[Android Head-Units] Doncres:
Here's an initial review for the Ownice K1 (2gb ram/ 16gb Rom android 8 version) and from what I can tell, the first one to appear in English.

Background: This is Ownice's new budget model. No built in 4G support, no DVD slot, 4 core processor, slightly lower internal components (Amplifier, Tuner), TFT screen.

I ordered it on the 11.11 sale for about $200 with DHL shipping and added another 9$ for an external Mic. I ordered the version customized for Ford Mondeo/Galaxy/ S-Max.

Also ordered from other vendors: Ownice TPMS system (has not arrived) , Huawei E8372 4G wingle (arrived shortly after the K1 was installed), and reverse camera that replaces license plate light

Ownice shipped it three days later and it arrived in LA four days after that. From there it was brought to Israel by my kind brother.

Initial Impressions: came well packaged with protective film on the screen. Construction seems good. This is a slim unit and nearly all the connectors are breakouts from proprietary pin-outs on the back.

Installation:

Installation into a 2013-14 S-Max was quite easy as it simply uses the same mounting holes as the OEM unit, and the included connector is wired for the Ford quadlock harness. That said, it included no documentation whatsoever.

1) Connect three rear break-out connections to the back (Quadlock harness, A/V in/out cables, External mic input) and plug the included canbus decoder into the harness

1a) Notice that on harness wiring there is a wire that has a locking connector in the middle that comes disconnected. Assume this is for the reverse camera and connect it

2) Connect quadlock, revers camera RCA. External Mic, GPS antenna, and radio antenna

2a) Notice that they did not include a correct antenna adapter, run to local car audio guy and overpay for an adapter

3) (Spend next six hours wiring in a reverse camera through hatchback (not so easy!)

4) Shove all the wiring behind the unit (plenty of room there) and screw it in, replace trim, voila.

Future items:

5*) 4G wingle arrived a day later so I have only used it with the K1 in hotspot mode, which works fine. I have not gotten around to attaching it directly via USB

6*)TPMS system ordered from DX.com has not arrived yet.

In Use: In the realm of chinese android head units it is no faint praise to say that a unit simply works as one would expect it to, and this unit really does just work 99% as it should. I'll only point out some highlights and a few small disappointments:

+Unit powers on as soon as key is in ignition, stays on after car is shut down until door is opened (just like OEM)

+The reverse camera comes on BEFORE the unit is fully booted (right after the splash screen) so no significant delay there (this was a very pleasant surprise)

+No need to attach extra reverse wiring from reverse camera to car wiring, reverse is already wired via quad-lock

+Steering wheel controls work as they did with OEM unit (but mode button cycles through all inputs, even if they are not installed)

+My existing BAFX bluetooth OBD2 connected fine and works with the included version of torque

+Sound quality with OEM speakers is fine, at least on par with OEM head unit (despite what I've read about ST TDA7388)

+External mic is sensitive enough to work installed in hidden OEM mic location (grill behind map light)

+GPS reception/accuracy is better than my phone's

+Screen splitting works, and is useful

+Push the right knob in and the screen goes blank

-Radio tuner is not as good as the oem unit (I expected this)

-Bluetooth popup to answer calls does not appear for whatsapp calls

-Touchscreen could be a tad more sensitive

-built in media player does not seem to support WMA (thanks to yahoo music (RIP) I have a lot of WMAs) so I mostly use VLC

-No printed manual, onboard manual app does not work, and I can't find any manual online, so it took some futzing and going through the C500 manual to figure a few things out.

That's about it. I don't spend that much time driving these days so haven't gotten around to exploring all the settings and features, but so far I'm quite satisfied.