Generic solution to add Apple Carplay?

[MrCheese]

I'm looking to buy a second car to do quite long motorway journeys so I'd like a car with a head unit that has Apple Carplay for navigation, listening to podcasts etc.

I'd be looking at cars from approx 2014 onwards, so quite modern but generally not with Carplay. I'm considering an extremely wide range of cars from a Ford Mondeo to a Maserati Ghibli.

I am quite happy to budget for a replacement head unit but I'm wondering whether there is a generic solution for adding carplay to most existing head units? For context, the last time I changed a car stereo was a 1995 Ford Fiesta with a single din unit so things were quite simple. Nowadays every car seems to have a different shaped unit.

Any thoughts?

[Dog Star]

I’d just put a double DIN CarPlay/android auto head unit in; I’ve put Sony XAV something or others in my 159 and Mrs DSs SLK. They have the relevant loom adapters and fibre optic converters in the case of the SLK so the attach to the steering controls and so on. Get the correct fitting kit a they look OE.

I’d stick with a quality big brand, not some Chinese thing.

It’s a few hundred quid but you can easily swap it out if you sell the car - put the old unit back in.

Alfa 159




SLK R171

[Dog Star]

EmailAddress said:

Is there some little box that can simply plug into the video input of a screen?

I dare say so, but how are you going to operate it, fiddly little phone screen?

[JimbobVFR]

EmailAddress said:

Is there some little box that can simply plug into the video input of a screen?

The issue with that is Carplay and Android Auto are both interfaces designed for a touch screen.

In my camper van I've got an Atoto P8 which looks like an old school 7" sat nav.

ATOTO P8 Portable 7inch Car Stereo, Wireless CarPlay & Wireless Android Auto, QLED Touchscreen, HD 1080P Front & Rear DVR Cam Input, WDR & Auto Dimmer, Bluetooth, Remote Control, AUX Output, P807SD-RM https://amzn.eu/d/aaRNRoB

Although I've actually made a mount that uses the 1 din cubby hole insert above a single din steteo. The Kenwood is the best sounding HU I've owned.

Edited by JimbobVFR on Sunday 3rd September 11:43

[dxg]

JimbobVFR said:

EmailAddress said:

Is there some little box that can simply plug into the video input of a screen?

The issue with that is Carplay and Android Auto are both interfaces designed for a touch screen.

In my camper van I've got an Atoto P8 which looks like an old school 7" sat nav.

ATOTO P8 Portable 7inch Car Stereo, Wireless CarPlay & Wireless Android Auto, QLED Touchscreen, HD 1080P Front & Rear DVR Cam Input, WDR & Auto Dimmer, Bluetooth, Remote Control, AUX Output, P807SD-RM https://amzn.eu/d/aaRNRoB

This is the best option. Be wary of the really cheap ones, though. Dims screens in daytime and backlight bleed like you've never seen at night. That brand is at least recognised.

[JimbobVFR]

dxg said:

This is the best option. Be wary of the really cheap ones, though. Dims screens in daytime and backlight bleed like you've never seen at night. That brand is at least recognised.

The Atoto screen was the main attraction when I was researching this type of unit, it's listed as a QLED screen (which sounds like marketing nonsense) but what I do know is it's really crisp, none reflective and has a built in ambient light sensor with auto brightness. By far the best screen I've seen on a car head unit.

Edited by JimbobVFR on Sunday 3rd September 12:21

[S600BSB]

I've just put a Kenwood dmx7722dabs in my Audi S4. Has wireless CarPlay. Fantastic sound quality and super easy to use.