Wireless Carplay w/ CarlinKit - YES!

[Jenbeth]

Just an FYI, I just received my Carlinkit 4.0 that I ordered on eBay for $87.98. Wanted to make sure it was legit before posting on here. It did come from China, but is definitely authentic. Now I just need my BS OBX to get out of limbo in Mexico. It was built on 7/4 and the plant shut down for its two week hiatus before it was shipped.

 

[kingtj]

So... I ordered one of these too, after reading so much about it here. (I went through that "Light in the Box" Asian vendor.) I believe this CarlinKit is version 4.0, but I'm using it with an iPhone 13 Pro, not an Android.)

So far, my opinion is that, "Eh.... yeah. It works." Can't really recommend it though. I think part of the issue is just Apple Wireless CarPlay itself? It works well enough when the only thing it's doing is letting you take a phone call via the car's Bluetooth, or when you're using Apple Maps as your GPS. But whenever I try to stream music from my phone, I get occasional "hiccups", where the sound cuts out for 1-3 seconds. Sometimes you can listen to pretty much an entire song with it happening, but it always does within 5 minutes or so.

My buddy told me that's to be expected and he gets the same blips in streaming music from his iPhone on every wireless CarPlay setup he's ever used it with.

I also see how wireless CarPlay really does drain the phone battery quickly. If I try to leave my iPhone on the wireless charging pad in the Bronco Sport? It gets REALLY hot, really quickly, and looks to me like it's still running down its battery faster than it can recharge it.

So as inconvenient as it is to always plug my phone into the USB port, and disconnect it again every time I get back out of the car? I think it's still the only way Apple CarPlay really works reliably/well. Maybe things will improve, at least with the audio drop-outs, with the next big iOS release.

 

[Wolf256]

I recently traveled to Orange County, California. I used wired car play on the southbound trip and wireless (carlinkit 3.0) on northbound trip. At this point I should add that I used the usb-c to lightening, on my iPhone 13 Pro, both directions. I have the item, pictured below, behind my infotainment screen. I tucked my cable down the passenger side in such a way that it didn’t interfere with my console. This kept my phone charged and linked to car play without overheating the Qi charging plate. It also held my phone sideways with the cameras available to use without holding the phone. Hands free is required in Washington, Oregon and California, unless you want a hefty ticket. Yes this set up works better with the phone plugged in, but I used it wirelessly around Orange County with Apple maps just fine. A lot has changed in 40 years and I used maps most of the time. I forget which one of you mentioned it, but a big Yes to the Qi charging plate not being able to keep up with charging while car play is in use. It’s great for short term charging, but wired will keep up. The Carlinkit 3.0 has a usb-a port. It is output only, so if you have a usb-a to lightening, you can charge from the Carlinkit to your phone as well.

For those of you with an Apple Watch:
If you are using maps regularly and are capable of watching it on the infotainment screen, you might want to go into your watch settings on the phone and turn off the notifications On Driving with CarPlay. It’s super annoying to have the watch vibrating and I wasn’t following along on my watch, I was watching the big screen. ? Just a thought.

I hope some of you find this information helpful.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

So... I ordered one of these too, after reading so much about it here. (I went through that "Light in the Box" Asian vendor.) I believe this CarlinKit is version 3.0, but I'm using it with an iPhone 13 Pro, not an Android.)

So far, my opinion is that, "Eh.... yeah. It works." Can't really recommend it though. I think part of the issue is just Apple Wireless CarPlay itself? It works well enough when the only thing it's doing is letting you take a phone call via the car's Bluetooth, or when you're using Apple Maps as your GPS. But whenever I try to stream music from my phone, I get occasional "hiccups", where the sound cuts out for 1-3 seconds. Sometimes you can listen to pretty much an entire song with it happening, but it always does within 5 minutes or so.

My buddy told me that's to be expected and he gets the same blips in streaming music from his iPhone on every wireless CarPlay setup he's ever used it with.

I also see how wireless CarPlay really does drain the phone battery quickly. If I try to leave my iPhone on the wireless charging pad in the Bronco Sport? It gets REALLY hot, really quickly, and looks to me like it's still running down its battery faster than it can recharge it.

So as inconvenient as it is to always plug my phone into the USB port, and disconnect it again every time I get back out of the car? I think it's still the only way Apple CarPlay really works reliably/well. Maybe things will improve, at least with the audio drop-outs, with the next big iOS release.

I’ve not had any issues with my Carlinkit 3 but I use it for a 20 minute drive to work and back and mainly for Waze. I use Sirius XM mainly for music. I run a short USB-A to Lightning cable from the Carlinkit 3 to power the phone if we are going anywhere longer than an hour or so.

 

[thekingprawn]

I've had almost too many issues with the version 4. I'm contemplating finding a motorola adapter since those are designed as Android Auto interfaces. I'll just have to get an A-C adapter since I have a wireless charger plugged into the A slot.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I've had almost too many issues with the version 4. I'm contemplating finding a motorola adapter since those are designed as Android Auto interfaces. I'll just have to get an A-C adapter since I have a wireless charger plugged into the A slot.

What issues are you having?

 

[thekingprawn]

What issues are you having?

Hardware error occasionally, getting stuck on prompt volume, etc.

 

[SoCal Warrior]

I have the ottocast. https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-CarPlay-Adapter-Version-Convert/dp/B09Q59XY7Y/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=MXFIIQB1XWYT&keywords=wireless+carplay+adapter&qid=1656563804&sprefix=wireless+carplay,aps,214&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNTRJRTUwOEYyMUdDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODEyOTU2S1BFRVdNTFlTQllSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMzE3MDMxSDM4WkM0UjVQWkFEJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

It has a usb-c port on it and comes with a usb-c to usb-c cable and a usb-c to usb a cable. Like I said it boots faster when plugged into the usb-c port. I also have a cplay2air and I got a usb-a to usb-c adapter but I haven't had a chance to test it.

I have the Ottocast as well. I love mine. Great connec time.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Hardware error occasionally, getting stuck on prompt volume, etc.

Why don’t you check to see if there is a software update? Not unusual for a new release to get pushed out before all the bugs are worked out with updates following rather quickly.

 

[thekingprawn]

Why don’t you check to see if there is a software update? Not unusual for a new release to get pushed out before all the bugs are worked out with updates following rather quickly.

I probably should try updating it.

 

[Rodrigo_V_U]

You can get the Carlinkit 4.0 which is the latest and does Android Auto as well for about $60 - here is a thread on Slickdeals with details. I bought the 3.0 from this same site (LightintheBox) and it arrive in a about a week once shipped.

Hi, I bought one today from Aliexpress. Just wait for it to arrive. USD48.00

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I probably should try updating it.

I did have the sync 3 freeze this weekend for the first time but I was running via the cord and not Bluetooth.

 

[thekingprawn]

I did have the sync 3 freeze this weekend for the first time but I was running via the cord and not Bluetooth.

I figured out the problem with the sound getting stuck on the notification volume (it diminishes volume of everything else), and that was just me tapping the notification while that was the active volume. If I wait until the regular sound resumes everything is better. Those damn cat-like reflexes...

 

[MNBroncoLady]

For those wanting Version 3, it’s a lightning deal today on Amazon for $72

Limited-time deal: 2022 Carlinkit 3.0 Wireless CarPlay Dongle Adapter U2W (Type C Design) for Factory Wired CarPlay Cars, Wireless CarPlay Adapter for iOS Version, Fit for Car from 2022 https://a.co/d/fb7wu1A

 

[Escape2Bronco]

For those wanting Version 3, it’s a lightning deal today on Amazon for $72

Limited-time deal: 2022 Carlinkit 3.0 Wireless CarPlay Dongle Adapter U2W (Type C Design) for Factory Wired CarPlay Cars, Wireless CarPlay Adapter for iOS Version, Fit for Car from 2022 https://a.co/d/fb7wu1A

Best accessory ever!


PS: IOS user, not Android

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