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I see great minds (insane minds tend to as well) think alike and when I bought the"Thing A Ma Jig" many, many years ago it was a good purchase.
I don't solder or splice wires a lot, but it does come in handy. Especially when I was installing solar on my 5th wheel, I spent a lot of time getting each lug, terminal and connection secure and clean. The effort paid off though as it performs great. I went back and changed/rerouted a good portion of the manufacturer wiring as well.
Tim, I hope she likes it! Pretty much a smartphone in the dash is what it boils down to. If the Subaru didn't have an odd shaped stereo bezel, I would have bought an Android head unit for it as well.
So, to add another level to this growing project...tire pressure monitoring. Do you have a system on your fifth wheel? I have been looking at them for mine. There are some that are smart phone compatible. The issue would be that they would use one of your bluetooth channels. Just something to throw out there!
So, to add another level to this growing project...tire pressure monitoring. Do you have a system on your fifth wheel? I have been looking at them for mine. There are some that are smart phone compatible. The issue would be that they would use one of your bluetooth channels. Just something to throw out there!
I have a stand alone TPMS which can handle up to 22 sensors on 6 axles, having something integrated into the android head unit would mean one less thing on my dashboard! Your thinking has made me realise that I should be able to add the Levelmate pro app to the Atoto, once I get around to fitting it....
The ATOTO A6 Pro came with a TPMS application loaded to it, but I removed it since I don't run a TPMS system on the truck or trailer. I am not sure what communications protocol a TPMS system that is capable of talking to a smartphone is running, but I can only assume it is a flavor of BT, as MountainManRobb mentioned.
The ATOTO line of Android head units comes with 2 BT antennas and receivers. This was a major purchasing point for me as I intended to run my smartphone for phone calls and the OBDLink MX/MX+ at the same time. BT1 is designed for use with phone and media and BT2 is designed for use with data communications, like OBD or TPMS. That said, if someone was using a USB OBD tool (thanks again FTE'r!), that would free up the BT2 connection for TPMS or whatever else the user wanted to run.
TPMS running in the dash is certainly an option with the ATOTO units, especially if the TPMS manufacturer has their own application that is downloaded. This is just another great feature of the newer Android head units coming out that will make life just a bit more simple for us. Less wires, less screens, less distractions...
Less screens is right! So think about it, a quick screen count...Edge monitor or such for engine data, GPS, backup camera, TPMS system, cell phone hanging on a mount to keep track of it...that makes 5. If you could narrow it down some, that would be pretty awesome. Especially for things like a backup camera and TPMS that don't get used all the time. This android head unit is looking better and better!
You are dead on accurate MountainManRobb. I am someone who tends to use 10 paragraphs and get longwinded, but I am the opposite when it comes to simplicity and ease of use. I am strange, I know...
You listing things and gadgets off was the main reason why I included a wireless charger pad for the phone. No cradle, no wires, nothing... Just set the phone on the 3 coil wireless charger and go. The ATOTO A6 Pro will connect to the phones WiFi hotspot automatically and off I go. Forscan can be set to start automatically, or just with the push of a button. Since the A6 Pro literally takes 1 second to wake up, there is plenty of time to get situated.
I will still have my gauges in the pillar, and that is OK with me.
The Android head units are very versatile and useful. Much more so than they were a few short years ago. You named a bunch of gadgets off and one of the reasons why I do not have a TPMS is because I didn't want yet another device to run sitting in my view. I thought about a GPS made for RV's since we travel cross country, but the height/bridge restrictions have not been a problem and I didn't want another screen. I didn't care for the Edge visually, even though I saw a great amount of value in the features.
The list goes on and on...
I am glad I started this thread, not only for my own sake of keeping things on track and within the scope of the project, but it has enabled other FTE'rs to see what is available to them.
It has definitely made me aware of things that I didn't think were available. I had been considering just getting a nice cradle to mount my wife's old iPhone semipermanently in the cab for some of the features, but a head unit is a much better proposition.
On the note of features, does the Atoto have a CD player?
It has definitely made me aware of things that I didn't think were available. I had been considering just getting a nice cradle to mount my wife's old iPhone semipermanently in the cab for some of the features, but a head unit is a much better proposition.
On the note of features, does the Atoto have a CD player?
No, the ATOTO units do not have CD or DVD capability. When I bought my Jensen VX7020 years ago, I thought it having DVD capability would be a great asset for the passenger of my truck when traveling cross country. Never used, not even once. Well, I used it once to make sure it worked while rolling down the road, but not other than that.
CD's are kind of the same way now.
Many of the Android units come with multiple USB ports. The ATOTO has 4 USB ports, one of which is on the front face just under the microSD slot. Many of the Android units come with at least one microSD slot. I mention these because they can be used for all sorts of media playback. Be it music, audiobooks or movies. Most any sort of media is available for download or in a soft copy instead of a hard copy like a CD or DVD. A single 256GB microSD card or USB drive can hold hundreds of thousands of songs, files or whatever for easy and quick access. No disc to skip or scratch. It just makes sense really.
Also, the Android head unit can be used as a media streaming device. Be it Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc... Each of them have an app that can be installed onto the head unit and accessed just as you would via a smart TV or smart phone.
As for the cradle, I get it... We bought a nice Scosche fast wireless charging cradle for our Subaru last year somewhere in WY or CO. Our Subaru is a 2008 and the GPS is OK for main roads, but 13 years later it lacks quite a bit in the way of updates. The center console is not of a shape that is conducive to installing an Android head unit, so we use a Samsung S7 on the cradle. It works well enough and frankly was the push over the edge for me to get the ATOTO A6 Pro for the truck. I was spoiled with streaming media and live Google Maps and wanted that experience in the Subaru.
I have since installed a BT receiver in the Subaru to bring it into the 21st century and we are satisfied with the technology capabilities it has in it during long distance traveling.
Here is the cradle we use and I fully support. Just to give you an idea of a vetted product to take a look at.
FWIW on trailer TPMS, some setups need to use a remote antenna that is closer to the trailer wheels as the signal is not super strong. Can certainly try to read the trailer wheels TPMS with just the multimedia head unit and see what happens. Worst case is that TPMS duty has to go back to the dedicated hardware / display.
As reference points, a friend had to install the remote TPMS antenna for a crew cab F150 EcoBoost with a 25' travel trailer. And, on the Expedition long body, I was borderline with the 30' TT as readings would occasionally drop-out and then re-appear.
With the notations that the A6 does have native TPMS capability, this leaves the question of how the A6 is receiving signal as it does not look like there is a dedicated TPMS antenna port. In doing a little digging, TPMS transmits in the MHz (UHF) range, so the A6 is likely reading TPMS signal off of the AM / FM antenna.
FWIW on trailer TPMS, some setups need to use a remote antenna that is closer to the trailer wheels as the signal is not super strong. Can certainly try to read the trailer wheels TPMS with just the multimedia head unit and see what happens. Worst case is that TPMS duty has to go back to the dedicated hardware / display.
This is 100% correct. Some TPMS utilize a booster antenna/signal repeater in order to communicate with the display in the vehicle. Some units must use the proprietary display unit. Some units simply use the smartphone and an app available for free after a purchase of the TPMS auxiliary equipment is purchased. In the case of the last scenario, the TPMS transmitters will probably reach the Android head unit if the signal would reach the smartphone sitting in the center console. If a signal repeater is required for the TPMS transmitters is required in order to communicate with the smartphone in the center console, then chances are a repeater will be required for the Android head unit.
That is easy enough to accomplish as most RV campers have a power source/battery bank in the front of the camper just behind the truck and/or receiver receiver. Be it a smartphone or Android head unit.
Just like any other modification or customization, there are hurdles to overcome. Some are easier than others and some are not able to be overcome.
Originally Posted by JayTheCPA
With the notations that the A6 does have native TPMS capability, this leaves the question of how the A6 is receiving signal as it does not look like there is a dedicated TPMS antenna port. In doing a little digging, TPMS transmits in the MHz (UHF) range, so the A6 is likely reading TPMS signal off of the AM / FM antenna.
The ATOTO (like many other Android head units available) comes with an app (application) that is a generic TPMS utility. Nothing more... Chances are that anyone wanting to install a TPMS and the sensors would utilize the application available through the manufacturer. That is if the TPMS was designed to use a smartphone and not be solely available on a the proprietary display.
The ATOTO and other Android head units are simply a smartphone without cell service. Some of them do have cell service though... Other than that, they are no different than a tablet or smartphone and should be considered nearly the same when looking to modify or add accessories.
I have not looked into the communication protocol of the EEZTire TPMS8 which would be my chosen TPMS. It is a real time/constant monitoring TPMS and that is very critical in my opinion.
What you have said about a TPMS transmitting via Mhz (UHF) may be true for some manufacturers, but I cannot see that being true for all. For example the somewhat popular TireMinder uses a 433Mhz to bluetooth signal in order to communicate with a smartphone. No display unit is provided with the TPMS and since 99% of the modern cell phones created today do not have an FM receiver, they use the BT protocol.
You can see the transmitter/repeater on the right side of the image below. Wiring this up near the battery of the RV and providing more than enough signal strength reach is what these things are designed for. Sometimes designs lack in functionality or practicality, but I suspect these that have been around for a while and are somewhat popular would function just fine when providing data between the TPMS sensors on the wheels to the cab of the tow vehicle. Be it a smartphone or android head unit.
Again, all modifications and customizing will have hurdles. Ones ability to find the details in and around that hurdle in order to find a feasible CoA (Course of Action) over it is what makes the FTE a great place to be.
Something like that Tire Minder is what I was seeing. What I wonder is if the app runs in the background and will pop up with an alert if needed, or if you have to keep it live and running all the time.
Something like that Tire Minder is what I was seeing. What I wonder is if the app runs in the background and will pop up with an alert if needed, or if you have to keep it live and running all the time.
This is only one example and there are many more out there. I did a bit of quick searching and found these specifics for the TireMinder unit I pictured above. Each prospective owner should perform their own research as I only searched "smartphone TPMS" and recognized that one as a popular model from some of the RV videos I have seen.
Also, the TireMinder® Bluetooth Adapter will alarm (red light and beep) when there is a tire issue. If for any reason your phone or the App itself is turned off, the Bluetooth Adapter will still alarm.
Do not close the App. Both Apple and Android Apps are able to run in the background, however, if they are closed the App will no longer monitor your tires. A similar circumstance would be no longer having the ability to receive phone calls if your phone is turned off.
There are many, many different models out there with a varying degree of compatibility and features available to the user. Just like selecting anything else, there are many to choose from. This is certainly an option if I decide that I want to run a TPMS, but at this time I don't see the value in it, for my application. Once I finish up with the upgrades to the 5th wheel like the leaf spring shackle links, I might consider a TPMS and will certainly update this thread or create another with details about which unit I selected and why.
I would encourage anyone else that has the same sort of selection process to post here as well. We are always willing to learn from others, even when we don't agree with their actions or processes.
Here's where I put the WIFI and GPS antennas. WIFI is over the radio, and GPS is near the vent - hoping these spots will work without interfering with each other.
The Scosche install kit from the video ended up not working for this radio. I used the mounting brackets it came with. Here is a pic trimming the dash bezel top and bottom lips with a sanding bit. Finished with a flat file.
The S8 was catching on the center support. I had to fight it a bit to get it to go the first time. Needed to be able to test fit and remove several times, so took a couple of taps with a punch and mallet to bend it down just a little to allow the headunit to slide in.
The metal mounting brackets were trimmed as shown and mounted so that they help tilt the radio up a bit, and allow it to be installed to the correct depth.
The screw location marked above is set about 1" down and 2" back from the front face of the radio. It will eventually get a spacer between the radio and the dash opening on each side, so the screws can be tightened securely.
The lower brackets probably need to be secured in some way, but I'm leaving them as is for now - will eventually pull it again to install the backup camera.
There are small gaps on each side of the radio, but it's small enough that I can live with it.
Jeff, I would not worry about the WiFi antenna and the GPS antenna interfering with each other, for two reasons. First, I had them set up nearly on top of each other on my kitchen table and the GPS antenna was still able to pick up 9 satellites inside the house, in a valley with tall trees surrounding us and with the WiFi antenna right next to, if not overlapping it a bit. Second, smartphones may have some shielding between the WiFi and GPS antennas, but they are so close to each other that this scenario lends to the idea of no interference. I know that some devices will use WiFi as an alternate or additional means of acquiring a GPS location (GPS-A), which also tells me that the antennas play well together.
@BWST Jeff, your installation images and description are invaluable and will do a fine job of being a visual aid for years to come. I had the thought of making a video about the installation and accessories I/we have selected. Would you mind if I used your images in order to provide a second look in the video? Of course, I would provide credit to you as I have provided credit to the appropriate parties in all of my other videos.
For the spacer between the plastic and stereo, do you plan to use another large fender washer as you did on the outside? Coincidentally, I have a fairly large collection of these washers...
As for the lower brackets, due to the HVAC controls being there, perhaps a flat head screw came up up from the HVAC cavity and secure the brackets down with a nut and locking washer.
Is the thin black bezel around the S8 the one that came supplied from ATOTO?
I really like how you brought it forward toward the seat a bit, I think that is the same approach I will take.
I must admit, the S8 looks sleek and very clean. I just didn't feel comfortable with soft buttons though and prefer the use of the physical buttons. Good thing we have the ability to make the choice for ourselves.
