A-Sure double din GPS Unit

[rich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rich]

Guys, I just thought I would report on my experience in buying and installing a replacement stereo head unit.

I wanted one with a built in digital TV tuner, rather than shelling out money for a unit with an analogue tuner that would be obselete in a few months.

I dealt with a company called A-sure, in Hong Kong. I was dubious to buy a chinese product at first, I considered this for months and swapped about a dozen e-mails with them before building up the confidence to buy. Everything seems to be made in China these days...

The unit I purchased is specific for Toyotas, with original fit and plugs etc. It has built in GPS, Digital TV tuner, reverse camera option, dual zone, dual SD card slots (one for Music and one for GPS maps) bluetooth, Ipod connection, USB, etc etc. It's a new model, due to be released on E-bay in coming weeks. They make the same thing for other brands of vehicles as well. I paid $670 with the reversing camera.

I have had it installed for about 2 weeks now and I am very happy. A-sure were good to deal with and have re-assured me that it is under warranty if anything was to go wrong. They had it all set up for me with GPS working etc. They even installed the demo version of Ozi explorer and had that working for me, so all I have to do is buy a license and get some maps of my area (I need help with maps, Ozi explorer maps are so confusing for a new user!).

I don't know how to post photos or I would. It looks good.

If you are interested in this product, you can talk to them directly, the person I dealt with is called Charlie. I am an engineer so I was not the easiest customer for them to deal with, but they satisfied me. Obviously I have only had it a couple of weeks so I cannot comment on longevity.

[email protected]

I expect these units will be popular in the future. Just another option I thought I would let you all know about.
This is my first post...

Rich.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

Same unit as discussed here:

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=6223

The TPO9X1 is sold by by an Australian reseller (who is also a member of PP) Similar price via Ebay or a PP discount is offered if you contact Matt directly via PM.

Mick

[rich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rich]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

Hi Mick,
I looked at all units before I purchased and the one you refer to is a different product. It also looks different with different buttons etc.

I believe the unit I purchased is a completely different unit to the DIG Options product. My Unit has different features such as dual Micro SD card slots, Digital TV tuner built in (no external box required) etc.

Not saying anything bad about your unit, or inferring which is better as I have no business interests in either of these products, just posting it as an option for those considering the upgrade. Freedon of choice etc.

A lot of people are happy with the DIG options Unit, so it is obviously a good product.

Rich.

[Boomslang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Boomslang]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

I bought my unit from A-Sure almost a year ago before before I knew about Matt. From what I can tell, mine is exactly the same as the TP09X1. I've had several issues on the unit and had to send it back to China to be repaired but they have stuck by their warranty and I cannot fault their support although I would much rather prefer to deal with somebody locally. To date they have replaced the GPS module, I had to send it back because the reverse camera input was not working, and when iGO8 packed up, they replaced the SD card. They are also quick on email support. All up a mixure of good and bad. The whole thing wasn't a plug n play, fit and forget project but they didn't abandoned me.

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

where's the pictures??????????????

i've had a couple of these units over the last few years, normally chasing the latest update!

[rich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rich]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

I don't know how to post pictures yet...I'm spending my time trying to get some topo maps for Oziexplorer CE and see that work properly.

All these units look fairly similar anyway......Just buttons in different places and a 7" screen.

I think this is the same as previous models, just with some feature updates (and hopefully bug fixes).

Thanks for your feedback Boomslang, I do get the impression A-sure are good with warranty. I would still prefer to deal with someone locally (for example DIG Options) but they didn't have this model available when i asked. I wanted those features so had no choice really. I would have gone through Matt if that was an option for this product.

The other thing I am after if a more permanent TV antenna for this unit. I know there are some small permanent auto digital TV antennas available, can anyone point me to a website or outlet?

Rich.

[rich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rich]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

The unit is now listed on E-Bay, here is the link:
Same as that listed on the new Hilux website.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0666467303

Rich.

[rich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rich]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

If anyone is interested in purchasing one of these units, the guys on newhilux.net are about to do a group buy of about a dozen units and get them a lot cheaper, about $100 off the e-bay price.

The thread is in the general discussion forum on the newhilux.net website.

I think these stereo / GPS units are all the same in the Prado / Hilux, so it should work the same.

Rich.

[andoland Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andoland]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

Rich,

How do you find the quality of the bluetooth microphone on this unit? I have been looking on the net and the only thing that has put me off buying one is the in-built bluetooth microphone because I am worried that sound quality won't be too good. On our new Prado the bluetooth microphone is mounted on the ceiling at the map lights and my wife tells me that people complain to her that the sound seems muffled and I was thinking that anything that does not have the microphone mounted near the user could be the same.

Ando

[Boomslang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Boomslang]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

I have this unit and nodody has complaint to me about the sound quality. However, one negative thing about the bluetooth sound is that volume in the cabin is very low compared to the radio. When a call comes in you have to turn up the master volume very high to hear the caller on the other end. After the call ends, and it swithes back to radio, you have to be very quick on getting the volume down or you get blasted out of the car. I find this very anoying. If some know how to equalize the volumes, i'll appreciated the advice.

[rich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rich]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

Hi Mate,
These units with the in-built Digital Tv have only been available a couple of months and I think they have ironed out all the bugs now.

I find the bluetooth terrific. I don't have the volume issues as mentioned above, the other party comes through the stereo speakers quite well I find without any adjustments of volume. Mind you, I usually am playing MP3 music from SD card, not listening to the radio.

Boomslang, is yours the new model with twin SD card slots on the front and Digital TV built in?

Have a look at this thread on the newhilux website to get some different opinions and to read what the guys who have them are saying:

http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic ... 1&start=80

The only thing I wish was better is my DTV reception, I have started another thread about digital Tv antennas in the general discussion area. I can only get about 60% of the channels clearly. The resolution of the new digital screens is terrific.

Rich.

[Boomslang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Boomslang]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

Mine is the older version with analog TV (never used). It is 12 months old.

[rich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rich]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

Vijay,
Hi Mate, Yeah, I'm still happy with it. The Model I think is the AS_VSDVB. If you follow the link to the Hilux forum, you will see pictures and more reviews.
I paid just over $600, but the guys on the hilux site got them cheaper recently in a group buy...

E-mail Charlie at A-sure direct and you might get it cheaper...

A-SURE <[email protected]>

Hope this helps.
Rich.

[stewills Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close stewills]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

Vijay,
Hi Mate, Yeah, I'm still happy with it. The Model I think is the AS_VSDVB. If you follow the link to the Hilux forum, you will see pictures and more reviews.
I paid just over $600, but the guys on the hilux site got them cheaper recently in a group buy...

E-mail Charlie at A-sure direct and you might get it cheaper...

A-SURE <[email protected]>

Hope this helps.
Rich.

Hi Rich,

I have ordered one with the group buy from the Hilux forum!
I have been searching this forum to find a thread with instructions on how to remove the current unit from my 2008 D4D Prado.

Cheers
Vijay

[rich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rich]

Re: A-Sure double din GPS Unit

Vijay,
Try the DIG options TP09X1 thread, I think there are instructions in there for removal of the Prado original radio.

I think the DIG options model is the older model a-sure unit, so some of the info in there on installation is still relevant.

I can't tell you how to remove the prado dash as I have only installed these A-sure units in a hilux and Aurion. Except to say that Toyota's are usually very easy to work on.

Hope you have some luck mate