[andyzdeman]

Been looking into getting a new head unit with touchscreen, nav, dvd/tv, ipod connectivity etc.

DYNAVIN
http://www.dynavin.com/products/product_dnv_e9x.php

Initially found the most well known, but read terrible stuff about them on forums. Their latest is this
Looks cool, but seem most people have a bad time and feel cheated then get used to the system eventually - not good enough!

HUALINGAN
https://www.car-vision.co.uk/search?...arch_query=e90

Second most obvious. Am told by car-vision.co.uk that this one is a better choice than Dynavin in terms of value for money.
No fancy website or info for this one
BUT a little looking and someone hates them so much that they've even set up a site to warn us off! http://www.hualingan.info/

ANDRIVE
http://www.andrive.co.uk/indexan9x.php

Looks suspiciously like the Dynavin, but the software looks better and runs a modern Android system.

ZENEC
http://www.zenec.com/en/products/ego/bmw/z-e3215/

Only just released and looks very promising. Professional website with as much info as you could want (150 page instruction manual). Different design to the rest. All the latest tech. Doesn't have a DVD drive which doesn't really matter.
Tempted by this one but as it's so new I would be a bit of a test dummy for £800 :s



Anyone's thoughts, opinions, advice, etc would be much appreciated.

Andy

[andyzdeman]

Ok so noone cares without pics right


DYNAVIN



HUALINGAN



ANDRIVE



ZENEC

[e92ninja]

i have two well i have one installed on my e39 and i just got one for my e92 i think they are great i guess it depends on ones taste

[surendrant]

I went with a custom trim from Germany with a Pioneer X910BT double din. Very happy with this set up as the kit is great quality and you have the choice of any double din on the market from bigger brands

[AdamC]

Originally Posted by surendrant

I went with a custom trim from Germany with a Pioneer X910BT double din. Very happy with this set up as the kit is great quality and you have the choice of any double din on the market from bigger brands

Any pics of your set up?
Also does your parking sensors, warning chimes etc still work?

[andyzdeman]

I know there are much better options, but i'm hoping to stick to one of these "plug and play" options to preserve some of the OEM head unit functions e.g. steeringwheel buttons, warning chimes, etc.

The Zenec allows on screen control of the A/C and heated seats!


and the rear parking display and camera mix is quite neat.


I'm easily excited by cool graphics lol!

[surendrant]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=746240

Theres a link to another thread where I posted a few pics. I had to add a steering wheel control interface and my chimes all come from inside the dash so they all worked. As for the PDC my car didn't come with it so I'm not sure if that would continue to work.

As for this Zenec this is the first Ive heard of it and it looks really cool! I would definately look into it. If you're running a logic 7 sytem an your car I dont think this will be compatible though. You might have to give em a call or email to check.

[nygiants007]

I'm strongly considering the CIC nav retrofit kit for my current non-idrive e92...can't go wrong with OEM man. I've read so many mixed reviews on the units you described above

[Th3xf4ctor]

I have a friend who has the Dynavin with custom firmware on his E46 and its really really nice and clean....touchscreen isn't the greatest at recognizing your fingers but that could be since he has an older model.

[Hopeful]

Parrot have just launched this:
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/79098-...din-head-unit/

[andyzdeman]

Again I just think the zenec looks like it has a good balance of oem compatibility (aircon control, parking sensors, etc) and style whilst also appearing to be considerably better softwared than the likes of dynavin.

Ok there my be other units (parot and others) out there that are more functional, but they aren't specifically designed for the E90. I think the fit is a big plus.

Am I alone in thinking the square unit in a surrounding blank fascia just doesnt cut it?

[cdgatti]

I agree 100% andyz. The zenec looks the best - I like the oem look and compatibility. The real clincher would be if dealers can still provide software upgrades to the car without re-installing the factory head unit in the trunk. We need a real life review or 2!

[f37fak]

Im swaying towards the Andrive. Went to their offices to see a demo and was quite impressed. Never heard of the Zenec before, does it have Android? The screen doesnt look very big. Im very keen on the app called Torque that shows you real time BHP/ coolant temp/ error codes etc which I saw during the demo. Dynavin has some really bad press, looks like their service isn't so great.

[edgreenz]

I put the Dynavin DNV-E9X (06 E91, premium pkg) with win ce software and everything works great. Phone works great and I am using the built in mic. Phone book is available but is a little cumbersome. You can enter a few letters from a name and it will get you to the alphabetic location of the contact and the more you enter the closer you get. You can also scroll. The touch interface seems okay. Not apple sharp but it works ok and the stylus is very good. You can also display car info, i.e. water temp, oil pressure etc.
Ipod interface work's great and all steering wheel buttons work as they should. You can change songs by swiping the screen. I ran the wire into the arm rest and leave the ipod there all the time and it keeps it charged up. The unit was plug and play and worked without any mucking around.
I left all the aux cables off because I don't have any amps or video screens. I put the usb in the glove box for software updates.
I put the gps antenna on the right side of the dash right next to the A pillar after running the wire behind glove box then tucked under door gasket up to the A pillar and tucked into the space there. No holes to drill or cutting of anything. I bought the unit from Jeff as he is local for me and provides great support. My one negative is the radio which so far sucks. I just sent Jeff an email about this issue today and have not received a reply yet. His units come loaded with maps from ( Naviextras.com.) and he registers the unit for you and you just confirm. They have a good site and you can buy more software because it comes loaded with basic US maps. so far for me it has worked as well as my garmin.
I spent three months looking for my car and an equal amount reviewing gps units. The things I was looking for were
1. Good GPS with support
2. Good IPOD integration
3. Above average Bluetooth connection and it has exceeded the stock interface through the radio and the sound is great (Parrot system)
4. The most important thing was local support so I didn't have to deal with somebody outside the US.
I don't know anything about the other units mentioned above and I just wanted something that I can play my tunes, answer and make calls from my Iphone and get were I need to go without a lot grief and this unit does all of those things. Hopefully I can figure the radio problem out and then its 100%
I hope this will help some one make a decision about upgrading because it has made my new car a lot nicer and filled in the option gaps it came with
Jeff Bechtel
J&T Distributing/Dynavin Solutions
2385 S. Sarah
Fresno CA 93706
jtdist@sbcglobal.net

[matthatchett]

So have you decided yet? After looking at this I am certainly considering the Zenec. It looks very clean and almost factory. Also, have you looked into the Pioneer Appradio? I've read some good things about it. I was just curious what the rest of you thought.

[matthatchett]

I just noticed there is no cd/dvd on the Zenec. Bummer..........

[ericgt79]

anyone have pics of what they have installed? looking to upgrade my 08 E90. would def love to go with a plug and play option. but with all the functions that were mentioned above thats also affordable.

[Skoidat69]

Originally Posted by ericgt79

anyone have pics of what they have installed? looking to upgrade my 08 E90. would def love to go with a plug and play option. but with all the functions that were mentioned above thats also affordable.

I've installed an Eonon and it was relatively easy