2019 Taco Joying Head Unit Brief Installation Walkthrough and Initial Impressions

I haven't seen any 2019 Joying head unit install reviews, how to installations, or initial impressions so I figure I'd make a video! Feel free to ask any questions!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzTGZC4Bh-Q

 

I installed the same unit, a couple notes for people considering it:
- CarPlay is wireless and automatically connects within 30 seconds or so when starting the truck, big win
- steering controls for me are un-mappable, but work. The only thing that's weird is when playing via spotify on CarPlay, the down steering wheel control is next song, not the up arrow. don't know why, and the unit won't let me map it. all other steering controls work as expected
- When playing streaming songs (not local storage) there is minor skipping for the first 30 seconds-1minute or so. Sounds like a CD skipping about every 10 seconds. After that, plays just fine. Local stored songs work flawlessly.
- Sometimes after starting, the music will show playing with no audio. If I exit CarPlay and re-enter it, it works normally. Weird bug.
- I don't have a data card installed, so i didn't really use google maps, but it's an option.
- I didn't route my antenna like OP did, I just stuck them in the dash with the HU. No issues so far with reception.

Overall:
- worth $300, but not perfect.
- easy to install
- It looks really good and sounds way better than the muddy stock HU.
- Many options for customization for looks and performance.
- CarPlay++++
- Some bugs every now and then, expected at that price point
- VERY REFLECTIVE, during the day with NM sun out, it's tough to see the screen. I'm considering getting some sort of glare-resistant screen protector.

 

We have a thread, but its not labeled very well the first 3 pages are my audio build, then it turns into a joying thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-audio-build-android-3-way-components-3-amps-wow.576729/

 

Nice. How does the rear camera interface work?

 

Works like a charm! Since the screen is dimensionally larger than the original unit, there's some downscaling of resolution, which is expected. It is nice in that you can change the brightness, exposure, and maybe another 1 or 2 settings on the camera. It does overlay over the camera feed it's own skeleton "you're about to hit the car behind you" lines, which looks a little weird in tandem with Toyota's already overlayed lines.

 

Interesting... unfortunately the AndroidAuto is not wireless (I still do need to do a bit more testing, but I'm pretty confident). Does your carplay run through the zlink app as well? And how is the resolution when you run it?

Good to know about the glare! I live in AZ so I will consider getting an anti glare sheet and cutting it to size.

 

CarPlay is via zlink, and the resolution is fine. I don't notice any downscaling, but i'm also not very particular about that kind of thing.

 

It looks like they make several compatible units. Which one do you guys have?

Nevermind. I found it, but it is out of stock:
https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-u...orolla-tacoma-android-car-stereo-upgrade.html

 

Have you tried out Plex? Curious how if it runs well and transcodes down.

 

Yep! It at least direct streams. I tried out one of the LOTR movies and it looked great, didn't transcode down to SD at all.

 

Been following the threads on here and the one over on Reddit about this head unit as I've been on the fence about putting one of these into my 2018 OR. Seems these units are shipping with Oreo (Android 8.1), which is pretty dated at this point (2017.) I've not been able to find much regarding if/when this unit will get an upgrade. For the folks running this head unit, have you received any additional OS updates or received word from Joying that one is coming?

Thanks!

 

Joying has updated their firmware and some of their software a few times, The most recent one being just last month. As for 8.1 being pretty dated, it works great, the current highest version out right now is 10, and the most current android headunit is one of the px6 units running android 9. Once you start getting 6+ year behind is when you run into issues with newer apps running.

Ive been running this headunit for a year now, not a single issue that hasnt been a quick easy fix.

 

I would probably consider this it they used the OEM microphone and stuff. The JBL unit isn't that bad to make me switch.

 

Hello, that's me.

 

Yea I was thinking the same thing but for the other joying videos I saw it didnt look like you needed a seperate microphone. So I am wondering if I may have just overlooked that.

 

It has a surface mic at the top left. Seems to work okay, but one day I'll hook up the OEM mic. I think I just have to eliminate the amp.

 

Did you think about just adding the new 2020 oem entune 3.0 head unit? I have apple so not sure how well this would even work with that joying.

 

No, because Entune is awful.

 

From my understanding car play is supported with it and with car bridge app anything is possible app wise from your phone.

from this joying unit have you lost any functionality from your your steering wheel control or any oem connections like that? Hands free calling? Etc. thanks for your help

 

I think it is also multiple times more expensive. I made a profit selling my stock unit and going with this.

You lose two pages in your display, and there is no XM built in among other things. There are more comprehensive reviews on the site that go into more detail.