[Santirx]

Interesting update. Sure sounds like a lot of hassle.

Do you have a link to that toslink to MOST adapter?

I can only find the version that does analog RCA to MOST.

Oddly, it seemingly has the same part number.

I’m providing all this information for anyone who would order, that they can negotiate the right box with the vendor.

The box in the last photo is also from Amazon, from a vendor called Plejbona. In the photo it looks like RCA to MOST, but is really Toslink to MOST.

 

[drawz]

1500 unit may take awhile to sell, unless they sell it at a heavily discounted price. I don’t see majority of buyers jumping in to purchase these unit beside Macan forum members.

Hopefully it won't take too long to sell these worldwide. It looks like some of the Aliexpress vendors already have pictures without the "sticker."

Overall these devices look amazing. I too would prefer the physical buttons on the first model and the vents of the second model. The physical buttons match the style of Macan's with physical buttons elsewhere. I'll wait a bit longer to see how some of these issues shake out, but I'm definitely itching to upgrade to something with Carplay.

I also see an opportunity for a reseller (in China or perhaps in the US) to sell a kit with the upgraded MOST box and trims wrapped in OE-matching styles. I wonder if there's a wrap out there that matches the OE wood trim...

 

[djbooya]

Is the toslink to MOST adapter what is needed on the Macan's with the [9VL] Bose Surround Sound System or is that used with your aftermarket amplifier?

I recently started following you on youtube as well. I had been debating how to add android auto to my Macan and this type of system is what I was looking for.

Had some questions on functionality:
Does this newer system allow music from an SD card or USB stick as well?
Does it have standard AM/FM functionality?
Does it have the ability to show some of the info from the stock system such as elevation?
I'm assuming it doesn't have offline/native NAV, but wanted to confirm. I occasionally use that in areas with poor cell service when I haven't pre-downloaded offline maps.
Do the buttons on the steering wheel still work to answer and hang up phone?

I'm not sure if this is all covered in your next review video or not. If it's in the review video you have planned I can wait for that rather than have you repeat answers here.

Thanks

 

[signde]

I’m providing all this information for anyone who would order, that they can negotiate the right box with the vendor.

The box in the last photo is also from Amazon, from a vendor called Plejbona. In the photo it looks like RCA to MOST, but is really Toslink to MOST.

i meant the vendor sounds like a lot of hassle - some questionable customer service there. i appreciate all the info you've provided.

google and amazon search are failing me. i cannot find that MOST converter, even when searching by "Plejbona".

this is the most similar one i see listed but it has a different model number:

Amazon.com: Fiber Optic Box for Benz BMW Porsche Audi Volvo Android Radio Car Video Player GPS Navigation : Electronics

Buy Fiber Optic Box for Benz BMW Porsche Audi Volvo Android Radio Car Video Player GPS Navigation: In-Dash Navigation - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Teddis]

That is normal CS from ALI, just have to deal with it unfortunately ......it won't change. Plejbona is the vendor for the 12.3 unit.

 

[turBro]

maybe we could list out all design specifications for the ideal unit and have them make conforming to those. I think we have enough people here ready to purchase such a unit that the vendor would still come out on top even for a smaller production batch.

 

[Santirx]

i meant the vendor sounds like a lot of hassle - some questionable customer service there. i appreciate all the info you've provided.

google and amazon search are failing me. i cannot find that MOST converter, even when searching by "Plejbona".

this is the most similar one i see listed but it has a different model number:

Amazon.com: Fiber Optic Box for Benz BMW Porsche Audi Volvo Android Radio Car Video Player GPS Navigation : Electronics

Buy Fiber Optic Box for Benz BMW Porsche Audi Volvo Android Radio Car Video Player GPS Navigation: In-Dash Navigation - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

That’s the one… I don’t remember it being this expensive… I actually got it at $136.

 

[Santirx]

That is normal CS from ALI, just have to deal with it unfortunately ......it won't change. Plejbona is the vendor for the 12.3 unit.

Plejbona is the vendor for the prior unit I installed (with all buttons) which I got from Amazon, not the one I have installed now (vendor is DaiNav for that one). Plejbona is the only unit I found that provided a box with Toslink to MOST converter.

 

[Santirx]

Is the toslink to MOST adapter what is needed on the Macan's with the [9VL] Bose Surround Sound System or is that used with your aftermarket amplifier?

I recently started following you on youtube as well. I had been debating how to add android auto to my Macan and this type of system is what I was looking for.

Had some questions on functionality:
Does this newer system allow music from an SD card or USB stick as well?
Does it have standard AM/FM functionality?
Does it have the ability to show some of the info from the stock system such as elevation?
I'm assuming it doesn't have offline/native NAV, but wanted to confirm. I occasionally use that in areas with poor cell service when I haven't pre-downloaded offline maps.
Do the buttons on the steering wheel still work to answer and hang up phone?

I'm not sure if this is all covered in your next review video or not. If it's in the review video you have planned I can wait for that rather than have you repeat answers here.

Thanks

I can answer questions here, no issues (as long as you watch the video when it comes out…. Just kidding…😊).

1. Not SD, it doesn’t have SD slot, but I believe it would from USB. I have to test that.

2. Yes, it does have normal AM/FM radio working out of the car’s antenna.

3. No. You can probably obtain information on things like elevation from an Android app.

4. It doesn’t, but it can be installed. The first unit I installed came with iGo, with a downloaded offline US map. You would access iGo by setting the NAV button to the app. In this unit I have now, it has Google Maps and I downloaded offline maps, but haven’t been able to figure out how to make it work offline for directions. I can see the map offline, but it doesn’t seem to be working with the GPS antenna. I downloaded iGo, and in this case, I’ll have to pay a one-time fee to download the north american map. I may just do that to have Navi in those cases I need to navigate offline. In this new unit, you can program the Navi icon to open the Navigation app of your choice.

5. The buttons on the steering wheel work as follows: (1) Call pick up button: only works to pick up active calls, it doesn’t work to initiate calls; (2) diamond/joker button: changes mode, like going from radio to video to Bluetooth audio, etc… (on this one, I wish you could use it to skip music, but honestly the skip button is close enough in the unit to be OK); (3) volume rotary knob works as intended, increasing and decreasing volume when rotated and muting when pressed; (4) the call end button on the right side, works as intended to end active call.

Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll be sure to cover these questions in the review video. Thanks for the support to the channel.

 

[djbooya]

I can answer questions here, no issues (as long as you watch the video when it comes out…. Just kidding…😊).

1. Not SD, it doesn’t have SD slot, but I believe it would from USB. I have to test that.

2. Yes, it does have normal AM/FM radio working out of the car’s antenna.

3. No. You can probably obtain information on things like elevation from an Android app.

4. It doesn’t, but it can be installed. The first unit I installed came with iGo, with a downloaded offline US map. You would access iGo by setting the NAV button to the app. In this unit I have now, it has Google Maps and I downloaded offline maps, but haven’t been able to figure out how to make it work offline for directions. I can see the map offline, but it doesn’t seem to be working with the GPS antenna. I downloaded iGo, and in this case, I’ll have to pay a one-time fee to download the north american map. I may just do that to have Navi in those cases I need to navigate offline. In this new unit, you can program the Navi icon to open the Navigation app of your choice.

5. The buttons on the steering wheel work as follows: (1) Call pick up button: only works to pick up active calls, it doesn’t work to initiate calls; (2) diamond/joker button: changes mode, like going from radio to video to Bluetooth audio, etc… (on this one, I wish you could use it to skip music, but honestly the skip button is close enough in the unit to be OK); (3) volume rotary knob works as intended, increasing and decreasing volume when rotated and muting when pressed; (4) the call end button on the right side, works as intended to end active call.

Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll be sure to cover these questions in the review video. Thanks for the support to the channel.

This is very helpful and I'll still watch the video I don't think the offline map is a deal breaker for me, but I will be following to see when they/if they release the version without the sticker..

 

[Santirx]

This is very helpful and I'll still watch the video I don't think the offline map is a deal breaker for me, but I will be following to see when they/if they release the version without the sticker..

No issues and thanks. For got to answer one question. Because Bose has MOST25 fiber optic, you need a device to convert either digital Toslink optical signal to MOST25 or an analog RCA signal converter to MOST25 in order to connect to Bose.

In my case, I was using MOST25 from PCM and then a decoder at the aftermarket amplifier from MOST25 to Toslink.

But for this unit you will need the converter to be able to use with Bose.

 

[djbooya]

No issues and thanks. For got to answer one question. Because Bose has MOST25 fiber optic, you need a device to convert either digital Toslink optical signal to MOST25 or an analog RCA signal converter to MOST25 in order to connect to Bose.

In my case, I was using MOST25 from PCM and then a decoder at the aftermarket amplifier from MOST25 to Toslink.

But for this unit you will need the converter to be able to use with Bose.

Makes sense. I'll see if they include the upgraded converter box in their next release. Look forward to your functional review video.

 

[Santirx]

So, I decided to keep the DaiNav unit, as they are providing the optical output for me to install. Given that, I decided to stay with the unit, even with the red dot.

Just covered the red dot with a NFC button that looks the part. I think it covers it very well and is not very apparent…. And it has a purpose (which I haven’t defined) but it is an NFC chip.

What do you think?

 

[djbooya]

Looks way better than the red dot

 

[jmoney]

Looks good but it would still bother me that there’s a red dot under there lol.

 

[Santirx]

Well, I took the hit for everyone else… …

Now you we all know is a permanent red dot… new units will have digital output (thanks to my original feedback to the vendor) and new units (after they sell the 1500 they already manufactured) will not have the dot thanks to my and many other’s feedback. But someone had to be the Guinea Pig…. 😆

 

[Teddis]

You are by far the biggest innovator on this board, and we thank you !

 

[Santirx]

You are by far the biggest innovator on this board, and we thank you !

Well, @Teddis… you know very well what happened…😂. This wasn’t my idea…. I wonder whose idea was it…🤣.

All I know is I have to thank you for it…😆

now waiting for you to take the plunge..

 

[Tom95B]

Is the toslink to MOST adapter what is needed on the Macan's with the [9VL] Bose Surround Sound System or is that used with your aftermarket amplifier?

I recently started following you on youtube as well. I had been debating how to add android auto to my Macan and this type of system is what I was looking for.

Had some questions on functionality:
Does this newer system allow music from an SD card or USB stick as well?
Does it have standard AM/FM functionality?
Does it have the ability to show some of the info from the stock system such as elevation?
I'm assuming it doesn't have offline/native NAV, but wanted to confirm. I occasionally use that in areas with poor cell service when I haven't pre-downloaded offline maps.
Do the buttons on the steering wheel still work to answer and hang up phone?

I'm not sure if this is all covered in your next review video or not. If it's in the review video you have planned I can wait for that rather than have you repeat answers here.

Thanks

@djbooya, not sure if this will help you in exploring your options. If adding Android Auto is a prime consideration, you may want to check out the services of some of the vendors on this forum. I personally used the services of simaservis1108 to activate Android Auto and update my maps to a 2022 version in my 2017 GTS. I was most pleased with the level of service and responsiveness I received. At well under $300, this was a great option for me before I knew about this replacement head unit. I will keep an eye on this thread for the larger head unit, but I can roll for now with Android Auto.

@Santirx - great post with phenominal supporting video. This is highly appreciated!

 

[Santirx]

@djbooya, not sure if this will help you in exploring your options. If adding Android Auto is a prime consideration, you may want to check out the services of some of the vendors on this forum. I personally used the services of simaservis1108 to activate Android Auto and update my maps to a 2022 version in my 2017 GTS. I was most pleased with the level of service and responsiveness I received. At well under $300, this was a great option for me before I knew about this replacement head unit. I will keep an eye on this thread for the larger head unit, but I can roll for now with Android Auto.

@Santirx - great post with phenominal supporting video. This is highly appreciated!

Thanks!

The simaservis1108 solution will work only on PCM4.0, not with PCM3.1. Since you have a 2017 model, yours came with PCM4.0.

BTW… there is a way to activate CarPlay in PCM4.0 as a DIY without having to pay anyone, and is safe to do. I did this in my 718 Cayman S with PCM4.0 and didn’t need someone’s service. I also updated maps to 2022 using this DIY. It is the same solution, just that some folks are charging for it.

You create an SD card with the right files and off you go…. Is as easy as inserting the SD card in the PCM and let it do its thing…. Then entering an engineering menu and activate CarPlay. I also activated a bunch of other things.

Look at this thread in the 718forum.com. It works for any PCM4.0, including the Macan.

Android Auto / Nav etc... Do-It-Yourself-Thread

UPDATE May 2022 - The method documented below in detail works, however a faster method using only a card has been created. The steps are discussed in Android Auto / Nav etc... Do-It-Yourself-Thread. I will update this thread again with those steps in a little more detail make this easier to...

www.718forum.com