I did like the software of the second overall, much more polished and easier to use when it came to moving icons, widgets and stuff. But I did not like the second because of the default volume issue, the way screen dimming worked and for me specifically, the wired CarPlay not working (only wireless). There was another odd issues where music would drop for a half second randomly but especially when using Google Maps while listening to music. But that very well could have been my old iPhone 11 Pro just not keeping up. So if you are okay with how the second back light dimming works and dont crank your music up like I do, I would say it is a fine unit to get for the price.

With this third one, the only tiny issue is the lack of rear locker icon. That is pretty much the only thing and I hope to get the software app from the second somehow. I wish I had found a way to copy it from it before sending back! But if I recall, most of the directories were hidden from view. Unlike this last one which shows everything. But this third one was also $320 shipped, $100 more than the other two.

 

Were you buying through AliExpress? I'm looking at the unit below with the 4GB at $250 shipped, but unsure of how the return policy works and a bit hesitant with the way these things seem to be hit or miss.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

 

Not familiar with that seller, but that configuration bumps down your CPU to a 8581. Not a super strong processor so you may see some lag when using. Returns are easy and always free. And they get returned to a US depot, so while it may take three weeks or so to get it, the return and refund process is around a week.

 

Thanks, do you have any experience with the 8667 processor that comes with the 6GB model?

 

That is the same CPU that came in my second one. I think it was adequate for the job, pretty responsive. No complaints.

 

During this new install I was also transitioning to a new iPhone. Going from the 11 Pro to the 17 Pro. Ran into a rather annoying issue, for me... For some reason the 17 is hyper sensitive to USB issues. It will only work over USB if it detects to issues, interference, unicorns or whatever. And it is REALLY annoying. Many people seem to have this issue including those with factory CarPlay systems like those from GM, Ford, Etc. Generally a quality cable is needed but as one person found out even a nice "high-end" Beats USB cable did not work well and some super cheap ones did. Basically the first hurdle is that many of the cheap USB A to C cables are power only and will not properly carry data beyond a simple hardware handshake. This cables are great if charing from an unknown source like at an airport, etc. For CarPlay you need one that does data and power of course. For me that left one cable to use and it was really, really flaky. If it did connect it may drop randomly. So I went to Best Buy and bought two new cables, different brands. One was Native Union and the other from Nimble. Nimble seems to show it is shielded. Neither cable worked as my iPhone 17 would just go into a recharge loop and show it was connected but never succeed just like some other cables.

To be clear the online consensus is that the new iPhone 17 is just super sensitive to how it handles data over a wired connection. I sync over USB and have no issues though. As for the CarPlay head unit I think part of the issue is the long and cheap USB cables they supply. There are two, one is six wire and one is 4 wire. I am not sure why there are two but I suspect the 6 wire is what should be used for CarPlay and the other... no clue. Maybe for cameras or what not.

I will have to dig into this issue further and have some ideas. Everything is fine if I use wireless CarPlay with the 17 Pro. I will say though that wired CarPlay is faster then wireless and noticeable when skipping to a next track or such.

Edit: After reading just how many people have issues with CarPlay and USB overall with the iPhone 17 I returned mine. I had planned to splice in a nice shielded USB cable closer to the head unit, basically removing the two foot cable with the port on the end. Guess I will not have to do that now. After some more playing with the new unit I will post a review in this thread. Besides the iPhone 17 issues, it has been working well. And it had been working fine with CarPlay and the 17 over wireless.