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I had the truck out today to pick up some lumber from the hardware store and did a bit of a shakedown trip with the Android project.
The wireless charging pad held the phone just fine and provided a charge during the entire trip there and back, which is about 30 miles in total. I was on country roads that have many turns and are not very smooth. I took a somewhat less traveled route for us because I knew the road would be a bit more rough. The wireless charging pad did great and I was pleased to see so.
Before leaving the house and putting my phone on the charging pad, I turned on "mobile hotspot" on my Samsung S7 smartphone, to which the Android head unit immediately switched to my phone and off the house WiFi due to the priority I have it set to.
Live Google Maps is a good tool to have at my disposal. I brought up the map screen and just let it track my journey. A few miles up the road, I pulled over at a country fire station and set the destination to Hartwell so I could see how well it tracked and the volume. At 25 on the volume bar (I think it goes to 40) it was plenty loud enough at 45 MPH and I turned it down to 17 on the volume bar. I then minimized Google Maps and just had the American flag on there. Google still provided me instructions on where to go as it should. I then brought up FORScan (while driving) and activated the gauges to provide real time data. Google Maps updated the directions at the next prompted turn with FORScan running on the screen 100%.
The A6 Pro I have does NOT have the split screen capability like the S8 that Jeff and Rob have above.
I then closed FORScan and brought up Google Maps to see if the location was still tracking my current location, and it was. I closed Google Maps and tested the dash camera facing forward and the back up camera facing rearward, both worked well and the dash camera was recording.
The display was easy to read and see even on the middle brightness setting. There is a quick access button on the screen that will toggle the brightness from low to middle to high.
I consider this a great shakedown trip and a success.
Sous, can you report on how phone calls work and sound, both to you, and to the caller on the other end? I have not had good luck with the provided microphone, and better luck with the built in mic for phone calls.
There's enough hassle in setting up the S8 for each trip that I'm seriously thinking of swapping the A6 Pro from the Yukon to my truck. I really like the split screen of the S8, but the apps don't always like to start in that mode on this customized ATOTO android operating system. If it's easy to switch between FORScan and Google maps or Waze on the A6, I think that's what I would prefer to do.
I like to use the phone for selecting Audible books or Spotify music, as well as see any texts that come in, keeping the headunit display on maps or gauges, so not quite ready to put the phone on a charge pad tucked away. Interested to hear your updates how you use this system.
The S8 premium does not have a dedicated USB port on the back panel - not sure if I can plug in a wired OBDII dongle into the provided USB leads that I have routed to the glovebox. They appear to be reserved for external storage or phone link. Bluetooth2 is supposed to stay active and link to the BAFX on powerup, but that has not been my experience so far.
ATOTO customer support has not recognized my S8 purchase as authentic, and so have declined to offer technical support, another negative. I probably messed something up in the registration process, so that's likely on me.
Sous, can you report on how phone calls work and sound, both to you, and to the caller on the other end? I have not had good luck with the provided microphone, and better luck with the built in mic for phone calls.
There's enough hassle in setting up the S8 for each trip that I'm seriously thinking of swapping the A6 Pro from the Yukon to my truck. I really like the split screen of the S8, but the apps don't always like to start in that mode on this customized ATOTO android operating system. If it's easy to switch between FORScan and Google maps or Waze on the A6, I think that's what I would prefer to do.
I like to use the phone for selecting Audible books or Spotify music, as well as see any texts that come in, keeping the headunit display on maps or gauges, so not quite ready to put the phone on a charge pad tucked away. Interested to hear your updates how you use this system.
The S8 premium does not have a dedicated USB port on the back panel - not sure if I can plug in a wired OBDII dongle into the provided USB leads that I have routed to the glovebox. They appear to be reserved for external storage or phone link. Bluetooth2 is supposed to stay active and link to the BAFX on powerup, but that has not been my experience so far.
ATOTO customer support has not recognized my S8 purchase as authentic, and so have declined to offer technical support, another negative. I probably messed something up in the registration process, so that's likely on me.
Jeff, I can only speak to the phone call clarity when I was testing the capability shortly after installing the head unit. I called my wife from the head unit after downloading the contacts list and spoke to her from the passenger seat. As seen in the image above, I have the external microphone with the wind noise mitigated by the foam cover at the top of the A-pillar above the gauges. This is the exact same location I had the VX7020 microphone mounted and it worked quite well. So, I put the Android microphone in the same location.
I started with the obvious "can you hear me OK" and she said yes, but I was a bit soft sounding. Most likely because I was sitting in the passenger seat. I reached over to the external microphone and tapped it a couple of times and asked if she could hear the tapping, she said yes. I did this as to verify that the external microphone was the one picking up my voice. I asked her to wait a moment and I went around to the driver seat and sat normally. I asked "how about now", just like the old Verizon commercials and she said "oh ya, that is much better". I was speaking at a normal and somewhat low volume, so I suspect it will work fine, but I will not be able to verify that until I use it while in motion. She went with me this morning, so I didn't have the opportunity to check then.
I didn't see a place to adjust the settings regarding volume input on the BT phone screen, but I wasn't looking for it either. I was able to turn her up with the normal volume and it was plenty loud. You said "not had good luck", is that due to sound volume or quality or interference or something else? I can attempt to help you trouble shoot the issue if you like going forward. You have my number and email if you would prefer to take it to phone call (pun intended), text or email. I don't mind the discussion being here though as what we experience and learn might save someone else from going through the same issues.
Oh, I didn't see that coming from the S8. Is there something in the configuration that you can change to make it easier for you to setup or get going down the road? The A6 is ready to go 1 second after the truck is running and then FORScan or Google Maps are ready to go 1 second after pushing the app button. I am very, very impressed with this thing. There were so many moving parts and details surrounding this project and I am excited to use it on a road trip and glad that everything appears to be working as I had hoped for.
We spoke about going with a different UI loader or Android OS loader, have you thought any more on doing that with the S8?
What about just not using the split screen feature? Does the S8 perform like the A6 Pro in those instances? You are in a unique situation here where you have both in different vehicles. That has to be handy for customizing. In my humble opinion, I don't think I would enjoy the split screen feature and most likely just not use it at all, even if the A6 Pro had it. I find the screen just big enough to focus on the displayed task at hand. It takes very little time for me to push the home screen button, then the app I want to see on the screen. You know how fast these things respond to commands, but by the time I am removing my finger from the soft button, the head unit is performing the requested task.
I was really curious if Google Maps would continue to navigate me via live navigation like a smartphone does, and it did. My next trip out I will see what YouTube does when playing a song or audio book and the screen is minimized. On a table or smartphone YouTube will pause itself, on a laptop or PC the video/audio will continue playing. Sometimes you can open YouTube via the desktop view on an Android device and retain audio when minimized, but usually not. It will be interesting to see how YouTube handles the request.
I tend to ignore text messages while I am driving any of my vehicles, so I don't see the need for it right now. Now that I am retired, the only boss I need to respond to quickly is either in the seat next to me or in the vehicle behind me and available via a 2-way radio.
I installed this wireless charging cradle in our 2008 Subaru (outdated navigation) and the 2016 Escape even though it has Sync3 with Android Auto. I don't like it... Having the BT connection to the phone is nice and the navigation is OK, but I am spoiled with live Google Maps from traveling the west during a blizzard and road closures. I like to know what is going on ahead and detour if needed.
That cradle or one similar to it may work better for your application. It is a fast charger as well, so that is nice too.
You mentioned the S8 Premium does not have a dedicated USB port on the rear of the unit like the A6 Pro does.
S8 rear panel:
You stated the USB leads you have routed to the glove compartment. They "should" be the same 2 way leads I have where one was marked "quick charge" and the other was marked "easy connect". These are simply standard USB ports that will read a USB drive based on my testing. I had to turn off the quick charge feature for that USB port to work properly with the wireless charging pad. The other is just a standard USB port that should have no problem connecting to a USB OBDII adapter. Obviously the proper connection within FORScan would need to be selected and on the A6 Pro those ports are USB 2. What is the port on the bottom left labeled "USB1" with Media Port and EasyCon above and below it? That sounds like another 2 way USB connection to me and the formfactor of the male pins looks similar to the first USB dual port cable.
As for the BAFX, have you tried to set FORScan to activate and connect when power is applied to the head unit? There were 3 variations of connecting as far as I remember and they were under "auto connect" in FORScan settings.
You purchased your S8 Premium from Amazon right? Just like I did and they were very responsive to help me out. I stated the dates and times of my emails and their responses above. Strange... They even offered to send me another head unit and dash camera if I could not get these issues sorted out to my satisfaction. I can send you the representative's email address I was speaking to directly (email) if you like?
As mentioned before I am very, very happy with this unit so far. So much so I have thought about installing one in the Subaru, but that would take a great deal of carbon fiber or fiberglass work to make it look right. I am available via phone call, text, email or here if you think I can help in anyway. I am serious about that, don't hesitate to call or text if you need some advice or a second set of eyes/ears to double check something.
You gave us so much of your time for the PID Charting Tool that it is the very least I can do to try and repay you.
Okay Teaser McTeaserTits, inquiring minds want to know. What happened? Spill it (harhar)!!
Chris will have to tell the story, it is not mine to share. Perhaps at the GTG in a couple of weeks where he can offer a visual account of the incident.
Murphy was there with Chris though, I can tell you that...
Also, is "Teaser McTeaser ****" FTN trademarked? I am collecting ideas for a turbo impressions parody video and that may make the final cut if it fits well.
Chris will have to tell the story, it is not mine to share. Perhaps at the GTG in a couple of weeks where he can offer a visual account of the incident.
Murphy was there with Chris though, I can tell you that...
Also, is "Teaser McTeaser ****" FTN trademarked? I am collecting ideas for a turbo impressions parody video and that may make the final cut if it fits well.
For the purposes of parody videos, all my IP is open source.
For the purposes of parody videos, all my IP is open source.
Outstanding news! I and the entire world thanks you for your generosity.
I have discovered "Creative Commons" is another form of saying "royalty free". The "Turbo Impressions" parody is still in the idea phase, but I have 2 Word Document pages of sayings and funnies noted. Once I find time to start the video, it shouldn't take long to populate it with good humor that everyone can get a chuckle or two out of.
I wondered if the microphone was directional to some extent - I haven't been able to get it to point at me directly sitting in the driver's seat with the clip it comes with. I'll play with that a bit more. The other use of the microphone for me is to use voice commands, for entering an address or a location I want to go to in Waze, for instance. The external mic was not picking up my voice for that function adequately for some reason, but the internal mic did.
It takes several seconds for Forscan to connect to the BAFX, once I manually turn on bluetooth2. I'll go back to full screen instead of split screen and see how that works - good suggestion. I think I was hung up on that.
FORScan does have a setting to enable bluetooth when starting, but I don't think it can differentiate between bluetooth1 and bluetooth2 for that enable command. If I can't fix that, I will purchase the OBDLink EX wired OBD adapter and see if it will work with the glovebox USB leads. I'm depending on the S8/FORScan for trans temp and other virtual gauges, and need it to work reliably and quickly.
I did purchase the S8 from Amazon, as a warehouse deal. I'm wondering if that's the issue. I'll try the registration process again. I have yet to try to register the A6 Pro. That's another route to getting support I need to complete.
I made a little metal clip the attach the microphone plastic clip to out of some scrap sheet metal. Folded it over a couple of times to give it strength and field the sharp edges down.
It clips to the headliner and the lower leg sticks of the clip sticks out of the pillar cover. That little bit is what the microphone plastic clip attaches to. I can send you more detailed pictures via text if you like, just let me know.
FORScan is up and running within 1 second of pushing the app button. I have it set up so that I still need to push the "play" button once FORScan is running, but I can have the display go from the flag background to reading live gauges in 2-3 seconds time. That is with the USB connection OBDLink SX though.
As far as BT1 and BT2 on the ATOTO, I am pretty sure the defaults are BT1 is for voice/media and BT2 is for data like OBDII adapters. That may not be the case though. Worth a try in testing at least.
Even if FORScan automatically activates BT1 each time, see if you can sync your phone to BT2 automatically. Might be a viable work around.
I understand your desire to have virtual gauges that ate reliable, and perhaps a USB adapter is the right call. I simply returned my OBDLink MX to my toolbox area. I plan to take it with us on long trips as a backup, but it will stay in the garage other than that.
Now I remember you bought an Amazon warehouse sale item, that has to be the hang up on the tech support.
I did not register my A6 Pro, just sent a detailed email with purchase date and order number to their support email address. Their response times were usually within 12 hours for any email I sent. Even uploading a video of my minor issue to dropbox and everything was quite seamless. Frankly, I was surprised at the level of support I received from a China company.
The images below are what I sent to BWST via text today. I thought for the sake of 100% transparency I would upload them here too. The visor clears the microphone by about 1.5" and swings over to the door with the same clearance.
^^^Picture taken with rubber seal removed looking in at level from outside the door.
^^^Picture taken from directly below the microphone.
^^^Picture taken from just below and toward the driver seat.
Skipping the S8 split screen mode appears to have cured all my ills. FORScan turns on bluetooth2 and starts up after several seconds, just like my phone would. I'm going to try that for bit now, and stick with the BAFX OBD dongle.
Like you said, easy to switch between apps with a couple of screen touches.
Skipping the S8 split screen mode appears to have cured all my ills. FORScan turns on bluetooth2 and starts up after several seconds, just like my phone would. I'm going to try that for bit now, and stick with the BAFX OBD dongle.
Like you said, easy to switch between apps with a couple of screen touches.
Outstanding news Jeff! Free dollars fixes are good to find.
The A6 has the "recent app" button which I found useful when switching between apps quickly. Much like a smart phone, I am sure the S8 has a similar feature.
I am sure ShovelHeadRob will be glad to read your post as well. Thanks for the update.
