Hi folks - any of you on here use one these?

 

Carlinkit 5.0 2air Wireless CarPlay Adapter & Android Auto Wireless Adapter,2 in 1 Wireless Adapter for Factory Wired CarPlay and Android Auto Cars,Plug and Play,5GHz WIFI automatic connection: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

 

I got one a while back and when it works, it's great. A lot of the the time I get get connection issues where the car doesn't recognise it and throws up error messages. I have to to pull the USB cable in and out a couple of times to get it to start working.

 

I'm using a decent cable (USB 3.1, high speed), firmware on the Carlinkit is up to date and my phone is a Pixel 9 and ssing Android Auto via the cable straight into the phone works perfectly.

 

Just not sure if there's any settings on the Carlinkit I need to modify to get a better connection, or maybe is it the stereo in the car needing updates?

 

Thanks

 

Alan

Carlinkit is overhyped. 

 

I have been using this cheapo AA wireless dongle for over a year with no issues at all : https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005006128419504.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.208.37605e5bNESMdb&gatewayAdapt=glo2fra

 

You can find the same type that does AA+CP https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005007498201058.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.9.6dc01ba90J4Pul&algo_pvid=84fe252b-b4fe-42a6-928a-d8a312684c60&algo_exp_id=84fe252b-b4fe-42a6-928a-d8a312684c60-4&pdp_npi=4%40dis!EUR!20.72!16.49!!!154.99!123.34!%40211b441e17332294613595475e385b!12000041031590141!sea!FR!914286551!X&curPageLogUid=PndmE8bzKUb8&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A

 

and many more on ALI. 

 

I have an MIB2 up to date and no issues what so ever

Edited 3 December, 20241 yr by nickytheshaft

Thanks for that! I'll take a look into some of these and maybe pick one up.

 

Just disappointed with the Carkinkit. When it works it flawless but it's a roll of the dice every morning when I get in the car if it's going to connect successfully or not

1 hour ago, nickytheshaft said:

I have been using this cheapo AA wireless dongle for over a year with no issues at all : https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005006128419504.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.208.37605e5bNESMdb&gatewayAdapt=glo2fra

 

This is the one I bought after the last time you posted it. Best £20 I could have spent. It works flawlessly other than it occasionally forgets to connect but manually connecting bluetooth normally jumps it back into life again.

6 hours ago, HappySam said:

 

This is the one I bought after the last time you posted it. Best £20 I could have spent. It works flawlessly other than it occasionally forgets to connect but manually connecting bluetooth normally jumps it back into life again.

Glad you still enjoy it. 

These Chinese gadgets get quite good now

6 hours ago, alco1980 said:

Thanks for that! I'll take a look into some of these and maybe pick one up.

 

Just disappointed with the Carkinkit. When it works it flawless but it's a roll of the dice every morning when I get in the car if it's going to connect successfully or not

I thinks carlinkit has some sort of software running compared to the other dongles that just link the car to the phone.

They use the car Bluetooth.

Away it goes again.... Ordered that one you recommended @nickytheshaft so hopefully does the job

8 hours ago, alco1980 said:

Away it goes again.... Ordered that one you recommended @nickytheshaft so hopefully does the job

In deed.... Never happened with my dongle.

As happysam said, at times it forgets to connect but just select the dongle on your phone and tada good to Go.

On 03/12/2024 at 14:36, alco1980 said:

Thanks for that! I'll take a look into some of these and maybe pick one up.

 

Just disappointed with the Carkinkit. When it works it flawless but it's a roll of the dice every morning when I get in the car if it's going to connect successfully or not

Try updating the firmware, my carlinkit runs flawlessly! Start the car, connect and then use the browser to go to 192.168.50.2 

Here you get settings and firmware update check for the carlinkit. 

It's handy you posted this re the Carlink one. I don't get error messages but it does drop out sometimes and can be slow to connect but I bought it because it does both android and iPhone. 

 

I will give this a wurl tomorrow 👍

i bought the top of the line carlinkit with FOTA updates. the damn thing is more disconnected than connected. when it works its nice. i dont think they like amundsen head units

On 11/01/2025 at 04:38, JohnnyType2 said:

i bought the top of the line carlinkit with FOTA updates. the damn thing is more disconnected than connected. when it works its nice. i dont think they like amundsen head units

 

go for the cheapo ones, they works very well. 

You can have AA+CP for about 15 euros and everything is ok on my amundsen mib 2.0

Never once had an issue with carlinkit. Updated the firmware when I first got it and it's worked perfectly.

must be my head unit

 

Do these dongles need smartlink activated?

No.

11 hours ago, Mook_Mook_Lincs38 said:

Do these dongles need smartlink activated?

Yes...

All they do is add wireless AndroidAuto/Carplay to systems that already support wired AndroidAuto/CarPlay.

Looking a bit 50/50 but I'd assume you do need activation of smartlink otherwise why pay £200 for it.

On 15/05/2025 at 09:15, langers2k said:

Yes...

All they do is add wireless AndroidAuto/Carplay to systems that already support wired AndroidAuto/CarPlay.

This is what it is, you need wired activated to get wireless

i use VPN and it blocks android auto.

trying to whitelist on VPN but without sucess..

only turning off VPN makes it work good.

VPN is a Adguard, payed ofc.

Ad Blocker for Android by AdGuar...

Ad Blocker for Android by AdGuard for rooted and unrooted...

AdGuard is a unique adblock tool that blocks ads in apps and browsers, protects your privacy, and helps manage your apps.

I went down this rabbit hole a while ago, and ended up buying 5 or 6 different ones off of Amazon and AliExpress and testing each one for a couple of weeks.

Loads of them are super janky, with connection issues nearly every use. Some advertise features that they don't actually support.

I used a Carlinkit 5.0 for quite a while, and while it was mostly fine I found that responsiveness was slow and sometimes it didn't connect/start up properly. If you order a Carlinkit, order from a well reviewed store on AliExpress as it's much cheaper than off Amazon or their website.

I tested:

• Carlinkit 5.0 2air

• Carlinkit 5.0 SE Pro

• Carlinkit Mini Ultra

The 5.0 was fine? It worked, but had connection issues occasionally. The Mini SE was essentially exactly the same performance. I'd avoid the Mini Ultra. It regularly disconnected, and was just unreliable overall. They do all have GPS passthrough though, which is a plus.

Again, if you want to buy a Carlinkit buy from AliExpress as they're considerably cheaper (eg Carlinkit 5.0 2air on Amazon is £42, on AliExpress is £22). Just make sure you check the reviews of the seller before buying.

I settled on this one from a company called Sunweyer - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CTCX67F7 - it isn't amazingly well reviewed on Amazon but it's consistently connected every time I've gotten into the car and seems responsive overall. A small positive is that it's a bit smaller, so you don't have a cable hanging either. It's also the best one I've used overall.

I also tried:

• MSXTTLY

• MMB Wireless Adapter

• ByteWave Wireless CarPlay

Personally I'd avoid these three, they don't have GPS passthrough which is a key feature I wanted. This means it uses the cars GPS instead of the phone, which saves on battery over longer journeys and means it's usually aligned with the direction of travel from the beginning.

I've used this wireless adapter for 6 years and found it 100% reliable.

3 hours ago, ChalmersCameron said:

I went down this rabbit hole a while ago, and ended up buying 5 or 6 different ones off of Amazon and AliExpress and testing each one for a couple of weeks.

Loads of them are super janky, with connection issues nearly every use. Some advertise features that they don't actually support.

I used a Carlinkit 5.0 for quite a while, and while it was mostly fine I found that responsiveness was slow and sometimes it didn't connect/start up properly. If you order a Carlinkit, order from a well reviewed store on AliExpress as it's much cheaper than off Amazon or their website.

I tested:

• Carlinkit 5.0 2air

• Carlinkit 5.0 SE Pro

• Carlinkit Mini Ultra

The 5.0 was fine? It worked, but had connection issues occasionally. The Mini SE was essentially exactly the same performance. I'd avoid the Mini Ultra. It regularly disconnected, and was just unreliable overall. They do all have GPS passthrough though, which is a plus.

Again, if you want to buy a Carlinkit buy from AliExpress as they're considerably cheaper (eg Carlinkit 5.0 2air on Amazon is £42, on AliExpress is £22). Just make sure you check the reviews of the seller before buying.

I settled on this one from a company called Sunweyer - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CTCX67F7 - it isn't amazingly well reviewed on Amazon but it's consistently connected every time I've gotten into the car and seems responsive overall. A small positive is that it's a bit smaller, so you don't have a cable hanging either. It's also the best one I've used overall.

I also tried:

• MSXTTLY

• MMB Wireless Adapter

• ByteWave Wireless CarPlay

Personally I'd avoid these three, they don't have GPS passthrough which is a key feature I wanted. This means it uses the cars GPS instead of the phone, which saves on battery over longer journeys and means it's usually aligned with the direction of travel from the beginning.

You should have gone with the one I linked.

I have been using it for over a year and it is flawless.