car play

[jacksonmj43535]

just bought my mr2 wanting to get carplay, what are some good ones that are plug n play/ easy to install? (2002) and not too expensive

[SurreyMR2]

I bought this one last week & I am very happy with it.

Buy an iso loom adapter and it's plug n play.

It's wired CarPlay connection but I am happy to plug in as I find battery is hit quite hard in my other car that is wireless on long runs when using the nav.


https://www.roadradio.com/product/car-audio/androidauto/pioneer/sph-da230dab/product/car-audio/androidauto/pioneer/sph-da230dab/575ad6d3-0520-4157-8ca3-8de71f507b45

[Ardent]

@jacksonmj43535

Hello and welcome.

Feel free to introduce you and your 2 in the new owners section.

We like pics.

Any plans.

[Craigjm]

I wouldn't bother personally it's too low down to be useful as a CarPlay unit location

[SurreyMR2]

I wouldn't bother personally it's too low down to be useful as a CarPlay unit location

I do kinda agree, but I found that my phone was getting warm and screen dimming so when hood down could hardly see sat nav.

So I checked out loads of units and bought the Pioneer as it has actual physical buttons on it for volume & main functions. I then use sat nav with volume on & have CarPlay screen in split mode so I can easily skip tracks.

Now if I could find a stalk for the column that would work with the Pioneer that would be just brilliant!

[The Other Stu]

I wouldn't bother personally it's too low down to be useful as a CarPlay unit location

Then replace the top box with a 3D printed Radio surround.

That's what I've done. Yes, it's a reach, but it works perfectly.

[Alex Knight]

I wouldn't bother personally it's too low down to be useful as a CarPlay unit location

I don't agree. I've no issues using mine in the stock location.

[Craigjm]

I don't agree. I've no issues using mine in the stock location.

Well it's a good job it was a personal opinion then wasn't it

[Alex Knight]

Well it's a good job it was a personal opinion then wasn't it

Unlike your statement.

[SurreyMR2]

I guess the opinion as to if the headunit is to low or not depends on how much you look at the screen!

I personally can't stand the cars I've driven where the screen is very high up, very distracting.

As for people that have their phone mounted on the windscreen right in front of their faces, don't get me started 

That's just my personal opinion 

[shnazzle]

Having tried all 3 solutions; 
Radio with buttons wins for me but the screen was handy as a reversing cam because without that, there is no elegant solution to a screen for reversing camera.

If the cam was something I prioritised, I'd reconsider another screen down low but it would have to have a stalk controller or good Google voice control. 
I also had rock-hard suspension, so trying to press a virtual button down there whilst driving was nigh-on impossible.

I had the Sony radio stalk and it was absolutely a must-have for me for the suspension reasons.

I never had the radio in the upper compartment but did drive a 2 with one and I could not comfortably reach the screen, nor could i see it a lot of the time due to sun.  But that depends on the unit and how big the "cap" on the 3d printed unit is.

Absolutely loved my Sony double-din unit. Powerful, easy to use great bluetooth, clear screen.

[The Other Stu]

I never had the radio in the upper compartment but did drive a 2 with one and I could not comfortably reach the screen, nor could i see it a lot of the time due to sun.  But that depends on the unit and how big the "cap" on the 3d printed unit is

https://www.joybuy.co.uk/dp/summer-special-offer-essgoo-1026-inch/101764616

Maybe?

Have you bought an MR2 yet? 

[tricky1138]

https://www.joybuy.co.uk/dp/summer-special-offer-essgoo-1026-inch/101764616

Maybe?

Have you bought an MR2 yet? 

I've got that one and find it great - a couple of occasions where the sun has stopped me viewing it, but other wise fantastic. Will try get a photo of it in situ.

[SurreyMR2]

I also had rock-hard suspension, so trying to press a virtual button down there whilst driving was nigh-on impossible.

I chose the Pioneer unit as it has actual buttons at the bottom.

There is an option to add resistance based remote onto the unit to. Just need to look into this.


Volume and skip is all I need. And when using nav I turn on voice instructions so I hardly need to look at the screen.

I do love the reverse camera and it's one of reasons I fitted the CarPlay unit as I had a car accident 40 years ago and as you sit so low in the MR2 I find I can't see as much as I can in other cars. Camera just allows me to have a quick look at the blind spot in the middle👍🏻.

[shnazzle]

https://www.joybuy.co.uk/dp/summer-special-offer-essgoo-1026-inch/101764616

Maybe?

Have you bought an MR2 yet? 

Oh wow. Car screens have come a long way since I had my attempt. I even cut up a spare glove box to see if I could "weld" the screen into the glove box. 
...I did not possess the skills, let's just put it that way 

And no haha! No MR2 but I live on a farm road and it's nice and twisty and turny. I keep seeing MR2s as well (who was in Alnwick lately in their black 2?) .
So it's sorely tempting. But as impractical for me as it was years ago. 

[tricky1138]

Bad photo as doesn't show screen on but you get the idea. I'm sure I could hide the wires a bit better too if I tried. Also got a reverse camera with it but not wired in yet.

[SurreyMR2]

I've ordered a wired plug in adapter & a universal stalk that will fit on column.

Will have in a week or so & will let you know how I get on.

[paulj]

I'm sure I could hide the wires a bit better too if I tried

Pop out the glove box.  Drill a small hole in the LHS of the cubby and you can thread the wires down that side to behind the glove box.  That is where mine go!  You can also get your hand up to the "other side" of the cubby just to confirm you are not drilling through the plastic into anything important

[Ardent]

Like your hand.

Sorry.

I'll get my coat.