Wireless Apple CarPlay options

[SonicHedgeHog]

Ideally I don’t want a cable hanging from my dashboard but would like Apple CarPlay. I also don’t need a top of the range headunit - something midrange would do nicely. Does anyone have any experience of the dongles that you plug into the USB socket on the back of the headunit to create wireless Apple CarPlay? Can’t believe we’re still farting around with wires on aftermarket car stereos in 2020.

[kingston12]

I’d be interested as well. I’ve had a wired CarPlay unit for years and it has been great.

I wouldn’t want to go completely wireless because using Nav tears through the battery far too quickly if it isn’t plugged in.

Wireless would be great for shorter journeys when not using Nav, and it would stop me leaving the phone in the glove compartment and having to go back for it!

[FA57 VWT]

I’ve used the Car2Play adaptor on my VW for about 12 months, I got the odd crash or reluctance to connect, but it was mostly reliable.

[SonicHedgeHog]

The Car2Play adaptor does look good although I’ve just checked the price. It’s almost at the point where I may as well buy the more expensive headunit. If I wasn’t changing headunit it would be a no brainer but as I am......Frustrating because I don’t need loads of other features that come with the top of the range models.

[markyb_lcy]

I would reconsider wired, simply for the previous comment about navigation apps smashing your battery (assuming you intend to use it for nav).

I’ve seen some pretty neat jobs with sticky cable clips and good phone holders such as the Brodie ProClip. On some cars it may be possible to route the cable via the air/AC vents or such.

I love unhooking my phone after a decent journey and seeing 100% battery. Some nights I don’t bother charging overnight because I know I’ll get a charge in the car next day

Another thing to consider with wireless is that it’s far more likely not to work or be buggy (which CarPlay can be anyway, at least on my two wired units - worse on my Golf 7.5 oem system vs an aftermarket Sony one in the other car).

[SonicHedgeHog]

Good points. All wireless stuff can be temperamental. I think I’m going to bite the bullet and get a mid/high end unit with wireless and back it up by having a cable hidden for battery intensive use. Most of my journeys are 40 minutes of less and don’t use nav so it’ll look tidy 99% of the time but be battery friendly on longer trips. It’s still frustrating though. My car is old but in excellent condition - this head unit is going to worth about one quarter of the whole car.

[LeadFarmer]

Anyone know a good place in the UK to buy the Car2Play? I can only find a USA supplier with import taxes.