CarPlay2Air feedback

[TXcarguy]

I finally received the Bluetooth dongle for my G70. Below is my short review of the purchase experience as well as operation of the device.

• I purchased 5/21 and received 7/14. I did. It rush order this, but tracking numbers provided by company changed and the product went from sitting in China to sitting in California for over a month with no movement.
• After I bought, but before I received, the company dropped price from $159 to $129. They did not offer to credit me back given their price change and the nearly two month wait for the device. Oh well...
• The device is super easy to connect. I performed the over the air software update and was streaming from my Apple Music in under a minute
• You can navigate CarPlay with little hesitation and it was convenient to not have phone stuck to a cord. But there is a key issue
• When I tried to both stream music and run google maps, the little device does not have the processing power and the screen would freeze or the music would glitch constantly. Given that I use google maps extensively while streaming this was an issue that killed the usability of the device.
  
  
• 
  I can’t recommend this thing based off the cost, poor deliver time and of course overall performance. Will be sending back to manufacturer.

 

[NLJ]

I don’t think it has anything to do with processing power. BT transmission speed is the culprit here!

 

[TXcarguy]

That would make sense.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

I’ve had this for nearly a year with no issue.
to start it does not use Bluetooth to stream, it uses Bluetooth to launch the WiFi connection and it uses wifi to steam. same as all other vehicle systems have have build in wireless CarPlay. BMW, GM, MBZ, they all work this way, it is how CarPlay establishes an adhoc WiFi connection.

You have to connect to both Bluetooth and WiFi, once the stream starts the BT is dropped. It should do both of these steps automatically if properly setup and on the newest firmware.

essentially it fools CarPlay into thinking you have a car with a mobile hot spot, it does not interfere with your cellular data, but streaming or map usage does work off your cellular plan where built in wireless CarPlay it works off the mobile hotspot in the car.

I run Apple Maps or Google maps daily for traffic on my drive to and from work along with streaming either spotify or Apple Music with no issues.

when it first came out it has some buggy issue with reconnecting if your phone was on another WiFi AP, when you connected to the car, but since the last firmware update in January I have had zero issues with that, I get in the car and by the time the HU is booted up CarPlay is connected and streaming the last source I was playing, additionally maps will open and ask if I want to route to work or home (Apple function if you are in CarPlay at the around the same time daily, it recognizes routine routes).

The only issue I have with it is during phone conversations there is a noticeable delay, about 2 seconds. Between the time you speak and the time the other party hears you, it is not always present and disconnecting the device from the usb and reconnecting allowing the unit to reboot clears up the issue for awhile then it returns.

i emails their support about it and was told they are working on a fix in the next firmware. That was back in March before Covid.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

I suggest the op follow the update instructions and update the firmware, depending on the manufacturering date you might have the old firmware pre 12-2019

the last update I was able to get was 2-2020 and as stated I have no issue with it, works perfectly, and I’ve moved the device between multiple rental cars when traveling that only have usb CarPlay, and so far it has working in all of them with no issue, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Lexus, Honda.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Also I doubt the manufacturer was responsible for the delivery delay, all things coming from China are being held up in customs in CA. My company has been dealing with this since April we get a lot of our material from China and the delays have been 4-6 weeks since Covid started. In a lot of cases customs has refused to accept and returned the materials for not meeting the Covid requirements for packaging. It’s been pretty ridiculous since this “pandemic” started. Even amazon guaranteed 2 days delivery is taking 3-4 weeks if the item is coming from China.

 

[TXcarguy]

I suggest the op follow the update instructions and update the firmware, depending on the manufacturering date you might have the old firmware pre 12-2019

the last update I was able to get was 2-2020 and as stated I have no issue with it, works perfectly, and I’ve moved the device between multiple rental cars when traveling that only have usb CarPlay, and so far it has working in all of them with no issue, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Lexus, Honda.

Reread my post. Software update was done. Perhaps the older models were built better, but the product I received doesn’t perform. Glad yours works, but mine is going back since the product is glitchy.

 

[tarhoosier]

"Also I doubt the manufacturer was responsible for the delivery delay, all things coming from China are being held up in customs in CA"
Not just China. I ordered a three pack of underpants from a department store in Montréal (I have my reasons). According to the tracking information it was at JFK postal facility for nine days. 17 days total for delivery.
(These jokes write themselves)

 

[FastEddie]

I just update mine today and seems to be a bit more responsive. I only had one issue where the screen would go black the I’d push the Radio buttons and it would come back on. Since the update no issues.

 

[FastEddie]

Update.

Sometimes screen still goes black. Back and forth emails with April in support and updates still occurs sometimes. I’m attributing it for now the fact I’m on IOS 14 beta which may be the issue.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Adman]

Thanks everyone for the information. After reading your comments I am considering purchasing one. Can anyone tell me if I can plug the dongle into the USB port in the center console or does it have to be plugged into the USB port next to the wireless charger? Would prefer to keep it hidden so I can set my phone on the wireless charging pad.

 

[Beefer]

Plug into either...but center console is power ONLY.

One by the Qi has all the data connectivity.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Thanks everyone for the information. After reading your comments I am considering purchasing one. Can anyone tell me if I can plug the dongle into the USB port in the center console or does it have to be plugged into the USB port next to the wireless charger? Would prefer to keep it hidden so I can set my phone on the wireless charging pad.

for CarPlay it needs to be in the front one by the Qi.charger.

i got a small piece of 3m tape and attached it to the side wall of the charging area, keeps it out of the way and my 10s max still fits in the charger port area (g80)

 

[Adman]

for CarPlay it needs to be in the front one by the Qi.charger.

i got a small piece of 3m tape and attached it to the side wall of the charging area, keeps it out of the way and my 10s max still fits in the charger port area (g80)

Thanks Mr. Incredible. That is a great idea. My iPhone 7 without a case fits somewhat snug on my G70 charging pad but will look at doing something similar. Thanks again.