[GLU_WEIN]

Got a AVIN unit purchased in Nov 2018 and starting 2 months ago the unit is unresponsive when I tap on the screen to switch to the Android OS. I can see the BMW CIC system and operate it thru the AVIN screen without problems.
I contacted AVIN and the told me to reset the system using the pin hole but nothing changed, they also asked me to update the OS via USB which also didn't work, lastly I tried resetting the CIC by pressing and holding the volume down for 10 seconds.. also didn't change anything.

Anything else I could try?

AVIN pretty much said..I'm sorry, you need to buy another unit.. here is a $20 discount.

Thank you but no thank you, that is NOT going to motivate me specially after spending over $600 on a unit that lasted a year and a half.

[Emilime75]

Sadly, these Chinese Android head units are very hit or miss and longevity is not something they're known for.

You may want to search outside of this forum where people who are Android OS savvy and deal with these radios. This doesn't sound like an installation or car problem, but an internal to the head unit/OS problem.

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Sadly, these Chinese Android head units are very hit or miss and longevity is not something they're known for.

You may want to search outside of this forum where people who are Android OS savvy and deal with these radios. This doesn't sound like an installation or car problem, but an internal to the head unit/OS problem.

Yeah.. typical Chinese made crap as usual, I was hoping they had a slightly better reputation.

[Mistercamp]

Tried holding menu, back, and option on idrive controller for like 3 seconds?

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by Mistercamp

Tried holding menu, back, and option on idrive controller for like 3 seconds?

I'll try that, does that reset the AVIN unit itself?

[Mistercamp]

No, not a reset. That button combo is for manually switching from cic to Android. Then you can use aux/telephone/etc to switch back to cic.

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by Mistercamp

No, not a reset. That button combo is for manually switching from cic to Android. Then you can use aux/telephone/etc to switch back to cic.

Ok, I tried the button combination you suggested and I get a black screen with a "No signal" message.

[slowbrick]

You went wrong when you went with AVIN or any of these style units to start. Sorry to tell you that but a quick search on the boards shows you that all these style units fail within a few months to almost a year. The S/N on them is terrible along with the noise isolation.

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by slowbrick

You went wrong when you went with AVIN or any of these style units to start. Sorry to tell you that but a quick search on the boards shows you that all these style units fail within a few months to almost a year. The S/N on them is terrible along with the noise isolation.

Are there any other aftermarket options?

[Emilime75]

Not really, not for an Android OS option. They're pretty much all the same crap that gets rebranded.

[Captain Buumer]

Wouldn't say they are the same. PCB's are different so there are different designs out there, some better some worse. Most important factor is which kind of chip is used. The one with advanced DSP capabilities(Qualcomn level of dsp) is preferred. So it took quite a lot of research to determine most advanced model on the market.

Another thing was during installation it was quite a hassle to make sure connectors at the back of the unit are not under pressure. Over time vibration will cause pins to break and have issues.

There is Andream(aliexpress) company that sells them. Cardinally different from Avin unit and based on reviews it seemed better option when i was looking for one.

Using Andream for over year and can't really complain. Definitely prefer it over CIC.

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by Captain Buumer

Wouldn't say they are the same. PCB's are different so there are different designs out there, some better some worse. Most important factor is which kind of chip is used. The one with advanced DSP capabilities(Qualcomn level of dsp) is preferred. So it took quite a lot of research to determine most advanced model on the market.

Another thing was during installation it was quite a hassle to make sure connectors at the back of the unit are not under pressure. Over time vibration will cause pins to break and have issues.

There is Andream(aliexpress) company that sells them. Cardinally different from Avin unit and based on reviews it seemed better option when i was looking for one.

Using Andream for over year and can't really complain. Definitely prefer it over CIC.

Great suggestion and half the price, I'll probably get one to replace this Avin turd.

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by Captain Buumer

Wouldn't say they are the same. PCB's are different so there are different designs out there, some better some worse. Most important factor is which kind of chip is used. The one with advanced DSP capabilities(Qualcomn level of dsp) is preferred. So it took quite a lot of research to determine most advanced model on the market.

Another thing was during installation it was quite a hassle to make sure connectors at the back of the unit are not under pressure. Over time vibration will cause pins to break and have issues.

There is Andream(aliexpress) company that sells them. Cardinally different from Avin unit and based on reviews it seemed better option when i was looking for one.

Using Andream for over year and can't really complain. Definitely prefer it over CIC.

Well.. 2 for 2

I got the Andream system you recommended and that system is even worse than the Avin, already 3 times the unit freezes up with a solid green or red screen and remains unresponsive for 12-24 hours even if I turn the car off completely, the microphone is horrible, people can't hear me at all and when playing audio books or streaming music the sounds cuts in and out constantly regardless of signal strength.

I contacted their tech support and finally after 2 weeks of going back and forth with unnecessary questions they agree to replace the unit.. only that they want me to ship this turd to Germany before they send me the new one... so.. it would take a few weeks to arrive in Germany for them to ship the replacement from China.. first order took 6 weeks to get to my house.. so in all I would be out of a system for 2+ months. Nope! Not doing it.

Stay away from AVIN and Andream!

[Kozlio]

I too have the avin unit, been using it since 2018. I got the old version with only 1 gb of ram. Loading waze is slow, Google maps is nearly impossible. Freezes often in waze. Wifi doesn't always connect. Sometimes doesn't boot up and only displaying basic android control buttons (exit triangle/arrow, etc) but not responsive. Works mostly. Fix is to shut down car and get it to reboot in my case.

[fmc000]

Maybe you can try Dynavin. They use a proprietary operative system, not an Android clone. I had the N7 on my previous car and it either very well for over two years. It's much note expensive, though.

There's an extensive thread about Dynavin on the audio subforum.

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by fmc000

Maybe you can try Dynavin. They use a proprietary operative system, not an Android clone. I had the N7 on my previous car and it either very well for over two years. It's much note expensive, though.

There's an extensive thread about Dynavin on the audio subforum.

Don't look like they have anything for E70s

[Nyc Dito]

Originally Posted by DieselDemonDM

Don't look like they have anything for E70s

http://www.dynavin.com/products/n6_in001e60.php

..but it doesnt look to be the style of the newer styled models

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by Nyc Dito

http://www.dynavin.com/products/n6_in001e60.php

..but it doesnt look to be the style of the newer styled models

Yeah.. it seems like it uses the old screen.. also it says that CIC is not supported

To be honest I think I'm just going to tough it out and keep the Andream.. I don't want to keep spending $ on shit that may or may not work.. And if it doesn't work I don't want to deal with some fool in China who can barely communicate in English for weeks on end.

[sunny_j]

I've been using the 4x4shop Canada's Android head unit without issues since April 2019. YMMV

[GLU_WEIN]

Originally Posted by sunny_j

I've been using the 4x4shop Canada's Android head unit without issues since April 2019. YMMV

Great video Sunny, you alway do fantastic pics and video. You still running BRR?

I'll take a look at that system, is it made in Canada?

[Captain Buumer]

Originally Posted by DieselDemonDM

Well.. 2 for 2

I got the Andream system you recommended and that system is even worse than the Avin, already 3 times the unit freezes up with a solid green or red screen and remains unresponsive for 12-24 hours even if I turn the car off completely, the microphone is horrible, people can't hear me at all and when playing audio books or streaming music the sounds cuts in and out constantly regardless of signal strength.

I contacted their tech support and finally after 2 weeks of going back and forth with unnecessary questions they agree to replace the unit.. only that they want me to ship this turd to Germany before they send me the new one... so.. it would take a few weeks to arrive in Germany for them to ship the replacement from China.. first order took 6 weeks to get to my house.. so in all I would be out of a system for 2+ months. Nope! Not doing it.

Stay away from AVIN and Andream!

Yes, need to use external microphone, closer to head. OEM location is preferred. It is rather strange how many issues you have.

3 other guys got andream for their E91s here locally and did not experience freezes or the things you have. So that's why i suggested it.

The ones we got was for CCC. You seem to use CIC. Could be car related if you have problems with every unit on the market

[GLU_WEIN]

Here we go again.. white screen, completely unresponsive.. what a piece of shit!