Technical Fiat grande punto sat nav GPS multimedia headunit

[Lambie]

I am watching this for a long time too. On aliexpress I can see that sales are very bad, the best selling head unit was ordered only 22 times. Are this orders numbers based on month or all time? Like people have no idea how to nicely upgrade interior, or they are scared of china **** products and thinks that it will burn their cars There are some reviews of GP WinCE headunits, but funny is that there is no reviews of Android headunits on youtube, which should have better functionality... I don't know... bad order counters are pushing me away

All previous sales appear to be coming from members of FIAT Forum as well! But I attribute the low sales to the fact not only is it a risk buying expensive goods from China (customs can be a nightmare) but it's very specific to a make and model of car. I wouldn't attribute the low order count to much, just check what buyer protection you get first (ordered more from Banggood than Aliexpress).

I just want a good OEM-like touchscreen fancy-pants screen that works. Weirdly, I would go more for a WinCE system for the car than an Android. It's just more bonafide in my head.

 

[Urbas]

I can't find any OEM look headunit on BangGood.
I think that grande punto is not so exotic car, it is popular everywhere in Europe, and these orders are really funny

Yes, WinCE system should be more stable and has a better, more authentic look.
I don't know about Navigation small updates, is it updating automatically over satelites? Things like car accidents, fresh police radars, workers on the road and so on...
And what about big updates as new versions of app, new map design, added functionality...??

 

[Lambie]

I can't find any OEM look headunit on BangGood.
I think that grande punto is not so exotic car, it is popular everywhere in Europe, and these orders are really funny

Yes, WinCE system should be more stable and has a better, more authentic look.
I don't know about Navigation small updates, is it updating automatically over satelites? Things like car accidents, fresh police radars, workers on the road and so on...
And what about big updates as new versions of app, new map design, added functionality...??

Sorry, meant that I've bought miscellaneous items from BangGood but not from AliExpress, never touched anything from AliExpress. I was hoping to get one a while ago, but then my Punto decided that my brake and indicator lights weren't essential.

Good point though, GP is more popular than I give it credit (next to Focus and Corsa for hatchbacks).

I wouldn't count on the WinCE system for automatic updates and live traffic info. I don't have one yet, but I am also curious if it would do this.

EDIT: Looking at OP's picture, I think the GPS relies on an SD card loaded with maps. Could be wrong, but that's how it looks.

 

[Sporting_Chris]

Hi Guys just some more info for you as I am an owner of one of the units from alibaba running WinCE...

Maps are run from an SD card and do not update themselves. (well they might but the head unit wont connect to the internet via my phone as I am guessing it is needing a less secure WiFi connection than my phone offers).
You can however buy updated iGo Nav software for WinCe on micro Sd cards from ebay but I haven't needed to do that.

As an aside although sales on Alibaba seem low when i was searching I found a few companies in India reselling the same units (the Grande Punto is big there), although in the end i bought from Alibaba for the price.

Overall i think its a good upgrade if a bit pricy. WinCe is a bit old hat now but it works
My primary requirement was being able to use USB sticks/Sd cards and have a working bluetooth (the built in fiat blue n me was so flakey).
the added bonus of Satnav was nice plus the facia was the correct size for the punto.
If you need any more help let me know
thanks

 

[Lambie]

Maps are run from an SD card and do not update themselves.

Thanks for answering questions mate, it's appreciated since this is still a hot topic from what I see!

Where do you get the maps from? Also, is it accurate? I'm curious how it can track where abouts you are, surely you have to pay a subscription or something?


Sent from my iPhone using FIAT Forum

 

[Urbas]

Yes, GPS card slot is assigned for maps on WinCE system, but on Android I think it can be used as the other media SD card input as well. Probably you need just to set the correct link where the maps are installed so this is done by seller. I have lost my message but I think seller said that iGo is not only option, they have also Garmin and Navitel for WinCE, all 3 apps cracked.

Android seems to be more futuristic about apps. It can use mobilephone as hotspot for internet so you can download one good online navigation app (eg. cracked app from torrent site) and use the hotspot for traffic updates. I did not decided yet, which online nav app should be good for that, first I need to choose the head unit and I look after Smart-Rover or CompuCN head unit, they are probably just the same

So, Chris, thank you for answer. I have some more questions About the electrical burn smell mentioned on page 13, can you smell anything in your car??? And about microphone for calling, is the integrated one good enough, or do you have to wire an external one? I have to say that Blue&Me microphone is just working really good for me, no one had ever complaint that I am not speaking loud enough. Is there maybe a chance to still use original Blue&Me for calling, or at least to keep original mic?

 

[Sporting_Chris]

Hi - here we go :-
No I didn't smell any electrical burn at any time
I have the external microphone so i cant comment on the internal one, the external one seems to be better for the other people to hear me than the blue&me one.
The Head unit has a Canbus connection - somehow it disables the Fiat Blue&me system as all the steering wheel controls now control the New Head unit bluetooth functionality (+ radio / volume etc).

Some other points:-
Text message reading now works - is voice activated to playback - its in english so dont worry
I also have an USB extension cable in the back of the HU so i can connect USB as well as xd card for media, in fact there are 2 USB slots on the back.
I don't have the tv tuner or reversing camera option, small annoyance is it tries to display the camera when reverse is selected so the screen goes blank during this time.

Hope that helps - if you need anything else just ask

 

[Sporting_Chris]

Just another point on the maps I forgot
I bought with the unit the GPS receiver (which sits under the dash). So this along with the software on the xd card controls the maps.

I'm no GPS nav expert but i guess you would need a subscription for live traffic updates etc.
As it is, my Nav software only shows the maps as they were at the time they were loaded on the xd card...

 

[Lambie]

in fact there are 2 USB slots on the back.

Wow. I wonder if you could power a dash cam off one of these without hardwiring in a 12 volt socket?

 

[ajuvignesh]

Hi,

does it display obd II data natively or any apps to support it by connecting a obd II dongle to the car and pairing it to the HU over bluetooth?

 

[Sporting_Chris]

Hi ajuvignesh

Re canbus - I guess in theory yes but it would need programming to do it.
I doubt any apps for WinCe exist though
(FYI it also displays which doors are open on the display)

Lambie
I can only infer from the icons - one USB icon shows a memory stick (low power draw)
the other icon shows USB HDD (higher power draw)
So maybe one socket may provide enough power

The instruction manual is thin on details - it seems to be a generic one for many HU/Car models.
(I guess the only physical differences between modesl would be the facia and the type of canbus adapter which is some kind of circuit board with PLC microprocessor)

 

[Sporting_Chris]

Here is the manual that came with the HU.
pretty basic and generic
sorry for the poor quality and dog eared manual

 

[ajuvignesh]

Hi sporting_Chris. Thanks for the info. I found an app for wince.
Cannot post the link now as I have less than 5 posts on this forum. The app name is hobdrive.
hope it works.

 

[thommo]

Is the radio DAB?

i would all so like to no this as i bought one from alixpress but i can not for the life of me get the radio to work i have tryed new ariels but still nothing and im a delivery driver and the sat nav is great and is allmost close to addresses every time and i use it for hours and put films on it i use mp4 for films and if any one has any questions about the unit i will try helpin as much as i can :slayer:

 

[Sporting_Chris]

Hi
No the Radio is not DAB. it only has FM and AM radio.

As for the radio not working maybe the aerial has worked loose from the connector on the HU?

Thanks

 

[thommo]

well if the radio aint dab i guess i have a problem with it as no radio stations are getting a signal :bang: i will pull it out and have a look soon as i get some time free thanks

 

[Lambie]

Hi

No the Radio is not DAB. it only has FM and AM radio.

If you're an avid fan of listening to the radio, I would be aware of this. There's plans in the UK to remove analogue radio like they did with analogue TV. It's been happening 'next year' since about 2014 so I'm not sure when or even if it will actually happen, but just something to be aware of.

More info - http://www.pure.com/digital-radio/digital-radio-switchover

If you're willing to spend a lot more money, I believe Pure sell a car DAB to FM converter, but personally I think by the time it happens you'll have a big enough music collection not to care!

 

[Urbas]

So, I have decided, I am going to takethis one.

This seller has most orders and best feedback, so it should be all OK, I hope Most of time he also has -35-40% off, and he also has rear view camera that goes to the place of registration plate light and you do not need to drill anything (must say that it is for astra and it is the same).

I will order it this week, hope it comes fast and all good working

 

[Lambie]

So, I have decided, I am going to takethis one.



This seller has most orders and best feedback, so it should be all OK, I hope Most of time he also has -35-40% off, and he also has rear view camera that goes to the place of registration plate light and you do not need to drill anything (must say that it is for astra and it is the same).



I will order it this week, hope it comes fast and all good working

That's actually something I want to know, how you guys fitting these reverse cameras? Do you replace the the number plate light fitting with this and it broadcasts wirelessly or do you somehow have to feed a wire around to the back?

Looks promising mate, let us know how you get on with it! [emoji106]

 

[Lambie]

So, I have decided, I am going to takethis one.

This seller has most orders and best feedback, so it should be all OK, I hope Most of time he also has -35-40% off, and he also has rear view camera that goes to the place of registration plate light and you do not need to drill anything (must say that it is for astra and it is the same).

I will order it this week, hope it comes fast and all good working

Did your new multimedia radio arrive in the end?