CarPlay CarPlay adapter to convert to wireless CarPlay?

[Jim Schroeder]

Just got my hands on a Carlinkit 2.0 dongle. Rough go at first getting it to work on a 2016 Cadillac ATS. Worked on my wife's NEX so I knew the unit was OK. What I learned was that the Qi charger caused the unit connectivity problems (or so it seems). The Qi charger is in the Console and the USB port sits right behind it, in that configuration it was a no go. But moved the Carlinkit to one of the the Armrest USB ports and it started working.

However, finally got to take a drive with the new dongle and it was about 10 minutes each way. After about 7-8 minutes in both directions, while playing music the unit started to produce static, like an AM/FM radio. That was frustrating. Anyone else see this?

Also noticed these weird issues:
- One icon (Music) has a highlight around it like it's been selected
- Music playback controls and other aspects of CarPlay look different than they do when using native plugged in CarPlay
- In the Cadillac, at least, if you don't disable Bluetooth connectivity to the CUE system then the Carlinkit won't connect (this one is not so weird, really)

 

[vesalius]

Just got my hands on a Carlinkit 2.0 dongle. Rough go at first getting it to work on a 2016 Cadillac ATS. Worked on my wife's NEX so I knew the unit was OK. What I learned was that the Qi charger caused the unit connectivity problems (or so it seems). The Qi charger is in the Console and the USB port sits right behind it, in that configuration it was a no go. But moved the Carlinkit to one of the the Armrest USB ports and it started working.

However, finally got to take a drive with the new dongle and it was about 10 minutes each way. After about 7-8 minutes in both directions, while playing music the unit started to produce static, like an AM/FM radio. That was frustrating. Anyone else see this?

Also noticed these weird issues:
- One icon (Music) has a highlight around it like it's been selected
- Music playback controls and other aspects of CarPlay look different than they do when using native plugged in CarPlay
- In the Cadillac, at least, if you don't disable Bluetooth connectivity to the CUE system then the Carlinkit won't connect (this one is not so weird, really)

Almost all of us have experienced the 5-10 min distortion. Read post #1 of this thread and follow the instruction there for the OTA update to get the latest firmware, which finally fixed this for many, but not All.

 

[Jim Schroeder]

Thanks Vesalius, I actually ran a couple of firmware updates and figured it was good, but when I checked again today noticed it still wasn't the latest. Ran the update again, seems to be on the latest now, will check again and see what happens.

 

[vesalius]

Thanks Vesalius, I actually ran a couple of firmware updates and figured it was good, but when I checked again today noticed it still wasn't the latest. Ran the update again, seems to be on the latest now, will check again and see what happens.

Yes most people are getting new dongles that have firmware from several months ago. There was a bigger firmware change around June 17 or so that if you update OTA seems to force you to do that one first then another transition firmware from early July before finally allowing you to upgrade to the latest, at least that what seems to have happened for some new posters here. Regardless It is confusing at best for anyone just learning how to use these.

 

[Jim Schroeder]

Yes most people are getting new dongles that have firmware from several months ago. There was a bigger firmware change around June 17 or so that if you update OTA seems to force you to do that one first then another transition firmware from early July before finally allowing you to upgrade to the latest, at least that what seems to have happened for some new posters here. Regardless It is confusing at best for anyone just learning how to use these.

That scratched off the niggly "highlight icon" issue, which is cool, and the look of CarPlay through the dongle seems to have improved a bit, which is good.

Being a GM vehicle, so far, I have not had it auto connect but will do more testing soon and I think I read something about people seeing similar things. But, alas, my daughter has my car trapped in the garage atm.

 

[DeanCorp]

Yes most people are getting new dongles that have firmware from several months ago. There was a bigger firmware change around June 17 or so that if you update OTA seems to force you to do that one first then another transition firmware from early July before finally allowing you to upgrade to the latest, at least that what seems to have happened for some new posters here. Regardless It is confusing at best for anyone just learning how to use these.

Yes this is exactly the problem, most of the units are shipping with 2020.07.01.1234 and then the user will proceed to update OTA to the next available update 2020.07.17 and then try the major update to 2020.08.04 and many users including myself have seen the units brick and never come back to life, despite trying the keep 192.168.50.2 page with update now page open, connect to usb power adapter, connect to iPhone lightning cable and then click update now, this technique will not work for completely bricked devices.

 

[Allysdad]

Have you tried downloading the firmware below and manually updating with a USB drive? The very first post in this thread goes through the process on exactly how to manually update. By prior post it seems both you and mdagnew1 received older firmware directly from the company. In the end you very well may have received a defective Carlinkit/car2play and should return/replace asap if you are still able.

http://112.74.112.110/download/2020-08-04/U2W_Update.img

Thanks. I’ll try it. The firmware they sent it seemed to load up the lights blinked and then the red went solid like they said it would.

 

[toddm]

Has anyone had a usb-c to usb-c cable work with the usb-c version? I've tried a couple cables now and no luck in my 2020 GMC, as far as I know the usb-c ports are supposed to be data enabled for the infotainment. Thought it would be nice to free up a usb port.

 

[bookemdano]

Has anyone had a usb-c to usb-c cable work with the usb-c version? I've tried a couple cables now and no luck in my 2020 GMC, as far as I know the usb-c ports are supposed to be data enabled for the infotainment. Thought it would be nice to free up a usb port.

I seem to remember someone earlier in the thread having trouble with third-party USB cables and then realizing that the problem is the case of the Carlinkit--the USB-C port is recessed and most/many third-party USB-C cables' plugs are too large to fit. Maybe try trimming the plastic on one of your third-party cables to see if you can get it to fully insert.

 

[zoeck]

New update 2020.08.10.2151, with a new download path?!
Currently also available as OTA update

http://112.74.112.110/mnt/downloads/2020-08-12/U2W_Update.img

updateLog
Optimize audio by setting in the web page
Optimize media information synchronization

 

[italAlf]

New update 2020.08.10.2151, with a new download path?!
Currently also available as OTA update

http://112.74.112.110/mnt/downloads/2020-08-12/U2W_Update.img

updateLog
Optimize audio by setting in the web page
Optimize media information synchronization

Hi.
i tried to update my Carkit v2 Usb. C in car over the air.
it downloads to 100 % performs the upgrade and then says success and reboots.
But, when I do another check it again says that the same firmware is available!
Tried it twice.
Has it updated as it keeps saying the same firmware available even after upgrading?
Am I doing something wrong as I don’t want to brick it!!
Thanks.
Alf

 

[simps100]

Done the latest update on my USB C carlinkit device used OTA this time - I’m running fords Sync 3.4 in a Focus in U.K.

So far working fine no noticeable differences in the usage but only tested a few minutes - some new settings in the web UI - not played with any yet.

 

[geauxlsutigers]

Any word on Nissan compatibility yet? They said they were working on it...

 

[vesalius]

Thanks for the pics and update. Waiting to hear from my GM/Chevy radio brethren that try 08/10 for more than 10 min to see if the distortion bug has not reappeared.

 

[bookemdano]

Screenshots are interesting! Thanks for posting them.

The CD vs DVD sound quality is a bit bizarre, but my guess is that they mean lossless vs lossy compression--CD being technically "better" than DVD because the audio on DVDs uses lossy compression.

In the real world almost no one would be able to tell the difference though--lossy compression has come a long way since Napster days.

 

[Nikomank]

Did the update OTA, hoping it would help me with my problems with Mercedes-Benz. But - it´s more worse than ever before. Disconnects after a few minutes, sometimes after seconds. Think I will sell it now. Not working for me, dont want to wait longer...

 

[simps100]

Screenshots are interesting! Thanks for posting them.

The CD vs DVD sound quality is a bit bizarre, but my guess is that they mean lossless vs lossy compression--CD being technically "better" than DVD because the audio on DVDs uses lossy compression.

In the real world almost no one would be able to tell the difference though--lossy compression has come a long way since Napster days.

Didn’t think of it like that - it is a weird way of stating the 2, dvd was set by default next time I’m out I’ll try change to CD and see if notice any differences.

The audio delay is set to 1000 by default - you can change between 300 and 2000 or 3000 I think it was - I didn’t notice a difference when changing it to 300 but didn’t play with it too much.

 

[vesalius]

Didn’t think of it like that - it is a weird way of stating the 2, dvd was set by default next time I’m out I’ll try change to CD and see if notice any differences.

The audio delay is set to 1000 by default - you can change between 300 and 2000 or 3000 I think it was - I didn’t notice a difference when changing it to 300 but didn’t play with it too much.

Agreed lends itself to multiple interpretations. I imagine Most will consider DVD higher quality than CD based off the video side.

 

[Diehminer]

I've updated my Carlay2Air adapter to the OTA 8.10 just now with my Pioneer MVH1400NEX. Blank screen bug is still present. I tried compatible and normal to no avail. I have yet to find what the difference is between the two.

 

[simps100]

I've updated my Carlay2Air adapter to the OTA 8.10 just now with my Pioneer MVH1400NEX. Blank screen bug is still present. I tried compatible and normal to no avail. I have yet to find what the difference is between the two.

I wish there was a bit more info on the new settings - even the audio quality one isn’t fully clear which one is the better option, hopefully we will hear abit more information on the options soon.

 

[anthover]

Does the Sync Mode seem to do anything for anybody? Going to OTA next time in the car 8-4 to 8-12.

 

[DarkEvilRivas]

I still have to do more tests but with the update "2020.08.10.2151" it seems that the synchronization problem has been solved. Sometimes the information of the songs (name, cover, ... etc) in the "R-Link" interface of the car was not refreshed.
I will continue testing.

Ahh, i cannot find differences between CD and DVD quality.

regards

 

[LarryJoe33]

Screenshots are interesting! Thanks for posting them.

The CD vs DVD sound quality is a bit bizarre, but my guess is that they mean lossless vs lossy compression--CD being technically "better" than DVD because the audio on DVDs uses lossy compression.

In the real world almost no one would be able to tell the difference though--lossy compression has come a long way since Napster days.

Maybe they should have added laser disc, beta max and blu-ray. This company is SO strange.

 

[LarryJoe33]

Ok I updated to 8.10. The delay definitely does something. When set to 300 I got audio skipping. Through process of elimination, I settled in at 500 and CD quality. I’m not sure the CD or DVD setting does anything. It seems the delay setting results in faster track change. You have to reboot the device for the settings to apply.

 

[simps100]

Ok I updated to 8.10. The delay definitely does something. When set to 300 I got audio skipping. Through process of elimination, I settled in at 500 and CD quality. I’m not sure the CD or DVD setting does anything. It seems the delay setting results in faster track change. You have to reboot the device for the settings to apply.

Do you remember your default settings? I’m curious if the unit is smart enough to alter these based on the unit it detects or if they go for a one option fits all option (which I suspect is the case here)

Edit: Played with my settings a bit too, like you on 300 I got audio stuttering, same with 400 so I settled at 500. I tried CD quality and for some reason my car at first treated it as a phone call rather than audio playing so only come out front speakers - it did correct it’s self but that was odd, I did set back to DVD. Track skipping is pretty good now, I’m not on iOS 14 yet so hopefully see the improvements mentioned with that and it will be pretty instant!