AliExpress PCCM Style Head Unit

[Dave997]

So does anyone know if the Gray/grey versions of these match the silvery/grey 987 console? The Silver units look too light compared to the climate unit below! Primary concern before ordering one of these! Debating risking it, or buying a black one and then respraying the climate and other panels black to match!
Also, I've read the entire thread, but still can't determine which unit I should be looking at, brand, spec, capacity, chip etc!! So many out there I don't have a clue one from the other!
non Bose, but SPP w/Amp etc.
Many thanks

I think most are lighter/more silver - plenty of photos about showing the match. BUT owtowsin store advertise both a silver and an “iron grey” which may be a better match? Certainly looks it from their listing.

I’m too indecisive to buy until I can see what DAB looks like in person on one as I’m torn between this and PCCM+ but if you do get one let me know if this is better as I’m curious too.

 

[HMG66]

They are close but not a perfect match. These pictures make it look slightly worse than in the flesh.

Definitely a bit lighter..the problem is no matter who you order from spec wise the silver trim is the same.

For a couple of hundred quid it’s a big improvement. No need to go mad on spec..just use it for CarPlay and the Apps

 

[Bluedan7425]

Thanks. Hence my original question to see if the "Iron Gray" ones are a better match than the silver ones most people have pictures of on forums etc. It certainly looks like they've done this colour to address this issue, but without seeing it properly it could be too dark! lol.
I've debated trying to get a 987.2 climate module to work in a 987.1 but heard it's impossible, or I thought spray the climate and unit below that black, so i could order the black one instead!

Can DAB be added to these units if you buy a different antenna?

I really like keeping things original/OEM, like the CDR-24 from a looks point of view, but it's just awful with an FM transmitter, too much interference and hiss etc.

I'd love the idea of a porsche PCCM+ however, the cost is absolutely ridiculous, it's not even wireless carplay!! But at least the colour matches!

 

[HMG66]

Thanks. Hence my original question to see if the "Iron Gray" ones are a better match than the silver ones most people have pictures of on forums etc. It certainly looks like they've done this colour to address this issue, but without seeing it properly it could be too dark! lol.
I've debated trying to get a 987.2 climate module to work in a 987.1 but heard it's impossible, or I thought spray the climate and unit below that black, so i could order the black one instead!

Can DAB be added to these units if you buy a different antenna?

I really like keeping things original/OEM, like the CDR-24 from a looks point of view, but it's just awful with an FM transmitter, too much interference and hiss etc.

I'd love the idea of a porsche PCCM+ however, the cost is absolutely ridiculous, it's not even wireless carplay!! But at least the colour matches!

I would say the iron grey would be the safer bet.

 

[Dave997]

Can DAB be added to these units if you buy a different antenna?

Yes, you need the antenna and the DAB usb unit:

I just found this on AliExpress: ￡3.42 | The Extra Cost Optional Products Link For OWTOSIN Android Radio Multimedia GPS Navigation 2din TPMS DVR USB Voice Camera......

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EJHIFZO

Hopefully that’s a direct link but you just need to select the option. It’s probably available elsewhere too

Its important that the aerial is installed vertically - found out the hard way as I installed the same aerial horizontally in my defender. They’re polarised apparently.

 

[JKD27]

Like most AliExpress android head units, the microphone quality for calls isn’t great. Has anyone taken steps to address this or found a smart solution? I’m pleased with it otherwise.

 

[Tim_SE]

I tapped the Sadocom Illumination wire into the thin wire on the cigarette lighter (for the illum ring). Works exactly as it should, turn on side/headlights and the Sadocom buttons illuminate and the screen dims (both in carplay night mode and on the unit UI itself). Also managed to set a good yellow/orange colour for the buttons so looks very stock.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll take a look and see if I can do the same … do you happen to recall what colour the illumination wire is?

 

[WilmslowSi]

Thanks for the advice! I’ll take a look and see if I can do the same … do you happen to recall what colour the illumination wire is?

Just looked on my phone and fortunately I'd taken a pic. Its quite obvious when you get to the back of the cigrarette lighter as the illumination wire is much thinner than the two used for the heating coil. Looks to be blue/black stripe from this pic but you will know it when you see it.

 

[Tim_SE]

Just looked on my phone and fortunately I'd taken a pic. Its quite obvious when you get to the back of the cigrarette lighter as the illumination wire is much thinner than the two used for the heating coil. Looks to be blue/black stripe from this pic but you will know it when you see it.
View attachment 109767

Thanks for the help. Just connected the ILL cable to the feed from the cigarette lighter, and it’s working perfectly.

 

[JKD27]

TL;DR - Apple CarPlay drops the mic audio in some cases during calls. Not sure how to fix.

This afternoon I took the whole unit apart and disconnect the internal microphone, as I had thought it was conflicting with my external microphone. On Apple CarPlay calls, everyone I spoke to was very upset that the mic audio would disconnect after every 3 or 4 words.

I went back to call someone and they reported the same issue even after disconnection. When I call using the default radio software, they don't report any such issue - so I've narrowed it down to CarPlay and I'm one internal mic down which I'm not bothered about.

If anyone else has experienced the same and has a fix, it would be great to know. I thought the build quality internally was pretty good, for what it's worth - on my Sadocom unit.

Next I'll be doing some more research on why CarPlay might be causing this issue and also experimenting with a few other external mics.

 

[ogn]

After a year of pretty much perfect use, I noticed today it has lost its sound. I rebooted it and it all works perfectly but no sound at all. Has anyone had this happen before? Any suggestions on how to fix it? Only slight variable is it has been cold. Phone mic works (they can hear me but I can’t hear them).

 

[WilmslowSi]

After a year of pretty much perfect use, I noticed today it has lost its sound. I rebooted it and it all works perfectly but no sound at all. Has anyone had this happen before? Any suggestions on how to fix it? Only slight variable is it has been cold. Phone mic works (they can hear me but I can’t hear them).

Do you have Bose/external amp? Could be power to the amp, either fuse or iffy +12v remote switch on etc?

 

[ogn]

Thanks, it’s got BOSE. I’ll take the unit out and check the connections. I did read somewhere about a similar issue where a low battery causes it. Given it’s been cold and haven’t used the car much this might also have something to do with it. The fix is disconnecting the battery for 5 mins so will try that as well.