13.6 Tesla head unit

Do you own one? There appears to be a lot of satisfied customers here that refute what you're saying.

 

There are alot of posts about people having issues with the stock HU.... all you have to do is search. Yes... if you don't like tinkering then you won't like this HU. It's not perfect, but every issue that I've heard of has been addressed and there is no way that keeping the stock HU and upgrading the speakers or even adding amps will get you better sound. The root of the sound problems with the stock sound is the factory HU.... whether you have JBL or not. Don't believe me? Just change out your HU and you will see.

 

You don't read about the people with no problems. Yes you have to be a techy. He'll yes it is Android. Duh. That is why we like it. Can you stream TV from your Hopper3 at home so your passengers can watch tv in the Tundra? Can you use basically any Nav program out there with your head unit? Waze, etc. Is your head unit Nav always up to date for free? Can you call up GasBuddy on your head unit and automatically launch the Nav to take you to the cheapest gas near you on your head unit? Can you install and use virtually any app you want on your head unit?

It is not for everyone. But a lot of people are having a lot of fun NOT being put in a box. You are probably an iOS person. Don't know that there is a world beyond what "they" want you to have.

 

I dont know where you get your info but many tundra owners loves the tesla style hu. Yes people may have problems but who dosent. I had not 1 problem with mine over 6 months in florida heat. But people have opinions thats how life works...

 

hot air in my opinion. Android equals fragmentation. To each his own.

 

are any of the images customizable? looks like a jeep in the HVAC area...

 

There are a few people, one in the Facebook group, that is doing a semi custom firmware that add a bunch of themes, allows you to customize the vehicle displayed, etc. So yes they are customizable. More so if you get a custom firmware over stock.

 

I love the Tesla like unit but I really wish someone would make a android unit have 4v or higher preouts.. until then Ill still be using name brand units with android auto. Being able to have thousands of options with the Tesla unit is nice but to me sound quality is the most important. Ive worked at a stereo shop for many years and my Tundra has about 4k worth of stereo equipment in it (not built for loud bass like when I was a teenager but built for sound quality). I own about 6 different android head units (been trying many different models) and I own 3 top of the line name brand units. The pre-out voltage seriously changes everything. With the SMD DD-1 distortion detector every android unit gives distortion at even super low volume levels. For those who dont understand basically its throwing a low quality sound signal directly from the start being that its usually only a 2v preout. Can you still play your music loud yes, but no matter how expensive of amps or speakers you buy the distortion will be there and the clarity wont be amazing. With the higher model name brand (4v or higher preouts) units I can get much higher volume levels with zero distortion and extremely clear sound quality. I do hope a company that makes android units make a 4v or higher preout unit one of these days, if they do then THAT will be the ultimate head unit.

Now for anyone who doesnt care so much about sound clarity and some distortion then ignore everything I said. Not everyone has the same interest as me. If you sat in my tundra and I turned the volume way up you would be in shock on how clear it sounds and not ear piercing. It would probably change your thoughts about what a stereo should sound like.

Again just want to say im not shitting on the Tesla like unit, I like it and its really cool and for the average Joe its probably sufficient. Just not yet to my standards in sound quality.

 

How many different brands of the Tesla style HU's are there, and which ones are better?

 

My BIL has this unit in his 1794 and gotta say its pretty awesome. Everything works as its supposed to and as far as I know he hasnt had any issues.

 

I like that one, who makes it?

 

??

 

Phoenix, different versions. Info here:

 

Would you buy it again or would you buy something else?

 

I would, but some people prefer the Dasaiti version. Others don’t want to tinker with a full android HU at all, they can be finicky to setup and get things dialed in. Problem solving and questions best answered in the fb group.

 

Ok thanks

 

Where the hell do I connect the A/c OEM wire to the HU? 2008 Toyota Tundra

 

how did you make the silver trim around the radio (where ac vents are) all black?

 

Took it out, sanded and used plastic bonding primer/paint:


Here’s someone else who did theirs too:


Did same to the silver control covers on the wheel:


Resulting dash, all black:

 

I have heard that there are issues with connecting satellite radio, is this true?

 

iirc, you need to buy separate XM/Sirius hardware for it to work. Otherwise it’s streamed and consuming tethered data using the app.

Facebook Group describes which one is best.

 

Reviving an old thread... Maybe. Anyway - I have a 2016 Tundra and a 2010 Sequoia. For the Sequoia, I bought the Phoenix unit - which is now Android 9. I was looking here for leads to fix my bugs (temp=-40F, date/time keep resetting, JBL rear, middle and subwoofer not working, steering wheel controls for volume, up/down, mode, bluetooth not working). Anyway, there's a reference to "The Facebook Page" - but doesn't say what the name of it is... Also, it seems some links are missing in above posts. Help?

 

It's this fb link...
"Toyota Tundra -Tesla Unit (Tips, Tricks, Updates)" Not enough support here or the bigger thread either for timely replies, go to fb!

 

I dont have the attention span for a project like this, but wow it looks amazing!

 

Like JoshuaA said

 

long time lurker, just registered to give back.

just wanted to contribute: bought one of these from aots zwnav for my 08 sequoia. did a lot of research online and did not go w dasaita or phoenix or others due to the horror stories and reviews. 128gb rom 6-core android 9. everything did not work out of the box but i figured pretty much everything from this and other forums. now everything pretty much works. airbag lights are last issue. ac worked after selecting proper car. carplay worked after installing zlink. phone mirror easyconnect worked after they sent me the apk to install. factory jbl amp works and sounds great. backup cam w steering guides work. aux cam works. unit is stable no crashes or hangs or reboots for a week now. support is so-so; they will respond but have to beat them out to reply. so far, its been ok. replaced an excelon.

in direct sunlight it is not very visible so backlight needs to improve. touch screen responsiveness is ok. initial boot is 40s; boot from sleep is <1 sec so pretty good.

installed nes emulator but couldnt get xbox one controller to connect. tried bluetooth, tried dongle and no go.

 

2008 Sequoia - do you happen to have a Platinum with JBL amp/sound system?

I already told Phoenix that, while I love the system, it's 1) too buggy and 2) the support is way too slow. Going to return it.

I'm interested in similar systems, but I'd warn anyone looking - be prepared to futz with it a while to get it right. While I think the problems that I have are solvable, I don't have weeks to tinker. Aside from software / compatibility issues, realize that there will also be fitment issues - especially with the seat heaters, retained USB/Aux, and even 12v power adapter sockets.

In the end, if you have the patience, time, technical savvy and probably a little super glue - this is an awesome deal.

 

yup jbl. i didnt have as much issues as you, but i got it from a different source. good news is i have already figured out most issues.

 

inee, thanks for the recent posts on this thread! I've been reading about this for the last year or so, looking to pull the trigger before the year is out.

Was wondering how well the 12v plug-in and heated seat controls fit at the bottom of the unit, are they sloppy or fit nicely?

Have you been able to get rid of the pesky Air Bag lights?

Any luck on retaining the use of the stock GPS antenna like the 3rd gen tundra guys?

Lastly, it looks like the lower right of the screen/gloss trim sticks out an inch or more where it meets the stock dash... do you or anyone have a picture of how unit looks from the passengers seat?

Thanks again guys!

 

12v/heated buttons - like a glove.

airbag light - havent solved yet, i am being told its a harness issue so ill try replacing. it could be my airbag steering wheel connector which already had a problem before.

i didnt bother to try to use stock gps antenna. it took less time for me to put sticky tape on the new gps antenna and run wire below the dash than to try to figure out and solve or mod the stock gps to connect with the head unit. not critical and unnecessary.

i can take pics of the dash later this week as the car is in the shop— just remind me or follow up.