[Spursmaddave]

There is a mic socket on the external module which other car makes have to use, I'll get a mic and try it.

Mic seems fine on mine but them I'm Android Auto not CarPlay, works fine with phone calls and 'Hey Google'

Sound Quality is as good as you can get as it's via USB not an FM channel as some or these devices use, was one of the main reasons I went for it.

I was quoted £1200 to have AA/CarPlay fitted and this was <£300 albeit fitted yourself.

Not had much of a play yet just wanted to make sure everything was working OK, time for some more sleep now 😴

 

[ChrisSB]

This all sounds perfect, I've emailed them to see if they can do a kit for the newer XF.

 

[cutlea01]

Got a few niggles, which I'm not surprised. Had to disconnect bluetooth to the car's original system else voice phone calls would initiate through Carplay then switch to the OEM system when answered. Pressing the voice steering wheel button calls up Siri, but you can't hear her answer. I think because on my vehicle software the voice button acts as an audio mute button only, the factory voice control system was disabled. Any voice phone calls are also deaf, the called person can be heard but not me to them, so I'll try again with a mic plugged into the control module.

 

[Spursmaddave]

Yeah I had to disconnect BT from the car also which makes sense I guess, voice control seems to be working for me but again if I use the steering wheel button it now prompts 'Hey Google' with no sound although she does do what it's told unlike SWMBO.
I am going to put some FLAC music on an SD card just to see what the SQ is like too. Yes there is capability to play video but I've had that in several vehicles for years and never used it...
I'm going to get a rear view camera from AliExpress, think I will try the wireless one for ease of use

 

[Spursmaddave]

Went back to the car to tidy up boot etc and had another short play with the box.
I have an AAWireless box that I use in the Golf R that allows me to side load apps that are not on AA one of whichbis torque.
Just checked that it is all working in the XKR. No more time to play as need to sleep, working tonight.

 

[cutlea01]

I've had more of a play too. I noticed that while the initial connection was made via Bluetooth, it reverted to a wifi connection with some description akin to Mr12volt. This seemed to be causing my phone to try to route data across this connection and as the unit isn't connected to the internet, all data was failing, I think. The quick tries of sat nav apps were showing offline mapping messages. I prefer a wired CarPlay connection as I can choose to connect or not, plus I'd want my phone charging anyway. So without any further testing, I deleted the Bluetooth connection and plugged a lightning cable into the USB socket. Wired works perfectly, aside from still no outgoing voice on calls. This was cured by plugging in a 3.5mm mono jack microphone to the unit, as I suspected. Downside to a wired connection is, as I've experienced, that when not connected you're bound to get an incoming voice call while driving and no way to take it hands free!

 

[ChrisSB]

Wireless CarPlay should still use the phone's data connection so it's odd you were having issues connecting to the internet.

I prefer a wireless connection. I have a magsafe mount for my phone to charge it.No dicking around with cables that way.

 

[cutlea01]

I forgot I don't get much, if any, mobile phone signal even outside, so rely on meshed wifi around the house, gardens and garage, so maybe it was because there was no mobile signal and if the unit was using a wifi connection it would be no surprise I had no data. I didn't do much further testing in any case. My phone is wireless charge compatible but the mount cradle in the XKR is just a simple holder and a wired connection suits me in this car to charge the phone and connect.

 

[Spursmaddave]

I suspect as you believe it is because of a poor data signal. I went for a short drive in mine and had Spotify playing the whole time, I know I am Android rather than Apple but the AAWireless box I use in my Gold R also uses a wifi connection and that works absolutely fine too.
I have a few PIDs to try out with Torque that should show Oil Temp / Gearbox Oil Temp / Diff Temp / Oil Volume / Boost so will start a mew Torque post if I get those working.

 

[Spursmaddave]

I do have an Android Box that connects to wireless AndroidAuto via CarPlay weirdly so if I get a chance I will see if I can plug that into the Mr12Volt and get any sort of connection. I tried it in the Golf R and it worked fine with the OEM setup using an automated Hotspot on my phone.

 

[Spursmaddave]

Short trip to work and everything working great so far, voice and mic fine on Android.

Just noticed that if you touch the climate controls you get a pop up menu, very nice

If you go into reverse then it goes back to OEM menu with sensor markings and when done goes back to AA.

 

[cutlea01]

I've programmed mine ready to accept a reverse camera so selecting reverse currently shows a black screen (no camera feed yet) with the reversing lines and the beeping. The lines swing with the steering wheel too, though I don't know how accurate they'll be. Haven't seen the A/C menu pop up yet as I've not touched any controls. This unit does seem to be very well thought out and programmed, some aftermarket devices I've seen are full of bugs and "nearly there" in the user interface. I'd highly recommend this for anyone with a Classic XF or 2006-runout XK/XKR. OK, the screen isn't the best resolution and has poor contrast making some sat nav screens hard to distinguish but this does pull the car into a much more usable technological place. The price is excellent, even more so that Dave and I secured our devices at a 22% special offer discount.

 

[Spursmaddave]

Yeah weak point is the screen resolution and contrast, but if you want to retain the OEM look this is a very good option indeed, as Alan says very well thought out and they have made units for many other Marques too.

The splitscreen mode you get is pretty much unusable due to size but fullscreen audio or fullscreen maps are much improved over OEM even Google maps in sattelite view looks ok which has surprised me.

 

[Spursmaddave]

Tried some FLAC on USB and sounds great, I probably won't use this now i have Spotify but it's a much nicer interface than OEM

 

[cutlea01]

I knew I should have checked before ordering from a Chinese website that said they fit.....

 

[MooreAbout]

Welcome
You could start with giving us a clue as to what system the car has
You'll not get carplay with just a lead, but you may be able to use one of the Chinese adapter boxes, which, coming to think about it, is a lead...

Thank you! After driving the car for 3 weeks, I had to return it as the transponder was defective and the part discontinued... as it's my daily driver, I couldn't have the car out of commission for months hoping the part would show up on eBay. Now driving a 2020 F-Type... definitely not the same - really miss the luxury of the XK! But CarPlay works great LOL

 

[MooreAbout]

I've started! First was to locate the USB module. It's under the right hand boot trim cover, so floor out, rear battery cover off, slam panel trim (4 torx screws) off, few plastic trim buttons off and you can move the trim piece aside, no need to disconnect the boot light.

View attachment 201382

USB module is the silver rectangle in the middle of the picture.

Unplug the lower right connector and you need to release the inner fibre plug from the outer plug, there's a small tang.

View attachment 201383

View attachment 201384

Find the 2 supplied fibre loop adapters, you need to remove the fibre loop from one, discard the loop but retain the outer housing.

View attachment 201385

View attachment 201386

Fit the housing onto the MOST connector in the car and plug the loop adapter onto it.

View attachment 201387

View attachment 201388

Plug the electrical connector (now minus the MOST fibres) back into the USB module and tuck the MOST wires neatly somewhere.

View attachment 201389

Put all the boot trims back together. Next stage is the infotainment. But I need dinner first.

OMG... I love your enthusiasm for this! I gave up and got a 2020 F-Type, but am going along for the ride on your install.

 

[cutlea01]

I wanted the XKR as it's more a GT rather than a Sports car: as you likely found out, the F-Type cabin and luggage space is at a premium. Fun cars to drive though.

 

[MooreAbout]

I wanted the XKR as it's more a GT rather than a Sports car: as you likely found out, the F-Type cabin and luggage space is at a premium. Fun cars to drive though.

100%!