Car Play adapter

Anybody have any experience with this CarPlay adapter? Adds CarPlay to the stock Entune 2.0 headunit and isn’t expensive. Seems like what I’ve been looking for. Just looking for some reviews on it before I buy.

https://cartrimhome.com/Toyota-Wire...Ettdkr-rZVTIzT4v6Uf71UYxr65rxGn5rAHBNMniztC8Q

 

It's also available on Amazon (and $10 cheaper), there are some reviews there. I'm looking at options myself. Haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet.

CARabc Wireless Carplay Android Auto Adapter for Toyota with Entune2.0 2014-2019, Fits for Tundra/Highlander/RAV4/Tacoma/Camry/Corolla/Avalon/Prius/CH-R/Sienna, Silver

https://www.amazon.com/CARabc-Wirel...37------------&vehicleName=2018+Toyota+Tacoma

 

$189.00
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...ta+With+Entune+2.0+2014-2019&_sacat=0&_sop=15


$186.00 o.b.o.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134592979977

 

I want one that does car play, android auto, and has a usb passthrough for my ipod. Does anyone make something like that?

 

Curious to know how this ends up working out for you as well. Please let us know.

 

Horrible reviews...

 

We've explored that solution here. I got a few post with info on in this thread.

OEM Car Play Solution for 2016 and 2017 models | Page 2 | Tacoma World

 

Thanks. My search missed that somehow.

 

How did this not come up in google results the last 6 months i've been searching for an adapter smh. Anyways, I went ahead and bought it. Amazon had it on my doorstep less than 24 hrs later. Install was super easy everything was plug and play. Only hard part was fitting it in the dash. I was able to wedge it up top between the A/C pipes.

As for functionality, Car Play works very well. Picture quality is a little rough but that is a limitation of the head unit, not the adapter. For $200 I can deal with it. Still better than using the trash stock Nav system. It integrates with the factory systems very well steering wheel buttons and volume knob all retain their functions. Of course, you do not get the audio and nav information between the gauges like u do with the stock system. I haven't been able to get the wireless or wired screen mirroring function to work so that's disappointing.

My verdict is it's a good product. Nothing amazing but it gives you carplay which is the purpose. If you're looking to add carplay but don't want to replace the HU or spend a fortune this is the way to go.

 

Worst customer service. GPS is unreliable and the sound cuts in and out both wired USB and wireless. Checked phone, GPS works just fine in maps and trail apps, Toyota native GPS works fine as well. Contacted service, they sent me a canned response on my antenna. They have not responded since I showed them antenna was on top of dash not glued to box as they assumed. Worthless box and I am out $200.00.

 

I have it installed and love it. Definitely worth the money unless you replace the entire head unit which could be a lot more expensive. I posted a video review on YT if you want to check it out. I even installed a front camera to the CARabc adaptor. https://youtu.be/krsjnLBhR4g

 

I’m using the Beat Sonic anytime front/rear camera setup .. Wondering if this will interfere with it. And also, how do toggle between the factory radio and the Carabc box.

 

I've used an Ottocast for over a year with pretty good reliability. It seems to get some interference occasionally. Sometimes the display will go black, but the audio still comes through. Frustrating little things, but 98% of the time it works pretty well. ~15k miles with it.

 

I've been using this unit for the last 6 months. First with iPhone 11, and now iPhone 15. I really like it for what it is.

I use it in wireless mode all of the time. I recommend to use the contrast/brightness suggestions from the other thread to optimize picture quality. It's not perfect because it uses the standard def camera input for video, but it is good enough to use. Don't use the EQ that is offered on the unit - it sounds nasty. Use the stock unit's EQ on the Aux input.

When I first got the unit, I thought it would be nice to use CarPlay occasionally but I find myself using it all of the time. Because of that, if I had to do this over again I probably would have bit the bullet and upgraded the whole head unit to one from 2020+ Tacoma to get the bigger screen and better resolution.

 

I'm in the process of testing their wireless carplay adapter for motorcycles, I've got a couple gripes about it's mounting system but it does exactly as they advertised.

 

I like this unit myself too like you said for what it is and the price point. I do have a question for you. How do you get access to the sound settings for AUX since once you select AUX it will show you the unit’s main screen? I’ve been trying to figure this out since I installed the unit a couple of months ago. Thank you.

 

There is a window of time when the unit isn't fully booted up and you can press the volume control (power button) to toggle back to the stock radio and then you can see the Aux "sound" button. It took me a few tries to find the right moment. I think there is also a way to bail out of CarABC in the settings CarABC settings menu.

 

New discovery: If while viewing CarABC you press the voice command button on the steering wheel (picture of someone talking), it takes you right to the Aux input window w/Sound settings. Then it's easy to adjust. I have my eq set w/bass and treble flat, mids reduced to +2 lines over the minimum.