Anyone done a Linkswell radio?
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Fullthrottleguy
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I have installed a few Android Radios, I have one in my truck now as well. I am no expert, but I have computer and car experience ...
IMO - they are all about the same, the different generations use different processors ands Bluetoth components etc. and of course OS.
I like mine and would not trade it, sound and power are great (with a powered sub added) and it just works. I use Car ply most of te time
It does not crash or hang although Bluetooth can be flakey and thats a PIA , I have had to restart 2x and 2x on my phone in the year I have it
The others I installed have similar experience although the guy that plugs in his phone all the time has no issues
the radio is not as good as factory, but I use iheart or spotify anyway
I tried a SIM in mine and others - not something I would do again - just use the phone to tether.
If you are a Sirius user, that is not going work except Linkswell keeps promising it for over 2 years (certification issues)
Buying one from someone or buying from Linkswell is well ....
It really depends on three things IMO
1. Use case - if you use it like a "radio and/or you use Car Play you are likely going to be happy with an "android" Radio - if bought from a good vendor
If you want to start playing around with abunch of Apps and use it like a "tablet, you will likely not be happy (stability issues)
2. More Brand specific - If you like "turnkey" it just works stuff then Linkwell or Autotec are your go to's - while you can get the same HW on ebay or Alibaba these guys don't make anything, they are resellers with some good technical chops - good luck making the cheap online stuff "not a science project" the SW is as much the experience as the HW and anything less than Android 10 and the right drivers etc is a total nightmare at best - both Auotec and linkswell have good support at least someone t0 cal or text and get answers in north america - bit likely you still will be watching videos and downloading updates for the first couple weeks
You can find what seems like the same HW for 1/.2 price on ebay. Amazon, and Alibaba, but believe me its not - this is one case where buying the latest generation pays - stability, and performance, and this stuff is chinese - they 100% lie about what parts are in there especially Bluetooth, thats bad enough with factory radios - worse with these
3. This one could be two different things ... I have found that when the Radio controls the temp controls (AC/heat) you can experience some delayed performance so... just be aware of that
RADIO volume knob- the latest generation Linkswell has this and its great ... the only reason to buy Linkswell over Autotec IMO - if you have controls on your steering wheel and you don't have a volume knob on your model they will be your goto
thats my 2 cents
IMO - they are all about the same, the different generations use different processors ands Bluetoth components etc. and of course OS.
I like mine and would not trade it, sound and power are great (with a powered sub added) and it just works. I use Car ply most of te time
It does not crash or hang although Bluetooth can be flakey and thats a PIA , I have had to restart 2x and 2x on my phone in the year I have it
The others I installed have similar experience although the guy that plugs in his phone all the time has no issues
the radio is not as good as factory, but I use iheart or spotify anyway
I tried a SIM in mine and others - not something I would do again - just use the phone to tether.
If you are a Sirius user, that is not going work except Linkswell keeps promising it for over 2 years (certification issues)
Buying one from someone or buying from Linkswell is well ....
It really depends on three things IMO
1. Use case - if you use it like a "radio and/or you use Car Play you are likely going to be happy with an "android" Radio - if bought from a good vendor
If you want to start playing around with abunch of Apps and use it like a "tablet, you will likely not be happy (stability issues)
2. More Brand specific - If you like "turnkey" it just works stuff then Linkwell or Autotec are your go to's - while you can get the same HW on ebay or Alibaba these guys don't make anything, they are resellers with some good technical chops - good luck making the cheap online stuff "not a science project" the SW is as much the experience as the HW and anything less than Android 10 and the right drivers etc is a total nightmare at best - both Auotec and linkswell have good support at least someone t0 cal or text and get answers in north america - bit likely you still will be watching videos and downloading updates for the first couple weeks
You can find what seems like the same HW for 1/.2 price on ebay. Amazon, and Alibaba, but believe me its not - this is one case where buying the latest generation pays - stability, and performance, and this stuff is chinese - they 100% lie about what parts are in there especially Bluetooth, thats bad enough with factory radios - worse with these
3. This one could be two different things ... I have found that when the Radio controls the temp controls (AC/heat) you can experience some delayed performance so... just be aware of that
RADIO volume knob- the latest generation Linkswell has this and its great ... the only reason to buy Linkswell over Autotec IMO - if you have controls on your steering wheel and you don't have a volume knob on your model they will be your goto
thats my 2 cents
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Intro2Rhino
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- May 6, 2021
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That’s not a deterrent as you can always stream it with your smartphone via all access from Sirius/xm. Even my account is linked to a module that is buried in the garage somewhere.
if you have a 7 or 8” display currently and just want the tablet display, it is a bit spendy. Now if it’s compatible with the factory B/O stereo system in the 20+ superduty trucks and has full range preamp outputs, that’s a bonus as the module to add an aftermarket stereo is expensive to get a clean summed signal
Fullthrottleguy
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streaming Sirius is good assuming you have good cell coverage - I can never get decent signal in Glamis ands some other places (pre starlink) so I was always relying on sirius Satellite coverage - the satelite aspect of Sirius is still pretty appealing IMO
Rockwood
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I did a family subscription for Apply Play for music. Dolby Atmos is an option and we're finally back to CD quality with streaming music. I just pre-download a bunch of music and listen to that. I'm old, new music has zero appeal for me anyway. :biggrin:
Fullthrottleguy
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That seems like a lot of work .. but thats smart
My Buddies make all their playlists and I just use them - lazy I guess
Rockwood
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You can stream as well, but whenever I remember about some song I liked, I just find/download it. Months now, I'm at 40 hours of music, which seems like enough. Hell, if you have the space, you can just download EVERY song from an artist with a couple of taps.
