This was my first foray into dedicated CarPlay hardware. For a long time, I just used my phone and really didn't think it was necessary to have one, but with my eyesight getting worse and in dash models and new cars always putting them in a spot that required me to fully engage with them and ignore the road, I figured it was time.
Like so many things on Amazon anymore, there were two options: 1. overly expensive models with all the bells and whistles and features no one uses, and 2: reasonably priced garbage. However, there always seems to be one diamond that offers a quality item at a reasonable price and solid performance for what I need. After several failed attempts based on reviews, Amazon’s choice, and customer ratings that resulted in absolute frustration —trying to figure out what suddenly happened while ignoring the road or just flat out pulling over —I found this model, and it’s perfect. The price is reasonable, installing the hardware, including the camera, was very easy, and I put it exactly where I wanted the screen, not where the car makers decided to put it. For the last year, I have used it multiple times every day, and the only problem I ever experienced was because my 15-year-old car’s auxiliary input jack needed replacement.
Bottom line is this: if you want solid performance from a unit that does everything without fail, this is the one you want. Save yourself the frustration of buying junk and trying to “make it work.” If you want bells and whistles, take the money you saved by not buying a more expensive unit and buy yourself an iPad.
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