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Radio/Navigation Replacement with Etong Navigation

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Accord 2.2 iCTDI
Hi!
I want to share my thoughts about navi replacement unit. This picture is from Aliexpress.
The name of unit is quite simple: Etong navigation for Honda Accord 2003-2007.

10-1-1024-600-Car-Stereo-DVD-Player-AutoRadio-For-Honda-Accord-7-2003-2007-Android.jpg


I will not write all specifications, you could find it on internet, but it runs on Android 5.1.1, quad core, 1024x600, 1GB RAM, 16GB ROM.
I would be happy to answer any question for you, as I had many of them, before I purchased this unit. I will collect them in this post:

Diesel support? - it's listed as only supports gasoline Accord, but I confirm it works also with diesel Accord it you have original navi unit (navi for both gasoline/diesel is the same). All buttons works as expected. It has small issue, listed below. I can't confirm it will work with standard radio unit.

How does it fits? - it fits very well, except top cover (which is with small display) will not fit. It should be replaced with non-navi version (without display). Also need to remove metal clips from old Navi and add them to this, which goes without them.
Physical buttons version or not? - exists two versions of this unit, with and without physical buttons. It seems more popular is without buttons, but for me physical buttons is more comfortable, faster and with feedback.

Bluetooth? - bluetooth is very limited. There is no Android standard bluetooth settings, instead customized application to connect with phone. Sooo.. no any A2DP, bluetooth mouse or remote control.

GPS? - unit comes with active external gps antenna with magnet. I fitted it in place of original GPS. GPS works well.

Google Play Store? - yes, it's preinstalled.

Boot time? - unit doesn't have battery, it powers off, when ACC is off. However it starts in comfortable time. About 10-15 seconds.

Mobile Network? - no build-in sim support, need external device through USB.

Known issues:
- snow icon appears on screen always, can be dragged to any place on screen, but i can't hide it. I have physical buttons and this is useless and take place on screen and disturb most of time
- clock is not stored in memory, so every time is starts, clock is reset. This is not issue, if Navi is always connected to internet
- very limited bluetooth
- air con Auto function is not even close to original Honda. I drove 2 years with only Auto and i was comfortable for me. This one no so good. For example, it blows air when you start cold engine, but shouldn't. Minimal temperature is 19, but original has 16.
- no illumination on physical buttons, so not visible in dark, but when it's enabled it illuminates with green light
- possible issues for RHD

Feel free to ask more questions
 
Good stuff to see these sorts of real life experiences. But for me the listed issues is a show stopper.

"air con Auto function is not even close to original Honda"
Need OE matching controllability for climate as I like manual control.

"no illumination on physical buttons, so not visible in dark, but when it's enabled it illuminates with green light"
Don't quite understand that statement, are they illuminated or not?

"possible issues for RHD"
I notice the 'P' and 'D' temp control knobs are reversed, seen this on many Chinese units and don't like it. Could this mentality affect other operations for RHD, quite possible. No no for UK then? or me anyway!

"very limited bluetooth"
Potentially the most useful feature in the world and it's limited.......... hmmm is it even worth the hassle.

"clock is not stored in memory, so every time is starts, clock is reset"
This would drive my OCD insane!

"Navi is always connected to internet"
No sim support, how is Navi always connected to the internet? or do you mean GPS satellites?

Apologies to sound really negative, not to detract from anyone posting these sorts of experiences it is really appreciated but from a user pesrpective everyone has different needs/wants and these would be my concerns.

"it's listed as only supports gasoline Accord, but I confirm it works also with diesel Accord it you have original navi unit (navi for both gasoline/diesel is the same)"
Hmmm are you absolutely sure about this statement? 100%? because when I did extensive research in part number for Diesel vs Petrol Premium radio units including Navi the part numbers are different, mainly 'SEF' vs 'SED' variants. To my knowledge one of the main difference is the way the unit sends control messages to engage the A/C compressor. If you put a Diesel unit into a Petrol car (and I can verify as I actually tried it) although the 'A/C' indicator lights up the clutch on the compressor does not engage! I would be interested to hear if you actually confirmed engagement of the A/C compressor or just going on the indicator on the radio unit.
 
ScoobyDoo said:
"no illumination on physical buttons, so not visible in dark, but when it's enabled it illuminates with green light"
Don't quite understand that statement, are they illuminated or not?

"clock is not stored in memory, so every time is starts, clock is reset"
This would drive my OCD insane!

"Navi is always connected to internet"
No sim support, how is Navi always connected to the internet? or do you mean GPS satellites?

"it's listed as only supports gasoline Accord, but I confirm it works also with diesel Accord it you have original navi unit (navi for both gasoline/diesel is the same)"
Hmmm are you absolutely sure about this statement? 100%? because when I did extensive research in part number for Diesel vs Petrol Premium radio units including Navi the part numbers are different, mainly 'SEF' vs 'SED' variants.

"very limited bluetooth"
Potentially the most useful feature in the world and it's limited.......... hmmm is it even worth the hassle.
1) buttons have no backlight (I don't know what is right word for this). green light appears only on activated function, like amber dot on original navi
2) today, i've tested navi without internet connection and clock somehow is restored after 30-40 seconds after ACC
3) Navi has WiFi, you can connect it to your phone. Or it supports 3G dongle. I wrote "no build-in sim support", which means you can't simply insert sim to unit.
4) i've investigated before purchase and in Europe (Germany) we have same part number for Gasoline Executive and Diesel Executive - 39540-SEA-409.
5) what is most useful features for you? calling or playing audio from phone? it's supported.
 
OK thank you :)

When I check part numbers for UK diesel and petrol Navi units are different. Petrol= 39050-SED-E810-M1, Diesel= 39050-SEF-Exxx.

Maybe it's different in Europe but would seem strange why, or interesting rather.

I understand what you mean about the button illumination now, apologies. Backlight is no but active light is yes.

When you said Bluetooth is limited it was not clear what was the limitation so I ***ume the worst.

Navi>WiFi>Phone>Internet; I see this is what you mean.

For me though the question is would it be worth £300 (I guess that is approx cost) or just get a separate Bluetooth phone/audio in kit. I guess it depend what one wants.

:)
 
very nice review, some key things there what I would be looking on when buying unit like this.....on the other side, when you do have sat nav build in your car, surely it cant be so expensive to convert the unit to be able to have your phones screen ??? or get an used old-ish phone to connect it to it....anybody done this before ?
 
ScoobyDoo said:
For me though the question is would it be worth £300 (I guess that is approx cost) or just get a separate Bluetooth phone/audio in kit. I guess it depend what one wants.

:)
It costs about 500 EUR. I have also separate aftermarket Alpine radio installed at the bottom. It has bluetooth and calling and listening music from phone is great. But I want more, I want Waze (Navigation), Rear Camera, DVR and other functions in one device. This device seems almost works for me and perfectly fits to original place.

Lacozcorby said:
very nice review, some key things there what I would be looking on when buying unit like this.....on the other side, when you do have sat nav build in your car, surely it cant be so expensive to convert the unit to be able to have your phones screen ??? or get an used old-ish phone to connect it to it....anybody done this before ?
Thank, you. Original Sat Nav is 12+ years old with terrible screen and functions for now.
btw, this unit supports phone screen mirroring.
 
hello, something close to this topic. Have any of you installed a device that may have the Screen mirroring function? But to use OEM sat nav screen. Thanks
 
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