Apple Carplay in the Boxster?

[amitmishra4]

Thanks for responding - here are the questions I have in my head, since you asked

Is it a straightforward install? Does it require any modifications to the bezel or other parts? Did you do it yourself?
How does the data for carplay work? I assume through the phone, but does it use your existing data plan?
I read that it does not pair over bluetooth so it requires re-pairing everytime. If so, how do you make/answer calls?
Is there an included mike on the carplay unit?
Are there a lot of carplay apps out there?
If you had to do it again, would you install it or get an ipad mini instead?

Thanks in advance.

Amit

Originally Posted by jpc763

I have done the install. I have a 4000NEX receiver with CarPlay and App radio. I never use AppRadio and use CarPlay a lot.

What questions do you have?

John

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

Thanks for responding - here are the questions I have in my head, since you asked

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

Is it a straightforward install?

It is relatively straightforward if you do your homework. There is a lot of info out there to help you do the install. I would recommend that you buy a housing that comes with a wiring harness. Here is one of my threads Installing Pioneer AVH 4000NEX with Euro Motorsport Double DIN

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

Does it require any modifications to the bezel or other parts?

The Euromotorsport housing comes with a bezel and it drops in quite nicely.

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

Did you do it yourself?

I did the install myself. It took a day.

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

How does the data for carplay work? I assume through the phone, but does it use your existing data plan?

It uses your data plan. If you stream (Spotify) you use data. If you use their GPS app, you use data.

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

I read that it does not pair over bluetooth so it requires re-pairing everytime. If so, how do you make/answer calls?

My radio connects via bluetooth if I do not plug the phone in. It is seamless. I am not sure about other models.

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

Is there an included mike on the carplay unit?

The pioneer unit had a mike that I wired up. It works great, even with the top down.

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

Are there a lot of carplay apps out there?

I would not say a LOT. Here is the current list. https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

If you had to do it again, would you install it or get an ipad mini instead?

I would do it again. Unless there is a kit for the iPad, I think that I would have had a much harder time installing.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by amitmishra4

Thanks for responding - here are the questions I have in my head, since you asked

Is it a straightforward install? Does it require any modifications to the bezel or other parts? Did you do it yourself?
How does the data for carplay work? I assume through the phone, but does it use your existing data plan?
I read that it does not pair over bluetooth so it requires re-pairing everytime. If so, how do you make/answer calls?
Is there an included mike on the carplay unit?
Are there a lot of carplay apps out there?
If you had to do it again, would you install it or get an ipad mini instead?

Thanks in advance.

Amit

I just installed the Poneer 6100NEX in my truck and it is excellent. The touch screen is very responsive. Since you can't use your phone as a hotspot, then get the Pioneer and plug your phone in to use your phone's data plan. The built in GPS is good or you can use Apple maps. Get the proper Metra wiring harness to make the installation simpler. Like JPC763 said, get the Euro Motorsport install kit. The mic that comes with the Pioneer works well. Your phone will connect via blutooth for music and phone calls, but to use CarPlay, and the CarPlay screen, you have to connect via USB/lightning cable. I would not have any regrets installing a Pioneer AVIC 6100NEX into my Boxster rather than the iPad mini. Here is a link to what I got for my truck:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SKJH6EQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by BruceH

I just installed the Poneer 6100NEX in my truck and it is excellent. The touch screen is very responsive. Since you can't use your phone as a hotspot, then get the Pioneer and plug your phone in to use your phone's data plan. The built in GPS is good or you can use Apple maps. Get the proper Metra wiring harness to make the installation simpler. Like JPC763 said, get the Euro Motorsport install kit. The mic that comes with the Pioneer works well. Your phone will connect via blutooth for music and phone calls, but to use CarPlay, and the CarPlay screen, you have to connect via USB/lightning cable. I would not have any regrets installing a Pioneer AVIC 6100NEX into my Boxster rather than the iPad mini. Here is a link to what I got for my truck:
Amazon.com : Pioneer AVIC-6100NEX In-Dash Navigation AV Receiver with 6.2" WVGA Touchscreen Display : Electronics

If you had to choose one over the other, which would it be? The iPad is much lighter and....

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by jaykay

If you had to choose one over the other, which would it be? The iPad is much lighter and....

That is a tough question! The ipad is more capable since it can use any Apple app and CarPlay has a very limited number of apps. But...how many apps are you really going to use while you are driving? Reality is, most of the time, music, phone and maps which CarPlay does very well with nice big buttons that are easy to see. You can not make the app buttons larger on the mini even though it has the bigger screen. Also, with the mini, you still need a head unit where with the Pioneer, you will gain a cubby. During the summer months with the top down, ocaisonally, the iPad will overheat and shutdown. The other irritation is if the car sits for a few days, the iPad continues to drain so you may jump in your car and the iPad will be dead, coming to life after about 10 minutes of driving.

You can see, there are pluses and minuses. I installed my mini before CarPlay was even announced so it wasn't an option at that time. Fast forward to today and I think if given the choice, I would get the Pioneer. It works really well, better actually than I expected. I drove my truck today for some errands just because I wanted to play with the new Pioneer and it continues to impress me. The mini looks fantastic and works great too, so for now, it will stay, I really do like the mini install and it is not hard to do, it just isn't as seamless and easy as installing an all in one HU. One other note, if you are using the stock Porsche radio, it will keep the iPad charged continuously. The single DIN Pioneer HU that I am now using, only charges when the ignition is on. I bought the Pioneer a year and a half ago to get hands free calling. If you want a back up camera, the Pioneer is the way to go since there really is not any great option for a back up camera for the mini. Again, it really is a tough choice, but in the end, if I was doing the install today, I would probably go with the Pioneer, notice I said probably

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by BruceH

Since you can't use your phone as a hotspot, then get the Pioneer and plug your phone in to use your phone's data plan

AT&T allow tethering with unlimited data plans?
seems like they are the most militant carrier against data sharing for unlimited users.
For limited data plans this car play sounds like a boondoggle for all the carriers. Or do they let you share your limit cap with the car play?

I was looking up the data plans in the new GM wifi cars and it was a good laugh. You won't be streaming video very long with only 1 GB. And going up to only 5 GB (forget HD video) will cost you $70 after you add in the OnStar fees. Which really underlines the importance of SD cards for tablets in family cars. Or pay the pricey premium for more storage if SD card is blocked. Actually I won't buy any mobile device without SD card support and I actually have unlimited Verizon data. I switched from T-Mobile to get in on the unlimited before they ended those plans. I had a feeling that 4G LTE was going to be a big data sucker. But luckily Verizon cant throttle you if your on unlimited because of the spectrum deal they agreed to with the FCC.