CarPlay and Android Auto device

[Tim Thompson]

Ok... Got to play with the toy today. Set it up in the car.

Quick summary - Overall it worked well. So far, nothing to complain about.

I did the testing today using an iPhone 12. Phone was unpowered for all testing. Navigation app used in CP - Scenic. Power drain on the phone was 9% in an hour. About what I expected. The phone never warmed up - remained cool the entire time. Overall I would say this is satisfactory. However, I would provide power to the phone on long days or when traveling.

I also tested my Beeline at the same time. It was driven by my unpowered Pixel 5a. Phone battery drain was 4% in an hour. I was pretty pleased with that. I've got an app on this phone that monitors battery temps. Temp was 76 degree after 1 hour. So very little phone battery stress. I would be more free/inclined to ride without powering the phone with the Beeline. However, I'd probably still power the phone on really long days.

One thing mentioned in another thread is the fact that these CP/AA devices don't have an internal battery. Some don't like the notion that the unit restarts/power cycles when you start the engine. Personally I don't see a battery as necessary. The navigation app and route can be queued up on the phone before stepping to the bike. Once this CP/AA device boots up and loads CP/nav app (30 seconds), you're off to the races. Ready to navigate.

I've had no pairing issues. No need to repeat the pair process. Each time I've powered on the device it has automatically connected to my phone and started CP/nav app with no issues.

As to the Beeline... I'm actually kind of torn between the CP/AA device and the Beeline. Both work well and have their advantages and disadvantage. So far, I would say the Beeline is a viable navigation device. It will be the sole navigation device used on my Nightster. The Heritage - IDK. I did have one instance today where uncertainty may have led me to not take a correct turn. However, the Beeline rerouted no problem and I was back on track in no time. Eventually, even if something like this occurs, the thing won't leave you lost.

[Jure Sirena 0]

Myself as I mentioned I lost patience on bike because of this….

I tried again today on 400km trip (on bike again). Just cant accept it without battery. Sorry the restart is so anoying. Again my personal oppinion - and I spent 30-40.000km per year on bike

I am interested to see you try on bike

No issue when I tested in car, there is a different environment….no gear, hands available….

[Tim Thompson]

@Jure-Sirena-0 said in CarPlay and Android Auto device:

Myself as I mentioned I lost patience on bike because of this….

I tried again today on 400km trip (on bike again). Just cant accept it without battery. Sorry the restart is so anoying. Again my personal oppinion - and I spent 30-40.000km per year on bike

I am interested to see you try on bike

No issue when I tested in car, there is a different environment….no gear, hands available….

Yes. I understand the distinction between a bike and a car. However, I generally see no issue with queuing the route up on the phone in advance before donning gear and hoping on the bike. In such a case, the thing would power on after engine start and be ready to go (in 30 seconds) without any further interaction needed from me. Once setup... I expect to have to interact with the device very little during the ride/navigating the route. If I have to make a stop... Well the route's still queued up/running on the phone. It will be there on the CP/AA device in 30 seconds after I start the bike. So... for me at least... I don't see an issue here.

To be fair... testing on the bike is yet to be done. Right now though, I'm not expecting this to be an issue... At least for me.

[Dae 0]

Tried my device for the first time. Obviously I had to use the current version of MRA as Next doesn’t yet have CarPlay.

Overall I’m very impressed. The screen is bright enough and easy to see. No problems with disconnections etc.

Yes, the device reboots when cranking the engine as the GS cuts accessory power during crank. However, it didn’t bother me in the slightest. I’d already started the route on the phone so when the device came back on everything was good to go. It took no longer than about 30s. That’s less time than is necessary to get to the car park exit etc so not an issue. Yes, it would be better if the device had a capacitor or something to bridge the few seconds of power cut while cranking but it’s no big deal.

It will take some time coming from the BMW nav as I can no longer control it using the BMW wonderwheel. However, since the Nav died from the dreaded ghost touches issue and is out of warranty it kind of forced the issue.

[Jure Sirena 0]

@Dae-0
I will play with the device a bit more, I will try to add small powerbank. The shop that I wanted to return the device admitted their description did not have anywhere description it had no battery so instead of return they offered 50€ refund. i ll take it and play a bit.
New tiger has a powerbank space under seat with the usb port so its easy to connect it in between usb port and device

[RetiredWingMan]

@Jure-Sirena-0 why not just power the unit from the battery directly (fused) rather than using a switched power source?

[Jure Sirena 0]

@Doug-Robinson
Then you need to power on off manualy everytime, plus question of short….battery consumption. Ok you can remove the device from cradle but power is still there on pins.

The device should work with based on contact, like many devices do, but they can go also to standby or have a ‘countdown’ choice when they detect power loss. And thats possible only with battery.

There is also question of connectivity when you move away with phone….again needing fuzzling with phone.

I might be a particular person but I want to start the bike and GO.
Currently tomtom rider 550 is doing that for me, because it has standby feature. Goes to sleep with contact off (15 sec option to stay on by clisking cancel) and goes back on from standby with route running after 1 sec when power back on. but its bloody small device (getting old)
Because of 15 sec to standby option even start of of engine when the loss of power happens is compensated

[Jure Sirena 0]

So I already played on table with powerbank on table - and it does the job. BUT I am able to reproduce the connectivity error several times

After 6,7,8 OK reboots connection is lost and it wont come back even if i restart several times, but it will com back if i manually confirm BT:

https://youtu.be/Ab-PKc4LsqQ

recorded issues between ok starts:

• 2 x lost connectivity asking for bt connectivity
• BT on device was OFF, even after 2 restarts, and I could not activate it
• after third attempt BT was back and it asked for reconnectivity
• cleared all and repaired....

Randomly this happens.....

What is your FW version?

[Jörgen]

1. I would not recommend direct connection of the device to the battery. The 12 to 5 Volt converter needs power even in idle mode (without a device).

It looks like my version is newer. May be depends on supplier.

[Tim Thompson]

@Jure-Sirena-0 said in CarPlay and Android Auto device:

So I already played on table with powerbank on table - and it does the job. BUT I am able to reproduce the connectivity error several times

After 6,7,8 OK reboots connection is lost and it wont come back even if i restart several times, but it will com back if i manually confirm BT:

https://youtu.be/Ab-PKc4LsqQ

recorded issues between ok starts:

• 2 x lost connectivity asking for bt connectivity
• BT on device was OFF, even after 2 restarts, and I could not activate it
• after third attempt BT was back and it asked for reconnectivity
• cleared all and repaired....

Randomly this happens.....

What is your FW version?

My version numbers are exactly the same. I've had no issues with mine automatically connecting to my phones. I've tried many times to see if it would fail. No failures so far. It also switches between my Android and iPhone with no problems. Whichever phone it connected last will be the one the unit automatically connects to the next time. If the unit can't find that phone it will connect to the other one (assuming it's there/available). So far it's been flawless. I can't get it to fail. If I find a way, I'll report back.

[Jure Sirena 0]

Nothing changed from yesterday, I start device today, puf in first attempt I get BT sign top right (or middle) but CP wont start, restart device, same.....until I manually click on the device in iphone BT menu to reconnect (it already said connected....)

I guess I am the lucky one, this device is POS

Please try your device with iphone locked (screen lock) I might noticed this happens randomly only when phone locked, or leave some pause in between

[Jure Sirena 0]

Reproduced connectivity error 2x more today. Now I am pi*** off at myself to accept the partial refund instead of return

[Jure Sirena 0]

@Jure-Sirena-0 and another notice after being ON for 2 hours - its really hot, and I am in office. Please try this also (I have it on table in cradle) its hot fron/back If you add hot weather outside i dont have big hopes. I dont have thermal gun or something to check, but its now at at least 40-45C, even plastic chassis holder is hot.

Defenetly write off for me, will put it up for sale for funny small price

P.S. currently lost connection again. longer pauses in between causes it

[Tim Thompson]

@Jure-Sirena-0 said in CarPlay and Android Auto device:

Nothing changed from yesterday, I start device today, puf in first attempt I get BT sign top right (or middle) but CP wont start, restart device, same.....until I manually click on the device in iphone BT menu to reconnect (it already said connected....)

I guess I am the lucky one, this device is POS

Please try your device with iphone locked (screen lock) I might noticed this happens randomly only when phone locked, or leave some pause in between

I have the screen locked on both my phones when driving this unit. I experience no problems with the screen locked or unlocked.

[Tim Thompson]

This post is deleted!

[Tim Thompson]

@Jure-Sirena-0 said in CarPlay and Android Auto device:

@Jure-Sirena-0 and another notice after being ON for 2 hours - its really hot, and I am in office. Please try this also (I have it on table in cradle) its hot fron/back If you add hot weather outside i dont have big hopes. I dont have thermal gun or something to check, but its now at at least 40-45C, even plastic chassis holder is hot.

Defenetly write off for me, will put it up for sale for funny small price

P.S. currently lost connection again. longer pauses in between causes it

I'd probably be displeased too if I were experiencing your problems.

I've been running mine all morning to see if there are some heat issues. Nothing so far. The unit is barely warmer than room temp... about what you'd expect with it driving a display this bright. It's just warm enough that you can tell it's on and running.

I wonder if your phone (or it's settings) might be in play here. Have a custom ROM? Oh wait... It's an iPhone. Never mind. Some relevant settings changed from default?

Same token with the unit - any relevant settings changed/incorrect?

Also... I don't know which outfit you bought the unit from, but have you reached out to them for some tech support?

Only other thing that I might be doing differently... I've been running/powering mine via the USB port. I haven't tried powering mine with the power cable on the back of the mount nor have I tried the supplied power adapter. I don't know what you got there for a power pack. Might want to try either the USB connected to a computer or phone charger or try the supplied power adapter.

[Jure Sirena 0]

@Tim-Thompson Thx for info.
I am using chassis cable to USB, its same if I plug it in powerbank or PC or wall charger.
But I never tried integrated usb port, lets see good idea. Still if you cut power to device its then more about its internal ROM capabilites, regardless of powersource
ios is official and last 16.3.1

in the meantime I had reproduced 2x more connectivity loss and I am getting some ideas about it

[Jure Sirena 0]

I am now able to reproduce the error. After the device is off for more then 2-3 hours, preferebly overnight, it losses connection. But phone is still in the device under BT menue as paired, but CP wont start, not even manually

1. video

• I left it over night (even on USB power as you can see) and tried to turn it on via device button
• look at that it wont start......
• reset the power device starts
• as expected only BT sign no Carplay...will not even start manualy
• unpair - pair again it works for next few restarts
• i turn it off

https://youtu.be/Sk-4D3UUTsY

2. video

• after 4hours i turn it on
• look at that problem is back....as expected....

https://youtu.be/GIqCfscijS0

I am now discussing with supplier to send me last fw....so I can play with this 'demo' device for all of us, it will defenetely not go on bike...

[Tim Thompson]

@Jure-Sirena-0 said in CarPlay and Android Auto device:

I am now able to reproduce the error. After the device is off for more then 2-3 hours, preferebly overnight, it losses connection. But phone is still in the device under BT menue as paired, but CP wont start, not even manually

1. video

• I left it over night (even on USB power as you can see) and tried to turn it on via device button
• look at that it wont start......
• reset the power device starts
• as expected only BT sign no Carplay...will not even start manualy
• unpair - pair again it works for next few restarts
• i turn it off

https://youtu.be/Sk-4D3UUTsY

2. video

• after 4hours i turn it on
• look at that problem is back....as expected....

https://youtu.be/GIqCfscijS0

I am now discussing with supplier to send me last fw....so I can play with this 'demo' device for all of us, it will defenetely not go on bike...

I doubt this will make a difference... But noted in your video that you are still powering it via the cradle's power cable. Might want to take the TF card/USB port cover off the left side of the unit and try powering the device using the min-USB port. That's how I've been powering the thing so far.

I ran mine again all evening. No issues with function, heat etc.

Sorry to hear that you are having these issues. Hopefully the supplier/vendor can provide you with adequate technical support.

[Jure Sirena 0]

@Tim-Thompson I tried that port, was same, its easier to continue work in cradle. Now able to reproduce it I think I understand it, and I might even be able to fix it with my (very basic) developer skills

Please be so kind and let me know if your setting (by default) is ON or OFF:

device settings / bluetooth / paired / 'select your paired iphone' /

HFP on or off?
A2DP on or off?
and the one I am interested in particular SPP on or off?

Many thanks