RE: CarPlay: OE versus aftermarket
Discussion
andrewparker said:
Shambler said:
coogy said:
andrewparker said:
I chose the CarPlay option for my new Golf R and it has been fantastic. In my experience Apple Maps is far better than the OEM VW navigation and the interface allows me to use my Deezer subscription, and easily respond to text messages without taking my eyes off the road. Only downside is that it doesn't work over Bluetooth, but I believe that is a VW restriction at present. Cost difference was £750 for optional navigation vs £100 for CarPlay.
As above.I have the CarPlay option in my new GTi and its bloody brilliant. As long as Apple keep adding their updates - which is to the phone not car - it should continue to be current. Definitely worth ticking the option if you can.
and bought a genuine one for about £15. Been fine since.The previous model Pioneer Appradio + ARLiberator is all you need if you have android. Will duplicate your phone screen so no messing about with their own versions of the software. Cheap and easy!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com....
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com....
I have got a 2005 Boxster S that came with the very expensive PCM option ticked. That thing must have been hideously out of date in 2005, but in 2015 when I replaced it, it was beyond a joke.
For the first few years I owned the car, I fitted a 'Dension' in the boot which allowed me to keep the OEM look and use an iPod and bluetooth phone, but it was always a hassle.
I fitted a Pioneer SPH-DA120 (with CarPlay) last year and it is a night and day difference. I had a few issues at first, but it is just leagues ahead of the PCM/Dension combination. It actually cost less than the Dension let alone the PCM. I had a 2015 Cayman on loan last year, and even the 2015 PCM is way behind!
There will always be the fact of it being non-OEM, though. I actually prefer the look of the new unit as it is all screen rather than loads of old fashioned buttons and knobs. The PCM seems to fetch good money on eBay, certainly more than I paid for the replacement unit, but the car is a long term keeper for me so I will keep it just in case the Boxster becomes rare and valuable in 25 years time!
For the first few years I owned the car, I fitted a 'Dension' in the boot which allowed me to keep the OEM look and use an iPod and bluetooth phone, but it was always a hassle.
I fitted a Pioneer SPH-DA120 (with CarPlay) last year and it is a night and day difference. I had a few issues at first, but it is just leagues ahead of the PCM/Dension combination. It actually cost less than the Dension let alone the PCM. I had a 2015 Cayman on loan last year, and even the 2015 PCM is way behind!
There will always be the fact of it being non-OEM, though. I actually prefer the look of the new unit as it is all screen rather than loads of old fashioned buttons and knobs. The PCM seems to fetch good money on eBay, certainly more than I paid for the replacement unit, but the car is a long term keeper for me so I will keep it just in case the Boxster becomes rare and valuable in 25 years time!
In defence of Halfords they did a good good fitting a DAB Pure unit last year. Struggled to find anyone that was interested in fitting to a Lotus Elise.
Was a bugger to fit into it. The guy was upside down with his feet out of the open top!
Streams from phone, hands free, usb don't need anything else.
Was a bugger to fit into it. The guy was upside down with his feet out of the open top!
Streams from phone, hands free, usb don't need anything else.
I agree its a real problem with current cars. I don't mind driving a 5 or 10 year old car, but I wouldn't use even a 3yr old model phone for example, and do find old satnavs etc frustrating to use. I think cars should just provide a universal type of dock where you then add your own tablets. Could look a bit like the current mercedes dash but with your own choice of tablet, maybe with a car specific front end to the software to make easier to use.
I've only used Android Auto briefly, whereas I've used CarPlay a bit more. However it really does boil down to which ecosystem you are invested in. I found CarPlay worked well with my iPhone, but as I'm not too familiar with Android I didn't find it as intuitive. There are also more options for CarPlay at the moment, although the hardware to run them is essentially the same.
Halfords fitted a Sony double din had unit into my Ford focus a year or so ago. It replaced the factory fit Sony unit, but gave me bluetooth (phone audio through the car speakers, including nav) plus the ability to stream audio from my phone or usb. I'm really pleased with it.
Some issues with the install as it needs a particular fascia, which the guy in halfords didn't know about (I eventually went to a specialist who knew exactly which one to get).
I spent a lot of time in my yoof putting amps, 6x9s and subs into various cars and install these days is like falling off a log comparitively. Autoleads and competitors means that changing a head unit is essentially plug and play, including keeping the oem steering wheel controls.
But I still paid halfords to do it because I have less time and inclination to mess about with these things now.
Meanwhile the LCD display in the dash of my recent model Audi has died.
So I'm a big fan of aftermarket.
Some issues with the install as it needs a particular fascia, which the guy in halfords didn't know about (I eventually went to a specialist who knew exactly which one to get).
I spent a lot of time in my yoof putting amps, 6x9s and subs into various cars and install these days is like falling off a log comparitively. Autoleads and competitors means that changing a head unit is essentially plug and play, including keeping the oem steering wheel controls.
But I still paid halfords to do it because I have less time and inclination to mess about with these things now.
Meanwhile the LCD display in the dash of my recent model Audi has died.
So I'm a big fan of aftermarket.
Edited by NelsonP on Wednesday 13th January 22:48
Edited by NelsonP on Wednesday 13th January 22:48
The upgrade on my clio 182 when I wanted DAB to mainly listen to 6 music cost less than £200 at a long established car audio centre local to me. Pioneer cd/usb/dab head unit with 4 new 5.25" pioneer speakers including screen aerial. Totally transformed the ICE of the car for hardly any money. Almost perfect dab signal too. No worse than brand new cars I've been in factory fitted.
This is PH slipping to a new low. Dan would you genuinely and honestly recommend a friend go to their local Kwik Fit to let the apes there pull their car interior apart to fit a stereo? I'm sure your carefully set up experience organized by the marketing team was very smooth, but can you put your hand on your heart and say that it is in any way indicative of what your readers could expect?
The site will be regurgitating manufacturer and corporate press releases verbatim at this rate. Oh, no, wait a sec....
The site will be regurgitating manufacturer and corporate press releases verbatim at this rate. Oh, no, wait a sec....
Esseesse said:
Agree with the first post about the e39/46 16:9 sat nav, there's really nothing wrong with it at all and it looks pretty good. Amazing given it's age. The business nav mentioned in the article does look dreadful though, I didn't know it existed.
Apart from the Postcode entry which is highly irritating if you don't have the road name handy. Tom Toms of the time had full Postcode entry. E46 nav also doesn't cope with traffic very well or cope with turning off to go down a faster route but like you say not bad for an old unit.BVB said:
Cars are for driving, this infotainment crap means nothing to me. Imagine this turd-ola in an F40. Use your phone for nav, or keep a map in the car.
I know what you mean, but most of the journeys that most people make are out of necessity. I am much happier being able to use nav at the touch of a button rather than stick my phone to the windscreen minicab-style.The fact it is so cheap to do that is a bonus. You can always leave it off when you are not using it.
Edited by kingston12 on Thursday 14th January 16:10
dme123 said:
This is PH slipping to a new low. Dan would you genuinely and honestly recommend a friend go to their local Kwik Fit to let the apes there pull their car interior apart to fit a stereo? I'm sure your carefully set up experience organized by the marketing team was very smooth, but can you put your hand on your heart and say that it is in any way indicative of what your readers could expect?
The site will be regurgitating manufacturer and corporate press releases verbatim at this rate. Oh, no, wait a sec....
Indeed. The appauling lack of control of advertising in the forum's is bad enough. Now we have got editorial advertising as well.The site will be regurgitating manufacturer and corporate press releases verbatim at this rate. Oh, no, wait a sec....
At least when they do such a think in a magazine they put "Advertising Feature" in the corners of the page. PH thought it's readers were stupid enough to not notice this was advertising.
As for taking a car to Halfords to fit anything...
I wouldn't trust the average Halfords employee to fill a car up or change his/her own pants!
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