I finally bit the bullet, after years of procrastination, and mulling over converting the existing ICE to give me CarPlay and Android Auto.
I've a 2012 XF with a Bosch head unit (not that it matter much in this case) and whilst I am possibly the only person who likes the interface on the built-in maps - the split screen is brilliant for long-distance travel here in Australia - I needed CarPlay, since I now have to travel to places that are too new for the map software (in Australia, there are no current maps available: only to 2021).
And whilst it may seem blasphemous to bolt on a new screen, that's what I've done. But it's no ordinary screen, and the quality is superb (60fps, 1920x720px, super fast boot-up, bright): and better than anything else I've looked at. And it operates differently: it's JUST a screen (with built-in touchscreen smarts), so it can be completely controlled via steering wheel controls etc.
What is it? A Carpodgo T3 Pro: I've seen lots of video reviews online, and bit the bullet a few weeks ago. With discount, it cost me AU$300 delivered, and took about 10 days to arrive.
The display-only Bluetooth mode is brilliant, because it not only boots up incredibly fast, but also responds as quickly to swipes, or to steering wheel inputs. It boots up so fast that as I approach the car (the car has keyless entry), it has already booted up and connects to my phone and displays CarPlay before the Jaguar ICE boots up. See pictures - I had to power-down the unit whilst sitting in the passenger seat to display the boot-up steps.
Cabling was simple enough: though I want to tidy it up a bit so it's less messy. Just waiting for some good-quality double-sided tape to arrive. The single cable runs down the side of the dash, and then into the side panel of the centre console, and is plugged in to the rear cigarette lighter inside the console. The power unit also has a switch on it to allow you to turn it off if needed. The whole display is also magnetically-mounted, so easy to remove.
The mount is stuck onto the dashboard, and I am crossing fingers that it stays put on the leather (it's a Premium Luxury, so it's leather, not PU-coated - or so I'm led to believe...).
I did try using the supplied windscreen mount extension arm and fix it to the centre grille, but it only just reaches the edge of the dashboard, and looks messy from all angles. Affixing it to the windscreen is a no-go for the same reason - it won't reach. Also, the unit has to rest on something solid, as well as the mount: it's too heavy to leave dangling in the air (so a CD mount isn't an option either - I did look into this).
Yes, I know that some will think it's an abomination, and should only be seen on Mercedes or BMWs, but I'm a practical person and this offers the map solution that I need, with the bonus of being able to read messages and use Siri etc to open my garage door etc. If you don't like it, that's fine. I'm an IT specialist, and I love it.
Incidentally, it does not obstruct vision at all (my wife is just over 5 foot tall, and it works fine for her) - unless you are of a particular body type that has to drive by looking through the steering wheel...
If you've any questions about the unit, fire away.
As I mentioned, it boots up incredibly fast. The order of pictures here is incorrect: the first picture was taken after picture number 2, and shows the interface screen for about 2 seconds or so before moving directly into CarPlay (or Android Auto).
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
I've a 2012 XF with a Bosch head unit (not that it matter much in this case) and whilst I am possibly the only person who likes the interface on the built-in maps - the split screen is brilliant for long-distance travel here in Australia - I needed CarPlay, since I now have to travel to places that are too new for the map software (in Australia, there are no current maps available: only to 2021).
And whilst it may seem blasphemous to bolt on a new screen, that's what I've done. But it's no ordinary screen, and the quality is superb (60fps, 1920x720px, super fast boot-up, bright): and better than anything else I've looked at. And it operates differently: it's JUST a screen (with built-in touchscreen smarts), so it can be completely controlled via steering wheel controls etc.
What is it? A Carpodgo T3 Pro: I've seen lots of video reviews online, and bit the bullet a few weeks ago. With discount, it cost me AU$300 delivered, and took about 10 days to arrive.
The display-only Bluetooth mode is brilliant, because it not only boots up incredibly fast, but also responds as quickly to swipes, or to steering wheel inputs. It boots up so fast that as I approach the car (the car has keyless entry), it has already booted up and connects to my phone and displays CarPlay before the Jaguar ICE boots up. See pictures - I had to power-down the unit whilst sitting in the passenger seat to display the boot-up steps.
Cabling was simple enough: though I want to tidy it up a bit so it's less messy. Just waiting for some good-quality double-sided tape to arrive. The single cable runs down the side of the dash, and then into the side panel of the centre console, and is plugged in to the rear cigarette lighter inside the console. The power unit also has a switch on it to allow you to turn it off if needed. The whole display is also magnetically-mounted, so easy to remove.
The mount is stuck onto the dashboard, and I am crossing fingers that it stays put on the leather (it's a Premium Luxury, so it's leather, not PU-coated - or so I'm led to believe...).
I did try using the supplied windscreen mount extension arm and fix it to the centre grille, but it only just reaches the edge of the dashboard, and looks messy from all angles. Affixing it to the windscreen is a no-go for the same reason - it won't reach. Also, the unit has to rest on something solid, as well as the mount: it's too heavy to leave dangling in the air (so a CD mount isn't an option either - I did look into this).
Yes, I know that some will think it's an abomination, and should only be seen on Mercedes or BMWs, but I'm a practical person and this offers the map solution that I need, with the bonus of being able to read messages and use Siri etc to open my garage door etc. If you don't like it, that's fine. I'm an IT specialist, and I love it.
Incidentally, it does not obstruct vision at all (my wife is just over 5 foot tall, and it works fine for her) - unless you are of a particular body type that has to drive by looking through the steering wheel...
If you've any questions about the unit, fire away.
As I mentioned, it boots up incredibly fast. The order of pictures here is incorrect: the first picture was taken after picture number 2, and shows the interface screen for about 2 seconds or so before moving directly into CarPlay (or Android Auto).
