My COVID-19 Lockdown Project: 10” Android Car Stereo to Navionics Chart Plotter

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

My COVID-19 Lockdown Project
10” Android Car Stereo to Navionics Chart Plotter

Though people might be interested....

Any suggestions as to what I do with the reversing camera .

Parts:
Android Car Stereo Head Unity £89


The Device


Android Car Stereo GPS Navigation Radio Player Camecho 2 Din 10'' Touch Screen Bluetooth WIFI FM Receiver Mobile Phone Mirror Link with Dual USB + Back Camera


Android Launcher
AGAMA Car Launcher - Apps on Google Play
Other launchers are available….

Memory Stick for Additional Storage
SanDisk Ultra Fit 64 GB USB 3.1 Flash Drive Up to 130 MB/s Read

Waterproof Plugs

IP68 SP21 Aviation Plug Socket Connector 2Pin/3Pin/4Pin/5Pin/6Pin/7Pin/9Pin Waterproof 500V 30A(12pin)

4 Pin for
Power In +
Power In -
Permanent Power In +
Power Out for Camera +


Waterproof Switches

2 of Coolais 2 Pcs Waterproof Push Button Switch Latching Metal Push Button Switch On Off 12mm 3A 250V AC PBSL-02 (High Head)

Power
Back Light/Night Dimming
Camera

FM Antenna

Stuck in the top of the box next to the GPS Antenna

1 Pcs Car Radio Antenna FM Radio Antenna Patch Universal Windshield Paste 5M （Black） (black)

Gadget
Bit of old wet suit to make a gasket.

AV Sockets

Old SCART to phono Adaptor for Phone Sockets

Marine ply I had in the garage

M6 Machine Screw/Wood Screw studs
M6 Dome Nuts

Plywood Enclosure





Gasket



Rear Panel



Phone sockets are for:
Reversing Camera Video In
Audio in
Not quite sure what I am going to use the reversing camera for. I may try and stick it up the mast!


Launcher



Navionics



FM Radio



Music Player



Plus any other Android app I choose to install...

 

[gregcope]

Nice. How bright is the screen?

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

Nice. How bright is the screen?

Very....
Much brighter than my Samsung tablet.
And no issue with charging not being able to keep up with the battery drain on full brightness.

 

[Stingo]

I'm hoping you've written up a blog or sumsuch with all the gory technical details?

A few suggestions for the reversing camera: engine room, cockpit intruder alarm, mast top looking about 50 yards ahead (think uncharted reefs).

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

I'm hoping you've written up a blog or sumsuch with all the gory technical details?

A few suggestions for the reversing camera: engine room, cockpit intruder alarm, mast top looking about 50 yards ahead (think uncharted reefs).

I have the same info in a word document.
What else would you like to know?

 

[pandos]

Looks excellent.. can you put ais overlay on the charts.. looks like a solution to frail mini USB connectors...

Presume once the inards are kept dry and sealed that it could exist under a sprayhood...?

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

Looks excellent.. can you put ais overlay on the charts.. looks like a solution to frail mini USB connectors...

Presume once the inards are kept dry and sealed that it could exist under a sprayhood...?

Yes, I already have a Yakker NMEA WiFi bridge and a Matsutec AIS. Have had AIS working on my Samsung tab so it should work with this also.


My plan is to put it under the spray hood, with the ability to take it below for Netflix etc when in port.

 

[fredrussell]

Looks good. How did you get Navionics onto it? Can you install apps on a car radio?

 

[Sandy]

Nice. How bright is the screen?

Can you receive LW for the shipping forecast?

 

[fifer]

I'm really curious about how well this runs Navionics. On the face of it, as android devices go, the car stereo isn't a performance powerhouse. With 1GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM space, it may struggle to load the charts up and deal with processing and displaying incoming NMEA data such as AIS.

Its a nice idea though and I wonder how well it would run OpenCPN. My boat stereo is up for a replacement so I would certainly consider this.

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

Looks good. How did you get Navionics onto it? Can you install apps on a car radio?

It is standard Android.
Connected to WiFi at home/mobile phone hotspot and off you go...

 

[JumbleDuck]

It is standard Android.

With Play Store access? Impressive project!

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

Can you receive LW for the shipping forecast?

This head unit does not, but others do...
Having said that. I don't think I have bothered getting a F/C from LW in over 20 years.
Tend to use Coast Guard, Radio4 FM, apps/internet these days.

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

With Play Store access? Impressive project!

Full Play Store access

 

[pandos]

I have just ordered similar on Wish .com for €75 euros incl delivery to Ireland..

 

[JohnGC]

Looks great.

Which version of Android is it running?

 

[Jungle Jim]

How about having the camera up the mast but looking down just in front of the bow for fine control of position when picking up a mooring bouy?

 

[[163233]]

And no issue with charging not being able to keep up with the battery drain on full brightness.

...I'm glad someone has been reading me banging on about that...

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

I'm really curious about how well this runs Navionics. On the face of it, as android devices go, the car stereo isn't a performance powerhouse. With 1GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM space, it may struggle to load the charts up and deal with processing and displaying incoming NMEA data such as AIS.

Its a nice idea though and I wonder how well it would run OpenCPN. My boat stereo is up for a replacement so I would certainly consider this.

It works fine on the bench.
Will report back when we are allowed out again.

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

Looks great.

Which version of Android is it running?

It's running Android 9