[G8D_6S]

I got the latest version of this unit installed...

The installation was easy - it took me less than an hour to get it hooked up and tested. The sound and volume were great. It automatically turns on to Apple CarPlay wif that was the last thing used. Very sweet. The new screen and layout have improved a lot from the screenshots I've seen of the old version.

However, I've been trying to get the reverse camera working all day and I'm not having any luck. I have a 2012 coupe v10 gated manual. I've read through this entire thread a few times (yes, all 39 pages 😅) at the various recommendations on how to tap the wire for reverse on a manual - no luck. I tried playing with the reverse settings on the unit itself as well - no luck.

Does anyone have any ideas?

If I can't get the reverse camera to work I'll probably just list this radio unit for sale at a discount to help re-coup a small piece of my losses and go back to stock. As badly as I want Apple CarPlay, not having the reverse camera work is ultimately a deal breaker for me 😞

cc: @RNLabas

 

[hari-bhari]

I got the latest version of this unit installed...

The installation was easy - it took me less than an hour to get it hooked up and tested. The sound and volume were great. It automatically turns on to Apple CarPlay wif that was the last thing used. Very sweet. The new screen and layout have improved a lot from the screenshots I've seen of the old version.

However, I've been trying to get the reverse camera working all day and I'm not having any luck. I have a 2012 coupe v10 gated manual. I've read through this entire thread a few times (yes, all 39 pages 😅) at the various recommendations on how to tap the wire for reverse on a manual - no luck. I tried playing with the reverse settings on the unit itself as well - no luck.

Does anyone have any ideas?

If I can't get the reverse camera to work I'll probably just list this radio unit for sale at a discount to help re-coup a small piece of my losses and go back to stock. As badly as I want Apple CarPlay, not having the reverse camera work is ultimately a deal breaker for me 😞

cc: @RNLabas

It’ll be a bitch but you could tap the reverse light itself and run a wire?

 

[G8D_6S]

Update…

I think I really screwed myself 😢 I still can’t get the reverse camera to work. I was (am?) almost certain it was the tap itself - it didn’t have a good connection. I noticed my reverse lights no longer worked and the parking sensors no longer turned on automatically when I put it into reverse. Both worked before I tapped the wire.

To make matters worse, I took off the tap and re-did the wire to “put it back” - still can’t get my reverse lights back. And now I hear a click sound around the panel where the wire is. I’m going to do some research on fuses and relays in that area, maybe something blew.

I am deeply regretting attempting this 😅oh well. If nothing else it’s a (painful) lesson. I’m confident it can be fixed…just a question of for how much. I may have to take it to a shop LOL.

Also, for anyone curious what the latest unit looks like, here’s a preview

 

[bavarianstance]

if it ain't broke, fix it!

 

[RNLabas]

Keep calm and WALK thru fixing the connections and tap - BE SURE you got the correct wire/tap also. It's easy to miss the correct one as the colors can be confusing with adjacent wires and a twisted stripe. Once CORRECT and SECURELY connected, then check for fuses, relays (which is what you're tapping into) to be sure everything is fine -

You'll be fine - this ain't a rocketship - well on land it kinda is, but it don't have them rocketship electronics - not by a long shot -
gee, my medley of rocketship comments was astute this early AM ... nahhh, just kidding - let's just go back to the Keep calm part - then carry on as they say ;-)

 

[Jack94x]

Also, for anyone curious what the latest unit looks like, here’s a preview

Thanks for the video, really useful to see how the newest version interface looks, way nicer and more modern than the original.

Hope you get your reverse camera issue sorted and it turns out to be an easy fix 🤞 Losing that functionality would be a deal breaker for me too.

 

[speedrs4]

Hi

I have ordered, will I be happy ?

Tom

 

[RNLabas]

Good question - I hope you would know yourself enough based on these last 40 pages of info and experiences of the rest of us. I made the call back on the first page and have been happy enough ...

 

[ForceFed]

Once you do the R&D for their product it does work quite well. I have no complaints. Especially now that I don’t even bother with CarPlay. It was torching my phone battery so I just let it automatically connect via Bluetooth and let my playlist keep on rollin.

 

[G8D_6S]

Update...I got everything working again. I somehow blew a 5a fuse in one of the "hidden" fuse boxes on the rear shelf. Reverse camera and everything is now working 💯

A couple of nice little things I noticed on the unit:

• It has a built-in equalizer with zones, bass boost, etc.
• It has a built-in mapper for the steering controls. You can choose the steering wheel control button on your steering wheel and then choose what function that button will do. Or leave the default settings.
• CarPlay is very smooth.

Please let me know if any of you have specific questions or things you'd like to see. The car is still torn apart, I need to button up all the wiring. Once I do that, I'm going to make a more detailed video of everything. I'll try to answer/show whatever I can to help! Should have it all done (video included) by the end of the week.

 

[fooser]

Does the latest units come with the antenna and gps adapters ?

 

[G8D_6S]

@fooser yeah it does

 

[WinterRunner]

Making me think about this..... Does the fit/finish match the factory plastics 100%? Also not a huge fan of the R8 logo, wonder if a little acetone could remove it?

 

[RNLabas]

Making me think about this..... Does the fit/finish match the factory plastics 100%? Also not a huge fan of the R8 logo, wonder if a little acetone could remove it?

I bet it would, but would also blush the matte finish - which btw, is VERY close to the factory stuff around it. I rather like the package and am not all 'ashamed' of it ... fits well and works well - and with the improved splash screen code from technoholic back aways - it's a great visual on boot up.

 

[fooser]

Making me think about this..... Does the fit/finish match the factory plastics 100%? Also not a huge fan of the R8 logo, wonder if a little acetone could remove it?

Looks like the logo lights up so no way to remove it.

 

[reflexgti]

The tilted R8 logo would slowly drive me crazy.

 

[ForceFed]

I noticed that right away. It’s parallel to the button not the screen. Small detail I can overlook for the amenities this offers. It’s so much better than stock it’s not even funny.

 

[hari-bhari]

Just ordered mine! Some install instructions/video would be crap

 

[G8D_6S]

Install

1. Purchase the unit. I ordered it "directly" from the manufacturer (ACARNAVI Audi R8 V8 V10 2007-2015 Gen 2 Android 12 Head Unit Touch Screen With carplay functions - ACAR the best manufactuer for super car Android screen upgrade).
2. Purchase some radio keys to remove the factory radio. I bought a set on Amazon for $20 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JQ56NSF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title) and it had the 4 keys you need. I just pushed each one in until they clicked and the factory radio pulled right out.
3. Follow this Instagram story (R8 HU Install = @always.parked) - someone made a step-by-step guide with visuals. It's super easy. If I had an automatic R8 the process would've taken me an hour. It really is plug-and-play.
4. If you have a manual like me, tap a wire on the rear shelf to get the reverse camera to work. I somehow blew a hidden fuse on the back shelf when doing mine and that was a pain (and a bit scary 😅) but it's all good now.
5. Enjoy an updated infotainment experience 🎉 .

Video

Final thoughts
Overall, I think this is a great solution. It's easily reversible, not invasive, and delivers wireless CarPlay. The factory radio on this car is absolute 🚮. And for $900 I think it's totally worth it, especially if you install it yourself. While it's not ideal for this to be some sort of "cheaply manufactured Android unit from Alibaba", I much prefer it over other options (i.e. a more traditional double din aftermarket radio). A non-car person wouldn't know this unit is aftermarket (assuming you have it on CarPlay). I'm happy to try and help with any other questions the best I can! I'm far from being "mechanically inclined" so if I can do it...I know you can too!

 

[dertizjos]

Install

1. Purchase the unit. I ordered it "directly" from the manufacturer (ACARNAVI Audi R8 V8 V10 2007-2015 Gen 2 Android 12 Head Unit Touch Screen With carplay functions - ACAR the best manufactuer for super car Android screen upgrade).
2. Purchase some radio keys to remove the factory radio. I bought a set on Amazon for $20 (Amazon.com) and it had the 4 keys you need. I just pushed each one in until they clicked and the factory radio pulled right out.
3. Follow this Instagram story - someone made a step-by-step guide with visuals. It's super easy. If I had an automatic R8 the process would've taken me an hour. It really is plug-and-play.
4. If you have a manual like me, tap a wire on the rear shelf to get the reverse camera to work. I somehow blew a hidden fuse on the back shelf when doing mine and that was a pain (and a bit scary 😅) but it's all good now.
5. Enjoy an updated infotainment experience 🎉 .

Video

Final thoughts
Overall, I think this is a great solution. It's easily reversible, not invasive, and delivers wireless CarPlay. The factory radio on this car is absolute 🚮. And for $900 I think it's totally worth it, especially if you install it yourself. While it's not ideal for this to be some sort of "cheaply manufactured Android unit from Alibaba", I much prefer it over other options (i.e. a more traditional double din aftermarket radio). A non-car person wouldn't know this unit is aftermarket (assuming you have it on CarPlay). I'm happy to try and help with any other questions the best I can! I'm far from being "mechanically inclined" so if I can do it...I know you can too!

Excellent write. Thank you for the effort. You got me thinking of doing this myself.