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Old 08-18-2018, 10:20 PM   #1
notorious9i6
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Lightbulb Android Head Unit Comprehensive Review/Guide (Works with Iphone and other phones)

Hey guys i'm not stranger when it comes to the android head unit. There have been many iterations and i have gone through all of them. I have the opportunity to test the older units and now the current 2018 models. Each step of the way, the units have been more refined and ever since the "Android 7.1.2", it's been super stable.

A theme you can have on your android head unit, there are many options. Limitless


This unit supports all phones, including Apple and Android. Features like Android Auto, and Apple Car play work on current models.

The Unit I have is the latest at the time Android 8.0: https://www.seicane.com/2014-2015-20...1afc51c7c6ad26

It supports great features like GPS (Offline support), Bluetooth, Wi-fi, Smart Phone like touch screen, Expand ability, MicroSD, Steering wheel controls, car play, android auto and of course many more. Too much at times!

If you prefer a video, i made a video of the overall interface and my thoughts on the unit.


I'm going to list some of the pros and cons of these Android Head Units.


PROS:
-Design wise it's better than any aftermarket solution.
-Much faster, like 100 times faster than the oem unit.
-You can install google play store apps.
-Okay Google for anything
-Sounds better than stock
-Boots very fast
-Reverse Camera
-Plug and play install
-Reverse Camera works, USB Compatible
-Steering wheel controls work
-Inexpensive for what it is, Great Value especially considering all of the harness it comes with.
-Set your own launchers (design for your dash). You can make your car look like a lexus interface, etc. You can add your own backgrounds, etc.
-GPS is actually really good without using gps.
-Spotify on your headunit, Torque, Pandora apps are super nice looking through the headunit.


CONS:
-Instructions from the manufacture isn't the best. Guides on my channel for this.
-Wi-fi is only 2.4 ghz band
-Reverse Camera quality is a little bit worst (Not terrible), even though it's use the oem camera. Possibility because it's being stretch to a bigger screen
-Sometimes overwhelming in features
-Screen is more glossy, makes for great vibrant colors but it's more reflective. Requires cleaning
-not plug and play for 2016+ models with haman kardon package

This is honestly my favorite mod on my car. AND I have a lot of mods. It suits my needs, and honestly is something people always ask about at meets. I know there are some people who flame and hate on these things but all the locals and a lot of people love them. I figure people just flame from maybe a bad experience or just because they have a strong perspective on Pioneer, Sony, etc.




Where to buy and parts you may need.

This is the unit i have, https://www.seicane.com/2014-2015-20...1afc51c7c6ad26

It contains everything i needed but it needed usb adapters to retain my factory ones.

For 2016-2019: https://www.amazon.com/Metra-Electro...language=en_US

A video of it using Apple Car play with an iphone:

Feel free to ask any questions. I'll do what i can to help. I will continue you update this thread. I can create a faqs section. Ask away
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Old 08-18-2018, 11:55 PM   #2
Inducekarma
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How is the dac? Does it have rca out for fronts rear and sub? Parametric eq? I have an 18 sti and I don't want to lose all of the functions but this sound quality blows. I have some old equipment I need to sell and really wouldn't mind changing this crap hu out, but I want sound quality. Does homelink work?
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Old 08-19-2018, 12:39 AM   #3
carlos.danger
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I cant quite get the steering wheel controls to work. 2015 sti
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Old 08-19-2018, 08:37 PM   #4
amiexploited
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carlos.danger View Post
I cant quite get the steering wheel controls to work. 2015 sti
Did you go to the wheel key app on the head unit? You start pressing buttons and you assign a short and long press function.
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Old 08-20-2018, 01:53 AM   #5
iconojett
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Default

First off, thanks for posting this! I've been researching this exact product.


I have a 2017 STI Limited, which causes more issues during install. Questions:
  • [1]I've read that this unit will not retain the backup camera. However, I also read that if I use a harness made by AutoHarnessHouse.com (http://www.autoharnesshouse.com/49021b.html) that I can retain the backup camera feature. Is this correct?
  • [2]I've read that the OEM microphone does not work. Is this correct and, if so, is there a work around?
  • [3]Can you save/download Spotify music to the MicroSD card in the headunit?
  • [4]I've read that I need to bypass the Harmon Kardon amplifier and get a separate amplifier. Is this correct?

Thanks!

For those having issues. check out these posts:

https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=2858154
https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho...7#post44811357
Posts made by SVXdc (or god) https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/member.php?u=25837

Last edited by iconojett; 08-20-2018 at 02:14 AM.
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Old 08-20-2018, 04:28 PM   #6
carlos.danger
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WRB

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Quote:
Originally Posted by amiexploited View Post
Did you go to the wheel key app on the head unit? You start pressing buttons and you assign a short and long press function.
I'll try it. Thanks
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Old 08-21-2018, 10:58 AM   #7
carlos.danger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amiexploited View Post
Did you go to the wheel key app on the head unit? You start pressing buttons and you assign a short and long press function.
Perfect. That fixed it. Much appreciated.
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Old 08-19-2018, 11:48 AM   #8
amiexploited
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garage queen 15 WRX 6mt

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Hey @notorious9i6, sent you a PM but I figured that out. Easier to navigate with a usb keyboard.

Anyways, I still can't get my audio to work. I have a 2015 limited with HK. I have the RCA to speaker wire coming from the 10 - 6 harness, following SVXdc diagram:

10-pin power/speaker harness
1 2 - - 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10
(orientation: viewing pins on car's factory plug, wires pointed away from you)

Code:
1 Right Front (+)
2 Left Front (+)
3 +12V Accessory
4 +12V Battery/Constant

5 Right Front (-)
6 Left Front (-)
7 Ground
8 Power Antenna *
9 [NC] **
10 Illumination(+)
* Pin #8 provides power to Subaru's antenna booster amp.

** Pin #9 is an amp remote turn-on signal on BRZ; several Subaru models with Fujitsu Ten navigation and the factory harman/kardon amplifier and speaker system (2014-2015 Forester, 2015 WRX/STi, and 2013-2014 Legacy/Outback); and some Toyota HUs. On all other Subaru models, pin #9 is dead (no-connect).

6-pin power/speaker harness
1 - - 2
3 4 5 6
(orientation: viewing pins on car's factory plug, wires pointed away from you)

Code:
1 Right Rear (+)
2 Left Rear (+)

3 Right Rear (-)
4 [NC]
5 Dimmer [Illumination(-)]
6 Left Rear (-)


But I'm still not getting any sound. Was there any settings I had to to turn on or an extra wire I needed to connect? Thanks for your help.

Aha! you have to wire the #9 pin to the blue wire amp wire (no label on wire) and boom it works. sweet.
stuffing the wires back and putting the head unit back in was a pain.

Last edited by amiexploited; 08-19-2018 at 04:46 PM.
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Old 08-22-2019, 02:59 PM   #9
zwz3721
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Default camera connection

Hi:
How to connect the camera? I can't connect my camera in Seicane radio
for my 2019 impreza?
Thank you for
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Old 08-19-2018, 03:40 PM   #10
lvkeith
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I tried one of the earlier versions of one of these which failed miserably trying to utilize BTSSM and ended up going nexus 7.

Anybody have experience with this?
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Old 08-19-2018, 03:51 PM   #11
wobbletop
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'70 Porsche 914/6

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Do any of the units have a builtin accelerometer?
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Old 08-21-2018, 11:44 AM   #12
free_refil
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It would be soooo dope if these had optical/SPDIF outputs! I wonder what the audio quality is like coming out of the pre-amp outputs!
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Old 08-21-2018, 11:51 AM   #13
SirBrass
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Quote:
Originally Posted by free_refil View Post
It would be soooo dope if these had optical/SPDIF outputs! I wonder what the audio quality is like coming out of the pre-amp outputs!
Most amps don't have inputs that can accept digital signals, so those kinds of outputs are pretty useless.

Pre-amp outs are pretty good if your source is good. By taking out the amplified DC gain injected onto speaker level inputs, you take out noise that can be injected as well by the receiver's amp stage. Less noise before amplification means cleaner signal.
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Old 08-19-2019, 10:10 PM   #14
loneyboy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirBrass View Post
Most amps don't have inputs that can accept digital signals, so those kinds of outputs are pretty useless.

Pre-amp outs are pretty good if your source is good. By taking out the amplified DC gain injected onto speaker level inputs, you take out noise that can be injected as well by the receiver's amp stage. Less noise before amplification means cleaner signal.
How would you wire this to something like a DSP? I can't seem to find info on the voltage of the RCA outputs of the Seicane and it doesn't look like it has high-level outputs.
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Old 08-21-2018, 05:53 PM   #15
amiexploited
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garage queen 15 WRX 6mt

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Quote:
Originally Posted by free_refil View Post
It would be soooo dope if these had optical/SPDIF outputs! I wonder what the audio quality is like coming out of the pre-amp outputs!
It's definitely lower than stock. I have a 15 limited with Harman Kardon. The only way to wire up the head unit was to use RCA to speaker wire adapters for the front L + R and rear L + R. Still trouble shooting to get higher volume.

I maxed the settings in the "factory settings" still not loud enough. It's decent at normal levels though.


wrong wrong wrong. Thanks youtube. My audio quality is great when I connected to the speaker lines.

Last edited by amiexploited; 12-18-2018 at 03:09 PM. Reason: corrected myself
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Old 08-21-2018, 12:00 PM   #16
phd12v
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alot of the processors people are using do have optical inputs.

but alot of people are not running dsps either unless they are into audio
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Old 12-10-2018, 05:24 PM   #17
hvu511
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So when you purchased it from seican did you add on any of the options? coming from a 2015 base Im guessing I dont need to reroute my back up camera because it appears on the dash display.
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Old 08-17-2019, 10:15 AM   #18
hr83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hvu511 View Post
So when you purchased it from seican did you add on any of the options? coming from a 2015 base Im guessing I dont need to reroute my back up camera because it appears on the dash display.
I'm interested in the same. Normally wouldn't bump an old thread but someone brought it back up!
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Old 08-18-2019, 09:51 AM   #19
mejifair
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DGM

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I too have watched your YouTube videos and am SUPER interested in this one.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3304...76dd3c00Eju1ws

It seems like it is the newest version with Android 9 and would fit in my 2012 STi. Do you know if the USB and Microphone connectors plug into the stock harnesses? I don't mind running the cables, but would love it everything just plugged in
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Old 08-16-2019, 01:34 PM   #20
Tentonted
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Default Forester bezel in 09 WRX

Yeah its an odd subject, but searching thru many sites, AliExpress, ebay, and general googling. Most of the 2009 compatible head units out there seem to list only for a 09 Forester. Are these interchangeable? The DO look similar, but not sure if its an exact fit like in videos. Been considering the Seicane (sp?). But nothing for wrx
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Old 01-02-2020, 11:35 AM   #21
bigbikeben
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tentonted View Post
Yeah its an odd subject, but searching thru many sites, AliExpress, ebay, and general googling. Most of the 2009 compatible head units out there seem to list only for a 09 Forester. Are these interchangeable? The DO look similar, but not sure if its an exact fit like in videos. Been considering the Seicane (sp?). But nothing for wrx
Wondering this as well. Anyone installed in an 08-10 WRX?
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Old 01-22-2020, 04:24 PM   #22
panapower
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbikeben View Post
Wondering this as well. Anyone installed in an 08-10 WRX?
i'm curious on this as well.
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Old 01-25-2020, 06:13 AM   #23
defiant_supra
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Default Offline nav

I've seen in multiple places nav doesn't work without car play or tethering your phone to it, is that correct? Basically like it has no offline maps preloaded.
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Old 01-25-2020, 10:44 AM   #24
jrv_72
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Rally Blue

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Recently just installed one of these Seicane HU Model H235L on my 2015 WRX (w/o HK system). No issues with fitting the vents that were reported by
and
who installed Model H205L intended to fit the 2016+ vents. Seicane is not very clear on their website about this compatibility issue.
I did have to purchase this adapter in order to retain the factory USB port located in the center console.

I've had it for about a month and so far i've been happy with it:

PROS:
  • The sound is much better than the stock.
  • The user interface is customizable and responsive.
  • The Apple Carplay works well (for the most part, talk more later).
  • The overall appearance of it looks OEM
  • No issues with a slow startup as others have reported
  • Able to connect to hot spot for online use of apps that can be downloaded from the google playstore
  • Model H235L fits the 2015 vents as mentioned above

CONS:
  • Your voice through built-in bluetooth mic is difficult to hear for those on the other line
  • AM/FM radio sounds distorted
  • Inconsistent GPS connection by itself unless you are connected through Apple CarPlay
  • Does not come with the adapter to retain stock USB (need to purchase AX-TOYUSB mentioned above)
  • Does not come with the adapter to retain factory AUX
  • Not all Steering Wheel Controls work. Volume Up/Down and the Seek Up/Down works but Mode, Voice both Call buttons are not detected by the Steering Wheel Controls interface app
  • Apple CarPlay connects and reconnects intermittently.

Any of you guys have advice on the issues I'm trying to work out?
  1. Is there an adapter connect this Head Unit to the stock mic?
  2. Is there an adapter to connect to the stock AM/FM antenna?
  3. Where is the optimal placement for the GPS antenna to maintain a good connection?
  4. Is there an adapter to retain the factory AUX?
  5. Any one else have any luck getting all the Steering Wheel Controls to work, including Mode, Voice and both Call buttons?

Thanks in advance
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Old 01-27-2020, 11:38 AM   #25
amiexploited
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Quote:
Originally Posted by defiant_supra View Post
I've seen in multiple places nav doesn't work without car play or tethering your phone to it, is that correct? Basically like it has no offline maps preloaded.
You can download any app that allows you to download maps/areas to the device. Google maps does this and "here we go" app does this as well. The android head unit should come with a GPS attachment. You don't get live traffic though without data/phone hooked up.
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