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-   -   Possibilities of installing 360-degree Camera on Blaupunkt Android unit - Long Beach 970 (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-entertainment/269765-possibilities-installing-360-degree-camera-blaupunkt-android-unit-long-beach-970-a.html)

Possibilities of installing 360 degree Camera on Blaupunkt Android unit - Long Beach 970

My neighbour recently purchased a Maruti Brezza top end model (full option) and took delivery of the car yesterday. I was also with him while doing PDI, taking delivery etc. and after seeing the feature of 360 degree camera function on this new vehicle, I am also attracted to this feature and thinking of adding the feature in my existing system.

Accordingly checked with Blaupunkt to find out if my existing main unit will support 360 degree camera which they replied NO. The Long Beach 970 doesn't have a requisite chipset to accept an input from a half-kit. However, it can handle a full kit, but it is very complicated and may take up to one day to do the set up. In addition, I need to buy the full-kit which may cost around Rs.20000 or so.

Alternatively, he proposed one of their latest Head unit - Blaupunkt Fort. Lauderable 900 which support 380 degree camera. The cost of this new head unit is Rs.33240/-(discounted price) and then may need another Rs.12000 or so for the half-kit (interface etc. for 380 degree camera). So, in fact it is going to cost around Rs.50, 000 including fitting charges if I go for this new unit from Blaupunkt.

In the meanwhile, I have checked with one local car accessory shop sells all kinds of car stereos who also confirmed that the Long Beach 970 may not support 360 degree camera. I have asked him to send me the details of other head units with 380 degree camera ready (I believe Brands like Hypersonic, DHC, VP1 etc. are available in the market with a price around Rs.25/35000).

Waiting for the shop guy's recommendations.

Any recommendations from you guys?

I purchased this unit last week, paid 25k at local shop. Price includes installation and Toyota Etios adapter to fit 10 inch display . Price is 25k to 20k online (35k is MRP I think).

https://www.motorogue.in/products/st...le-900-10.html

It does have specific input for 360 camera and DVR functionality in Head unit. I have not installed 360 camera so can't comment on how it works.

MRP Rs.34,999/- and BP offer price Rs.33240/-


According to Blaupunkt guys, we also need to buy a Half-kit (camera+ DVR and 4 cameras) to install the 360 degree camera. I don't have the price of Half-kit which I am trying to get from a Blaupunkt local dealer.

It is way too high. Price should be 23k and 2k miscellaneous like fascia canbus adapter , installation etc.

Again, spoke to Blaupunkt Kerala area Sales manager who discussed with this matter with their dealer in my area (the shop is about 40kms away) whose final quote for Ft. Louderdale 900 + Half-Kit + installation is Rs.38, 000/-(The Blaupunkt original rate - android unit Rs.34999 + Half-kit Rs.13000).

They also deal with Crosslink wheels (Tata uses for their cars) and this Android unit comes with 360 degrees camera ready and the price is Rs.34000/-

Thinking if any alternative is available around.

This looks reasonable price (25k for head unit + 10k for 360 camera and rest for installation).

Other option is to buy 20k-25k cameras that come with built-in DVR and store footage on SD cards. These can be attached as rear camera to existing head unit to provide combined feed. For example :


https://www.amazon.in/Dashboard-Came...dp/B0BVMHDYJC/

I have already seen this unit (AUSHA dashboard camera) from Amazon, but as from the details/images given this one has to be fitted on the dashboard which I do not prefer.

My preference is 360 degree camera ready android unit and not just 360 degree camera support unit.

I have seen a couple of YouTube videos installing CrossLink Wheels 9 inch android unit which looks very nice. I will have to check if any of the stereo shops nearby will have this brand ready with them.

Also have seen many shop guys recommending Hypersonic android unit which also comes with 360 degree camera ready set up. And believe Hypersonic brands are cheaper comparing Blaupunkt and CrossLink Wheels.

Will check with a couple of shops tomorrow and then decide which one to go for.

Today morning I was talking to an accessory shop close to my house who said that he can connect 360degree camera on my existing Android unit (Blaupunkt Long Beach 970) and the cost will be Rs.22000/-. (The Blaupunkt guys clearly told me that it is not that easy to connect 360degree camera on this one since the system is not supported for such fittings.).

The shop guy further has given me the names of a couple of other units he has fitted to many vehicles, which are:

Need for Speed - the price around 29000/- for 4GB/32GB variant.

searched about this unit and found below the video:

https://youtu.be/rLMWm5_fweg?t=14

Maxxlink 360degree camera set up - see below the video:

https://youtu.be/MO654SOAQ20?t=634

Still looking if any other options are available in the market, however I feel it is better to go for new and advanced Android unit with 360degree camera ready set up rather than adding the 360deg feature to my existing Android unit which is 4.5 years old.

Any suggestions?

Update

Have been in discussion with a couple of accessories shops within 3 km radius from my house. Brands discussed are Unplug, Maxxlink, Need For Speed etc.

The shop selling Unplug android unit is not known to me. He quoted to me Rs.36000 all inclusive. Asked them if they can take back my existing Blaupunkt Long Beach 970 which they are not interested.

Maxxlink and Need For Speed (both are manufactured by the same company i.e. Maxxlink international corporation - Need For speed is a premium unit hence known in different name than Maxxlink), both units are from one shop and was recommended by someone who is well known to me for many years.

Maxxlink - 2GB/32GB - Rs.26000
Need For Speed - 4GB/64GB: Rs.35000 - all rates include installation.

And this guy is going to let me know if he can take my existing system along with front and rear cameras. I will mostly finalise this one once he gives a final rate with a price for the existing unit.


Further, since in any case they are going to remove the door trim panel etc. for wiring the side cameras, I am planning to do the door damping also. The shop has got the Maaxxlink damping sheet for which they are quoting Rs.1000 per sheet for a 2.2mm thickness which inclusive of installation.

It will take one full day for Android system with 360degree camera installation (door damping job will be done simultaneously with system installation).

Shall keep you informed.

Does it have in-built Google Maps, or can you install Google Maps from Play Store? Was a GPS antenna included in the package? I am considering purchasing this unit if it can support offline navigation without using Android Auto or Apple Car Play. Thanks!

There is a GPS antenna included in the packet. I could connect to Wifi (Hostpot from mobile) and update Google Maps, installed Youtube.

But Google Map does not work and keeps saying "GPS Signal Lost" every minute, It has something to do with app settings about permissions or version of the app but not GPS. You can Google it, people have complained about this in Google forums as well and it gets fixed in some versions but again pops up.

Workaround suggested to me was to use Waze Maps which works seamlessly so this problem is specific to Google Maps app. This issue is not present when connected to my phone via Car Play.

P.s. My device - Blaupunkt ft. lauderdale 900 - 9 inch (got t installed 2 weeks ago in my Skoda Rapid 2016)

Factory reset the whole system may solve the problem. Car play is using your phone's GPS.

Update on 360 Degree camera installation

I have delayed the installation as I was not able to get a good Android unit of my preference in my area. Most accessory shops have the 2GB RAM with quad core processors (2GB is okay with me but I prefer Octa core). Still, the search is on.

In the meantime, I have downloaded the 'Car Launcher' App which gives a nice look and seems working fine so far.


It comes with the feature of bringing all widgets (or which ever widgets you want) onto the face page which is convenient to use any widget in one click on the icon. Previously, If I need to switch on the front camera, I had to open the apps list then click on ''A/V In'' icon. Now I can directly switch on the ''A/V In'' icon to activate the front camera which is lined up in front of the screen and go back to other features easily.


It seems easy to operate all widgets with one touch which are now available/located conveniently.

Planning to use this app until I find a proper Android system with 360 camera setup.!

I have installed Blaupunkt Ft. Lauderdale which comes with 4GB RAM and supports 360 cams off the shelf. The unit is an upgrade over Key Largo, Long Beach. It comes with proper wireless android auto and car play. You can check out the videos on you tube.