I was about to pull the trigger on an 8" VW Xtrons with physical buttons, but just decided to search a bit more and you popped up, so congrats on your purchase. I've recently been burned with Eunavi's PX6 model that promised a lot and delivered terrible software experience (reboots, crashes, forgetting my stations, etc), so I am relieved with how nice this device works and that the fastboot works on your Passat. That's one thing off of my list. So to the questions: how flexible this HU dashboard is? You said you listen podcasts and then scrolled 2 pages - can't you just put that podcast app on dashboard? Can you change widgets? My Eunavi couldn't. Really annoyed me. Interestingly - when I installed Nova Launcher I didn't have Radio / Music / Phone apps available. And the DVR - how does it work - does it record all the time? Does it record to the HU, it's own memory card or HU's card? Do you have easy access to the videos? How's the quality? Congrats once again and thanks for the review!
Hi the dash is flexible, I don't have the podcast player on the front because I don't use it often, I mainly listen to downloaded shows/audio books on USB sticks and they resume when I turn the car on so i don't need them on the front page, if I run out of downloaded shows I listen to podcasts (Which are now on the 2nd page!) I have the radio on the front because that's where i generally go for some news/whatever and sat nav because it gets used a lot.. You can re-arrange the icons to be on any screen just like on your phone, or you can download a launcher and map whatever function to it.. The Dash Cam records constantly in 3 minute chunks to its own SD card. I've had no crashes and the software seems solid 2 weeks in.. Hope this helps!
@Wayslo The fast boot only works the 2nd time you start the radio, first time you turn on in the day it takes 20 seconds to boot, thereafter its instant, but only if you go to settings -> car-> extra settings -> ACC Shut off time and set it to something like an hour, that way if you stop the car the stereo hibernates not using much power until you get back in, then it starts instantly, stay out more than an hour and its 20 seconds to boot up again.
@@StevePond I am aware how this feature works and I am fine with 1h-ish sleep time, but being able to extend it past that is even better. Tho to be honest - 20-30s startup isn't that bad either.
Hi, yes, Android here, sorry not tried an iphone, Ive set up an app that launches tethering whenever the phone is connected to the car, which means the xtrons gets data all the time without me doing anything.. so I don't need to go near my phone, it stays in the centre console.
Hi steve. I just installed this today. For the Car info section, when i engaged the parking brake the indication button is green when i released the parking brake the indication button turn red. I thin it should be vice versa. I managed to swap it in factory setting for the front door but i can find how to change the setting indication for the parking brake. Please advise if you have experience on it. Thanks.
Hi mate, thank you for all of the information in the video. The reverse camera part was especially helpful! Quick question, did your Passat come with factory Bluetooth? I'm just wondering if i'm still able to use the MFD (the multifunction display between the clocks) to view my contacts and accept/decline calls. Is this the case? Any help would be great! Thanks.
No, the MFD (I'm assuming that's the display between the Speedo and rev counter) shows nothing generated by the Xtrons, it still shows phone connectivity and allows you to dial with the steering wheel, but no navigation feedback.
Hi @Steve pond (sry for my eng ), i want to buy (just 9") this model (PQ90MTVL with PX6 for my Golf 6 2011). 1) I think this processor and system it's better then the model (PBX99MTVL with PX5 and android 9) do you think? 2) For me it's important the quality of sound, but Xtrons have the DSP processor? (i don't buy dashcam, applecar, 3G, DAB ecc..) but the quality sound is really important! 3) Xtrons is better then Bosion, Erisin or Eonon? 4) last question... I have steering wheel controls (ok work), sensor (ok work) and i have original flip rear camera VW, i need the adapter convert for signal? it's true? i don't know which to buy :( Thx in adv
Hi Alex, 1) Android 10 and PX6 are definitely better, all of these units have a limited life span as apps require newer versions of android so after time things stop working as you can’t upgrade the android version in the unit, so get the newest version of android you can. 2) The Xtrons is pretty good, it has a graphic equaliser, when you engage the “loudness” setting things get much bigger, the amp easily drives 4 speakers, but if you want more it has line outputs for external amplifiers. 3) Yes, Xtrons is better, they have customer service that actually responds to questions, before you buy write and ask them what adapter you need for your golfs camera, they will know. 4) I think this will work :) www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172302245822. But check with an expert! Good luck!
Alex Spino It’s a 2 year guarantee, as explained on their website: “Beyond this 30 day period, you are covered under our 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on all main items, and 90 days on all purchased accessories. If your product becomes faulty during this period, you should contact us via email to receive technical support in the first instance. We will then arrange for your item to be repaired or replaced. If we replace an item, we may replace the item for a newer or different model and it will be of at least the same condition or better, as the one returned. “
Really helpful review, this spurred me to go ahead and buy one for my 2010 Scirocco. Only issue I'm having is that the unit doesn't power on / off with the car. I'm using the provided canbus equipped harness. Anyone any ideas what I need to do to fix it? Cheers. Also, just as it wasn't mentioned, the media browser for say a USB stick of memory is crap.
Hi Steve how are you feeling with this car radio after a few days of use? Does it seem reliable to you? I found the DSP chip to buy, it costs about € 45 .... Although for the original system it says it doesn't make much sense ... maybe I don't install it!
I plugged straight into the Xtrons with the car connector, no battery drain, I think if you do some googling there is a cable you can cut to stop that, I was worried about it before I bought the unit.
Hi. I’ve just installed this unit in my Skoda superb and I can’t get my iPhone to connect via Bluetooth. Did you have any problem connecting your phone. Great video btw. Thanks.
@Kevin Mulhall Are you trying to connect just bluetooth audio? Have you connected and there is no sound? If so, check that the A2DP app is installed on your headunit
No problem connecting here at all I use Android though, it connectors first time and has done it automatically every time since. I have an app on my phone that detects when the Bluetooth is connected to the Xtrons and turns on the phones WiFi hotspot which then connects to the Xtrons.
buna ziua am o navigatie la fel XTRONS SI CAND FOLOSESC TH-cam CAND MASINA STA PE LOC ARE IMAGINE CAND O PUN IN MISCARE DISPARE IMAGINEA SI RAMANE DOAR SUNETUL CE ESTE DE FACUT ?
If by CBD you mean the small display between the dials on the dashboard then no they don't. The phone dialer and address book does though. No battery problems here, it switches off properly with the key.
If you are going to spend 350£ on this you could’ve bought a Pioneer unit with android auto for 400-450 and the difference in sound and quality is huge
I have to disagree. There's nothing at all wrong with the sound of this unit, it's as good if not better than the stock VW unit it replaced. What you say is true of the cheap as chips Android units but this one is fine. I actually had a Pioneer in my last Passat, it cost £1200 inc. install and was no better than this one and had less functionality. I'm very happy with my decision.
Hi Steve.
If you go into factory settings (126) and under Screen, what is your AVDD and VCOM values set to? I'm having screen problems with mine 😞
I was about to pull the trigger on an 8" VW Xtrons with physical buttons, but just decided to search a bit more and you popped up, so congrats on your purchase. I've recently been burned with Eunavi's PX6 model that promised a lot and delivered terrible software experience (reboots, crashes, forgetting my stations, etc), so I am relieved with how nice this device works and that the fastboot works on your Passat. That's one thing off of my list.
So to the questions: how flexible this HU dashboard is? You said you listen podcasts and then scrolled 2 pages - can't you just put that podcast app on dashboard? Can you change widgets? My Eunavi couldn't. Really annoyed me. Interestingly - when I installed Nova Launcher I didn't have Radio / Music / Phone apps available.
And the DVR - how does it work - does it record all the time? Does it record to the HU, it's own memory card or HU's card? Do you have easy access to the videos? How's the quality?
Congrats once again and thanks for the review!
Hi the dash is flexible, I don't have the podcast player on the front because I don't use it often, I mainly listen to downloaded shows/audio books on USB sticks and they resume when I turn the car on so i don't need them on the front page, if I run out of downloaded shows I listen to podcasts (Which are now on the 2nd page!) I have the radio on the front because that's where i generally go for some news/whatever and sat nav because it gets used a lot.. You can re-arrange the icons to be on any screen just like on your phone, or you can download a launcher and map whatever function to it..
The Dash Cam records constantly in 3 minute chunks to its own SD card.
I've had no crashes and the software seems solid 2 weeks in..
Hope this helps!
@@StevePond It does, thank you!
@Wayslo The fast boot only works the 2nd time you start the radio, first time you turn on in the day it takes 20 seconds to boot, thereafter its instant, but only if you go to settings -> car-> extra settings -> ACC Shut off time and set it to something like an hour, that way if you stop the car the stereo hibernates not using much power until you get back in, then it starts instantly, stay out more than an hour and its 20 seconds to boot up again.
@@StevePond I am aware how this feature works and I am fine with 1h-ish sleep time, but being able to extend it past that is even better. Tho to be honest - 20-30s startup isn't that bad either.
Straight forward install and review. 5*
Are you using an android phone? have you any experience of pairing an apple IOS phone with it?
Hi, yes, Android here, sorry not tried an iphone, Ive set up an app that launches tethering whenever the phone is connected to the car, which means the xtrons gets data all the time without me doing anything.. so I don't need to go near my phone, it stays in the centre console.
Hi steve. I just installed this today. For the Car info section, when i engaged the parking brake the indication button is green when i released the parking brake the indication button turn red. I thin it should be vice versa. I managed to swap it in factory setting for the front door but i can find how to change the setting indication for the parking brake. Please advise if you have experience on it. Thanks.
I just took it to mean, green= brake is on, red=it's off .. It doesn't bother me as I never look at that screen.
@@StevePond I managed to solve it. Supplier send me updated file for CAR app :)
Hi mate, thank you for all of the information in the video. The reverse camera part was especially helpful! Quick question, did your Passat come with factory Bluetooth? I'm just wondering if i'm still able to use the MFD (the multifunction display between the clocks) to view my contacts and accept/decline calls. Is this the case? Any help would be great! Thanks.
Sorry mate didn't see your post, yes mine had factory Bluetooth and the small display in the dash still works as before :)
Does this integrate with the MFD, ie navigation turning and radio stations etc. Thanks.
No, the MFD (I'm assuming that's the display between the Speedo and rev counter) shows nothing generated by the Xtrons, it still shows phone connectivity and allows you to dial with the steering wheel, but no navigation feedback.
Hi Steve, How is the unit holding up? I've read that some of the units drain the battery of the car. How has your battery been ? thanks James
Hi @Steve pond (sry for my eng ), i want to buy (just 9") this model (PQ90MTVL with PX6 for my Golf 6 2011).
1) I think this processor and system it's better then the model (PBX99MTVL with PX5 and android 9) do you think?
2) For me it's important the quality of sound, but Xtrons have the DSP processor? (i don't buy dashcam, applecar, 3G, DAB ecc..) but the quality sound is really important!
3) Xtrons is better then Bosion, Erisin or Eonon?
4) last question... I have steering wheel controls (ok work), sensor (ok work) and i have original flip rear camera VW, i need the adapter convert for signal? it's true? i don't know which to buy :(
Thx in adv
Hi Alex,
1) Android 10 and PX6 are definitely better, all of these units have a limited life span as apps require newer versions of android so after time things stop working as you can’t upgrade the android version in the unit, so get the newest version of android you can.
2) The Xtrons is pretty good, it has a graphic equaliser, when you engage the “loudness” setting things get much bigger, the amp easily drives 4 speakers, but if you want more it has line outputs for external amplifiers.
3) Yes, Xtrons is better, they have customer service that actually responds to questions, before you buy write and ask them what adapter you need for your golfs camera, they will know.
4) I think this will work :) www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172302245822. But check with an expert!
Good luck!
@@StevePond ok Steve Thx, I ordered the adapter ... this week I order the PQ90MTVL ...
Where did you get it?
@@alexspino9780 Hi Alex, I got it from www.xtrons.com make sure you sign up for their VIP program it gets you 10% off your total spend.
@@StevePond I contact Xtrons for DSP chip, they says that's avaiable but how?
And with Xtrons what guarantee / return do I have?
Alex Spino It’s a 2 year guarantee, as explained on their website:
“Beyond this 30 day period, you are covered under our 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on all main items, and 90 days on all purchased accessories. If your product becomes faulty during this period, you should contact us via email to receive technical support in the first instance. We will then arrange for your item to be repaired or replaced. If we replace an item, we may replace the item for a newer or different model and it will be of at least the same condition or better, as the one returned. “
Does it link up with the dynaudio amplifiers in vw?
Do you still have this unit?
If so, how is it holding up over time?
It just exploded, thanks 😃
Still got it, still working, no problems., apologies for not seeing your post.
Really helpful review, this spurred me to go ahead and buy one for my 2010 Scirocco.
Only issue I'm having is that the unit doesn't power on / off with the car. I'm using the provided canbus equipped harness. Anyone any ideas what I need to do to fix it? Cheers.
Also, just as it wasn't mentioned, the media browser for say a USB stick of memory is crap.
Swap the red and yellow power cables 🤙
Hi Steve how are you feeling with this car radio after a few days of use? Does it seem reliable to you?
I found the DSP chip to buy, it costs about € 45 .... Although for the original system it says it doesn't make much sense ... maybe I don't install it!
Hi Alex, the more I use it the more I customise it the more I like it, I have no problems at all! Very pleased with it so far.
I have drain battery problem on my golf mk6. How did you connect the canbus box? Thx
I plugged straight into the Xtrons with the car connector, no battery drain, I think if you do some googling there is a cable you can cut to stop that, I was worried about it before I bought the unit.
@@StevePond Thx
Does the parking sensors work with the unit?
Hi Simen, sorry I didn't see your post, I don't have parking sensors so I can't say for sure, but I don't think so.
Hi. I’ve just installed this unit in my Skoda superb and I can’t get my iPhone to connect via Bluetooth. Did you have any problem connecting your phone. Great video btw. Thanks.
@Kevin Mulhall Are you trying to connect just bluetooth audio? Have you connected and there is no sound? If so, check that the A2DP app is installed on your headunit
No problem connecting here at all I use Android though, it connectors first time and has done it automatically every time since. I have an app on my phone that detects when the Bluetooth is connected to the Xtrons and turns on the phones WiFi hotspot which then connects to the Xtrons.
buna ziua am o navigatie la fel XTRONS SI CAND FOLOSESC TH-cam CAND MASINA STA PE LOC ARE IMAGINE CAND O PUN IN MISCARE DISPARE IMAGINEA SI RAMANE DOAR SUNETUL CE ESTE DE FACUT ?
Hi Steve some little doubts ...
1) when you use Google maps, do the indications also appear on the CDB?
2) Is it true that it drains the car battery?
If by CBD you mean the small display between the dials on the dashboard then no they don't. The phone dialer and address book does though.
No battery problems here, it switches off properly with the key.
@@StevePond Hi Steve! we have an update for this radio, but how do you install it?
2)also with "ok Google" can you call the contacts?
@@alexspino9780 Hi Alex, where did you find the update? I did not know about this?
I don't use OK google, I'll try later.
If you are going to spend 350£ on this you could’ve bought a Pioneer unit with android auto for 400-450 and the difference in sound and quality is huge
I have to disagree. There's nothing at all wrong with the sound of this unit, it's as good if not better than the stock VW unit it replaced. What you say is true of the cheap as chips Android units but this one is fine. I actually had a Pioneer in my last Passat, it cost £1200 inc. install and was no better than this one and had less functionality. I'm very happy with my decision.
"with Difficulty" 😆😂