This is a post for discussion and food for thought on upgrading Navigation systems.
Looking at a way to really 1-up and modernize our navigation systems.
The coolest answer so far is to install the NBT-based system into the E39. Such as the one below.
This features a full wide screen and no buttons, giving a look that competes in year 2020.
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Cons of NBT:
For a full size screen with no buttons there are couple options, that I came across:
1st option: Smarty Trend
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BMW 5 Series E39 Android Car Stereo Navigation In-Dash Head Unit
This unit appears to have the X5 bezel and no DSP functionality. .
DSP:
To fix the DSP/OBC/iBUS functionality there is Resler interface & iBus app
The idea is that the Resler USB interface wires to iBus, and plugs into the Android unit USB port, and the iBus app can then talk to iBus and control DSP and OBC functions.
Question is when the Resler iBus interface controls DSP, if it will also send audio signal to amplifier. Maybe someone has input on this?
Bezel:
I am considering 3D scanning the E39 standard bezel and the one that comes along the Smarty unit, then use both to construct and 3D print a proper fitting one for E39, so it looks stock, not like the out of place X5 bezel.
2nd option: Avin Android 10.25 for F16 retrofitted into E39
There is another idea I have to take the Avin Android 10.25 inch system for F15 or F16. Pictured below:
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https://avinusa.com/10-25-bmw-x5-x6-series-f15-f16-android-multimedia-navigation-system.html
and remove the bezel completely, and create custom bezel with 3D scanning and printing. This would integrate a 10.25inch display and Android system into the E39, (same as the NBT system displayed above) making it look like the E39 M5 is yet to roll out of assembly line in year 2020.
Things to still needing research on fitting an F16 type unit into E39:
Sound quality:
DSP- Maybe someone has knowledge if the Resler interface and Android App can send audio to DSP amp from this Avin unit shown above. This would eliminate the need to re-wire the sound system.
Aftermarket sound - There is the idea to replace the entire DSP system with a high end audio system, but since these aftermarket Android units are cheap electronics mostly, it would be important to get the sound digitally to a high end aftermarket amp/processing system.
Maybe someone here knows some good solutions for this, such as digital signal chord to amp from unit, optical audio?
Steering wheel controls-
How is steering wheel button being controlled? Would the Resler App cover this function and connect wheel and Android system?
Wiring - What wiring issues arise from installing the 10.25 F16 unit into E39?
If you have any good solutions on above questions/issues, please speak up
P.S. another good thread covering Android aftermarket unit install with lots of good info:
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...m5-e52-z8-discussion/586378-xtrons-pb7639bp-android-head-unit-installation.html
Looking at a way to really 1-up and modernize our navigation systems.
The coolest answer so far is to install the NBT-based system into the E39. Such as the one below.
This features a full wide screen and no buttons, giving a look that competes in year 2020.
Cons of NBT:
- Touch-screen is unavailable.
- People say the NBT web-browser works poorly due to low ram on NBT system.
- Typing into keyboard using BMW's iDrive button is real hassle
- Can't run apps such as Torque
For a full size screen with no buttons there are couple options, that I came across:
1st option: Smarty Trend
BMW 5 Series E39 Android Car Stereo Navigation In-Dash Head Unit
This unit appears to have the X5 bezel and no DSP functionality. .
DSP:
To fix the DSP/OBC/iBUS functionality there is Resler interface & iBus app
The idea is that the Resler USB interface wires to iBus, and plugs into the Android unit USB port, and the iBus app can then talk to iBus and control DSP and OBC functions.
Question is when the Resler iBus interface controls DSP, if it will also send audio signal to amplifier. Maybe someone has input on this?
Bezel:
I am considering 3D scanning the E39 standard bezel and the one that comes along the Smarty unit, then use both to construct and 3D print a proper fitting one for E39, so it looks stock, not like the out of place X5 bezel.
2nd option: Avin Android 10.25 for F16 retrofitted into E39
There is another idea I have to take the Avin Android 10.25 inch system for F15 or F16. Pictured below:
https://avinusa.com/10-25-bmw-x5-x6-series-f15-f16-android-multimedia-navigation-system.html
and remove the bezel completely, and create custom bezel with 3D scanning and printing. This would integrate a 10.25inch display and Android system into the E39, (same as the NBT system displayed above) making it look like the E39 M5 is yet to roll out of assembly line in year 2020.
Things to still needing research on fitting an F16 type unit into E39:
Sound quality:
DSP- Maybe someone has knowledge if the Resler interface and Android App can send audio to DSP amp from this Avin unit shown above. This would eliminate the need to re-wire the sound system.
Aftermarket sound - There is the idea to replace the entire DSP system with a high end audio system, but since these aftermarket Android units are cheap electronics mostly, it would be important to get the sound digitally to a high end aftermarket amp/processing system.
Maybe someone here knows some good solutions for this, such as digital signal chord to amp from unit, optical audio?
Steering wheel controls-
How is steering wheel button being controlled? Would the Resler App cover this function and connect wheel and Android system?
Wiring - What wiring issues arise from installing the 10.25 F16 unit into E39?
If you have any good solutions on above questions/issues, please speak up
P.S. another good thread covering Android aftermarket unit install with lots of good info:
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...m5-e52-z8-discussion/586378-xtrons-pb7639bp-android-head-unit-installation.html
