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Sous , does the OBD adapter plug directly into the back of the head unit from the dongle? Sorry I'm a little confused, I called crutchfield to see what kind of head units they recommended and they told me that none of their head units are capable of reading anything from the OBD2 port which I was pretty surprised by
Originally Posted by jstihl
Thank you for the explanation, that makes sense. So with a Android head unit I can run a USB cable from the dongle to the back of the head unit correct? But I may need a special USB adapter in order to actually connect to the head unit? As far as forscan goes, would I need to download forscan lite on the head unit itself or would it be mirrored off of my phone? Sorry for all of the questions, I am electronically challenged
I'll piggyback off what Mark wrote and maybe having two different points of view will help a bit.
The 90° adapter is simply a QoL thing that allows the OBDLink EX or SX to connect to the OBDII port and not stick out toward the seat a few inches. I think it was SSJ who had a problem with the OBDLink getting too hot since the lower heater duct is right there next to the OBDII port.
I have created an illustration that may help you visualize what we are talking about.
So, the order of flow goes OBDII port on truck > OBDII 90° adapter > OBDLink EX/SX > USB to back of Android head unit.
The advice Crutchfield gave you may or may not be accurate, but it was certainly the easy way out of talking to you on the phone. Not saying they don't want to go the extra mile to win your business, but my experience with Crutchfield has not been great since the 90's or early 00's. Simply put, your Android head unit will work just like a tablet or phone running Android. You download Android Lite onto the Android head unit via a WiFi connection from your phone or house. The OBDLink EX/SX is plugged into the back in a USB data port, not a "charging only" port and you adjust the settings in FORScan Lite as needed. I had to make a couple of small changes, but nothing major and I was up and running. I can refer back to my Android head unit thread to find those changes to the settings in FORScan Lite if you need them.
We would rather you ask questions now and know what you are purchasing instead of having to deal with returning something or having hardware that does not satisfy your requirements.
the only mounting kits from cutchfield say that once it is installed you have to remove the entire dash to remove it.Does anyone know of an installation kit that will allow you to remove just the radio?Should a dash bulb go out having to remove the entire dash to get the radio out to be able to change it would suck.
The bigger ones like I have installed don't really have a mounting kit. I bolt it to the dash/cluster/radio bezel and it lives on it with a little slack in the wires . Then if you ever need to change a bulb or something in the cluster you just pull the bezel off unplug the radio. Reach back and unplug radio connection and all comes off in one unit. Pretty simple.
I'll piggyback off what Mark wrote and maybe having two different points of view will help a bit.
The 90° adapter is simply a QoL thing that allows the OBDLink EX or SX to connect to the OBDII port and not stick out toward the seat a few inches. I think it was SSJ who had a problem with the OBDLink getting too hot since the lower heater duct is right there next to the OBDII port.
I have created an illustration that may help you visualize what we are talking about.
So, the order of flow goes OBDII port on truck > OBDII 90° adapter > OBDLink EX/SX > USB to back of Android head unit.
The advice Crutchfield gave you may or may not be accurate, but it was certainly the easy way out of talking to you on the phone. Not saying they don't want to go the extra mile to win your business, but my experience with Crutchfield has not been great since the 90's or early 00's. Simply put, your Android head unit will work just like a tablet or phone running Android. You download Android Lite onto the Android head unit via a WiFi connection from your phone or house. The OBDLink EX/SX is plugged into the back in a USB data port, not a "charging only" port and you adjust the settings in FORScan Lite as needed. I had to make a couple of small changes, but nothing major and I was up and running. I can refer back to my Android head unit thread to find those changes to the settings in FORScan Lite if you need them.
We would rather you ask questions now and know what you are purchasing instead of having to deal with returning something or having hardware that does not satisfy your requirements.
Thank you sous, I appreciate the explanation. I will have to find a head unit first and then I can see if I need any special USB connections. Thank you guys for all of the links, makes things much easier.
The bigger ones like I have installed don't really have a mounting kit. I bolt it to the dash/cluster/radio bezel and it lives on it with a little slack in the wires . Then if you ever need to change a bulb or something in the cluster you just pull the bezel off unplug the radio. Reach back and unplug radio connection and all comes off in one unit. Pretty simple.
Thanks @tpayne , I really want something that will fit into the dash so I may have to try the smaller unit that you sent me a link to earlier. Looking at reviews the customer service isn't all that great but I guess that's pretty common on these aftermarket units. Does the smaller CC2 seem to have enough power for what I need? I guess as far as speed?
Hey Mark, yes I am in Stuart. Where are you located?
We have a place in New Smyrna Beach, though I'm in CO now. I expect to be around at month end, and was going to offer to have a look if you were really close. I won't have the Excursion with me, though, so it wouldn't be worth much of a drive.
We have a place in New Smyrna Beach, though I'm in CO now. I expect to be around at month end, and was going to offer to have a look if you were really close. I won't have the Excursion with me, though, so it wouldn't be worth much of a drive.
Mark
Thanks Mark, New Smyrna is a nice area! I ordered a Alpine head unit today so I will see how it works out. Do you prefer the OBD link EX or SX for a wired connection to the head unit? I have always used a cheap BAFX Bluetooth dongle that has worked fine for me for years but wanted to get a wired connection for the new head unit
Thanks Mark, New Smyrna is a nice area! I ordered a Alpine head unit today so I will see how it works out. Do you prefer the OBD link EX or SX for a wired connection to the head unit? I have always used a cheap BAFX Bluetooth dongle that has worked fine for me for years but wanted to get a wired connection for the new head unit
May want to confirm you can install apps on the alpine unit before you buy a bunch of stuff that won't work together.
May want to confirm you can install apps on the alpine unit before you buy a bunch of stuff that won't work together.
Okay are you saying that a lot of these units you are only able to use the apps that are pre-installed? I guess if I can't install apps then I can just cast it from my phone? I got the Alpine iLx-w670 per crutchfield's recommendation after I told them what I was looking to accomplish
Okay are you saying that a lot of these units you are only able to use the apps that are pre-installed? I guess if I can't install apps then I can just cast it from my phone? I got the Alpine iLx-w670 per crutchfield's recommendation after I told them what I was looking to accomplish
A lot of the higher end name brand units just have android auto which is very different then being a actual android head unit. They basically just mirror a few apps from your phone and only certain apps will work and mirror. Like maps and music player. Lot of them you can't just actually screen mirror and display what's on your phone. That's why I always recommend a actual android head unit.
Thanks Mark, New Smyrna is a nice area! I ordered a Alpine head unit today so I will see how it works out. Do you prefer the OBD link EX or SX for a wired connection to the head unit? I have always used a cheap BAFX Bluetooth dongle that has worked fine for me for years but wanted to get a wired connection for the new head unit
). It's been fine, but I have no experience with the SX.
What @Tpayne621 mentioned is critical, though. I'd bet dollars to donuts you can't install Forescan on that Alpine radio. In fact, as much as I like Crutchfield, I doubt if they sell a single radio that is actually Android under the covers, and capable of accepting an Android install file.
Android Auto, Android OS (operating system) and Android screen mirroring are three very different things. They are each "related" in certain ways, but behave very differently and the apps that can or cannot be installed on them or via them are different.
A lot of the higher end name brand units just have android auto which is very different then being a actual android head unit. They basically just mirror a few apps from your phone and only certain apps will work and mirror. Like maps and music player. Lot of them you can't just actually screen mirror and display what's on your phone. That's why I always recommend a actual android head unit.
