Updated: Just Fitted My 4th Gen Hualingan Headunit!

[n1k85]

Hi Guys,

As you may know I made a right balls up of my MID stereo when attempting the Pixel ribbon repair. I was thinking about giving it another go, but after reading the comment on my other thread where someone said it took 5 hours for them to fix it, I really can't be bothered. I already spent a good 4 hours on it the first time.

I was going to wait a few months before upgrading my H/U, but now I just have a sad looking cable where my stereo once was i'm going to have to fast track it

I just made an offer on this Hualingan Headunit from an eBay seller in Ireland:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190618934338? ... 9286wt_983



I've looked at a few units, the Dynavin, the Hualingan and the other cheaper one with the 2 knobs at the top (this one -> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E39-GPS-7 ... 2c616598fe)

The Dynavin seems the best quality (software and build quality wise), but it's much more expensive (£705.70 from TTints), and IMO doesn't look all that great:



The 'Top-Knobs' one seems a great price (around £329) and from the Youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6ZyZYuyD1s) it actually looks a pretty decent bit of kit. But I just can't get past the looks, especially the tacky looking knobs, it would annoy me every time I looked at it:



The Hualingan unit seems the best all round one for me. The price isn't too bad, it looks the best out of the 3 (IMO) and has the bigger screen:



My only real concern is that I imagine the software is probably a little outdated compared with the more modern units, but as long as it actually works, I'll be happy.

One thing I really really don't like about the Hualingan is the BMW logo on top of another BMW logo, how many do you need? It looks so naff and drives me mad every time I see it on a pic, I hope there's some way to edit these logos



Silly BMW logo aside, I made an offer on the auction so I'll update this when I hear back from the seller to let you know how I got on!

But in the meantime, does anyone have any useful info or comments?

Or failing that, if this seller does not accept my offer, would anyone be interested in a Group Buy? We could get a nice deal going if enough of us are interested?

[Sanj]

Have a look here.

Did this a while back - not for me in the end and the thread explains why.

Also the Dynavin unit with the 'forehead' looks has now been updated to this.

Be fully aware that both are Chinese units and after-sales is limited.

I went through 3 units and decided no way. Others have had no issues.

If you go for it - get the Gen 4 unit that supports CDC and the iPhone 4 for charging purposes. OR double DIN Kenwood/Alpine/Pioneer etc which will be no double the most reliable.

[dirtymonkey29]

My choice would be the same, I would want the optional digital tv though. Be interesting to see how good it works and how easy it is to install. Keep us posted

[dirtymonkey29]

I like that new dynavin too so I've changed my mind lol

[Sanj]

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]I like that new dynavin too so I've changed my mind lol[/quote]

[n1k85]

Haha @ 'Forehead' Dynavin!

I admit the facelift Dynavin looks loads better, but is still twice the price of the Hualingan and unfortunately I'm on a tight budget when it comes to my headunit. I'm already bending the truth telling the mrs I am paying a mere £150 for the Hualingan...

She'd be pretty mad I couldn't afford the UGG boots she wanted for christmas if I then spent a shed load on a car DVD player for myself a week later!

Also I have looked at the Pioneer/Kenny/Alpine stuff, but it just doesn't look OEM enough for me, and I get the feeling a local scally would see my shiny universal Pioneer double DIN headunit and wouldn't think twice about chucking a brick through the window to rip it out and fit in in their Ford Focus, but at least with the OEM Looking ones (Hualingan/Dynavin/etc) they look more OEM and (i hope) therefore a theif would be less inclined to steal it, as unless he has an X5 himself it's useless to him!

(I am a little paranoid having had 6 car stereo's stolen since 2003)

[dirtymonkey29]

When you doing a full test on the dynavin Sanj like you did for the other one?

[Sanj]

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]When you doing a full test on the dynavin Sanj like you did for the other one?[/quote]

Lol! Who told u!

I have and am waiting on the new unit, think Xmas/New Year have scuppered them plans! Not sure if I'll get to test as quick as some want to get the unit in their cars...

Shall make a few calls in the morning.

[dirtymonkey29]

Really... I was only joking too lol, this the android unit?

[dirtymonkey29]

How do you get to test them?

[Ubatoid]

Im in the same position at the mo. Ive too have been searching and came across picture three in your original post. The downside to that one is there is no sat nav software supplied. Thats not a huge problem as I have Tom Tom for Windows mobile that Ive used on various phones and I always used a Tom Tom go in my other cars and like the routing / ease of use etc, but reading some other forums it is quite a job getting TT to work on a Windows CE 6 system with 128 mb ram (as this unit is ).Otherwise I quite like the look of the unit - Oh and you have to plug your iPod into the front- which I dont like.

The only downside I can see on the Huligan, is the GUI for the radio - it looks dire !!
I discounted the Dynavin at £700.. Way to steep.

[phiggystardust]

Cheeky buggers at dynavin they were last month 500 odd pound and now 700 and that was the d99 platform too

[Ubatoid]

[quote=""phiggystardust""]Cheeky buggers at dynavin they were last month 500 odd pound and now 700 and that was the d99 platform too[/quote]

For sure, could have run to £500. But £700 is monstrous.

[squeaky2]

Had the hooligan unit in my e53 and with the pioneer speakers the sound was transformed!!! Sounded good and the satnav worked well. You'll have fun running the cables back to the boot unless you do a full rewire and the only real problem I had was with radio reception.

[n1k85]

Do you still need to run cables to the boot even if you don't have nav already? I have no nav, no DSP, no cd changer.

I saw a few YouTube videos and the only real wiring they had to lay was the GPS antenna and the mic?

Not that it's a big deal but it would be good if I didn't have to do it