It would not be gtam without that's what makes this place greatWow this thread has taken a twist
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CarPlay
- Thread starter ToSlow
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PacoT
Well-known member
I bought a unit from AliExpress a few months ago. It cost less than $180 CAD. I specifically wanted one that, in addition to Android Auto, also had front- and rear-facing DVR cameras to cover my ass in case of an incident.
During the first few uses, the unit would occasionally freeze and reconnect. However, after changing the pairing method with my phone to Wi-Fi, it has worked flawlessly.
For smaller bikes, a screen that big might look a little out of place, but I think it kinda blends in with the elephanty Multistrada.
During the first few uses, the unit would occasionally freeze and reconnect. However, after changing the pairing method with my phone to Wi-Fi, it has worked flawlessly.
For smaller bikes, a screen that big might look a little out of place, but I think it kinda blends in with the elephanty Multistrada.
I tried to stop it. @Wingboy is crazy with powerWow this thread has taken a twist
But we're back on track now.
Cameras are a great idea.
Xhumeka
Well-known member
How did your testing go? I've been testing Gaia, OsmAnd, and LocusMaps trying to figure out which one I like best for following and creating gpx routes.
To be clear I still have the screen on (at least on my adv/tour bike), I just meant it's real purpose was just as an $80 sacrificial lamb so my way more expensive phone doesn't have to take the abuse.
Also, with touring, I get off the bike a lot, go for a little stretch walk, scenic lookout, whatever... Mounting and unmounting the phone 12 times a day so no one takes the pricy phone? Ain't no one got time for that. Leaving a cheapo unit android auto on my bike for half hour at a time? No problem.
sburns
Well-known member
That looks pretty cool! A link to the product page would be helpful
PacoT
Well-known member
8.8 inches motorcycle screen
I think you're paying for the screen, and the bike might be included. Maybe, just maybe, some chocolate cams come with the package too
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sburns
Well-known member
Lol, more like exploding cams.
The unit works well, is good and bright and seems easy to use. Installation was simple and straitforward.
BUT I don't think I'll keep it. I have until June 17 to send it back to Amazon.
First, while keeping my phone in the tank bag it got too hot according to the message it sent me, and it was hot to the touch. It has to keep computing while sending info to the unit. I could overcome that by mounting the phone on the bars too, but I don't want to.
Using the phone for GPS etc. of course runs down the battery so it needs to be plugged into the USB port. Carpuride suggest their unit ALSO be plugged into a switched connection, which in my case is the USB off the headlight cowl. I have it wired directly to the battery and need to turn it off with the controller as there's no off switch on the unit.
Though brighter and more sensitive to gloved fingers than my phone it's about the same size screen (I have a Samsung S23).
I have a touratech mount for my phone which isolates vibration well so I'm not worried about that with having the phone on the bars.
Though the unit is only $250 from Amazon, I'm kind of struggling to see what issue it fixes for me. The phone never heats up on the bars, and plugging it into the usb is necessary with or without the carpuride.
Yeah, I'm going to send it back. While it addresses an issue, it really doesn't solve it and it creates a couple new ones.
Still a good product, just not right for my minimalist/limited space application on my 700cc dualsport.
Xhumeka
Well-known member
Interesting - I keep my phone in my jacket pocket when riding, and it's never got even warm that I've noticed. That said, I've only used Waze and Google Maps mostly, and haven't tried Gaia/OsmAnd/Lotus much yet so maybe those take more processing power. Something to watch out for I guess, thanks for the info!
Scudworth
Member
Not sure if I can link to Aliexpress here, but I got the "Srnubi 7 inch 2K HD Motorcycle DVR Navigation GPS Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Airplay Display Screen Portable Moto Monitor" for $88CAD with free shipping. Came in about 1.5 weeks and I mounted it to my Versys. No DVR or TPM since I didn't need that.
So far has been working great with my Samsung phone. Using Google Maps or OsmAnd for GPX routes. Don't have it permanently wired in yet, need to figure out where I can do switched power on this bike. I did find a mount for it that I 3D printed so I could mount above my dash, works pretty good so far too. If you need just a screen for CarPlay/AA this is pretty cheap and works.
So far has been working great with my Samsung phone. Using Google Maps or OsmAnd for GPX routes. Don't have it permanently wired in yet, need to figure out where I can do switched power on this bike. I did find a mount for it that I 3D printed so I could mount above my dash, works pretty good so far too. If you need just a screen for CarPlay/AA this is pretty cheap and works.
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The unit itself overheats from sun exposure? It’s a bit disappointing there is no power switch. You have to disconnect the phone and then it goes to the main menu and can tap the screen “off” but, not sure if it’s really off.
Haven’t looked into connecting to the ignition wiring or installing a dedicated switch. The rabbit hole we go!
It was so cheap and thought it was worth a try. I’ve spend more on parts.
No, my phone overheated. Agreed about the lack of a power switch.
I (now) have an accessory USB connection on the side of my headlight cowl and I've connected it to the switched option.
I've already sent the unit back as the availability of the switched power source didn't change the only marginal visual improvement compared to using my phone and the requirement to keep the phone plugged in.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I put in a tiny 4 circuit fuse box that powers up off a relay so my accessories are never draining when the bike is off.
I have an iPhone, it’s never overheated running CarPlay.
I like the android head unit because it’s bigger, brighter and works with gloves. I never remove the thing (like I did when I used my phone).
For $120, it’s a cheap and useful upgrade.
The unit did work well, certainly no complaints there. If I still had my 1090 I would have mounted it permanently as well as there was room under the seat for the fuse box you use, and I believe there was also a switched accessory connection under the seat as well as the one in the fairing.
I think the phone overheated because it was in my little water/air tight enduristan tank bag, but the battery drain was still a problem.
There's not much real estate available on the bars of the 700 GasGas, so having the unit and the phone on there isn't the way I want to go.
I suppose I could install a rally tower/fairing, but I don't want to do that either. I installed a little Givi screen and it works perfectly, breaking the air on my chest and leaving a smooth/quiet flow around my head.
Xhumeka
Well-known member
I used Gaia for 2 hours the other day, and my phone only went down by 20 percent... which app were you using that drained so much power? That might have been an outlier or some other issue going on. I have an old s20+ Android phone.
I have an iphone12 and when running Waze it can drain the phone battery pretty quick. It can also heat up when mounted to the bike.
Thus the reason for looking at a purpose use item I can pair to and keep the phone out of harms way and even keep it plugged in to maintain the battery. I haven’t had time to test but, the phone is kept in a side pannier and paired via Bluetooth to the CarPlay device. I’ve got a relay connected to the CarPlay but, need to add a switch. I’ve found out the hard way turning the screen off, there is still a draw. I’ve searched all over the internet to see if there is a power on/off option. Seems the cheapo Amazon item I bought has to be red neck engineered for the time being. I’m sure it’s easy enough to find the ignition and splice into but, I’m hesitant to go down that path.
Thus the reason for looking at a purpose use item I can pair to and keep the phone out of harms way and even keep it plugged in to maintain the battery. I haven’t had time to test but, the phone is kept in a side pannier and paired via Bluetooth to the CarPlay device. I’ve got a relay connected to the CarPlay but, need to add a switch. I’ve found out the hard way turning the screen off, there is still a draw. I’ve searched all over the internet to see if there is a power on/off option. Seems the cheapo Amazon item I bought has to be red neck engineered for the time being. I’m sure it’s easy enough to find the ignition and splice into but, I’m hesitant to go down that path.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Simplest method is to install an 30a automotive relay. Power and ground straight to the battery, trigger to any circuit that goes on with the key, and output to your little fuse panel. It’s a 10 minute installl and can be mounted anywhere it fits on the bike.
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