How to get Apple CarPlay
Discussion
Hi, looking for some suggestions on how to retro fit something to support Apple Carplay in an older single DIN vehicle.
I've seen a Pioneer single DIN unit with a 6" 'floating' screen. Which would seem to tick all the boxes, but is £300-400 depending where you look.
Was wondering if there was a more budget orientated solution to also consider? Not really after anything all that fancy, just support for CarPlay, so that it can be used for Navigation (Google Maps) on trips. Maybe play a digital radio station via a CarPlay app too, etc.
Anyone got any experience in doing this?
I've seen a Pioneer single DIN unit with a 6" 'floating' screen. Which would seem to tick all the boxes, but is £300-400 depending where you look.
Was wondering if there was a more budget orientated solution to also consider? Not really after anything all that fancy, just support for CarPlay, so that it can be used for Navigation (Google Maps) on trips. Maybe play a digital radio station via a CarPlay app too, etc.
Anyone got any experience in doing this?
As above, I've used a couple of Chinese adaptors for Carplay/Android Auto and one by the name carlinkit is pretty decent, around £40 and has wireless Apple Carplay as well as via the cable, I tried a cheaper one but it kept on dropping the connection which isn't what you want whilst driving.
Just be aware it isn't 'true' carplay or android auto on the cheap chinese ones, its uses mirror link, to get proper car play you will need to spend £400ish for a single din such as this https://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/andr...
Mirror link is nowhere near as good as true car play but its enough for some people.
Mirror link is nowhere near as good as true car play but its enough for some people.
It's not mirrorlink it's proper Carplay via the dongle and you can use voice control/Siri via the car mics/speakers.
I've got it running on a decade old tablet and it's just the same as on a F82 M4 and a B8 Passat.
Demo here using Android Auto, also use it with the other half's iPhone with Carplay.
The tablet here is so old and outdated that using it as a standalone without Carplay/android Auto is a painful experience with massive lag when multiple apps are open but when it's offloaded and the phones doing the heavy lifting it's fluid and responsive.
I've got it running on a decade old tablet and it's just the same as on a F82 M4 and a B8 Passat.
Demo here using Android Auto, also use it with the other half's iPhone with Carplay.
The tablet here is so old and outdated that using it as a standalone without Carplay/android Auto is a painful experience with massive lag when multiple apps are open but when it's offloaded and the phones doing the heavy lifting it's fluid and responsive.
Edited by untakenname on Monday 11th April 00:56
Strudul said:
Chinese android headunit with a flipscreen for £60 and a carplay adaptor for £20 off Ebay / Aliexpress.
Job jobbed.
Curious about the combination. I got a Chinese head unit for the Mondeo and a Carlinkit wired adapter, and it's been utter crap compared to the TVR's Pioneer. Waze without directions eventually freezes and crashes Carplay, streaming audio via anything other than Bluetooth is laggy and unlistenable (stutters). Tried all the basics of different cable, different dongle & app, updated the dongle, app and iPhone, all to no avail.Job jobbed.
300bhp/ton said:
Thanks. Don’t suppose anyone has any links to the head units and adapters mentioned above? Just want to make sure I’m looking at the correct things.
I assume mirror link is just like using the HDMI adaptor on you iPhone to plug into a TV/monitor?
Yeh, mirror link is pretty awful, but ignore Jazoli.I assume mirror link is just like using the HDMI adaptor on you iPhone to plug into a TV/monitor?
Any android headunit should be fine ( I've got something like this), and a carlinkit adapter like this (with wired and wireless options)
geordiepingu said:
Strudul said:
Chinese android headunit with a flipscreen for £60 and a carplay adaptor for £20 off Ebay / Aliexpress.
Job jobbed.
Curious about the combination. I got a Chinese head unit for the Mondeo and a Carlinkit wired adapter, and it's been utter crap compared to the TVR's Pioneer. Waze without directions eventually freezes and crashes Carplay, streaming audio via anything other than Bluetooth is laggy and unlistenable (stutters). Tried all the basics of different cable, different dongle & app, updated the dongle, app and iPhone, all to no avail.Job jobbed.
Plays music via USB from my iPhone 6s in the music app in CarPlay, but haven't tried the bluetooth.
I think for single DIN the best solution is just to use your phone as the screen and setup Bluetooth for the audio.
I've got a phone holder that clamps into the (now unused) CD slot which is sturdier and better placed than any alternative I've used that attaches to a window or vent etc.
I've got a phone holder that clamps into the (now unused) CD slot which is sturdier and better placed than any alternative I've used that attaches to a window or vent etc.
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