Wireless Apple Car Play

The model I have actually uses both. You pair it via bluetooth, but you have to have wifi on for it to work. I know this because we have one in our MB Sprinter based motorhome, and before I installed the CarPlay adapter in the motorhome, I had to turn the wifi off so it would not connect to the motorhome wifi repeater, which is always on. That was the only way i could use the phone basedGPS Apps when my phone was plugged in with the cable. After installing the CarPlay adapter, the GPS Apps did not work through the adapter if wifi was turnd off. Please don't ask me how that works, because I have no idea! I just know the CarPlay adapter won't work if you turn off wifi on your phone.

As for performance, it does take a few seconds to boot up, longer than if you just plugged it into the cable, but not much longer. I have not experienced any disconnects on either adapter in either vehicle (both have the same adapter). Once booted and connected, it works exactly the same as if its plugged in via a cable.

 

You can get a wireless tray for the center console. It’s a bit cleaner, albeit at a price.

This is the one I have:

$60 CarQiWireless Wireless Charger for Toyota Tacoma 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023,Automotive Center Console Organizer Wireless Charging Pad for Tacoma Accessories 2016-2023

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097XK44D4?ie=UTF8

 

That is nice! I already had the wireless charger and the tray was less than $10, so I compromised. You really can't see it witht he center console closed and it gets the job done! When it dies, I'll probably invest in that one, because it does seemmmuch nicer!

 

@Firn

For my set-up, it does use Bluetooth. I'm able to use hands-free and talk on the phone via Bluetooth.

Audio—includes 8-in. touchscreen, six speakers, Android Auto™
& Apple CarPlay® & Amazon Alexa compatible, hands-free phone
capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless
technology, SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial subscription.
See toyota.com/audio-multimedia for details. Connected Services
—Safety Connect® with 1-year trial, Service Connect with 10-year
trial, Remote Connect with 1-year trial, Wi-Fi Connect with up to
2 GB within 3-month trial. See toyota.com/connected-services for
details.

 

Looking for a review that says, “no lag, works every time and calls are crystal clear.”

But haven’t seen one of those yet.

 

I’m thinking about it

 

My new Tundra has factory wireless Car play. Seems to work well so far.

 

??? I dont get it??? I get bluetooth with my '17 Entune.

 

I have this one:

CarlinKit Mini Wireless CarPlay Adapter with This New Faster Wi-Fi 5 Chipset/Internal Hardware, for Factory Wired Carplay Cars Model Year:2017-2022,Support Online Update

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09CFP6LZS and I like it for around town. I keep my phone in my pocket and it works great. 1/10 times I have to restart the device so it can actually connect which isn't bad but my biggest problem is that it tends to over heat after 45-50 mins and start skipping.

 

I am interested in the ottocast unit. Is there any difference in audio quality when using these wireless connections vs. the wired connection?

 

I have the ottocast and it works so well I got one for my son for his birthday and it works just as well in his VW. The first time connection is a little odd but bear with it. Once it is connected the first time it connects every time and starts up pretty fast, less than 10 seconds. I have not noticed any difference in audio quality at all. The only difference between wired and wireless is when you push a button (like skip song) there is a slight but perceptible lag. However, I was just driving my mother-in-law’s new car (visiting for Christmas) and it has built in wireless carplay and the interaction lag is exactly the same.

 

Which ottocast unit do you have? There’s so many options are hard to tell what difference there is.
Thanks!

 

I got the

$110 U2 Air Wireless CarPlay Dongle

U2 Air.

 

It arrived Friday and it's wrapped for the wife.

I think she will appreciate getting rid of her cord.

I also got an message thru Amazon from the vendor regarding start-up.

 

oooooooo ... I have wondered why it needed both (and too lazy to research it).

Regarding initial connection, my carlinkit 3.0 has not been playing nice lately. After upgrading to iOS 16.2, and carlinkit also having an update, my initial connection is failing at least 50+% of the time. Ggrrrrrhh.

 

I have the same thing. id say a solid 1% of the time it doesn't even load on the head unit, then maybe 5-10% of the time it will not connect to the phone. I don't know how it works though with two phones if after X time it checks for the next phone on the list (I think you can have 4, I have 3, one was an old upgraded phone I haven't removed from it yet).

 

What is the difference between the Carlink and Ottocast U2Air units? Is one better than the other?

 

When I was shopping the carlink had a lot more reviews that said it failed to work a lot. Hence I got the ottocast and it’s been super. I think twice in hundreds of connections I’ve had to unplug and replug it and I feel like those may have been Apple problems rather than the unit as my phone was acting weird. Either way it’s been very solid. Wireless CarPlay does drain a lot of battery (I hope Apple improves that over time) but it’s super worth it to me. Not a big deal on my daily commute and for long trips I just put my phone on the wireless charger.

 

This one has worked flawlessly for two years now:

https://cplay2air.com/

 

Would you suggest the Ottocast U2Air or U2Air Pro?