This topic is an upgrade from my old topic with obsolete headline. https://insignia-drivers.uk/forum/in...droid-4-4-unit
Since time has passed and experiences gained, also new information and technology has become available, I decided to renew the topic.
Adding Android head units to Insignia has always been tricky. These units only work 100% as replacements when your Insignia has older entertainment system CD300 or CD400 (with small red monochrome display and no navi)
For the updated factory systems like CD500, DVD800 or newer, there are no Android head units available that will work as 100% replacements - there will always be some functionality loss.
Mainly it's the car dashboard button panel that ceases to function. Not even lighting up. (Well it might light up with some Android head units, but buttons will not work)
I've searched for a long time for some working solution to this, until I realized that there aren't any. Probably because this is not a straightforward job to get it working. It might seem somewhat easy once explained, but I did extensive researches and many trial-and-error attempts until got it right. (There might be others who have it working, but I didn't find any guides). Fortunately I'm the kind of person who never gives up, "willing to go the extra mile".
There are few android units that claim to work 100%, but these are the ones that add "tesla style" big screens that replaces the button panel with the screen. Big problem with these units - no physical volume knob. It's a driving hazard when you have to look where exactly the volume slider is on the touch screen and in cold weather, when wearing gloves, it's even more annoying to use. (And radio reception is usually crap with these units)
There are also some "normal" units (not tesla style) that get the buttons to light up, but it's just that. Still not working. (I had one of these, ordered from Italy, they claimed buttons will work. But after confirming the buttons only light up but not actually working, the seller claimed that the car must be manufactured in Italy - then the buttons work. I don't know - how are the same cars different ? Anyways - they were nice and agreed to take the unit back and sent me money back)
My method is to set things up so that the factory unit will not be replaced, but instead both - the Android unit and the factory unit will be installed in parallel.
If using this method I engineered, the original unit (CD500, DVD800, or newer) remains functional, you never have radio reception problems and volume changing is possible without looking and fumbling on the screen. You won't lose anything and every unit will work, giving you all the extra functionalities. Win-win.
Now, there are some things to be aware of:
1. It will take time.
2. It requires some basic electrical skills (or a friend with such skills) or skill to follow instructions carefully.
3. You need to relocate original factory unit's display. (Or you can ditch it, but although it will work without the display, it's better to leave it usable because factory unit will remain working.)
4. The cost of the Android unit. (Cheapest units are around 70 dollars, but I recommend at least 4GB of RAM, these units are around 150 dollars. If you want maximum speed with all the bells and whistles and recommended 8GB RAM, 500 - 600 dollars. (Aliexpress).
5. Depending on the Android unit - you might need to make it smaller. I suggest buy one of the newer ones that have all the tech behind the display. Much easier to mount everything and much less work.
These instructions are based on my experience and work on my own car. I've successfully done this with two different Android head units.
I guarantee - following these instructions, the button panel will stay functional, it will light up and all the buttons will work for all the car's original functions. You can listen to original factory unit's radio or CD, use original navigation (though it will be obsolete with android unit).
For the android head unit - you have to press the CD/AUX button on the car's button panel to switch the audio input to the android unit if you want to hear audio from it. And yes, the round audio volume knob will totally work for the unit. (Because it actually works for the factory unit, but if connected like in my instructions, the android unit's audio goes through the factory unit).
PREVIOUS and NEXT buttons won't work for the android unit, but they remain working for the original factory unit. Everything original remains working.
For the Android unit you still can switch to the next song using steering wheel buttons or touch screen buttons.
Ok, now the instructions will follow. (Based on Insigna A with CD500, but should be valid for every model)
Since time has passed and experiences gained, also new information and technology has become available, I decided to renew the topic.
Adding Android head units to Insignia has always been tricky. These units only work 100% as replacements when your Insignia has older entertainment system CD300 or CD400 (with small red monochrome display and no navi)
For the updated factory systems like CD500, DVD800 or newer, there are no Android head units available that will work as 100% replacements - there will always be some functionality loss.
Mainly it's the car dashboard button panel that ceases to function. Not even lighting up. (Well it might light up with some Android head units, but buttons will not work)
I've searched for a long time for some working solution to this, until I realized that there aren't any. Probably because this is not a straightforward job to get it working. It might seem somewhat easy once explained, but I did extensive researches and many trial-and-error attempts until got it right. (There might be others who have it working, but I didn't find any guides). Fortunately I'm the kind of person who never gives up, "willing to go the extra mile".
There are few android units that claim to work 100%, but these are the ones that add "tesla style" big screens that replaces the button panel with the screen. Big problem with these units - no physical volume knob. It's a driving hazard when you have to look where exactly the volume slider is on the touch screen and in cold weather, when wearing gloves, it's even more annoying to use. (And radio reception is usually crap with these units)
There are also some "normal" units (not tesla style) that get the buttons to light up, but it's just that. Still not working. (I had one of these, ordered from Italy, they claimed buttons will work. But after confirming the buttons only light up but not actually working, the seller claimed that the car must be manufactured in Italy - then the buttons work. I don't know - how are the same cars different ? Anyways - they were nice and agreed to take the unit back and sent me money back)
My method is to set things up so that the factory unit will not be replaced, but instead both - the Android unit and the factory unit will be installed in parallel.
If using this method I engineered, the original unit (CD500, DVD800, or newer) remains functional, you never have radio reception problems and volume changing is possible without looking and fumbling on the screen. You won't lose anything and every unit will work, giving you all the extra functionalities. Win-win.
Now, there are some things to be aware of:
1. It will take time.
2. It requires some basic electrical skills (or a friend with such skills) or skill to follow instructions carefully.
3. You need to relocate original factory unit's display. (Or you can ditch it, but although it will work without the display, it's better to leave it usable because factory unit will remain working.)
4. The cost of the Android unit. (Cheapest units are around 70 dollars, but I recommend at least 4GB of RAM, these units are around 150 dollars. If you want maximum speed with all the bells and whistles and recommended 8GB RAM, 500 - 600 dollars. (Aliexpress).
5. Depending on the Android unit - you might need to make it smaller. I suggest buy one of the newer ones that have all the tech behind the display. Much easier to mount everything and much less work.
These instructions are based on my experience and work on my own car. I've successfully done this with two different Android head units.
I guarantee - following these instructions, the button panel will stay functional, it will light up and all the buttons will work for all the car's original functions. You can listen to original factory unit's radio or CD, use original navigation (though it will be obsolete with android unit).
For the android head unit - you have to press the CD/AUX button on the car's button panel to switch the audio input to the android unit if you want to hear audio from it. And yes, the round audio volume knob will totally work for the unit. (Because it actually works for the factory unit, but if connected like in my instructions, the android unit's audio goes through the factory unit).
PREVIOUS and NEXT buttons won't work for the android unit, but they remain working for the original factory unit. Everything original remains working.
For the Android unit you still can switch to the next song using steering wheel buttons or touch screen buttons.
Ok, now the instructions will follow. (Based on Insigna A with CD500, but should be valid for every model)
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