Android Auto/Apple Car Play verses Dashmount Phone

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Android Auto/Apple Car Play verses Dashmount Phone

AKLGUY79

87 posts

Master Geek

#261336 21-Nov-2019 15:09

What are your views and what do you think is safer?

A Car Head unit that can do Navigation, IE using Android Auto or Apple Carplay

Or having a Dash/Windshield mount with your phone?

If you have the Head unit, And you are in Nav mode what happens when Texts come in. I personally like DND mode when I drive but if I am using Maps and a text message comes in it pops up and can be a distraction (often comes in over the navigation data)

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#2358771 21-Nov-2019 16:00

I had opportunity to use carplay on holiday....did enjoy it and would like to have it.....but I'm not going to spend the $7500 + installation for the version of a car play compatible stereo for my car.

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AKLGUY79

87 posts

Master Geek

#2358773 21-Nov-2019 16:02

I am looking at the JVC KW-M750BT been quoted $1000 for the unit, Install costs, this includes the little USB plug next to my 12V port in one of the bays, and the reversing camera through HyerDrive

alasta

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#2358786 21-Nov-2019 16:48

I wouldn't use a windscreen mount as I hate having clutter in the car and it might obstruct visibility.

Having said that, I rarely use Carplay either. I prefer to use the car's integrated satnav, so the only time I use Carplay is when I want to listen to podcasts.

Senecio

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#2358787 21-Nov-2019 16:55

CarPlay / Android Auto hands down.

If you are an iPhone user can configure your phone to enter DND mode as soon as it is connected to a CarPlay compatible stereo. Although to be fair with CarPlay the notification isn't as obtrusive and if you really need to know it is it can be read back to you by Siri.

michaelmurfy

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#2358788 21-Nov-2019 17:05

Yep Carplay for me also. I could never go back to any of the other methods.

Regarding messages - they come through but Siri will read them to you when you tap them.

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scuwp

3874 posts

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#2358791 21-Nov-2019 17:17

Android Auto the same. Use Bixby routines to set up the phone into a personalised drive mode automatically when connected.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Handle9

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#2358809 21-Nov-2019 17:57

Android auto is great for me. I use it via Headunit Reloaded on a chinese android Head Unit.

DjShadow

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#2358810 21-Nov-2019 18:07

I paid the $500 to get the official addon to my Mazda 3 so I can have Carplay (also supports Android Auto), its great that all the car's buttons work with it and easy to have the simple display on the display. Some newer head units also support Carplay wirelessly (uses a mix of bluetooth and wifi)

shk292

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#2358813 21-Nov-2019 18:24

I'd love to have Android auto, still a bit dark that when I bought a car recently I thought it did have this but it only has mirrorlink which is useless.

DIN sized units with AA and carplay are becoming more affordable but VW doesn't do DIN unfortunately

Will be a must have in my next car

wonderstuff

110 posts

Master Geek

#2358817 21-Nov-2019 18:30

CarPlay is great. Beats the built in maps hand down, well both Google Maps and Apple Maps are both good and provide updated traffic info.

Podcasts and Music app is decent too.

I rarely use the older non-CarPlay GUI anymore, feels very clunky.

What would be better? CarPlay over WiFi.

[This is on a Hyundai Santa Fe 2019].

Stu1

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#2358835 21-Nov-2019 19:25

Is the audio through car play as good as a usb iPod connection . I was thinking of even buying a cheap android phone to keep in the car just for music

empacher48

366 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2358882 21-Nov-2019 19:55

I would have CarPlay over a dash mount any day.

We have CarPlay in our Holden Acadia, and when my wife lets me drive it, it is a lot easier to use than a dash mount. However Siri really needs to start learning New Zealand place names.

My work commuter is a Peugeot 407, so I can't replace the factory stereo with a CarPlay model. So I'm stuck with the dash mount and replying to messages on my Apple Watch.

alasta

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#2358886 21-Nov-2019 20:16

Out of interest, what happens if you lose your cellular signal while using Apple Maps on CarPlay? If I'm right in thinking it would stop working then that's surely a significant benefit of using the car's regular in-built satnav?

The other advantage of the satnav on my Mazda is that it shows directions on the HUD, which I doubt you would get with Apple Maps.

Senecio

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#2358894 21-Nov-2019 20:45

Your phone downloads a considerable cache of map data when navigating. You’d have to lose connection for >20mins before you stopped getting updated directions.

Senecio

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#2358895 21-Nov-2019 20:46

shk292:
I'd love to have Android auto, still a bit dark that when I bought a car recently I thought it did have this but it only has mirrorlink which is useless.

DIN sized units with AA and carplay are becoming more affordable but VW doesn't do DIN unfortunately

Will be a must have in my next car

Which model and year of VW do you have? There is a factory retrofit for many cars from 2010 to 2015.

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