switched on. But after the power on cycle it would automatically power off after a minute or two... Only way for it to power on (and stay on) is to have the engine running or ignition switched on.

I imagine maybe it's designed like that to avoid draining the car battery?

Pretty annoying, but nothing major.

I should add that the buyer I purchased from also included an SD card (to store map data on there) and also a reversing camera (which I didn't use); and on the shipment he under quoted the value of whole shipment... I can only assume that this was to avoid custom charges..

gnfb

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#1747534 25-Mar-2017 12:35

Jase2985:

what car do you have? generally thats an important piece of information :)

You would think so ;)

Honda airwave estate 2008

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

I have two shops online allshop.nz patchpinflag.nz
Email Me