Wireless Apple CarPlay for bikes

[tight fart]

In the interest of being mean and trying to help other tight fisted riders I purchased a cheap Chinese wireless Apple car play unit for sat nav from AliExpress. Ordered on the 18/3 and arrived today.
All for just under £50, they also did one with front and rear cameras but I didn’t bother with that.
So far I’ve only installed it and connected up to my phone and all seems good.

[Jazoli]

Does it work with gloves on?

Can you see it in sunlight?

Does it adjust for ambient light levels?

Is it weatherproof?

Why do you need it?

[airsafari87]

Ash tray on a motorbike.

[okenemem]

Front and rear cameras lol

[snagzie]

We have the Android thing in our car and its great. I've seen these things for bikes but just use my phone at the mo, but having a Garmin-like touchscreen would be ace for AndroidAuto/Apple carplay.

The prices seem somewhat too cheap though...

[Dog Star]

Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto if that’s your bag) is bloody brilliant, what a great idea. It’s my number one item on the wish list for a car interior - has it got or can it be upgraded to CarPlay.

These “Carpuride” units and similar for bikes make a lot of sense - they’re much more functional with a miles better UI than a standalone nav, you can choose your nav app - maybe you want to use Waze or Google Maps on the road (with much better routing), something like Rever if green laning etc. you’ve got your tunes etc.

There are quite a few reviews of the on YouTube now and so far I’m impressed.

[handful17]

Maybe it's just me but that many distractions would be a dangerous thing for me. It's bad enough in my car but at least I can use voice controls in that.

[RemaL]

Nice job but not for me. don't have CarPlay in my own car so no need for it on the bike.

[tight fart]

Jazoli said:

Does it work with gloves on?

Can you see it in sunlight?

Does it adjust for ambient light levels?

Is it weatherproof?

Why do you need it?

Yes it works with gloves on, a bit fiddly though.
Not really had the weather to check for sunlight.
Yes it’s weather proof.
I didn’t like having an iPhone on the bars, I want it for sat nav for a trip to the alps.
It seems quite good but could be better, it has to be wired in, not a usb lead, so every time you stop and switch off you need to input your pin.
If you’re out all day you’d need to still plug your phone in or that will go flat. Then you have nothing working.

[bogie]

When are you allowed to touch it ? is the same as a phone or sat nav as far as the law goes ?

[tight fart]

bogie said:

When are you allowed to touch it ? is the same as a phone or sat nav as far as the law goes ?

I’ll await someone who knows the law properly but it’s not a hand held device, so as long as you’re in full control I doubt it’s breaking any laws.

[black-k1]

Why/how is this better than just using the phone?

As for the gloves question, that's easily and cheaply solved with the likes of https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Smart-Fingers-Touc...

[MDUBZ]

I use a phone on a quadlock but I guess it means you can keep the phone dry, away from vibrations, and scratches etc and still adjust music and use google maps/ waze calimoto or other nav app - I’m surprised this tech hasn’t made it’s way into most of the new bikes by default already now they all have LCD screens.

Legality - it’s not hand held so not an issue

[anonymous-user]

I have now also given this a go.

£45 to my door, and it looks and works well so far. The only issue is its not simply detachable, you need to unplug the wire and undo the ram mount arm (but it includes one which are expensive here).

I may actually try the next model up for the other bike!

[Crudeoink]

You got a link to this? Having mixed success with my phone on my adventure bike so would like to give this a go for maps

[Dog Star]

Killboy - it’s not clear from your posts - how are they with gloves?

A mate of mine just got a “Carpuride” and fitted it to his bike yesterday - looks really good (although I’d not be using the clunky mounts supplied) and said it doesn’t work with gloves, which I can’t believe. Totally kills the idea of they don’t.

[anonymous-user]

I've not spent too much time on the bike with it, but as I've been using quad lock phone mounts I have these capacitive touch tips added to my gloves so it works well anyways. I will give it a go with the other pair and report back.

The buttons and touchboxes are not as big as dedicated TomTom/Garmin devices would have, so it still requires finesse, and I think keying in addresses etc would best be done stationary, but hitting next waypoint or fuel stop buttons is okay.

[croyde]

I have not gone the route of using a quadlok for my phone as I'm just too worried that I might lose it whilst on the go.

This is a great idea as losing will only cost you what you paid and seeing as everything is on our phones these days.....

[airsafari87]

croyde said:

I have not gone the route of using a quadlok for my phone as I'm just too worried that I might lose it whilst on the go.

I wouldn’t be concerned, those quad lock mounts along with their own phone cases are as sturdy and secure as you could wish for.

[croyde]

It's the cases. They don't make one for my Pixel 3a.

So it would have to be one of their sticky mounts on the back of a third party case, in my case only the sides and back are covered unless I shell out on a new waterproof generic case.

By then I might as well buy what the OP has