[T-Design]

(EDIT: basic installation instructions and short review: Outstanding Tech Contribution! - Replacing PCM3.1 with... )

I have an absolutely useless PCM3.1 in my 981S, and it was depressing from the get go. Every winter during my Boxster's hibernation I wanted to throw that pathetic POS PCM into the trash and replace with something nice, but every time I checked there were no units that would tick every box in my virtual checklist for ideal unit.

Well, when I checked this year - it looks like there is finally a unit, that on paper does absolutely everything I wanted. The biggest requirements

• Navigation and music library without phone
• wireless Android auto
• wifi internet + movies
• mechanical knobs
• perfect fit with matching bezel

So no matter how busy I am, I decided it's time to stop being lazy, and bring my otherwise perfect Boxster into modern times.
Here's the link in case somebody want to follow... or to lead

Erisin ES8559C 7" IPS Android 11.0 Car Multimedia Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Radio For Porsche Cayman/Boxster/718/911/981/997 GPS DSP 4G SIM Card

Octa Core, 2*A75+6*A55 64-bit 1820MHz CPU, 4G+64G, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, TDA7851L with DSP Amplifier, IPS, 4G Module for Internet, Split Screen

www.erisin.com

I did not see manual, and have absolutely no idea how hard it will be to install, but how hard can it be, right?
DIY to follow

 

[deilenberger]

Very interesting device and reasonably priced.. The rear layout looks plug and play for the Porsche connectors. It includes an antenna - I assume for GPS. It also has a SIM card slot - I assume for the 4G connectivity. In the US that requires an additional charge on most carriers. WiFi I assume connects to your phone, it seems to have a USB cable - I guess for thumb drives or an iPod. Android Auto or CarPlay provide the GPS? If so - that's going to involve your phone and the SIM 4G connection. I see no mention of built-in GPS functionality, but as you say - it's also a bit short on any manuals that describe what it really does.

I'll be watching with great anticipation. You're ordering it for delivery in the US? Any idea of the shipping cost or where it gets shipped from?

 

[T-Design]

Yes, by the description it can have it's own internet (which I am not going to do, no need), or wifi from the phone. And it's suppose to have it's own GPS and maps. I assume it will have usb on a cable that you can hide somewhere in the glove box. We will see. At this price I'm willing to try.

Shipping was $70 from Hong Kong ( ouch) for the total price of around $332.

 

[deilenberger]

I looked at the brand in general - they make a LOT of models, including other ones for 987/981's - but one thing I didn't see on any of them is an option for Sirius/XM. No connector on the back of them (it's a DIN type connector) for the Sirius/XM receiver to plug into.. I'd say that might be a factor against it - but Sirius/XM now has an Android app - so maybe not so much... it just wouldn't be directly from the satellite, but if you have Sirius/XM on any other vehicle (or the home version) the Android one doesn't require another subscription.

 

[ELCID86]

I looked at the brand in general - they make a LOT of models, including other ones for 987/981's - but one thing I didn't see on any of them is an option for Sirius/XM. No connector on the back of them (it's a DIN type connector) for the Sirius/XM receiver to plug into.. I'd say that might be a factor against it - but Sirius/XM now has an Android app - so maybe not so much... it just wouldn't be directly from the satellite, but if you have Sirius/XM on any other vehicle (or the home version) the Android one doesn't require another subscription.

That’s what I do. Wife’s Outback gets the subscription and I stream via the app. (BTW, never pay full fare for XM—call the retention department to cancel and they will provide a discount. I did that for 10+ years and now I seem to be locked in at a continuing discount rate)

/end hijack.

Shawn in VA (USA)

 

[Aqua981C]

Really intrigued as to how you get on with this unit, I spotted it a few weeks ago on eBay and nearly bought it but couldn't find any information about it or a manual, or even measurements, so gave it a miss, but wish I'd bought one now, especially as the price on eBay seems to have tripled in the meantime!

Good luck and will be following with interest....

 

[Kernel Klink]

I’m interested in this as well. I’d love to hear your opinions on sound quality, eq parameters, and general functionality.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Laughing Crow]

That’s what I do. Wife’s Outback gets the subscription and I stream via the app. (BTW, never pay full fare for XM—call the retention department to cancel and they will provide a discount. I did that for 10+ years and now I seem to be locked in at a continuing discount rate)

/end hijack.

Shawn in VA (USA)

I do the same with Sirius/XM, cable/internet, and my cellular providers.

 

[schwinn]

I'm interested as well... so I'll keep an eye out. My biggest peeve with most HUs these days is the lack of a volume knob. Buttons are slow and what's even worse is that my HU (a Pioneer with volume buttons) has two very annoying additional traits - first is that the mute button has a 4-second delay on it... that's just WAY too long. 1 or 2 seconds is plenty! Second annoyance is when you click the volume button, it does a popup on the display with more volume controls, and that covers the presets and prevents you from doing anything else until you tap elsewhere or wait another 4 seconds for it to disappear. Bottom line, you can't mute the damn thing quickly... and/or without having to look at the screen. So stupid.

Anyway, I'd love to see a volume knobbed HU... and this looks nice. I am afraid of the touch-style "home" and other buttons. I had a terrible experience with such things on a previous car (a Caddy, and they were incredibly unresponsive).. so hopefully you don't have that issue.

Incidentally, if you run into issues with wiring, I'm happy to help... I'm pretty good with this stuff. Do you have Bose or anything like that?

 

[T-Design]

Just got a message from the Erisin guys asking if I need to add optical cable... Take pictures and send them if not sure

I don't think I have anything optical in my NON-Bose PCM? I guess I'll have to take it apart earlier than expected

 

[deilenberger]

In reference to the cancellation department...

I do the same with Sirius/XM, cable/internet, and my cellular providers.

I have it as an annual repeating task on my Gmail calendar. Complete with phone number and account numbers. It's annoying that this can't be done on-line, but it seemed the last time I did this (paying $9/month now) they offered it almost immediately.

Just got a message from the Erisin guys asking if I need to add optical cable... Take pictures and send them if not sure

I don't think I have anything optical in my NON-Bose PCM? I guess I'll have to take it apart earlier than expected

If it's non-Bose, about 99% chance there is no optical fiber involved.

 

[mac_flyer9]

I did it (XM renewal) yesterday and looking at next year, it appears they are keeping the same bill ($100) vs the normal default renewal at ($270). Time will tell and I will also be calling.

 

[Cayman Ed]

Following this post...

 

[T-Design]

It's shipped from HK with DHL, should be here pretty fast

 

[Aqua981C]

I ordered one too, shipping from the UK apparently, which is good as that’s were I am! So should be here next week, hopefully. They also contacted me to ask if I need the optical thing or an extension cable, which I don’t think I do, not having BOSE.

 

[Cayman Ed]

Only Bose & Burmester have optical. I would like to wait for your experiences on installation, sound quality, etc. before ordering mine. Did you guys also order the back-up camera Erisin ES580?

 

[canux]

Nice to see you continuing to hack with your 981 T-Design! I think this looks like a really interesting project. The capacitive touch screen would be a really nice upgrade and if it is a perfect fitting bezel it would be nicer than a lot of the other aftermarkets.

My big question is how this is going to work with the ASK amp in your car (if you have SPP). Does it have speaker-level outputs or just line-level?

Can’t wait to see how it goes!

 

[Aqua981C]

Mine just arrived, which was a bit of a surprise as on the order link it was still showing as "Awaiting shipping". It looks good! There is a GPS module included in the package, so that's a bonus, though not quite sure where to put it for best signal. Otherwise I'm hoping - probably unrealistically (!) - that it's fairly plug-and-play, but I'm sure something will crop up, no instructions at all for installation. Probably won't get a chance to try and install it for a few days, but will keep you posted on how it goes.

 

[deilenberger]

The factory GPS module (antenna) is mounted under the plastic cowl at the base of the windshield, starboard side, on an aluminum plate that's above the cabin air intake filter and below the plastic. That seems to work fairly well.. the antenna works better if it has a "ground plane" under it - which is what the aluminum plate serves as (also as a cover to the top of the air filter..) There are several rubber grommets behind the battery area that you can use to route the wiring into the cabin.

 

[Aqua981C]

Aha, brilliant, many thanks deilenberger, good to know. I will investigate this evening!