Best CarPlay screen/tablet??

[Ranger 6]

I have an old car with a very clunky built-in sat nav. I only use it for the phone as I have a mount for that and use Waze for navigation, Spotify for music, and podcasts from the apple app.

Recently I've seen a proliferation of screens, tablet like multi-media devices, which can be used in vehicles with CarPlay for navigation and entertainment.

Carpuride, Road Top, Pedal and Atoto have come up as 'good' brands, however I don't know the state of the market. Is it all Far Eastern cr*p or are there some diamonds out there?

For example, one review talks about 'useless with polarised sun glasses' and other issues, such as connection and cable type.

Is this 'early adopter' phase where we, the consumer, are doing the testing for these things?

Or is there one that's worth buying??

[Ranger 6]

Bump for the morning crowd

[gmaz]

The sponsor of this forum, xtrons, have a good reputation

[simon_harris]

I've recently put a Mr12volt into my B8 Audi A4 - works well and was reasonably priced.

[Ranger 6]

gmaz said:

The sponsor of this forum, xtrons, have a good reputation

Thanks - but they don't sell separate CarPlay screens - only the built in ones.

simon_harris said:

I've recently put a Mr12volt into my B8 Audi A4 - works well and was reasonably priced.

Thanks - but, my car is too old for one of these boxes to work.


To be clear - what I'm looking at is this type of thing - one that plugs in (and could be carried from car to car - added bonus to use in the LR as well)

[Ranger 6]

Hasn't anyone bought one of these things?

[Scrump]

Ranger 6 said:

Hasn't anyone bought one of these things?

Some recent discussion on them, with ownership feedback, is here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Ranger 6]

Thanks, hadn't seen that - very useful

[Timbo_S2]

Mine came from dmpcardesign.com, been in the car about 3 years. Not cheap at the time, but it's still as good as ever. Recommended.

[Ranger 6]

Thanks, but once again, they don't do stand alone units.

I'm looking at this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpuride-Steering-Contro...

....and this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CG68H2MY/ref=sspa_dk...

[polo.blue]

I've looked into this, and there are a few good options out there. Carpuride, Road Top, Pedal, and Atoto are popular brands, but it's crucial to read user reviews carefully. Look for devices with good visibility (even with polarized sunglasses) and stable connections. Many of these products have improved, but it's still a good idea to check for the latest reviews to ensure you're getting a reliable one. If you're willing to invest a bit more, you might find higher-quality options that are worth it.

[keeling54]

Ranger 6 said:

Thanks, but once again, they don't do stand alone units.

I'm looking at this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpuride-Steering-Contro...

....and this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CG68H2MY/ref=sspa_dk...

I bought the Carpuride one, it was a real pain to set up, it just wouldn't play music through the car stereo speakers, just the rear mounted unit. I eventually got it to work but not sure what I did different.

[Ranger 6]

Thanks - I've got this ESSGOO one sitting in my Amazon basket



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CG68H2MY/ref...

Just hesitating until I've had a bit more feedback.

Logic on my choice is that;

• I have a Brodit mount on the dash already and a 7" screen would be the best size
• This one has the day/night mode that would kill it for me
• Just think it's OK from the ad(??) and it's on offer

[keeling54]

Go for it, looks a bargain for £65.

[Ranger 6]

I did......

First appearances are good - quick pairing with the phone through bluetooth. I've ordered a long aux cable as my socket is between the back seats and the supplied cable doesn't reach. The FM connection is OK, but obviously not really good quality audio.

I haven't driven anywhere with it yet, so waiting for that 'journey usability' review.

More pics and comments to come - yes, it does appear to be good value for £65.

[Truckosaurus]

At least a number of these unit allow you to angle the screen towards you.

I've just had a rental car with a big screen on the dash but it points straight forward so you seem to be looking sideways at it and seems worse than my usual solution of having my modestly sized iPhone in a mount (which works well enough I don't see the value in a stand alone unit).

[Ranger 6]

OK - so as mentioned, setting up and pairing wasn't a chore. Going backwards and forwards to the car to finish the set-up, each time I switch it on the connection takes a few seconds and works well.

First gripe - no obvious volume control for the built-in speaker. I've knocked/pulled the aux cable a couple of times and then the music comes blaring out.

Second gripe - no power switch. In my car the power stays on to the cig lighter socket, so switching off and walking away from the car doesn't disconnect or switch off the unit. No problem really as I have switchable sockets on a fly lead from the battery (for other things - e.g. dash cam)

here's a couple of shots from the initial setup - Home Screen and connected to Waze.

[sugerbear]

I have a roadtop 10 inch in my first gen xc90. Excellent bit of kit but it did cost me over £200 when i purchased it.

Never had an issue with it, screen is ok. The only downsides are the connections (i use aux in on startup but then switch to bluetooth).

I have never been able to get the unit to connect to the car bluetooth, so just use aux on startup and then have to switch the phone to the cars bluetooth. Annoys me that you cant configure carplay within the phone to connect to the car bluetooth for audio and the head unit just for the display, but that is just one of things i have to live with.

[Ranger 6]

I did try connecting to the cars bluetooth as well, but like you, no good.

Yet to experience a phone call in the car, as I don't know if it'll go through the display or the car system. I'm going to the Brecons this weekend so will see what happens.

I tried the FM connection for music, but the quality was just FM - the aux cable made a noticeable difference.

[Davejag]

I used Carpuride works well

But I’d now gamble on a cheap alternative express one