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hardrivn
09-16-2014, 06:45 PM
1561815619I am a geek for a living so when I saw I could get an android based head unit for my new toy I was all over it. Originally I tried one of the cheaper units on E-Bay but after getting it installed it did not work with the HK Amp in my unit, So after research etc I figured out how to get it to turn on the AMP with the right wires etc. still it sounded like crap and did not work well. Speakers would make a crackle noise every time it would start to play any audio, Bluetooth would connect but not get any sound, and the GPS wouldn't get any signal etc. No response from the seller no knowledge of the product. Further it was crashing left and right and I ended up returning it, and getting a refund.

After doing some research I decided to go with an Avant 2 via Avinusa.com after IM chatting with Tommy, the site owner, confirming that it works fine with the factory amp, he offered me a $50 discount to buy it "today" so I decided to go ahead with the purchase.
This thing is awesome to say the least, and the support I received from AvinUSA.com is top notch.

Removal of the existing head unit was straight forward and tons of videos on Youtube, as well as detailed instructions at avinusa.com.

Installation was fairly straight forward for the head unit, and the hardest part is finding a place to stuff all of the wiring harness's as you close it all back up. All of the factory harnesses remain completely in tact and you need the HVAC relocation kit if you do not have NAV, or you need the power cable if you do have NAV.

Installing the license plate light backup camera and running the wires for the backup camera is a complete pain in the ass. not complex just time consuming. But it looks completely factory and works great.

Had some challenges with radio reception but a software update (do the software update first as it wipes EVERYTHING) and it was fixed.

Overall happy with the unit, extremely happy with the support and help from Avinusa and very happy with the performance.

The Bluetooth works great, and my wife says I am clear but a sound just a little far from the Mic, still she can hear me great and it works great with the steering wheel buttons.

Torque Pro works great with a cheap Bluetooth ODB2 adapter that I already had, but I do wish there was an accelerometer in the head unit, as it relies on just the GPS for calculations and it would be really nice to have a G-Meter on the screen.

I have a T-Mobile family plan for my personal cell so they give me a data/tablet sim for $10/Month with 1GB this allows me to use a MiFi with the battery removed, attached via USB to the Avin so it turns on when it gets power and shuts down when it doesn't. I have the free Mapfactor Navigation for offline use:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator
And for online use the T-Mobile 1 GB gives me more than enough data for Waze, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Roadtrippers, Accuweather and other apps I find useful for being on the road, not sure I want to stream videos or even do Pandora (I will test it for a day to figure out how much data it will burn).
There are just so many apps you can use with this it is insane, things like GPS Lap timers etc.

I have not tested the iphone cable or integration.

Wishes for updates:
Would love an accelerometer in the unit for Torque.
I would love to be able to map the R/T button on my steering wheel to something (an App or a speed dial list or voice recognition or anything).
Would love to be able to add apps to the initial start up screen.
Generic WiDi / Miracast for use with any android or windows device.

ELCID86
09-17-2014, 03:21 AM
Great review. Thanks for taking the time. Did you have a nav or non-nav car to start with?

Sound quality I assume it good. More power than factory HU?

sixty5vdub
09-17-2014, 04:59 AM
Great review. I agree that the Avant 2 is a very nice product.
My only gripe is with the amount of glare on the screen in daylight with the top down. But, hey ........ 1st World Problem, right?

hardrivn
09-17-2014, 06:36 AM
Non nav car to start, audio quality is good, it is still using the factory amp since my car had one, so power difference is irrelevant. Otherwise I would have to do an amp bypass and run all new speaker wires throughout the car, then I am sure I would also "have to" upgrade all of the speakers,... Screen glare is a challenge, wondering if an anti glare screen protector might help.



Brian M
1990 E30 M3 Sold 2014
2005 330CIC 6sp ZHP
2006 Mini Cooper S
2011 Toyota Venza my Snow and Tow vehicle

ELCID86
09-17-2014, 06:40 AM
Thanks. I was wondering if an screen protector might not work. How does the control button/knob back-lighting match the BMW controls?

hardrivn
09-17-2014, 12:30 PM
Perfect color match for the backlighting.


Brian M
1990 E30 M3 Sold 2014
2005 330CIC 6sp ZHP
2006 Mini Cooper S
2011 Toyota Venza my Snow and Tow vehicle

Transport3r
09-17-2014, 03:48 PM
That looks awesome!

Does this still work?
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/17/7389eebcfa68ef83506916baaf53dc61.jpg

az3579
09-17-2014, 05:15 PM
That looks awesome!

Does this still work?
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/17/7389eebcfa68ef83506916baaf53dc61.jpg

The unit plugs into the factory harness so the HK button should still work normally.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Transport3r
09-17-2014, 06:01 PM
The unit plugs into the factory harness so the HK button should still work normally.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's really cool, so it's a function of the amp, not the head unit?

az3579
09-17-2014, 07:45 PM
That's really cool, so it's a function of the amp, not the head unit?

Thought it was... I could be wrong. :dunno

Tnhl1989
09-18-2014, 09:27 PM
Works with my eonon unit. Pretty sure that its tied right to the Hk amp

hardrivn
10-14-2014, 11:21 AM
I do not have that button, is it not there on a vert?


Brian M
1990 E30 M3 Sold 2014
2005 330CIC 6sp ZHP
2006 Mini Cooper S
2011 Toyota Venza my Snow and Tow vehicle

johnrando
10-15-2014, 06:56 AM
Don't know, I don't have that button on my vert and it was a HK & Nav system (until I replaced the speakers).