Disco 4 Navigation System

[BruceMac]

I thought I'd update my nav system recently and started looking around - what I eventually found out was from Land Rover Australia Customer Care "Due to an issue with the suppliers in Australia the last map updates for vehicles between 2012 - 2017 is the version 21 from Tom Tom that was issued until 2015 in the country. The maps to our vehicles were provided from a 3rd party and they were unable to keep updating the navigation system in 2016. Consequently, we do not have any navigation updates for these vehicles. Land Rover UK is working on a solution for these vehicles, however there is no indication if this will have any results anytime soon. "
I did tell them what I thought of them abandoning their customers but also realised that nothing was going to get done in the forseeable future, so, I started looking at after market systems. After much research I found out that a company AERPRO make installation kits for many vehicles including the Disco 4 and I settled on an Alpine INE-W987A unit. I settled on a company to supply and install but they looked at it a bit closer and realised that there was a problem because my disco had the Meridan Sound System. At the moment they're trying to get more info.
Have any others been through this exercise?

[BMKal]

I've had similar issues with "factory" GPS units in other brand cars - either not being to get upgrades, or paying through the nose for them if available. So when I bought my D4 I didn't bother with the factory navigation option. Instead purchased a "Kuda" mount and have a Hema Navigator (and my tpms screen) hanging off it. Works for me.

171658171659

[letherm]

Same here. Gave up on the inbuilt system years ago in my 2013 D4. Bought a Garmin satnav that I sit just to the left of the instrument binnacle. Works a treat and is always up to date.

Martin

[Macadamia]

why is the meridian speakers a problem? Are you trying to replace the entire head unit? Someone will correct me but as I understand it, it has integrated ECU and is essential for the operation of the vehicle.

There are however companies that make small android units that will replace the nav unit entirely and offer the ability to use apple carplay and android auto. These plug into the existing display where the nav would, sound is handled by the existing display, the same way it is for navigation currently so it wouldn't matter what speaker setup you have.

EDIT: I should clarify the nav unit is a separate self contained box that plugs into the display. that's what you're replacing, not the display and it's integrated computer

NAVIPLUS. COM.AU. (https://www.naviplus.com.au/) is based out in Maroondah and import such units. I have been really tempted! There's really only one thing holding me back that they haven't been able to answer adequately. So ah... feel free to get one and then I can chat with you about it [biggrin]

[rhinosm]

why is the meridian speakers a problem? Are you trying to replace the entire head unit? Someone will correct me but as I understand it, it has integrated ECU and is essential for the operation of the vehicle.

There are however companies that make small android units that will replace the nav unit entirely and offer the ability to use apple carplay and android auto. These plug into the existing display where the nav would, sound is handled by the existing display, the same way it is for navigation currently so it wouldn't matter what speaker setup you have.

EDIT: I should clarify the nav unit is a separate self contained box that plugs into the display. that's what you're replacing, not the display and it's integrated computer

NAVIPLUS. COM.AU. (https://www.naviplus.com.au/) is based out in Maroondah and import such units. I have been really tempted! There's really only one thing holding me back that they haven't been able to answer adequately. So ah... feel free to get one and then I can chat with you about it [biggrin]

What's the one thing? I too have been considering this option.

[kelvo]

Have any others been through this exercise?
You don’t say what MY yours is, here is a CarPlay/Android Auto option for MY12-15 Online Store | main (https://www.naviplus.com.au/online-store/2012-15-Land-Rover-Discovery-4-IAM2-Apple-CarPlay-&-Android-Auto-Integration-p96658106) they also have CarPlay/AA options for other MYs as well.

[Macadamia]

What's the one thing? I too have been considering this option.
I've heard mixed things about the audio from the carplay/auto module you install as it is just a 2 channel analogue signal that you splice into the AUX input. I'm actually really impressed with LR bluetooth audio and meridian speakers so I want to be able to stream the audio via bluetooth to the LR music player like I do now but control spotify and google maps/waze from the touch screen. I have a feeling it might be possible because you have to set your input to AUX before launching... maybe I can just leave it at bluetooth?

[DiscoJeffster]

I've heard mixed things about the audio from the carplay/auto module you install as it is just a 2 channel analogue signal that you splice into the AUX input. I'm actually really impressed with LR bluetooth audio and meridian speakers so I want to be able to stream the audio via bluetooth to the LR music player like I do now but control spotify and google maps/waze from the touch screen. I have a feeling it might be possible because you have to set your input to AUX before launching... maybe I can just leave it at bluetooth?

Um. It’s better. My audio quality is far improved over when I had Bluetooth.

I own the CarPlay system and would never go back. It’s brilliant. Just works. Sounds awesome

[Macadamia]

Um. It’s better. My audio quality is far improved over when I had Bluetooth.

I own the CarPlay system and would never go back. It’s brilliant. Just works. Sounds awesome

can you use the steering wheel controls?

[DiscoJeffster]

can you use the steering wheel controls?

Yes. Volume up and down, track forwards and back, call answer and drop. I use “hey Siri” for voice commands rendering the LR “assistant” obsolete.

[Rhubarb13]

Um. It’s better. My audio quality is far improved over when I had Bluetooth.

I own the CarPlay system and would never go back. It’s brilliant. Just works. Sounds awesome

I also have the Naviplus (with wifi). Brilliant - just start the car, wait about 15 seconds, press Navigation and up comes Carplay. No wires. On long trips attach phone to a wireless charger.

[StewG]

It has taken a few years to learn how to use it, but the NAV in my MY13 D4 is still useful for finding older addresses and major towns on a trip. We often find it indicating that we are driving across open paddocks where a highway has been improved. We find the NAV useful if often inaccurate (and clunky) and have been warned off upgrading the maps due to the LR price and potential for the updates to be still out of date. An android phone mounted on the dash provides a (free) second opinion in the newer areas. I find that it also keeps SWMBO harmlessly occupied while I'm driving. [bigwhistle]

[Netorius]

There are however companies that make small android units that will replace the nav unit entirely and offer the ability to use apple carplay and android auto. These plug into the existing display where the nav would, sound is handled by the existing display, the same way it is for navigation currently so it wouldn't matter what speaker setup you have.

EDIT: I should clarify the nav unit is a separate self contained box that plugs into the display. that's what you're replacing, not the display and it's integrated computer
NAVIPLUS. COM.AU. (https://www.naviplus.com.au/) is based out in Maroondah and import such units.

I know of someone who bought an Apple CarPlay/Android Auto unit online from the UK supplier and DIY installed. It is not that cheap but does get good reviews and seems reliable. It just clips in the existing LR harness with various matching plugs/sockets without removing any of the existing LR hardware. Below the D4 unit (2011-15) but there are other units for other models as well. They also have step by step videos on YouTube on how to install.
Unique Auto Developments (https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/wireless-apple-carplay-and-android-auto-interface-for-land-rover-range-rover-sport-l320-freelander-2-discovery-dis4-2011-2015/)
It is activated exactly the same as Macadamia expalined above - through the Nav button. You lose the standard LR klunky navigation system but then get any of Apple/Google/Waze applications in its place which are updated continually for free and include traffic guidance as well, so a no brainer for me.
Remember you can also download maps to your device (prior to travelling) if you are travelling ouside of Cell coverage (well for Google anyway, not sure about Apple).

[DiscoJeffster]

I know of someone who bought an Apple CarPlay/Android Auto unit online from the UK supplier and DIY installed. It is not that cheap but does get good reviews and seems reliable. It just clips in the existing LR harness with various matching plugs/sockets without removing any of the existing LR hardware. Below the D4 unit (2011-15) but there are other units for other models as well. They also have step by step videos on YouTube on how to install.
Unique Auto Developments (https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/wireless-apple-carplay-and-android-auto-interface-for-land-rover-range-rover-sport-l320-freelander-2-discovery-dis4-2011-2015/)
It is activated exactly the same as Macadamia expalined above - through the Nav button. You lose the standard LR klunky navigation system but then get any of Apple/Google/Waze applications in its place which are updated continually for free and include traffic guidance as well, so a no brainer for me.
Remember you can also download maps to your device (prior to travelling) if you are travelling ouside of Cell coverage (well for Google anyway, not sure about Apple).

If it’s like mine then you don’t lose the original Nav. The nav button cycles though original nav, CarPlay, video input and around again.

[veebs]

.

[veebs]

If it’s like mine then you don’t lose the original Nav. The nav button cycles though original nav, CarPlay, video input and around again.

DJ - does your system have the same 15 second delay after starting mentioned above?

[DiscoJeffster]

DJ - does your system have the same 15 second delay after starting mentioned above?

No. It wakes up as soon as the car is unlocked as it’s triggered off the cig lighter feed. The computers then wake up so by the time you get in and connect the phone it’s ready to go. The only downside of this is that when sat in the car listening without the ignition on, the system turns off after 3 minutes. I just leave the ignition on now and can etc off if I’m waiting in the car without the engine running. I checked the draw on the battery using the IID and it was between 1-5AH so fine for an hour or so.