Todd Barney Supporting Member | Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 5,442 |
Todd Barney
Supporting Member
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 5,442
Just thought I would pop in and say thanks for the info in the this thread. Based partially on what I learned here, along with some Google-fu, I decided to get the Atoto A6 Pro A6Y2721PRB (with buttons, no gestures) for Christmas, to install in my NA6. I've had the stock headunit since I bought the car new. It's been worked on twice by Jeff Anderson, so I had aux input and bass boost. But I wanted a better BT hands free solution (GA has a hands-free law in place now) and more integrated music and navigation.
My unit was ordered 12/22 via Amazon, and came with the latest firmware already installed, so I haven't done any FW or MCU updates.
Here it is at the moment, running the CarWebGuru launcher. I may or may not stick with that launcher; it's not doing everything I want it to right now, but I'm still learning it.
I still have work to do to complete the finish panel around the unit.
I re-used my OEM cage for mounting. I removed the rear support bracket, because it was interfering with a good fit, but the Atoto unit is so lightweight compared to the OEM that I don't think I'll miss it. Here you can see which mounting holes I used - the large washer is because the slot is a little too big for the mounting screw:
Mounted this way, I have the usual gap at the bottom of the unit, not to mention that I'd prefer a cleaner face all the way around, instead of looking at the recessed edge:
(I should probably mention that this is the OEM USDM NA6 tombstone. "JDM Tombstone" not needed for this.)
My brother has a laser cutter, and my first thought was to get him to cut me a blanking plate out of acrylic or wood, to fit into the bottom gap. But after reading more and looking at pics, I decided to get the Jass Performance double-din cage. So that's ordered and hopefully on the way soon.
Years ago, in the age of CB radios and power inverters, I had already mounted 12v outlets in the blanking plate on the center console (I don't have power windows) and I believe I have just enough space to mount a USB plug there. 
I ordered this from Amazon, and plan to attach it to the "quick charge" USB from the headunit: BATIGE Square Single Port USB 3.0 Panel Flush Mount Extension Cable. Right now, the USB cables are simply coming out from under the dash near the passenger's feet.
I placed the GPS antenna above the glove box, attached to the top of the HVAC duct there, so it's sitting about 1/2" below the plastic dash. I ran the WiFi antenna wire under the center console and that antenna is simply tucked under the carpet on the rear bulkhead, between the seats. I haven't tested it for range, yet, though it's picking up all of my neighbor's SSIDs from quite far away. The HU easily connected to my router in the room above my garage even without the antenna connected.
So far, I have to say I'm extremely pleased with the A6 Pro. Wired into my Millenium M600 door speakers and cheapo 3.5" round headrest speakers, with no external amp, the sound is way better than anything I ever got out of my OEM HU. The "Listening Position" screen on the Atoto makes it easy to balance the sound stage.
Hands free calling has massively exceeded my expectations. I tried it first without the external mic, and I won't be needing it. On a top-down drive the other night, I called my wife and was able to have a very comfortable conversation, at regular speaking volume. She came through loud and clear, and while she said she could hear passing cars, it wasn't bad at all and she could easily understand me. (My phone is an LG G6, if that matters.) I was doing probably 50 mph.
Reading reviews, one of the quirks listed was the "backwards" volume buttons. They have corrected that with this latest version. Vol- is now on the left, Vol+ on the right, as God intended.
BT tethering is working well, but the connection is not automatic. I have never run anything like Tasker in the past, but I will be looking into it. I believe I should be able to make my phone drop Wifi and turn on BT Tethering when it connects to BT1 on the Atoto, but it looks like I will still have to go into BT2 on the Atoto and force a connect. However, I have it down to 2 simple touches via a widget.
Voice dialing and Google Assistant is working on this unit. "OK Google" works, though you have to be patient while it thinks about what you said. Tapping the microphone button at the bottom of the screen works a little quicker. Haven't really exercised it while driving, though.
My primary music source is SiriusXM. I'm not a huge fan of the way their app runs, taking over the whole screen and not providing a widget for simple controls, but that's not Atoto's fault. It sounds great, and resumes playing where it left off when I get back in the car. The Amazon Music player also does well.
The radio antenna lead in my car is too short due to the Atoto's placement of the socket on the opposite side from the OEM headunit. I'm awaiting an extender/adapter to resolve that so I can see what FM sounds like on the road.
I'm also happy to report that the dimmer lead works perfectly, dimming the screen when I turn on the lights, and restoring brightness when I turn them off. It's the little things...
So far I'm really pleased. This morning will be my first opportunity to run it with my regular commute of approx 1 hour, so I'll get to see how the GPS behaves.
Happy to answer any questions I can about installing this in an NA6.
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'91 White A, '21 BMW 330i, '17 CX-5 GT, '05 Lava Orange MSM (son's)
My Rebuild Thread
92 Miata Factory Service Manual
