I want to go with an Android based stereo this time around. The main two contenders seem to be Joying and Pumpkin. Both seem to get decent reviews and they seem to leapfrog each other as to which is in front on features at any given time. Right now the nod goes to Pumpkin with its Android 6 versions which are also in stock from Amazon. Joying's latest is still running 5.1 which is 2 revisions out of date even though the hardware has good specs.

Any real world experiences here? Integration of steering wheel controls? I am leaning toward the Pumpkin even though the Joying is a few bucks less. Mostly for the easy purchase and up to date OS. What have I missed?

My needs are simple, mp3s on a memory card or stick. Bluetooth integration with my phone for hands free phone. Ability to add data connection via either cell adaptor or mobile wifi hot spot or cell phone connection for data. Do not need a DVD drive in the unit but not opposed to one. GPS built in and access to Google Maps and voice search.

 

I really like my Joying. It is on 4.4.4. As for the latest and greatest OS, that is a concern if you are having it logged into your online accounts. However, old android versions aren't any worse at playing music than new ones and I use a throwaway account on the head unit. I haven't had any real trouble out of my Joying other than its size (a bit bigger than most double DIN) although I read that they all are a bit big. My install kit doesnt sit all the way flush, but I am not bothered enough to mess with it. I do change up the navigation software every so often as it will run any of the android compatible versions, and quite fast I might add. Joying also responds to support emails, albeit in broken English, but they do answer inquiries. In my shopping a year ago, there were times I wondered if Pumpkin and Joying weren't from the same parent company.

BL. For the price, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

 

I have the Joying 5.1 android and am happy with it so far. Steering wheel controls are programmable in the HU so no adapters needed for anything other than the Metra wiring connector.

 

Slightly off topic, but are you using the Dash Command App? If so, like it?

 

I love dashcommand for its simplicity. It is picky with the devices it talks to on this head unit due to the way they implemented Bluetooth, but works with all of them on my phones or laptop.

 

OK, so how can I get HD Radio to play through an Android head unit? If I can figure that out, then I'm getting one of those TOMORROW, lol

 

Not sure there is a solution to that currently. Our new Expedition has HD radio. I listen to it cant really tell a difference? Although I don't have poor reception with the stations I like either, so there isn't any hiss and crackle to eliminate. That said, I rarely listen to the radio anymore. Between streaming from my phone apps or listening to SD cards or USB sticks, or even from youtube via mobile hotspot, I don't use the radio much.

 

Are either of these dvd players and can they be made to play video on the factory overhead screen?

 

No disc drive on mine. It can play DVD Vob files from a memory device though..... My overhead DVD player is a dealer installed unit so I don't know about the factory setup, but there is an RCA video output on the head unit.

 

Turns out the Pumkin with Android 6 is actually an older gen hardware with only 1GB ram and 16gb storage. Looks like I am going with the Joying which is now also available directly from amazon. I like the physical volume **** and physical home and back buttons as well.

Good to know that no adaptor is needed for the steering wheel controls, I'll drop that. Going with a back up camera as well, licence plate frame mounted.

 

Nice. If yours is like mine, you will want to get deeper into the menus for the backup camera. Burried in there is a setting to allow audio when reversing and have it attenuate to a volume of your choosing. By default they cut all audio while backing up.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Something I will need to do.

 

If you get the Joying, the cameras and OBD adapter need to be from them IIRC.

 

Obd dongle i could understand as drivers are involved. Buy why would the camera need to come from them? They show a standard composit video (RCA) input for the camera.

 

That is what sold me on the 2gb joying. You also get an igo map download for offline gps functionality if you travel offgrid which doesnt come with the pumpkin. As far as 5.1.1 vs. 6 all I can say is the 5.1.1 works well and has a few significant improvements over the 4 series software such as sleep mode which draws virtually no power when the vehicle is off compared to the non-intel CPU models and eliminates reboots each time vehicle starts. You can also defeat the prevention of video playback while in motion through the on screen menu.

I vasillated on whether to buy the version with the volume **** or not and chose the cleaner look of the one without. My steering wheel has a volume button so not missing the ****. One thing to consider is whether to buy from amazon or direct. The direct ordered comes with the mali MP450 intel chip vs. the 400 chip that comes on the resellers version. Although the 400 chip works fine, the 450 chip is a significanty improved chip that might become an advantage in the future if software or video decoding becomes more CPU intensive. Id personally buy direct from joying next time to get the better CPU.

I did a pretty thorough writeup of the install on powerstroke.org including how wire in radio steering wheel controls, backup signal wire, a modification that is required in the metra harness to make it fully plug and play, etc. you can run just about any backup camera you want but obd2 dongle and front dvr camera must be joying's to work. Nothing special about the equipment, joying just coded the software to force you to buy their product which is a chitty move on their part.

The only major downside I hear is regarding the internal amp. A few have commented that the sound quality is lacking decent bass- probably due to a low output power in the onboard amp. I ran the rca pre-amp outputs to a separate amp to feed the in cab speakers and a 12" sub box so not an issue for me. I did scrap the music player and used rocket pro which in addition to automatically organizing you music by song, artist, etc also comes with a much better equalizer that improves sound quality considerably and displays album art for each song.

Ive been pretty satisfied so far and would buy it again.