GR86 GR86 Infotainment

[Triggaaar]

There's also Carsifi to consider if you have Android, £75.
...
I have had one for several months and it's been faultless.

Same. Connects in a few seconds and has been faultless.

Have you guys ever had a chance to compare to anything else?

I'll be using an Android and it looks like I could go Carsifi, AAWireless, or CarlinKit 5. It's difficult to find good comparisons of them.

I'd like to keep the unit inside the central armrest, and the phone in my pocket, if that works. I think some have better wireless connectivity than others, but determining which is which is not straightforward.

 

[Conscript]

Have you guys ever had a chance to compare to anything else?

I'll be using an Android and it looks like I could go Carsifi, AAWireless, or CarlinKit 5. It's difficult to find good comparisons of them.

I'd like to keep the unit inside the central armrest, and the phone in my pocket, if that works. I think some have better wireless connectivity than others, but determining which is which is not straightforward.

No. When I bought the Carsifi, I think they had fairly liberal returns policy, so I figured I would try it and return it if no good. But there's been no need so far. The unit itself is tiny, about the size of matchbox, and so it fits neatly in the armrest next to the USB ports, and plugs in nicely if you get hold of some super short 90 degree angled connectors. Next time I'm downstairs, I'll pop out to the car and get a photo for you.

EDIT: 'scuse the dust.

 

[Triggaaar]

No. When I bought the Carsifi, I think they had fairly liberal returns policy, so I figured I would try it and return it if no good. But there's been no need so far. The unit itself is tiny, about the size of matchbox, and so it fits neatly in the armrest next to the USB ports, and plugs in nicely if you get hold of some super short 90 degree angled connectors.

That is neat, thanks.
Reading a review: "So what sets Carsifi apart from other wireless Android Auto adapters? It’s the Magic Button. The company has built a dongle that supports multiple connections. Whether you carry a work phone and personal, or the more common, you and the significant other both have an Android, then Carsifi can be the solution."

That's quite handy for some people. But I ain't sharing my 86 with no one!

 

[Dal3D]

No. When I bought the Carsifi, I think they had fairly liberal returns policy, so I figured I would try it and return it if no good. But there's been no need so far. The unit itself is tiny, about the size of matchbox, and so it fits neatly in the armrest next to the USB ports, and plugs in nicely if you get hold of some super short 90 degree angled connectors. Next time I'm downstairs, I'll pop out to the car and get a photo for you.

EDIT: 'scuse the dust.
View attachment 18715

That's exactly how I've done mine. It's been faultless. So much so that I forget it's there and just assume the phone connects to the head unit like.most other cars lol

 

[Triggaaar]

That's exactly how I've done mine. It's been faultless. So much so that I forget it's there and just assume the phone connects to the head unit like.most other cars lol

I assume you just leave your phone in your pocket, with BT on, and that's it - no issues with phone to Carsifi distance etc?
I've checked out a couple of reviews and it seems like a decent choice, so I think I'll just order one of these.

 

[Dal3D]

I assume you just leave your phone in your pocket, with BT on, and that's it - no issues with phone to Carsifi distance etc?
I've checked out a couple of reviews and it seems like a decent choice, so I think I'll just order one of these.

Exactly.

BT and location and android auto sat nav is faultless even when we went to Le Mans.
Think on the way back my phone was in my rucsac on the backseat and I didn't need to go near it.

 

[Triggaaar]

A good comparison review here:

 

[vinny85]

just fyi, i bought the ottocast U2-air. Currently its disconnecting from both GR and ST so chatting with support atm but not looking great.

 

[mirokujames]

Has anyone got the Carlin wireless mini, the one that looks like AirPods?

Also, @Conscript where did you get those super short cables?

 

[Conscript]

Has anyone got the Carlin wireless mini, the one that looks like AirPods?

Also, @Conscript where did you get those super short cables?

0.1m / 4"

 

[DpM]

Just drove home and currently sat outside on the drive waiting for the head unit to sort itself out. Tried switching it off, killing the ignition but it keeps coming back to this screen.
Any other ideas bar maybe a battery disconnect?

 

[DpM]

I went to disconnect the battery and just before I did, it stopped!
Odd.

Just drove home and currently sat outside on the drive waiting for the head unit to sort itself out. Tried switching it off, killing the ignition but it keeps coming back to this screen.
Any other ideas bar maybe a battery disconnect?
View attachment 19556

 

[PVGR]

I've had a weird error recently android auto crashes and complains about the clock not being set?

Anyone else?

 

[AP756]

Just drove home and currently sat outside on the drive waiting for the head unit to sort itself out. Tried switching it off, killing the ignition but it keeps coming back to this screen.
Any other ideas bar maybe a battery disconnect?
View attachment 19556

When ignition is off just open the door and the head unit will stop working (power os switched off).

Bye for now Fred

 

[ZN8]

Have you guys ever had a chance to compare to anything else?

I'll be using an Android and it looks like I could go Carsifi, AAWireless, or CarlinKit 5. It's difficult to find good comparisons of them.

I'd like to keep the unit inside the central armrest, and the phone in my pocket, if that works. I think some have better wireless connectivity than others, but determining which is which is not straightforward.

I have a Carsifi but not for much longer, I'm fed up with the drop outs, its become increasingly unreliable so I will be trying something else.

 

[Triggaaar]

I have a Carsifi but not for much longer, I'm fed up with the drop outs, its become increasingly unreliable so I will be trying something else.

Oh wow - after reading a few bits I got the impression the Carsifi was the best choice. The only reason I hadn't ordered it was because the car's not arriving for a while. Reliability and not dropping out are basically the top of the priorities list.

Any idea what you'll be choosing from next?

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

I've had a weird error recently android auto crashes and complains about the clock not being set?

Anyone else?

No but if that was a PC I'd say that was CMOS battery needs changing. No idea how these head units keep time but there must be something similar.

 

[Conscript]

I've had a weird error recently android auto crashes and complains about the clock not being set?

Anyone else?

Yes!
I had this a couple of times the other day, something about system time? The error disappeared too quickly before I got a shot of it. Can't remember exactly what happened, and it hasn't happened since so I'd kind of forgotten to investigate further.

 

[Conscript]

I have a Carsifi but not for much longer, I'm fed up with the drop outs, its become increasingly unreliable so I will be trying something else.

I'm surprised by this, my Carsifi has been solid. The only issues I've encountered have been ones I've seen before Carsifi, or solved by restarting the phone after an update. What phone do you have? I'm using a Pixel 7 Pro.

 

[ZN8]

I'm using a Pixel 6, it always drops out at the same place on my way home from work, which is fine as I know there is some interference at that part of my journey but it now does it more regularly in different places, it dropped out 3 times in a 3 hour journey yesterday and I had to unplug and replug Carsifi to get it connect. This morning it wouldn't connect from the start of my journey, I will reach out to them today to see what they suggest.