Okay so here it is. I spent a very long time deliberating, researching and finally acting on adding CarPlay to my 2016 Macan Turbo. I love the car. It's fantastic. I have and have had so many Porsche models i can't recount. The problem here is my Macan was missing something not could not be overlooked in today's tech world. Manufacture added Nav is dead and simple phone Bluetooth connection is at best very long in the tooth. CarPlay and it's versatility, ease is simply an absolute necessity. (I can't comment on Android Auto I have no experience here but I imagine if Android is your thing then it is just as valuable to you, maybe.)
I looked at all the players out there. Joyeauto, Unichip, even the ones the re-brand the former and the latter. The install of either was much the same. You had to open the PCM and DELICATELY disconnect ribbon cables add a board on top of your Sirius installed board using standoffs (I got on amazon and connect a few wires and there you are. Not quite that simple but that is the gist off the install. Oh yeah, getting the PCM out is tricky. The vent removal is not for the faint of heart. They are in the clips and do not want to let go with out some muscle. The use of a hook tool bought or made is an absolute necessity. Care must be taken where you hoof the back of the vents so do not damage the vent flap mechanism. I did it and I also made a few mistakes but I was able to return the vents in proper working order. Patience, great lighting and a hemostat allowed me to fix the clips and toggles that got bent inside the vent when I pulled on it like nobody's business. I got much better in the removal of these on my third try, A feat I hope you do not have to experience. If you do I suggest leaving the vents and trim off for a few days until you are absolutely sure in the integrity of you installation an the functionality of the unit.
I decided to go with the Unichip wireless Carplay addon. Both offerings have pros and cons but the quintessential pro that pushed me over the edge is Nick from NM Automotive. Support during and after your install is everything here. You are buying something that most likely will require and does firmware software updates and you want a dealer that from my experience provide some of the BEST support I have ever experienced in any product. Bear in mind you are buying a China made device for your listening and driving pleasure. Without Nick tech support from Asia can be a major deal breaker as well as one that make you want to scream. The language barrier has never been so apparent as when you ask the tech support individual in China a question only to have your words misunderstood by an albeit a concerned individual whose English is mostly derived from google translate. Bottom line, you need support and you need Nick. Don't try to save a few bucks and go through Alibaba because you will spend more of your valuable time trying to get things installed and functioning on your own with no guarantees.
Nick's CarPlay units come with the latest firmware and are customized for Porsche. You might say, But I am purchasing this for my PCM 3.1 so it must be customized for Porsche. Not so. The boxes are essentially the same for many brands of vehicles. The critical difference is the programming and this is where NM Automotive has it together for you. I am not gonna go into it further so if you think you know better, then so be it. Best of luck to you.
What to expect.
1. It is a wireless CarPlay deice that can be used with a short lightning cable but not both. You must choose because it is a software tweak that you must make.
2. It uses Bluetooth and also WiFi authentication to transfer the data necessary to function well.
3. You must set the media to the Aux position for the sound to pass thru.
4. Sirius XM still works but if you want to use say Waze at the same time you must sacrifice Waze audio ( or allow it to come thru you phone speaker which is what I do)
5. To enter CarPlay you simply set Media to Aux and press the Info button for about 2 secs. That's it. It will connect via Bluetooth and your good to go. If you have chosen to use a wired connection then the same.
6. It is best you delete the Bluetooth profile from the PCM so conflicts do not occur.
7. You can use the Sirius/XM app in CarPlay if you like but I prefer to save my data for my kids excessive social media use.
8.Placement of the CarPlay box behind or around glovebox cavity necessitates the removal of the glovebox which is easy if you again take you time and be gentle here.
Well that's the story. Take it or leave it but I felt compelled to give you all my take on it.
I looked at all the players out there. Joyeauto, Unichip, even the ones the re-brand the former and the latter. The install of either was much the same. You had to open the PCM and DELICATELY disconnect ribbon cables add a board on top of your Sirius installed board using standoffs (I got on amazon and connect a few wires and there you are. Not quite that simple but that is the gist off the install. Oh yeah, getting the PCM out is tricky. The vent removal is not for the faint of heart. They are in the clips and do not want to let go with out some muscle. The use of a hook tool bought or made is an absolute necessity. Care must be taken where you hoof the back of the vents so do not damage the vent flap mechanism. I did it and I also made a few mistakes but I was able to return the vents in proper working order. Patience, great lighting and a hemostat allowed me to fix the clips and toggles that got bent inside the vent when I pulled on it like nobody's business. I got much better in the removal of these on my third try, A feat I hope you do not have to experience. If you do I suggest leaving the vents and trim off for a few days until you are absolutely sure in the integrity of you installation an the functionality of the unit.
I decided to go with the Unichip wireless Carplay addon. Both offerings have pros and cons but the quintessential pro that pushed me over the edge is Nick from NM Automotive. Support during and after your install is everything here. You are buying something that most likely will require and does firmware software updates and you want a dealer that from my experience provide some of the BEST support I have ever experienced in any product. Bear in mind you are buying a China made device for your listening and driving pleasure. Without Nick tech support from Asia can be a major deal breaker as well as one that make you want to scream. The language barrier has never been so apparent as when you ask the tech support individual in China a question only to have your words misunderstood by an albeit a concerned individual whose English is mostly derived from google translate. Bottom line, you need support and you need Nick. Don't try to save a few bucks and go through Alibaba because you will spend more of your valuable time trying to get things installed and functioning on your own with no guarantees.
Nick's CarPlay units come with the latest firmware and are customized for Porsche. You might say, But I am purchasing this for my PCM 3.1 so it must be customized for Porsche. Not so. The boxes are essentially the same for many brands of vehicles. The critical difference is the programming and this is where NM Automotive has it together for you. I am not gonna go into it further so if you think you know better, then so be it. Best of luck to you.
What to expect.
1. It is a wireless CarPlay deice that can be used with a short lightning cable but not both. You must choose because it is a software tweak that you must make.
2. It uses Bluetooth and also WiFi authentication to transfer the data necessary to function well.
3. You must set the media to the Aux position for the sound to pass thru.
4. Sirius XM still works but if you want to use say Waze at the same time you must sacrifice Waze audio ( or allow it to come thru you phone speaker which is what I do)
5. To enter CarPlay you simply set Media to Aux and press the Info button for about 2 secs. That's it. It will connect via Bluetooth and your good to go. If you have chosen to use a wired connection then the same.
6. It is best you delete the Bluetooth profile from the PCM so conflicts do not occur.
7. You can use the Sirius/XM app in CarPlay if you like but I prefer to save my data for my kids excessive social media use.
8.Placement of the CarPlay box behind or around glovebox cavity necessitates the removal of the glovebox which is easy if you again take you time and be gentle here.
Well that's the story. Take it or leave it but I felt compelled to give you all my take on it.
