Android Auto / Carplay addon

Had it done on my VF series 2 for carplay a couple of months ago. It isn't perfect, its basically an android box running a VM for carplay.

Comes on when the car starts, goes off when the car goes off, you have to acknowledge a USB warnings on the Android interface before it will work each time you start the car. Despite trying to get rid of that warning I've been unsuccessful

Even though carplay is connected via USB, phone is still connected to the car via mylink bluetooth (I really dont know what they reckon they did getting a bluetooth device for their unit), which means when song changes through steering wheel that are controlled by mylink feel as if its all integrated which is a plus.

They install a separate mic for audio in the upper right corner of windscreen and they disconnect middle speaker and connect the middle speaker for siri (siri has her own speaker, which is also used for voice guidance). They install a USB port beside the front cig-lighter plug (the one located under the mylink screen)

When answering a phone call, the call will answer in carplay (either from the touch screen or the answer button on steering will), other persons voice will cut out for about 4 seconds as mylink steals the audio back but they can still hear you speak.. (interface doesn't show this happening) but you can hear the call going from the siri speaker to the other speakers when mylink takes control of the call.

You can swap between mylink and android/carplay with 2 ways, double pressing the mute button on steering wheel (which would disconnect an active call) or press and hold the left edge of the mylink screen for a second and it will transition (good if you're on a call).

It isn't perfect but I do use it every day for the up to date maps app, podcasts, music etc... And for short trips where I don't plug it in to carplay it works normally with mylink. If you dont use the carplay (by plugging in the USB port) everything just works as if it was never there.

Would I still do it again? Yes, because I wanted apple maps live traffic. But it would've been nice to know the little 'side affects' you live with when using it up front.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

Good to know, thanks for the info.

 

Hey, Thanks for the information...

I am currently looking at a Naviplus option and was wondering if that was what you had?

Also where did you get it and how much did it cost?

Thanks,

 

sounds rough, what's the benefit of having this over mylink? Just better mapping?

 

For me, it would be newer maps (dealer couldn't manage to take my money to install the 2016-spec maps last week so we're probably going to have 2012 maps forever now) & the ability to keep installing up to date maps (including not needing a dealer to break your car to install newer maps).

 

They do like bending the console lid way too far back and break the clips. I've had that done already,.

 

Does anyone have the new Alpine Carplay unit yet? Seriously tempted, they have a version with embedded nav for ~$3500 or one without for ~$2500.

https://www.alpine.com.au/shop/perfect-fit-solutions/holden/vf-commodore/9-audio-visual-i902d-vf/

Anyone have any i902d experiences from other models? I know they do that model for a lot of VW's.

 

I cant see the point of paying an extra grand for the maps when you can use Maps and Waze through AA/AC . I'm quite happy with the Halo9 for another grand less . The only thing that woulda got me to upgrade to this model apart from the fact it looks more factory would be if they had made AA wireless or atleast I don't think it is . Your post prompted me to look into wireless hacks for existing AA head units of which I found this https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...droid-3-0-proxy-gateway-android-auto-t3813163 , I'm interested in trying the Android tv stick route as they are relatively cheap maybe @stooge could shed some light on the chances of this being an option

 

I didn't even consider the Halo unit as I don't want what is effectively a silly looking tablet hanging out of the dash. I could do that cheaper still with an iPad.

 

the i902D-VF looks to be a complete mylink replacement sort of like the kayhan one but not as crap going by its price.

that tv stick post on xda from what i gather it is a "hack" for a headunit that has android auto on it so it would not work on the factory mylink in the vf.

android auto is crap imo because it is a restricted setup designed to not give the driver distractions and the list of apps available will have to meet certain requirements set by google much in the same way they have them for android tv which i had a back and forth flustercuck with them lol.
if you can get a system with the ability to access both the android os and the auto it will be a win win.

if you are not ready to drop $2600 on the alpine one envyous has the kit to put android auto into the mylink for $1000.
i do not know if you can access the android os on it and it is a far better option to that kayhan unit

 

Everything I hear about the third party Mylink addons is that they "kind of" work and aren't really all that great. Honestly I'd rather drop $1000 on the pokies because it's probably about as much of a gamble as a half-arsed third party addition.

I don't mind dropping the money on the Alpine (I can buy trade so it's not quite as hefty) assuming it drops in and everything just works with factory mic etc but if someone else has used one some feedback would be good.

 

same here as a lot of the early attempts at it used really crappy hardware for the android box.

i do not know what the envyous customs one is like so i cant comment on that but he is a member here so he could shed some light on the hardware used etc.

i bought that kayhan one and well that was sort of ok but had its issues and the glare on the screen combined with its lack of brightness was a deal breaker as it made the unit useless when the sun was reflecting off objects inside the vehicle.
what ever people do not get the kayhan one unless you like being disappointed lol