Any thoughts on these Chinese Nav/Radio/DVD Head Unit knock offs?

ohpinion8ted · July 27, 2012

Hey there...while I know the Advent OGM1 is a rock-solid after-market navigation/radio head unit replacement, and that Walt of ADC Mobile has a great reputation, I was wondering if anybody has tried one of these Chinese knock-offs you can pick up on eBay? They don't come with XM or OnStar. For my purposes, that may be okay as I don't subscribe to either currently.

Check it out here.

Does anyone have any experience, or insights, on these units? I'm seeking your collective wisdom.

Thanks.

Doug_Scott · July 27, 2012

Funny how they don't know what operating system it has, it is either 5 or 6. It says it supports All Maps though, not sure what that actually means. Does not say what it does about signal or warning chimes that I could see, does say it has steering wheel control function, don't know if that means it will work with GM steering wheels or not. What is "External GPS Box"? For the difference in cost, not worth taking the chance for me. The OGM1 connects with all stock stuff in truck as is. BTW, XM and OnStar are not part of OGM1 either. OnStar is part of the truck/car, and in the truck, XM is a separate box

Anyone else laugh out loud when you got to the image showing what DVD they were watching?

ohpinion8ted · July 27, 2012

LOL. Yes - translations leave a lot to the imagination. In this case the seller is US-based even though the unit is Chinese. In discussion with them they claim it fully supports the steering wheel controls and rear entertainment center and backup camera. The GPS block is simply the antenna. You can see it's included in the packaging.

I do recognize that the OGM1 doesn't include GPS or OnStar, but rather supports those if they are already installed. In other words, the OGM1 user interface has an XM interface in the radio's dashboard. This unit does not.

The GPS maps are third-party but included, similar to what the OGM1 is but a different provider.

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth trying. The seller has an awesome approval rating and returns are okay. So....what am I not asking? Or should I spend the almost $500 more for the OGM1?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

AntiChrome · July 28, 2012

I watched the video in the eBay listing and was actually surprised at how decent that thing looks. But, I've bought Chinese knock offs before and they will ALWAYS piss you off some how. There is a reason they are so cheap. I know that an ogm1 is expensive but it is so worth it. It is a great product and you have the customer support of walt also. Now that I have one I can't imagine getting anything else. Anyway, if you do end up getting the Chinese unit, make sure to post your thoughts on it and some pics of the maps if possible. Cheers

AzDragonLord · July 28, 2012

Do the words "Chinese knock-off" mean anything??

ohpinion8ted · July 28, 2012

They sure do. That's why they're in the title of this post. That said, most electronics are Chinese made these days. The iPhone I'm using to respond to this post was Chinese-made. I suspect your computer was, too.

Im moreso interested in knowing if others have any experience with these units, or if I'm not asking the right questions as part of my research. That's the beauty of a community like this board.

Doug_Scott · July 28, 2012

Have no direct experience with these devices, but, I would be concerned about the software involved. Are they legitimate copies, both o/s and gps software. "Chinese knockoffs" can keep costs down legitimately labourwise and component wise, but not software wise. Microsoft will only go so cheap, and I would think they are likely using some "clone"(clone meaning hacked/altered legitimate software to hide the source) gps software. Windows Mobile 5, 6, 6.1 and 6.5 are still live with MS, so they have to pay MS.

Again, this is what would concern me about the actual device, some don't care about that part.

ohpinion8ted · July 28, 2012

Hadn't even thought of the OS being boot-legged. Great point.

I did confirm the the GPS software is iGo....2012 edition...and updates can be obtained. That said - and this is probably my biggest concern so far - there are no firmware updates made available for the head unit.

So.....it's looking like a money for peace-of-mind decision. Other reviews I've sourced are generally pleased with the unit but none of them rave as much as the folks do here about Walt and the Advent OGM1.

Bill in Niantic · July 29, 2012

The ICONs look better than the Advent. But I do like th Advent I bought from walt. Service and support is KEY....

wottenad · August 7, 2012

I appreciate all the nice stuff said about the OGM1 and the support at ADC Mobile, and I'd like to comment on the thought process that goes into our buying decisions and how we decide on the products we end up carrying, specifically when it comes to the option of Chinese knock-off stuff.

Our day job is supplying and installing mobile electronics to local car dealers, so we have first-hand knowledge of the operation and quality of the stuff we sell, and because we run a fleet of mobile trucks to do our service, we find out very quickly what units go out and stay out, and how expensive it is to service the stuff that doesn't. We have chosen the product we sell VERY carefully, and I will not sell anything I don't believe in (and I have a TON of brand new, years-old stuff on our shelves that we won't sell to prove it...)

Although we should all know that 90% of the electronics we buy wouldn't be possible without Chinese parts and/or labor, there is a HUGE difference in the level of perceived quality based on the origin of the design, software or interface(s) used in these products and the quality standards they're built with. By that I mean that although you could have very similar looking units built in the same factory, but depending on the market that it's destined for (generally the North American/European markets have the highest standards in the world) and the internal components they use, it may make a HUGE difference in the way you perceive the product and whether or not you'd decide to buy it.

For instance, if you look at the navi referenced here, it looks like it will bolt into the truck without issues and although the finish work is not EXACTLY like factory, you would think it would certainly be worth saving $500 if the only price you had to pay was having black knobs instead of chrome, right? And you get TV to boot! Hmmm...

First off, the giveaway that this unit is NOT designed for North America is the TV tuner - we haven't had over the air analog TV available since June of 2009, so very obviously, the interface and/or tuner section is more than three years old, which by itself is not that bad, but ask yourself if you would expect the latest Pioneer, Kenwood or Alpine head units to come with technology that had been outlawed in the United States for over three years - not likely.

The problem with almost all of these knockoff units is that the positive impressions start to fall off dramatically as soon as you turn the unit on, but you won't be able to know whether that performance is going to be what you expect until you install it in your own vehicle. I've seen the majority of the "upper tier" of these units at CES and SEMA shows every year and I have yet to find one that we would be prepared to back with our reputation.

Let's face it, there is no substitute for quality engineering, whether it's hardware or software, and there's no substitute for quality components if you want to have any kind of warranty for the the product you're buying. It's also a huge commitment to have a dealer network in place in the USA and Canada, and all of this costs money. We have yet to see ANY knockoff product with the same level of fit/finish & quality in the hardware and software as you would find in a Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC, Sony or Advent product. There is no shortcut that we're aware of that allows ANY manufacturer to carve $400-500 out of the cost of a navi unit and be able to deliver the same level of quality that you would get in something else for hundreds of dollars more. It MAY happen in other areas of consumer electronics, but in my 37 years as a car stereo installer, I've yet to see it happen in car audio!

Having said all this, is there a place for these units? Absolutely! If you really don't have the budget for a better unit, don't require some of the features that some of the better engineered units have, or just don't have very high standards for the performance you expect out of your navi unit, then these may be a great option. BUT, you really should lower your expectations and prepare yourself for some pain and frustration, because you will probably be frustrated with some, if not most aspects of these units.

In the end, I think that as we all get a little older (I'm guessing most folks in this forum aren't teenagers anymore) , we generally have a lower tolerance for BS in our lives, it usually works out better to save our pennies until we have enough to buy the real thing, rather than buy the knockoff and spend the next couple years wishing we would have just spent the money and gotten the better unit in the first place...

Doug_Scott · August 8, 2012

I appreciate all the nice stuff said about the OGM1 and the support at ADC Mobile, and I'd like to comment on the thought process that goes into our buying decisions and how we decide on the products we end up carrying, specifically when it comes to the option of Chinese knock-off stuff.

Our day job is supplying and installing mobile electronics to local car dealers, so we have first-hand knowledge of the operation and quality of the stuff we sell, and because we run a fleet of mobile trucks to do our service, we find out very quickly what units go out and stay out, and how expensive it is to service the stuff that doesn't. We have chosen the product we sell VERY carefully, and I will not sell anything I don't believe in (and I have a TON of brand new, years-old stuff on our shelves that we won't sell to prove it...)

Although we should all know that 90% of the electronics we buy wouldn't be possible without Chinese parts and/or labor, there is a HUGE difference in the level of perceived quality based on the origin of the design, software or interface(s) used in these products and the quality standards they're built with. By that I mean that although you could have very similar looking units built in the same factory, but depending on the market that it's destined for (generally the North American/European markets have the highest standards in the world) and the internal components they use, it may make a HUGE difference in the way you perceive the product and whether or not you'd decide to buy it.

For instance, if you look at the navi referenced here, it looks like it will bolt into the truck without issues and although the finish work is not EXACTLY like factory, you would think it would certainly be worth saving $500 if the only price you had to pay was having black knobs instead of chrome, right? And you get TV to boot! Hmmm...

First off, the giveaway that this unit is NOT designed for North America is the TV tuner - we haven't had over the air analog TV available since June of 2009, so very obviously, the interface and/or tuner section is more than three years old, which by itself is not that bad, but ask yourself if you would expect the latest Pioneer, Kenwood or Alpine head units to come with technology that had been outlawed in the United States for over three years - not likely.

The problem with almost all of these knockoff units is that the positive impressions start to fall off dramatically as soon as you turn the unit on, but you won't be able to know whether that performance is going to be what you expect until you install it in your own vehicle. I've seen the majority of the "upper tier" of these units at CES and SEMA shows every year and I have yet to find one that we would be prepared to back with our reputation.

Let's face it, there is no substitute for quality engineering, whether it's hardware or software, and there's no substitute for quality components if you want to have any kind of warranty for the the product you're buying. It's also a huge commitment to have a dealer network in place in the USA and Canada, and all of this costs money. We have yet to see ANY knockoff product with the same level of fit/finish & quality in the hardware and software as you would find in a Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC, Sony or Advent product. There is no shortcut that we're aware of that allows ANY manufacturer to carve $400-500 out of the cost of a navi unit and be able to deliver the same level of quality that you would get in something else for hundreds of dollars more. It MAY happen in other areas of consumer electronics, but in my 37 years as a car stereo installer, I've yet to see it happen in car audio!

Having said all this, is there a place for these units? Absolutely! If you really don't have the budget for a better unit, don't require some of the features that some of the better engineered units have, or just don't have very high standards for the performance you expect out of your navi unit, then these may be a great option. BUT, you really should lower your expectations and prepare yourself for some pain and frustration, because you will probably be frustrated with some, if not most aspects of these units.

In the end, I think that as we all get a little older (I'm guessing most folks in this forum aren't teenagers anymore) , we generally have a lower tolerance for BS in our lives, it usually works out better to save our pennies until we have enough to buy the real thing, rather than buy the knockoff and spend the next couple years wishing we would have just spent the money and gotten the better unit in the first place...

There is also the culture difference between China and North America. Not unusual for the head of a company in China to off himself in response to the failure of his company in the eyes of his peers.

I think China will advance in the manufacturing world, just like Japan did in the 60's and 70's. When I was a kid, japanese products were thought of as crap, now, they are the preferred import product.

scz71864 · August 8, 2012

hope someone gets one and trys it out. I really want the OGM, but i cant afford the 1k pice tag

MikeNH · August 9, 2012

hope someone gets one and trys it out. I really want the OGM, but i cant afford the 1k pice tag

I hate to sound like a prick or whatever but if this deck is something you can afford than to me the obvious thing is to just keep saving until you have the cash for the OGM. If you ever have an issue with this deck, you're out of luck, period. I've had a question or two for Walt in the months after I installed the deck and he is always prompt at returning calls if he's unavailable when I call the first time and that's being 3 hours off west coast time. You'll never, ever get service like that from a reseller of something like that deck. The OGM was a major purchase for me and I'm sure it was for others here too and spending more, even significantly more to have that sort of support is priceless IMO.

scz71864 · August 9, 2012

^ if someone gets one, it works just as well as the OGM, has no issues, then saving a few hundred dollars makes sense. I see people selling OGMs every now and then, if one pops up for the right price, ill try and get it.