Aftermarket Qualir DVD / Navigation / Bluetooth

[justagirl743]

Today I installed my new DVD/GPS/BT/MP3/Ipod unit from Qualir. I did some research in this forum and other places and decided to buy this exact unit:
http://www.autodvdgps.com/8-digital-...rd-p-1116.html

First off, the package arrived less than 48 hours after being shipped. The total time after ordering it was 5 days, so that's pretty awesome coming from China.

The package arrived with all the parts and accessories advertised, including an installation tool kit and Micro SD card loaded with maps. The buttons feel cheap but I kind of expected that.



I started off the install with researching how to remove the factory deck. It was straight forward enough, took some time, some finesse, and a little force. I managed not to break anything. I used this guy's instructions and illustrations to help: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/561772...-accord/page-3

When I first hooked up the unit, I was confused by the extra gray plug. I could only assume it had something to do with the factory display. I hooked up what I could to the new unit and it started working although I didn't have any sound coming from the front speakers.

My genius husband got home and started looking up wiring diagrams, checking power output, checking connections, etc. Until we realized that extra gray plug might need to go somewhere! On the back of the factory unit there is a black box that is screwed on but not hooked to anything.


We removed that and basically glued it to the new deck.

After we plugged the gray plug into this box, everything worked as it should. The audio tuner worked fine, the mp3 player worked fine. I expected to have troubles with the Navigation but it found my location immediately and located an address quickly and easily. The Bluetooth also was super easy, my phone paired up with no problems and it started working right away. According to the person I called, they said "it sounds like you're on a Bluetooth, I can hear you ok but not great." So I guess as long as it works I am happy. The DVD player worked great, especially since we just grounded the "Brake" wire and it allows us to play the DVDs while driving. We won't be making a habit of that though.

One thing I found interesting was the website clearly says that the unit WILL NOT display the temperatures for the Dual Climate Control. But when you connect this unit, it DOES. The feature that shows the temps looks like something that was added later as it does not match the other graphics and it "overlays" the picture. However, it does display the separate temps, the fan level, A/C on or off, and what mode you are in. Granted, it is in Celsius and I don't know how to change it. It pops up when you change the settings then disappears. Although I think it is a little glitchy, as sometimes it pops up when nothing is happening and then disappears.

One small hiccup was the storage compartment under the unit was pretty hard to get back in. I don't know if I was too forceful or if the new unit is interfering with something but the door does not open and close easily anymore. It still technically works but not like it used to.

The finished product looks great and everything works as it should. The fit is pretty good, with only one small gap on the bottom right that is not very noticeable. The gap actually seems to have more to do with the dash than the unit. I'm really happy with the purchase, especially for the price.



I hope this helps anyone considering this unit or Qualir!

[xJoeMama78]

Hope it works out for you. You should keep the forum updated on how it works out over time.

[LFSoccer2k6]

Definitely keep us updated bc the AutoSoul was a FTL!!

[NewYitty]

Originally Posted by justagirl743

Today I installed my new DVD/GPS/BT/MP3/Ipod unit from Qualir. I did some research in this forum and other places and decided to buy this exact unit:
http://www.autodvdgps.com/8-digital-...rd-p-1116.html

First off, the package arrived less than 48 hours after being shipped. The total time after ordering it was 5 days, so that's pretty awesome coming from China.

The package arrived with all the parts and accessories advertised, including an installation tool kit and Micro SD card loaded with maps. The buttons feel cheap but I kind of expected that.



I started off the install with researching how to remove the factory deck. It was straight forward enough, took some time, some finesse, and a little force. I managed not to break anything. I used this guy's instructions and illustrations to help: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/561772...-accord/page-3

When I first hooked up the unit, I was confused by the extra gray plug. I could only assume it had something to do with the factory display. I hooked up what I could to the new unit and it started working although I didn't have any sound coming from the front speakers.

My genius husband got home and started looking up wiring diagrams, checking power output, checking connections, etc. Until we realized that extra gray plug might need to go somewhere! On the back of the factory unit there is a black box that is screwed on but not hooked to anything.


We removed that and basically glued it to the new deck.

After we plugged the gray plug into this box, everything worked as it should. The audio tuner worked fine, the mp3 player worked fine. I expected to have troubles with the Navigation but it found my location immediately and located an address quickly and easily. The Bluetooth also was super easy, my phone paired up with no problems and it started working right away. According to the person I called, they said "it sounds like you're on a Bluetooth, I can hear you ok but not great." So I guess as long as it works I am happy. The DVD player worked great, especially since we just grounded the "Brake" wire and it allows us to play the DVDs while driving. We won't be making a habit of that though.

One thing I found interesting was the website clearly says that the unit WILL NOT display the temperatures for the Dual Climate Control. But when you connect this unit, it DOES. The feature that shows the temps looks like something that was added later as it does not match the other graphics and it "overlays" the picture. However, it does display the separate temps, the fan level, A/C on or off, and what mode you are in. Granted, it is in Celsius and I don't know how to change it. It pops up when you change the settings then disappears. Although I think it is a little glitchy, as sometimes it pops up when nothing is happening and then disappears.

One small hiccup was the storage compartment under the unit was pretty hard to get back in. I don't know if I was too forceful or if the new unit is interfering with something but the door does not open and close easily anymore. It still technically works but not like it used to.

The finished product looks great and everything works as it should. The fit is pretty good, with only one small gap on the bottom right that is not very noticeable. The gap actually seems to have more to do with the dash than the unit. I'm really happy with the purchase, especially for the price.



I hope this helps anyone considering this unit or Qualir!

looks good hope it works out!! I was considering on getting one for my 8th gen but they just literally stopped making it. Very puzzled as to why, and sad (lol)

[kingmoocow]

Bravo, another brave soul to buy a Chinese GPS. Welcome to DA, and I hope you can give us updates on how this unit performs down the road.

A few of us bought AutoSoul units last year, and all experienced failures within only months of owning them, so they're all pretty much belong in scrapyards now.


The little box was the crossover that's part of the 180W sound system in your 6 speed coupe. I had the same issue, and had the same solution to just borrow the crossover.

The biggest issue that I had with AutoSoul was that I couldn't get HEAT, but a/c worked fine. Would you mind testing it out and telling us if it works? Auto Soul tried to blame the problem on either the fact that I had a coupe (they don't have coupes in China, which is what this was marketed for), or the fact that I had the 6MT Premium Audio system. We eventually determined that the wiring for the HVAC on the coupe was different than it is on the sedans, so that makes me want to know a lot if you have any HVAC issues.

As far as Celsius goes - you probably won't be able to change that.

[kingmoocow]

Also, if you wouldn't mind... Take some video of the unit in action and stick it on YouTube, another thing I want to know about it the iPod control, what kind of info you get from it, etc.

And -- what does your external temperature in the gauge cluster say?

[NewYitty]

Originally Posted by kingmoocow

Bravo, another brave soul to buy a Chinese GPS. Welcome to DA, and I hope you can give us updates on how this unit performs down the road.

A few of us bought AutoSoul units last year, and all experienced failures within only months of owning them, so they're all pretty much belong in scrapyards now.


The little box was the crossover that's part of the 180W sound system in your 6 speed coupe. I had the same issue, and had the same solution to just borrow the crossover.

The biggest issue that I had with AutoSoul was that I couldn't get HEAT, but a/c worked fine. Would you mind testing it out and telling us if it works? Auto Soul tried to blame the problem on either the fact that I had a coupe (they don't have coupes in China, which is what this was marketed for), or the fact that I had the 6MT Premium Audio system. We eventually determined that the wiring for the HVAC on the coupe was different than it is on the sedans, so that makes me want to know a lot if you have any HVAC issues.

As far as Celsius goes - you probably won't be able to change that.

Are the Autosoul radio's made by the same manufacturer?? Or simply just made in China like the Qualir?? Just curious - most people haven't yet seem to have problems with the Qualir products.

[kingmoocow]

Originally Posted by NewYitty

Are the Autosoul radio's made by the same manufacturer?? Or simply just made in China like the Qualir?? Just curious - most people haven't yet seem to have problems with the Qualir products.

No idea. While we were getting pissed on by AutoSoul, we found a few other units on TaoBao and other CHinese sites that looked VERY similar to what we had gotten. And even AutoSoul had changed the faceplates on their units a couple of times last year.

So - my suspision is that most of these units are made by xyz Chinese Inc, and sold to retailers like AutoSoul and Qualir to actually sell to the public.

I have heard better things about Qualir though, they do seem to be a little more reputable, but MOST of the reviews I read about these things are right after install, or within a few weeks. People are happy, but then down the road they really start having problems due to cheap construction.

[NewYitty]

Originally Posted by kingmoocow

No idea. While we were getting pissed on by AutoSoul, we found a few other units on TaoBao and other CHinese sites that looked VERY similar to what we had gotten. And even AutoSoul had changed the faceplates on their units a couple of times last year.

So - my suspision is that most of these units are made by xyz Chinese Inc, and sold to retailers like AutoSoul and Qualir to actually sell to the public.

I have heard better things about Qualir though, they do seem to be a little more reputable, but MOST of the reviews I read about these things are right after install, or within a few weeks. People are happy, but then down the road they really start having problems due to cheap construction.

You're right, which is why I am going to wait at-least 1 yr before I get into the qaulir products - tho' before I found out it was "sold out" on autodvdgps.com, I was a couple clicks away from purchasing it, but I guess for my own good I didn't, not yet at least. hopefully it all works out, because it is definitly a nice set-up.

I wonder why schoshe does not invest in a dash kit as such. Seems like it would make a lot of money.

[kingmoocow]

I'd bet that they either stopped selling because a) it was bad, or b) The Chinese electronic market has A-D-D, and decided to start making some other knock-off widget, and now they can't get more in stock.

[justagirl743]

Originally Posted by kingmoocow

Also, if you wouldn't mind... Take some video of the unit in action and stick it on YouTube, another thing I want to know about it the iPod control, what kind of info you get from it, etc.

And -- what does your external temperature in the gauge cluster say?

I can definitely keep everyone updated as things progress. Unfortunately, I don't have an iPod! I was going to see how well it could get music off my phone and I can let you know about that.

It's interesting you asked about the external temp, since last night the unit said 4 C and my gauge cluster said 84 F, which definitely wasn't right. It was more like 44 F (4 C is apparently 39 F so I don't know what is going on there.) Do you know something I don't know?

Also the heat controls were working fine last night. I was getting good heat and when I made adjustments I could feel it. I haven't used the AC yet, I can try that today.

I will try to take a video of it in operation today or tomorrow and get back to you.

[kingmoocow]

Originally Posted by justagirl743

I can definitely keep everyone updated as things progress. Unfortunately, I don't have an iPod! I was going to see how well it could get music off my phone and I can let you know about that.

It's interesting you asked about the external temp, since last night the unit said 4 C and my gauge cluster said 84 F, which definitely wasn't right. It was more like 44 F (4 C is apparently 39 F so I don't know what is going on there.) Do you know something I don't know?

Also the heat controls were working fine last night. I was getting good heat and when I made adjustments I could feel it. I haven't used the AC yet, I can try that today.

I will try to take a video of it in operation today or tomorrow and get back to you.

Rockin.

You have the same issue we had with the external temp display. Mine always at at 84 or 88 or something, and that was in the winter when it was more like 34F outside. So -- nothing you can do about that, it just proves that they still haven't worked out this issue yet.

I really do hope the best for you and this unit, and I've been curious for a while if any BETTER ones have come out. It looks like this is a bit better, but still not 100% ready for USA market.

Thanks for any updates you can give us

[kingmoocow]

Maybe you can borrow an ipod from someone to test at some point? if not, no worries

[LFSoccer2k6]

If this unit proves to be a good unit and not POS, we could go down the same path and get a US version made?

[kingmoocow]

^ I doubt you'd ever talk to anyone that really counts

Besides, as NewYitty has shown us, Qualir gets bored producint these unit within a year or two. i'd need at least a year worth of good result from someone that it's not another AutoFail.