Enhancing GPS connectivity for Android Unit

[itsmeagainhk]

Hello everyone,

I have just installed an aftermarket android unit in replacement of the older stock pioneer unit. While the unit itself is running on its own 3G/4G sim card, the connectivity isn't exactly very stable. I am referring to the times when using google maps / waze. Sometimes, the app will just hang and display a "no gps connectivity" error message but the radio and spotify are still working. At times, the location of the car on the app is just wrong. The unit itself has a gps antenna and it is on the dashboard in front.

 

Wondering if you guys have encountered such issues before and if there are ways we can improve on the connectivity ?

Not sure if getting a sim card coverage by reputable telcos will help.

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated, Thank you.

[Koster]

I got the same problem and gave up trying. My workaround is to rely on the sim card from my handphone and project to the headunit.

[Mkl22]

What brand is the aftermarket android? If it’s a China brand then it’s normal. Their sw is the pits. 

[Beanoyip]

Should have gotten a HU which supports carplay/AA. Never go wrong with the app from the phone itself..

[Watwheels]

Just get an add on gps module to connect to the headunit.

https://www.carousell.sg/p/3rd-party-gps-module-for-pioneer-hu-187532837/

Edited September 6, 2022 by Watwheels

[itsmeagainhk]

@Koster I see. I got myself a sim card front singtel. Hopefully it will be better. Was using Simba (formerly tpg).

[itsmeagainhk]

@Mkl22 Sadly, i changed from Pioneer to an android player from China.

[itsmeagainhk]

@Beanoyip Alright. Let me try it. The android unit that I'm using now has a particular software that allows mirroring of the phone. Carlite or something. 

[itsmeagainhk]

@Watwheels Alright. Let me take a look. It has a gps module right now.. but you are right. An after market one might be better. 

[Koster]

2 minutes ago, itsmeagainhk said:

@Koster I see. I got myself a sim card front singtel. Hopefully it will be better. Was using Simba (formerly tpg).

I used M1. No improvement 

[Kb27]

I think it's the hardware itself that has problem.

It's not that there's no gps signal on the outside, it's that the hardware or software can't process gps data for some reason.

My Redmi phone recently got problem with Waze not getting gps data. Later I found some water between the cover and the phone. I had splashed some to clean the cover and didn't realize water got in-between. The water could have shorted out the gps signal. Once I cleared the water, the problem didn't appear to return.

Changing SIM card is unlikely to help. If there's a telco problem, Waze will show network problem instead, and not gps problem.

Edited September 6, 2022 by Kb27

[Dafansu]

Most often it's the set problem, especially those cheap ones. 

[brucecolin]

Pioneer is good, I have used it on my wife's car for 2 years with no issues

[Philipkee]

My android phone has problems connecting to the HU of the car. 

Connection is there is you consider the phone.  But I am looking at projecting the Google map from my phone to the HU Screen.  Sometimes I works, sometimes it doesn't.  When it doesn't, it shows "system not supported".

I am not sure if it's the HU problem or the phone.  Cannot be cable cos it's new.  

I am thinking of changing to an Apple iPhone and see if it gets better.  Now just waiting for my Vivo phone to spoil first.....

[Koster]

7 hours ago, Philipkee said:

My android phone has problems connecting to the HU of the car. 

Connection is there is you consider the phone.  But I am looking at projecting the Google map from my phone to the HU Screen.  Sometimes I works, sometimes it doesn't.  When it doesn't, it shows "system not supported".

I am not sure if it's the HU problem or the phone.  Cannot be cable cos it's new.  

I am thinking of changing to an Apple iPhone and see if it gets better.  Now just waiting for my Vivo phone to spoil first.....

Maybe u can try installing other mirroring app first?

[Philipkee]

58 minutes ago, Koster said:

Maybe u can try installing other mirroring app first?

Isn't Android auto the only app for android phones?

[Koster]

1 hour ago, Philipkee said:

Isn't Android auto the only app for android phones?

is your HU android HU or original HU? If android HU, there is playstore where u can install android apps.

[Philipkee]

1 hour ago, Koster said:

is your HU android HU or original HU? If android HU, there is playstore where u can install android apps.

Original HU.  Not after market one.

Edited December 2, 2022 by Philipkee