Thread: Android auto/Apple car play in D4?

Cheaper to buy in Australia, that doesn’t happen very often, main | Online Store I would say they are using the exact same modules.

A few things to consider:
1. The ad mentions numerous times that the module is controlled via the touch screen. I would interpret that to mean that the buttons, such as the steering wheel controls, will no longer function then.
2. A new microphone is required to be installed. One of the best things about our D4 is the crystal clear factory Bluetooth - people being spoken to often don’t realise that we’re on the cars hands free. I’d suggest that you won’t get such a great result with this setup - plus you’ve now go to have a second microphone installed.
3. Wired connection (USB cable) required for either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. A wireless connection would be much more convenient.
4. No built in radio, so you’d have to switch back to the factory system for the radio which means you have to reconnect back to the factory Bluetooth hands free connection too. If you don’t have a factory reverse camera then you loose reverse camera feature when

Overall, while it initially looks neat and integrated, I personally think it just has far too many flaws.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

A few things to consider:
1. The ad mentions numerous times that the module is controlled via the touch screen. I would interpret that to mean that the buttons, such as the steering wheel controls, will no longer function then.
2. A new microphone is required to be installed. One of the best things about our D4 is the crystal clear factory Bluetooth - people being spoken to often don’t realise that we’re on the cars hands free. I’d suggest that you won’t get such a great result with this setup - plus you’ve now go to have a second microphone installed.
3. Wired connection (USB cable) required for either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. A wireless connection would be much more convenient.
4. No built in radio, so you’d have to switch back to the factory system for the radio which means you have to reconnect back to the factory Bluetooth hands free connection too. If you don’t have a factory reverse camera then you loose reverse camera feature when

Overall, while it initially looks neat and integrated, I personally think it just has far too many flaws.

Based on the Naviplus supplied item,
1. Steering wheel controls still work as normal.
2. The additional mic is for voice commands/Siri when using the Carplay/Android Auto system. The phone still connects to the D4 Bluetooth for phone calls, and music streaming.
3. On the two factory fitted Carplay/Android Auto vehicles (Ford and Kia) I’ve used both have been wired connections. But with the wired connection you are able to charge the phone, using the phone for GPS will be using more power so cable connection in my eyes is good.
4. There is no disconnecting or reconnecting of BT switching between factory radio and Carplay/AA. Reverse camera still displays normally when selecting reverse. It is no different to a D4 with factory GPS.

So I don’t see any flaws.

More info here DISCO4.COM - View topic - Successful retrofit install Carplay - 2013 LR4 and here DISCO4.COM - View topic - CarPlay Retrofit with Factory Display

Originally Posted by kelvo

But with the wired connection you are able to charge the phone, using the phone for GPS will be using more power so cable connection in my eyes is good.

Yep, it's certainly better on longer journeys to plug the phone in so you don't arrive with a flattery. But it's cumbersome, fumble and annoying on short journeys e.g. running 4 minutes down the road to get milk from the shop.
The wireless units offer both. If you just jump in it'll connect wirelessly, or you could choose to plug it in via USB cable.


I will check out those links that you posted up and read about the other points you've raised. Cheers.

One of the Navi Plus units for a 2010-12 up for sale on gumtree if anyone is keen 2010-13 Land Rover Discovery 4 Apple CarPlay Headunit | Audio, GPS & Car Alarms | Gumtree Australia Port Adelaide Area - Klemzig | 1218455990

Could save someone a few bucks. I had a look at it but bought a Bovee Bluetooth module instead. Not affiliated with the seller.

That one on Gumtree is only for replacing the small screen, not for the systems with full size touchscreen.

I put one of the Naviplus kit's in a 2016 Evoque this week, (same IAM2.1 system as the D4, and other models)



Video here



Few things to mention;

- There is supposed to be a firmware update for the kit to enable steering wheel controls, at the moment I haven't seen that working.
- The external microphone is only used for Siri, you still need to have the phone connected to the car bluetooth phone, once you start a call via CarPlay, it hands over to the car's bluetooth connection
- Swiping on the screen left/right works, but no pinch-to-zoom
- The sound quality through the AUX is not as good as the digital sources; we played the exact same song from a USB stick, and from Spotify on the phone via the CarPlay kit & AUX, much bigger stronger sound from USB (more bass).
- There was some noise (hum, ground loop) in the audio output from the CarPlay box, this was fixed with a simple ground loop noise isolator from Jaycar.
- You need to start the CarPlay via the Nav menu, then plug in your phone, and wait ~30 seconds for the system to stabilise. Connecting the phone first before booting up the CarPlay kit via Nav menu would result in no sound, and needing to unplug the phone, then plug it back in.

Despite these small glitches and shortcomings, it does what it says on the tin.

^^ this is pretty much why I went to the $100 Bovee module instead. I wasn't interested in having to plug my phone in every time I got in the car.

Wireless carplay makes sense but if I have to plug my phone in - may as well just stream sound from Bluetooth and use a dash mount for phone apps like Google Maps.

Okay... but if we're talking about 2012-onward D4's, they already have bluetooth streaming anyhow, it's only the earlier cars that are missing it, and the iPod adaptors are the winner if all you want is bluetooth streaming on a pre-2012...

The guy who got this kit for his Evoque wanted it for the live maps / GPS and messaging functions more than the music.

Actually most people who ask me for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto want it because they hate the factory navigation; no live traffic updates, maps that are years out of date, etc...