The best Vehicle GPS Units & Equipment: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Just FYI, CarPlay has 2 gen versions. The first gen is USB only and the second gen is the wireless one (via wifi). My car has a CarPlay first gen unit, but I bought this on Amazon to convert it to wireless only. Best hardware purchase I’ve made for my car or phone. Just make sure you visit their website to check if it’ll work with your vehicle

2021 CarlinKit Wireless CarPlay Dongle 2.0 Adapter U2W (Type C Design) for All Factory Wired CarPlay Cars, Wireless CarPlay Adapter for iOS Version 12 to 14，The Car from 2017 to Now https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08GLVW169/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_X2DES0KQ5PH70HYYNHNA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This is the one I got, apparently there's a new version for higher ios versions but im on ios 15 and it works great- not perfect but tbh the pros outweigh the cons, i suggest reading the first review on updating and setting up the device, but once it's set up it should auto connect. Though I wish it were like $50.

Mine is the CarlinKit 2.0 Wireless CarPlay dongle. The instructions that came with it weren’t great.. but there is a review on Amazon (by robaroo) that goes thru what to do specifically for a 2021 Mazda. Followed that without issue, and it’s given me no trouble.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GLVW169/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_59D1Y9WWM24FR263KC9C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yeah it supports Android as well. Got it from here: Road Top Wireless Carplay Retrofit Kit Decoder for BMW i3 I01 NBT System 2012-2017 Year, Support Android Auto, Mirrorlink, Reverse Camera, Original Car Knob Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087R9LZBV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VYC0QPNPME60PEV6JD41

Amazon

Posted this in another thread the other day to generally positive comments:

I have used the Carlinkit 2.0 adapter for about a year and overall love it. Once or twice it has frozen up and restarted itself while driving, but no big deal in the grand scheme of things. The 2 big reasons I went with this over Cplay2air are: • I saw many more reviews of extreme audio lag during phone calls regarding the Cplay2air. I also saw a lot of people saying that the updating and settings pages were needlessly complex • I could get the Carlinkit on Amazon, who I know has good customer service. There are a ton of bad reviews about the customer service at Cplay2air and I didn’t want to be stuck with a $150 that potentially didn’t work. For what it’s worth, this is the one I have. Just a differing opinion I thought you may be interested in: https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-Wireless-CarPlay-Adapter-Factory/dp/B08P1GWQDB?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

Conversely, a wireless Carplay adapter works great too. I use the below with a magsafe vent holder for my phone and I love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P1GWQDB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They sell dongles on amazon that adapt it with an app, but some people say it doesn't work 100%. I've personally never tried using any of them.

here's an example: Just search "honda wireless carplay adapter"

https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-Wireless-CarPlay-Volkswagen-function/dp/B089W6NR12

This is the one I installed

Road Top Wireless Carplay Retrofit Kit Decoder for BMW i3 I01 NBT System 2012-2017 Year, Support Android Auto, Mirrorlink, Reverse Camera, Original Car Knob Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087R9LZBV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_S8DFJG2CW8MGJTJW4C5M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I found the install to be pretty fun personally. As long as you follow the instructions in the videos and are very careful with the panel removals (and reinstalls) it should go pretty smoothly.

I got one of these — it plugs into the standard USB port and then bridges to your phone wirelessly. Just make sure you get the one that matches your car's model year.

It isn't perfect, but it works well enough, especially since most of the time that I drive is for ~15 minutes or less.

It’s expensive right now, but it sometimes has big discounts. You can also find the San product for lower price on AliExpress https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087R9LZBV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_1N49XG1GKJ9P0JQ66PF3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Limited-time deal: CarlinKit 2.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter USB for Factory Wired CarPlay Cars (Model Year: 2019 to 2020), Wireless CarPlay Dongle Convert Wired to Wireless CarPlay https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1GWQDB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_dl_JXYK1QNA7GD37305618D

The reason I got this one, is it uses a separate USB to USB-C cable, because if you get the one with the connected cable and the cable gets worn and doesn’t work, your whole unit is toast. With this one, just get a new usb c cable and you’ll be good

This one and I would recommend it.

2021 Carlinkit2.0 Wired to Wireless CarPlay/Compatible with Factory Carplay Cars /carplay Wireless adapter/CPC200-U2W-Plus Black..

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZHCS8R3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Carlinkit 2.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter USB for Factory Wired CarPlay Cars (Model Year: 2019 to 2020), Wireless CarPlay Dongle Convert Wired to Wireless CarPlay https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1GWQDB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_9FBBKZEPHXHHNQE0HP23?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I agree, I think you have the wrong product. Return it and order this. It works in my 2021 CX5.

I have the Intense Blue and my only griped was the CarPlay not being wireless either and recently bought this and it works great. https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-Wireless-CarPlay-Compatible-CPC200-U2W-Plus/dp/B08ZHCS8R3/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=carplay+wireless+adapter&qid=1624308044&sprefix=carplay&sr=8-13

It works like a charm.

Yeah. For the mean time I’m getting this add-on and should come in today. https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-Wireless-CarPlay-Compatible-CPC200-U2W-Plus/dp/B08ZHCS8R3/?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_p=c4ab88b0-3d34-40f9-a53c-afc9e7652f41&pd_rd_wg=BRCUE&pf_rd_r=7DZTQEPGYG4PNQRMSYM7&pd_rd_w=tzRln&pd_rd_r=40df380b-...

Do you have a manual or automotive?

Same here! The road top one seems to be popular. Looking to do something similar for my new to me 2017 BEV

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087R9LZBV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_H1ATTMAXJYJA938XV1VB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

those already exist on amazon if you search for "wireless carplay". There are dongles that allow you to connect wirelessly to most infotainment systems. The issue is that for Android Auto it's a lot more limited and no dongle like that currently exists, only wired. If you want wireless carplay you can do that immediately.

https://smile.amazon.com/Carlinkit-Wireless-CarPlay-Mercedes-Benz-2016-2020/dp/B089W6NR12/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=wireless%2Bcarplay&qid=1605035498&sr=8-3&th=1

Wife has a OBW and I recall having this issue once or twice, but it seems to have not returned. My 22 WRX is too new to tell.

That being said, we are both using Wireless CarPlay adapters and between my last few cars, I haven't had any issues with connects/disconnects on it. I like to keep my phone in my pocket or put away, so I enjoy not having to really mess with anything.

Not sure how this sub will handle/let me do links, but here goes nothing.

FWIW, the wife has the one linked above, and I have a 2021 version that I can tell no functional difference in.

https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-Wireless-CarPlay-Compatible-CPC200-U2W-Plus/dp/B08ZHCS8R3?th=1

I have the previous version of this one, has worked great for over 2 years now

Ima link you bro. This takes about 10-15 seconds to fully connect each time you get in and there is about 2 second sound delay. The trade off is worth it for me. Just toss the dongle in the glove box and forget about it. Really love this thing.

CarPlay dongle

Right angle usb

Don't sweat about wireless android auto/ carplay

Android: https://www.aawireless.io/

Carplay: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1GWQDB/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_dl_EN90013FGJPXVA1DBMHQ_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

We are using these two on our 22 gas xle since we are a mixed family. Both have worked pretty good. Not perfect, but really good and convenient.

There's supposed to be some 2in1 solutions, but some comments made it seem those were more of a hazle.

This has worked flawlessly for 6 months for me, it wont charge it but you can a wireless charger for that if you want to not bother plugging anything in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GLVW169/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the CarPlay adapter. Black rectangle box that I leave connected to the usb and have Velcro’d to the console.

There are some hiccups here and there but it’s generally stable. Get in, iPhone connects to the unit, Apple car play pops up, everything works.

Sometimes you will need to unplug and replug the unit. (1-2 times per month). Sometimes it takes a while for you phone to connect to the unit. Even with those, I honestly would not change my solution.

https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-Wireless-Activator-Volkswagen-Original/dp/B08GLVW169/ref=asc_df_B08GLVW169/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475844097281&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11319018728215294166&hvpone=&hvptwo=&amp...

CarlinKit 3.0 Wireless CarPlay... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1GWQDB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share.

Works like a charm. Every time. Takes about 30 seconds to boot up. But that’s as much as it takes to plug in and show up on screen.

Hello all. I saw a similar video showing the start-up speed/functionality of wireless Carplay on this subreddit a while back, and wanted to add my experience as another generally positive review of the process. I have a 2022 Mazda 3 Select.

After some light research, I bought this CarLink adapter on Amazon

I followed the instructions outlined in the top review of this item, which required some additional steps (primarily updating firmware multiple times before setting up the Bluetooth connection and tweaking a couple of settings). As you can see in the video, the wireless Carplay starts automatically in about 15-20 seconds. There is a small input delay between when you select a song, for example, and when it actually plays. I’d estimate that delay to be about 1 full second. Not ideal, but not a deal breaker for me at all. Other than that delay, I have not had a single other issue with this setup after about 2 weeks of daily use. If that changes, I will come back and edit this post. Feel free to shoot any questions my way.

I love my Carlinkit. I even take it on trips to use in rental cars.

Here's the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P1GWQDB

The price fluctuates like crazy, but there's currently a $43 off coupon.

Once you've got it connected, be sure to update the firmware. You can do that by opening http://192.168.50.2 on your phone while connected to the device. You may need to repeat the update process until there's no more updates to apply.

I got this guy for my 2022 to give me wireless and it works great. Just Velcro'ed to the top of spot where you plug it in and don't even know it's there. 2022 Carlinkit 3.0 Wireless... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GLVW169?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Yes, it is possible to get it to work wirelessly, but you have to plug an aftermarket adapter thingy into the USB outlet instead.

Wireless CarPlay Adapter

I got this one on Amazon, been using it 6 mos. PITA to set up, but once it’s work it’s fantastic. I is also a big PITA if you change the phone often (husband often drives my car) so we’ve learned to take a couple mins extra before leaving if you have to switch which phone it is going to use for car play. It will not ask which one you want to use. It will just ALWAYS connect to the last one used. So the personal whose phone you don’t want to use needs to turn off Bluetooth before you get in the car in order to get it to forcibly switch to the other one. It’s a minor inconvenience for the convenience of not having to always plug in the phone, which really is a crappy user experience, honestly.