4 replies to this topic

[roblightbody]

Hi,

 

Until quite recently, Android phones used to do a standalone version of Android Auto which worked nicely - I just had my phone in landscape mode on top of the dash.  They've stopped this feature now, and I find the new equivalent is too fiddly to use so I went looking for another solution and found this - bought new on ebay for £130 - its a Carpuride W701.

 

There seem to be various versions with different levels of functionality and different prices.  You plug it into your cigar lighter.  You connect it to your phone with bluetooth and then just as with any modern car  you plug the USB cable into your phone - at that point for me, Android Auto springs into life and works just as it does in my modern daily car.  My main use will be for navigation as I've come to rely on it for traffic.

 

I have a single din stereo in my Mini, and because its in its original location (and I don't want to move it) there was no point upgrading it to one with a touchscreen, because I can't reach it.

 

Its removable - it comes with 2 brackets (permanent and suction) but you can remove the unit from both.  You could have a bracket in two cars and move it between them.  It charges your phone at 2.1A which is decent.  For audio it connects to your car stereo via FM or Aux.  I think you're meant to be able to use Bluetooth too but I've not figured that out yet.  That side of things is a bit complex because my phone is already set to bluetooth onto the car stereo.  It also has a speaker built in, which in a Mini is only good for up to 20mph - I've disabled it.  The instruction book is one of those very badly translated ones which makes you laugh

 

I don't think its perfect, but I think its worth what I paid for it.  Happy to answer any questions and there's also a youtube channel - Carpuride - YouTube

 

I think there will probably be an avalanche of this type of device appearing now from China, interested to hear if anyone else has bought something similar or better and what they think.

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Edited by roblightbody, 17 May 2022 - 02:36 PM.

[stuart bowes]

I've been giving thought to how I'm going to do mine.. I'm no purist and definitely have no interest in an older style single din..

 

I've got a double din touchscreen android auto in my Volvo, and the only thing I don't like about it is the positioning being slightly too low which draws your eye too far away from windscreen when looking at satnav (although to be fair the directions are verbal as well..) it's handy having the 'hey google' voice commands (when it decides to actually obey you..) and obviously the handsfree phone is a no-brainer

 

the problem with a mini of course is being higher mounted would need some sort of box which sticks out from the dash because at the top the dash is only like 50mm deep.. so it needs a bit of thought, a flat screen option like this would be better, just permanently wired in and built in as part of the dash (for my personal preferences)

 

in terms of clocks and dials though I still prefer old style round physical dials (white / cream backgrounds ideally) and rows of little toggle switches.. so combining the two would take a bit of careful planning to not look weird

Edited by stuart bowes, 17 May 2022 - 03:08 PM.

[stuart bowes]

how have you got the sound connected up on yours?  the phone is cabled to the android unit, but is there a connection from there to your head unit and speakers, or does the unit just have a little speaker built in 

[roblightbody]

how have you got the sound connected up on yours? the phone is cabled to the android unit, but is there a connection from there to your head unit and speakers, or does the unit just have a little speaker built in

I'm using the built in FM link which seems fine. It can do AUX too, but my stereo only has a front AUX so that would be messy.

[stuart bowes]

Ah ok that's a handy little feature