Ever since the first 5th generation Camaro rolled off the dealership lot, car audio enthusiasts have been searching for the perfect solution to upgrade the factory head unit to something with more functionality. For years there have only been two real solutions; one from Scosche (GM5201AB) and the other from Metra (99-3010S). Either kit will allow the owner to retain climate control, door lock/unlock, heated seat, & hazard light functionality, but some would argue that both kits lack the “retro” / “factory” look that many of us fell in love with.
It appears that a company called HiCES Technology Ltd. has thrown its hat into the ring with the ANCH809/8300AG. As of today, we have no information regarding pricing or where to purchase the head unit. However, the product rendering and feature list that they have listed on the website (plus the video we’ve found) has many of us drooling in anticipation. We’ll keep you updated as we do some more research. Updates are listed below.
SUPER HIGH RESOLUTIONS (1024×600)
CAPACITIVE TOUCH SCREEN WITH FULL HEAT/AC CONTORL
Compatibility: 2011 – 2013 Chevrolet Camaro (untested on 2010 CANbus)
Feature List:
- Built-in Maps & Navigation
- Wireless Internet Via WIFI or External 3G Internet Modem
- Processor: Samsung Arm Cortex™-A 8 1Ghz CPU
- Memory: 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM
- HDMI Output
- Internal Storage 4G Byte Iand SLC Flash
- 3D Hardware Decoding With 1080P HD Video
- Wireless Mouse And Keyboard For Games Access
- Pre-Installed Apps:
- MSN
- YouTube
- eBay
- Gmail
- Skype
- …and more
- Downloadable games
- Record Live video From Front or Rear Camera
- Air Conditional Control Will Display on Screen
- Car Door Open And Close Will Display On Screen
- Customizable Menu styles.
- Live Wallpaper & Themes.
- USB Ports for Connection of External Devices:
- Flash Drives
- Harddisk
- USB WiFi Adapters
- 4G/3G Modems (option)
- iPhone/iPod/iPad
- USB Access & control of iOS Devices. (Song And Video info Displayed On Screen)
- Live Goolge Maps
- Live Weather Display World Wide
- Live Tracker to Check Where Is Your Car From Anywhere
- Live Internet TV And Radio World Wide Accessible
- Create WiFi Hotspot Inside Vehicle
- Capacitive Touch Screen With Zoom In Out Functions (Option)
(source: hicesan.com)
Special thanks to TBC member, Luis (Zapote21), for tipping us off.
UPDATE 1: More Videos Found
UPDATE 2: Price range: $750 – $877 (shipped)
UPDATE 3: Alternate Supplier HiTS Electronic Company LTD.
UPDATE 4: A fellow TBC member purchased this and she’s in contact with the people in China regularly, trying to resolve some of the many issues with this unit. If all of the software & hardware problems get resolved, we’ll write a follow-up article with more information… until then: “Buyer Beware!”
FINAL UPDATE: (Oct. 2014) A this head unit has been nothing but a headache. Constant lockups that can only be fixed by resetting the entire device using a small screwdriver or paperclip, random issues regarding heat & A/C controls not functioning, and constantly draining the vehicle battery. Numerous attempts to resolve the issues were made by contacting the company in China, but there was never any solution that resolved the issue. (The company in China even suggested that the CAN BUS be opened bu the customer and that they de-solder a component on the PCB; unacceptable) The head unit was even taken to different professional audio shops, removed then re-installed to the proper manufacturer specifications… Nothing resolved the issues with this unit. In the end, it was uninstalled and the factory radio is now being used until the metra kit and Pioneer App Radio arrives. — “Buy at your own risk!”
Click HERE for a much after market head unit better solution!
Contact – Francis Lim
Email: hits@vip.163.com or hitscardvd@vip.163.com
web: http://www.hits-cn.com/contact/en/contact.asp
| ITEM No. | PART DESCRIPTION: | PRICE: |
|---|---|---|
| ANCH809HSC CA / 8300AGHSC CA1024*600 8 GBYTE MEMORY |
+Chevrolet Camaro 11-13 w/ Android System +CANBUS HDMI +PIP +Phone Book +DVR Recroding Functions +Capacitive Touch Screen +1024*600 Resolution + 8GB Memeory |
$530 |
| HT046 R | Rear Screw In Camera w/Light | $16 |
| HT046 F | Front Screw In Camera w/Light | $16 |
| DVR001 | DVR Camera Recording via USB (Up to 80 Hour after Car Key Removal) Microphone (Skype Chat + Video) |
$25 |
| 3G MODERM | 3G Modem with FREQ 2100 to Have Internet Access Functions | $45 |
| OBD2 AND BT CONNECT | OBD2 and Bluetooth Module to Connect to OBD2 From DVD | $45 |
| FREIGHT | $200 | |
| ——— | ||
| TOTAL | $877.00 |
<<< this girl is thinking she should be the guinea pig on this one
Tara, you’re not alone… I’m thinking about it too. (adding contact info to the article if you really want to order one)
I can’t wait! I want to get a response from them so I can get all the information.
Oh hell yeah. I’ve waiting for something like this for a while. The only thing that surprises me is that is doesn’t have internal BT. It uses and external cable that you have to plug a BT receiver into to connect to ODBII, phone etc. The cool thing is quite a few of those options in the price we wouldn’t need, like the ODBII adapter, rear camera and so on that we already have. Brings the price down. Whats you’re opinion on the specs Jay?
Bluetooth adapters are tiny and inexpensive. The “bluetooth module” is barely larger than the USB plug. I’d purchase the one they have available just to ensure compatibility, but I’m not sure about their OBD2 adapter. Tara will have one son enough and if she’ll let me, I’d love to take a good look at it’s capabilities, what is needed / not needed, and read through everything to familiarize myself with all of the features. Hopefully the rear camera in 2012+ Camaros will work with this system and will save people the $16. I’m extremely anxious to see one in person.
wow..so if this is a reality,,,time to hit up some retirement funds…:) do you think this is plug and play? or additional wiring needed for say rear view camera? i can do without front camera..?/
It’s real Pete. I’ve done a bunch of research, but since I haven’t seen it 1st hand I can’t be 100% sure. From what I’ve read it’s 100% plug and play with MOST Camaros. Some slight modifications may need to be made to the wiring harness to ensure compatibility with the Boston Acoustic system… so the word on the street is that 2LT’s and 2SS’s aren’t 100% plug & play.
RE: Front Camera…. I’m sure you said that about your HUD before you got one. 😉 I think the front camera would be amazing!! It’s like a built in GoPro when you use the DVR feature of the head unit. Plus, it’ll keep you from scratching up the new ground effects when pulling up to curbs.
okay well I have took the leap and placed the order. I am awaiting shipping confirmation since Western Union was a nightmare but finally got it all transferred. I will keep you guys posted on the shipping timeline.
Best aftermarket design I have seen. Only thing is that you have to order it direct from china so you cant see first hand the operation of it. You Tube video didnt really help much. Would like to hear from someone who has this system in their camaro if its a good deal or not.
A club member has one on order and I’ll be doing a follow-up article when it arrives and we get some hands-on time with it. 🙂
Guess what was delivered to my house today!
Wow that was quick! Looking forward to all the updates about it 🙂
Any new updates in ref this head unit?
“tlk.piglet” had numerous conversations with the guys in China and we’ve had to jump through dozens of hoops by installing, removing, disassembling, tweaking, and re-installing the the head unit… we’ve got a few more things left to do before we write up the next detailed update. (Hopefully it’ll be fully functional when the final write-up is ready to post.)
The headunit was uninstalled last week. Hundreds of additional dollars were spent taking it to various shops and having them try to fix the issue… The company in China was no help and refused to replace or repair it. The lock-ups (while the radio power was on and screen was off) caused the vehicle battery to drain and the Camaro had to be jump started any time it was turned off for more than 5 minutes.