I'm using Google. Is there something better? (I know some people like Waze. It's been years ago, but back then I liked Google over Waze...)

 

What software/app/connection type are you using with your joying? I have the head unit reloaded app and use wired android auto. Waze runs perfectly on this (was installed on my phone and android auto picks it up from there).

 

That is where I get a bit confused. I connect to my phone via Bluetooth and WiFi hotspot. If I download a nav app, why would I need to be connected to the internet? The head unit has it's own GPS antenna.
I am using Google Maps, but I don't like that North always points up. I would like to have the direction of travel to be pointing up on the map. It's also very finicky when you touch the screen, wanting to show me all the amenities in the current area.
I to have to turn on the Hotspot every time I get in the car. As far as backup camera, I went with the wired one for two reasons: Better connection and saving a Bluetooth connection. By the way, how many Bluetooth connections can the Joying unit have ?
The wiring install was not difficult. There is plenty of room to go through the cubby hole between the seats. It is an opening between the engine compartment and the interior.
Concerning the ODBII adapter, I have a Bluetooth one but I can't get the Joying unit to connect to it. It will connect to my phone, and my phone will connect to the Joying unit, so... ?

 

I have no prior experience with head units, Android Auto, or Joying, so I'm still kind of fumbling around trying to figure out how to best use it.

Originally, I was using phone (Android) to play music with an app (usually Pandora), and running audio through bluetooth. Wired connection did not seem to do anything, and I could not figure out a way to share data between head unit and phone with the wire. But I kind of prefer turning on a wireless hotspot on my phone for data, and running all apps on the head unit itself. That way things like maps and nav all work with the same data access, coming through hotspot. I'll be looking into a way for the phone to detect when I'm in the car and automatically turn on the hotspot. I may be able to configure Android Auto to do this for me, or I may put in an NFC device in the cell phone slot in the car to trigger turning it on. Haven't got that far yet.

For the moment I have to turn on the hotspot every time I get in the car for the head unit to have access to data. (But all I do is switch it on, the car automatically connects when the hotspot is on) I did set up Android Auto on my phone, but it doesn't seem to have any features which are useful, unless I can get it to detect when I'm in the car and automatically turn on the hotspot. Maybe you can shed some light on what Android Auto is actually useful for.

I've also found that for some reason Pandora is super flaky on the Joying, and crashes constantly, so I may revisit the way I'm using things, though the majority of the time, music is playing through Pandora.

What I'm still contending with is the fact that I have more potential devices wanting to connect to head unit, and have to decide which get what. For example, I have an OBDII device which I thought would be cool to set up a custom dashboard with app like Torque so I can show additional/customizable engine stats on head unit. Problem is that data comes from OBDII dongle through wi-fi hotspot, which means I either get data (from phone) OR I get dashboard (from ODB dongle), not both at the same time.

Furthermore, I'll be installing dashcam soon, and the always available power supply comes from an ODBII adapter (this will be necessary if I want to make use of the parking features, which automatically record and save video when car is parked if bumps or motion are detected). This means either I give up the custom dash (or physically swap it out when I want it), or come up with a different way to hard wire the dashcam, which will entail a lot more invasive wiring, which I don't love. I'm also a little paranoid about battery drain to keep the dashcam always listening, but will just monitor closely to see if that's actually a problem. Obviously, these gadgets are installed in cars all over the place, but the 4C does not have a particularly large battery for this kind of load.

Lastly, I'll be installing a backup camera, but because the tub is so well isolated from engine compartment, for ease of install, I'd opted for a wireless connection between camera and head unit. Still waiting on parts, but I'll need to make sure that the backup camera wireless video feed does not interfere with my plans for dashcam and data connectivity, as the dashcam display and the backup cam display will all be run through the head unit, so I don't have multiple displays in cockpit.

 

ah. Good to know there is a path through the cubby hole.

For nav/data - the maps themselves usually come through data connectivity as you drive. The roads and terrain are not stored on the device unless you download them in advance, so the result is you are a tracked blue dot on a big empty map. Without the roads for context, the GPS tracking is useless. You can download local maps so that it can do things like navigation/directions, as well as know things like local businesses without data, but what you still won't get is things like live traffic/re-routing unless you have data. and the extent to which it can find things like "nearby gas" is limited to geographies you've downloaded in advance (I downloaded the whole region).

With an app like Waze, you also get live user-generated reports for things like accidents and speed traps, which is one of the main features Waze users rave about.

I've also run into times when I don't have data turned on that the downloaded maps cannot find a route when I'm really far from civilization, where when I have a data connection it never has a problem coming up with nav directions. I'm thinking when you download local maps, it doesn't come with literally every road and business, probably some prominent subset that covers 80% of queries.

I have the same complaint about pointing in direction of travel as a native interface. I've come to simply navigate home when I want that interface (two button presses) which forces it into navigation mode where I've also set it to always dark mode and turned off the audio prompts, though it's easy to toggle them off and on, if I wanted them. It's certainly not ideal, but my experience years ago was better with Google than other options, in spite of these quirks. I have not tested others for a while.

As for Bluetooth, I'm pretty sure it's just 1:1. My expectation (to be confirmed) with wireless camera is that the wireless dongle I got will preclude a need for an additional bluetooth connection to head unit. So camera>[hardwired]transmitter ~wireless signal~ >receiver>[hardwire]headunit. Each need to be powered separately. The back end from the backup brake lights, the front.... to be determined - ideally I can find the wire that lights up when in reverse. inside the cabin. (the whole wireless setup was only like $20, so if I abandon it and throw it out, not much wasted.

For your OBDII only thing I could think of is maybe to find a manual online to see if there is a code that is needed like with some bluetooth devices (usally 1234 or 0000, or some basic thing). Some also communicate via Bluetooth AND/OR wifi hotspot. Mine is Wifi hotspot only. I've read that people like the Bluetooth better, though I don't know the reasons for that preference.

Oh, the other thing I've discovered through much trial is that I hate the native volume button. I think it's hard to reach and relatively dangerous taking your eyes off the road to toggle volume. I think there should be a dedicated physical button, or at least an always-on-top option. To that end, I downloaded a third-party app for always-on-top volume button, but discovered it does not work at all when running music through Bluetooth from phone, which is one reason for the switch to run Pandora on the head unit. Even then, the one I've tried is buggy, and I'm still trying to find a suitable volume control. Joying does sell some wireless ones, but they are clunky and require taking up one of those wireless connectivity slots we're talking about, so I'm unlikely to pursue those: SWC - Car Accessories

As an aside I was able to confirm that the 8.8" unit I've got does NOT have a slot for SIM card, which is unfortunate. What I was hoping to do was just get a $10/month SIM to add to my cell phone plan. I reached out to Joying and they sent me this terrible manual [attached].

 

@smc4C another thing I have not figured out is how to get text messages and notifications to pop up on head unit. Any pointers? I'd like to be able to see texts on screen and respond with text-to-speech. (BTW, I believe text-to-speech also requires data)

 

update: there are dozens of free apps that auto tether the wifi hotspot when selected devices connect on bluetooth, and then turn regular wifi back on when bluetooth disconnects. Just look for "auto tether" on the app store, and choose one.

Now at least as long as my bluetooth is turned on, as soon as I sit in car with phone, everything connects automatically, including data without even looking at phone.

In the category of "other mysteries" I remembered finding an option in the tethering section of of my phone settings that says "tether data connection with bluetooth" which sounds unambiguously like a good idea. One connection from phone to car - includes bluetooth phone/audio/data. Except it just doesn't work. Without the wifi hotspot, Joying says "no data connection".

 

I have that one volume control with the strap. I tried it on the steering wheel, but I kept hitting it and changing the volume and skipping to the next song! I moved it to the handbrake and it's working for me.

 

Update on this. The volume control does not work most of the time. It works sometimes. Very annoying. Also, to get it to work originally I had to connect a couple of Joying wires (in the back) to each other. I'll see if I have any pics or more info @ home tomorrow.

 

I wondered if that would be a functional spot. Good to know. (pics for reference?)

 

Saw this and thought of this thread: Google Maps Is No Longer the Top App for Navigation and Offline Maps

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