Okkkkkkkay..........cool thanks for the info

 

Installed mine about 4 years ago and find its getting super slow lately. Any tips for speeding it up?

 

With any computer device, clean up the memory. If it is getting crowded it will slow down

 

Quick survey: Is everyone still happy they installed this unit? Any issues that have cropped up over the years?

 

I've had mine a little over 2 years now and still like it. No big issues to speak of. Once in a while when it starts up it is like the screen resolution isn't correct, instead of filling the whole screen it is about 2/3 of the screen. Reboot and it is resolved.

 

Just got an 08 R55, Debating getting one of these from carnaviplayer.com just have a bunch of questions if anyone could please help.

Is it better to order without android auto/car play and just turn tether on? (using Agama or other)
Can I wire in an alpine 45x4 (KTP-445U) (or would there not be a benefit?)
My Build Sheet says Mini HiFi Sound System - is this different than the HK system?
After install does my small dash screen by steering wheel still show MPG/Speed/Etc?
Debating the backup cam that comes as an option with radio vs the https://www.vantrue.net/product/m2 which would replace my rear-view as looking through the rear doors is a pain with the double doors. or is there a better
backup/front cam to order separately.
If I get a front cam as option does it auto turn on front cam when going below a set speed?
2 SD Slots - Can music from Tidal download to SD so it's not always using data?
2 USB Ports - Is there a clean way to extend these so it looks factory and not a extension cable hanging? or or these really not ever needed?

 

I can answer some of the questions.
Not sure on the Alpine, don't have it myself. Also not sure on the HK question. Normally HK audio has more speakers throughout the car, in the A pillar, multiple in the door etc. Mine has 4 (no HK)

The steering wheel buttons will not scroll through apps. The icons are the same ones that are on your stock speedo fog lights/seatbelt/traction control/airbag/cruise control/TPMS warning/check engine warning/rear fog lights (if equipped). If you purchase an aftermarket Android TPMS system, yes it can be used. Small screen still shows whatever you select.

I read reviews that the cameras that come with them aren't very good. I purchased a backup camera from another source. I don't have a front camera so I don't know.

I have never put anything in the SD slots, don't know

I purchased another USB/Audio in that fit in the same hole for the stock connectors. I connected one of the USB cables to it and the AUX in. I have a lifetime subscription to Sirius/XM. It is plugged into the AUX with the USB supplying power. The other USB cable runs to my glovebox. I use it when I connect with tablet for BimmerCode. You can search usb/aux port and it brings up several options. The one I got the link is no longer good.

 

Thanks, Updated my original post and removed answered questions.

 

Just installed this, the advice in this thread was really helpful in getting it workin, thanks!

It's a minor issue, but has anyone found a fix for the cruise control popping up in kph in the original tach display when activated? That's the only thing I haven't figured out how to fix.

 

I am used to it in KPH now. Never tried. Not sure if that could be changed in NCS Expert or one of the other apps or not.

 

Hi Claviger - how do you like your set up so far. How is the JBL 4086 running - anything melt yet

Audio up grade is now on my to do list for 2025 - so a few more questions:

1) I am ( currently ) planning on getting an Android head unit, but running 3 way components in the front ( one option are the Alpine R2-S653s - I have the HK set up ) and coaxials for rear fill - a passive set up. So am thinking of adding an aftermarket amp - from what you and jiggersplat have stated earlier, the RCA outs need boosting for the Android Head unit. What LOC did you use ( I'd be looking for a 4 channel one ). One amp option could be the Alpine KTA-30FW - which can run 2 or 4 channel. If I ran it in two channel just for the front 3 ways, I might be able to use the Android head unit's amp for the rear fill. Or I could just run in 4 channel mode for front and rear ...

Another option is to just run the Android head unit alone, with my existing HK speakers - as you said this was a good set up. I am just not sure how good the existing HK speakers are. And I have an R57, so want a little more power for when running top down.

2) Did you use the rear camera that you can buy with the unit ( https://www.carnaviplayer.com ) - or did you upgrade to a 'better' one.

3) Any unexpected other bits you had to buy - say Antenna extender ..... I unfortunately have the silver CD, so might have to carve into the cd opening to make the aftermarket DVD player to fit or buy the frame that fits the black unit ... - not that I need a dvd player, but would want to fill up the space with something and can't stand the thought of leaving a non working cd player in there

 

I know this thread is kind of old now but I was wondering if anyone has gotten any further with the indicator/ chime noises. I’ve just bought a r56 cooper sd with this unit pre installed and hated the indicator noise from the get go. I’ve seen there is oem chime boxes online from axxell which can be wired up but I’m no expert when it comes to this kind of thing and was wondering if there was another solution. Cheers.

 

I haven't found one. I've seen the Axxell box but it wasn't clear to me if that'll work with the HLA system...if anyone knows that would be helpful. For now I've just been living with the crappy tones, lol.

Also every now and then the system seems to give a random warning chime, but no lights or warnings come on in the HLA or on the Mini speedo? That happen to anyone else?

 

Hello Mini Community. I just installed the Android unit from CarNaviPlayer in China. It's only been 2 days and so far it's great. What a huge difference. I had the base system (no HK) and no nav. So really anything is a big improvement. I watched many of the videos on YouTube which were very helpful. Note that the early versions used the CD player as the "hub" and the screen was secondary to that. Now all the connections occur at the big screen and the CD/DVD player is secondary. You actually don't even need it. I included it as I didn't want to have an open space or non functioning device (you should get the later center stack bezel as the locations are different for the CD player). Works great with the Android phone. The on board nav is perfectly fine. As far as inputs, you get two USB A whips and also a micro SD card slot on the face. I have a 512GB card in that which plays my MP3's. I installed the GPS antenna on the glass windshield running the cable via the headline and weatherstripping at the A pillar into the removable dash sides. I did the same with the microphone. The 4G / Bluetooth antenna is installed in the center stack directly behind the HVAC controls. The stock harness plugs into the aftermarket harness so no splicing. I did remove many of the wires and RCA connectors from the harness I knew I would not need. I did not hook up a back up camera (yet the screen switches to backup camera mode no matter what when you go in reverse, need to figure this out.). I am going to try a new music player for the MP3's tonight as the main screen stock player is not the best. The manner in which it sorts and organizers the music is very clunky. You can log on to your home WiFi to download any apps you need. It's very easy. You can change the wall paper to whatever you like.

As stated the directional audible sound from the tiny speaker is weird. It does not give you a sound for "you left the keyfob in the ignition" anymore for some reason. Seatbelt alarm chime does still work.

Of note is the lag from starting the car to unit up and running is about 30 seconds.

I will review some more over the next few days.

 

As a quick follow up, the Musicolet app is vastly superior to listening to MP3's you have stored locally on a USB jump drive or Micro SD. It is a big improvement over the music player on the home screen of the CarNaviPlayer. I tried Poweramp which I use on my phone but it was not suited for the car. Plus it has a small fee for the app.

 

Some pictures.



As I had no plans to use some of the wires, connectors on the harness, I unpinned them from the connectors. This included 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15. The connector for 20, 21, 22 could be removed entirely for me (manufacturer agreed).

 

So something I have been experiencing has made me think about the power source for this unit. Hopefully someone has some experience. Most aftermarket radios like to have constant battery and then key on/ignition on. Does the stock mini wiring provide constant 12V? The reason I ask is that the radio takes 30 seconds plus to start up when you get in it. It doesn't hold the time of day (shows 2:18 AM). Are we in need of a new 12V constant? With regards to music MP3s on a drive, it takes forever to get that going. When you are running errands and short trips, you are at your next destination before the radio is ready to be used.

 

Well, it definitely needs to boot up every time: it pulls too much power to stay powered on in sleep mode when the car's off. And it's an older Android unit so, yeah, it takes a minute (at least) to fully boot up and connect with CarPlay in my experience. A more modern Android system would be faster I'm sure, but nobody's going to put out new hardware given the R56 cars are all ~10-20 years old by now.

That said the time of day thing seems weird...I haven't noticed mine doing that but maybe I haven't been paying attention. I'd think the system would keep the correct time via the constant power source but I dunno. Maybe it updates from GPS each time? Is your GPS antenna attached and mounted up on the dash somewhere?

Anyway, yes, the system should get both switched and constant power through the original harness connector that plugs into connector 23 in the picture above. You'd need to go through the wiring diagram to see which wire is which, though.

 

Thanks very much for responding.

So the system should get both constant and switched but is it? I have seen confusing information online that the stock harness does not provide constant 12V.

The unit I have appears to be a later version. Not sure if it is "newer" in the grand scheme of Android head units of course.

My GPS antenna is on the windshield so perhaps that is how it is getting the time of day.

I think what I needed to do was take better picture of that main connector to determine which pins were being used and/or had wires in them.

 

Response from CarNaviPlayer:

The unit does have both a constant 12V feed and an ignition 12V feed. The reason it takes around 30 seconds to boot is because the radio runs on an Android operating system, which needs approximately 25–30 seconds to fully load before the system becomes usable.
Regarding the time issue, the Android system completely shuts down after the vehicle is turned off, so the clock stops running.
However, please rest assured that the radio is designed to synchronize the time automatically once it receives either a GPS signal or an internet connection, so you do not need to set the time manually.
Depending on the weather conditions, the unit usually acquires a GPS signal within 30 seconds to 2 minutes. It typically gets the GPS signal faster on sunny days and more slowly on rainy or cloudy days.

So it sounds like normal operation is for a complete shutdown. I still question if the stock Mini radio connector does indeed provide 12V constant or is is timed.

 

When I had mine installed I had the same exact problem, wouldn't hold time and was completely shutting down. On my R58 it did need a constant power line. The Axxess wiring harness for MINI's provides a yellow power wire with a 5A fuse for a constant (see pic). Once I did that it worked just fine after.

 

I am going to get in the settings and see if the unit can be adjusted to not do a full power down and just go to sleep mode. I'd need to calculate the battery drain of course.

 

Okay, maybe I'm wrong about having constant power: I haven't looked at the wiring diagram in a while. If so sorry about that.

 

To follow up.....I have confirmed the stock MINI wiring does NOT provide constant power to the new HU. My MINI times out at 30 minutes. I need to provide proper consistent 12V+ battery power.

I found an option in the radio where you can adjust standby (not turning completely off) up to an hour which is handy when driving around running quick errands. I also confirmed the radio will retain the time providing the HU receives constant battery power. What is nice with this feature is that when you come back to the car, the radio starts instantly.

 

It appears this unit does not make use of a classic ignition on 12VDC wire to turn on. I believe it turns on via a CANBUS signal. The reason why I say this is because there is only one power feed to the HU. This is powered via F23 fuse (10 amp and also powers the instrument cluster at the steering wheel). This fuse gets power as soon as you unlock the vehicle. It also stays on for 30 minutes after you lock the vehicle. My plan is to refeed the yellow wire (which currently picks up pin 15 red green stripe on the stock connector block) on the CarNaviPlayer harness with unused F3 circuit in the passenger footwell fuse box compartment. This provides true constant 12V battery power. I will pick this up via an inline fuse holder where the one end has a spade terminal that will stab into the power side of where the fuse would be inserted. I have been emailing CarNaviPlayer. They have been very responsive but are certainly mistaken on this issue. They told me "The unit does have both a constant 12V feed and an ignition 12V feed." That is not the case.