This was posted 10 months 5 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Carlinkit Tbox Mini Basic Wireless Carplay Android Ai Box A$69 Delivered @ Lightinthebox

50
AX69
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Previously Shared Air 2 Carplay and it was got good response from bargainers, here is another good deal.
Carlinkit Tbox Mini Basic Wireless Android Carplay sales for A$69 with delivery.

use Promo code: AX69 at checkout to get the final price $69

  • Type: Carplay Adapter
  • RAM: 2GB
  • ROM: 16GB
  • Net Weight (kg): 0.16
  • Interface: USB C
  • Adapter Type: CarPlay AI Box
  • Supported Phones: Android 11.0+ (Wireless), iPhone with iOS 10+
  • Supported Vehicle Head Unit: Factory Wired CarPlay
  • Main Function: Convert Original CarPlay System to Android Tablet
  • External Memory: Up to 128GB / SD Card

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closed Comments

  • +2

    Is there a list of compatible car makes/models? I don't fully grasp how this works, the description implies that you simply plug into an existing USB port in the car, but the car needs to already have carplay/androidauto….this enables wireless connection…. it doesn't enable carplay/androidauto to a car which does not have it. Is my understanding correct?

    • +3

      Yeah, that's right. The car must have existing factory wired Android Auto or CarPlay.

      • Thank you. Noted.

  • Would this allow dual BT connections to 2 phones, calls & media, simultaneously?

  • 2g seems low to run the apps you want smoothly

  • This one is probably too slow for anything. I was looking into the 8+128 gb with android 12. Its around $200. Anyone have any experience with this particular box ?

    • +3

      I bought one about a few weeks ago and glad I bought the 8gbRam+128gb storage instead of the cheaper version. I would probably avoid this one(2gbRam+16gb) unless you don't mind the slow performance. Read many reviews and even the 4gbRam+64gb can be slow after installing apps. There wasn’t really any reviews on this new 2023 basic model but there’s a disclaimer on their website stating the device will be slow/freeze if you install too many apps. Didn’t want to risk buying a slow device to have to buy another one.

      Overall the performance is unexpectedly good. Cold startup can be around 20-40seconds but to be honest I don’t sit there and count how many seconds for it to load up. By the time I jump in the car, turn on the engine, put my seat belt on, put my phone on the cradle/magnetic car holder, the system is up and running even before I put it to Drive/Reverse.
      The system automatically goes into Android OS Home Screen. I’m a iOS user and been mainly use CarPlay prior to having this device and haven’t touch Carplay/AA function since. Everything you need is there in the AndroidOS. You can set the device to automatically connect to Carplay/AA instead if you want.

      I’ve download several apps and there’s no performance issues that I have noticed. The Carlinkit automatically connects to my mobile hotspot as soon I turn on my hotspot. I’m using a SIM card in the device too but still figuring out how to auto turn on hotspot when I start the car. I’ve installed tasker so might just do it that way.

      A few things to take note of.

      • When you switch to CarPlay/AA and switch back to the AndroidOS, the WiFi gets disconnected and you will have to go to the WiFi setting to connect back to the mobile hotspot. It doesn’t auto connect.

      • Netflix app. Don’t upgrade the app otherwise it will no longer work. First time running it, dismiss the popup if it asks you to update. You can still login and that message won’t pop up again. If you do update the app, you’ll have to do a full restore of the image/reinstall the app via their own appstore which is included in the device.

      • Non-touch screen user. If you don’t have a touch screen then 95% of the apps works as per normal except for a couple of apps like Netflix. You will need to connect a BT mouse otherwise you can’t scroll. Even if have a touch pad in the car. It will act like a mouse pad but you don’t have the wheel screen function to scroll up/down/left/right. The scroll knob doesn't work for netflix. Works for spotify, youtube and other apps. The device allows you to connect to multiple devices via BT, so you can connect the mouse and phone if required.

      • The time on the device. No matter how many time i set it to Automatic or Manual and adjust the time, it's still off by 30/60mins. Just switches back. Confirmed region and everything is correct. Probably knows im always running late. Just annoying so will check in with support to see if there's a fix for it.

      If you don’t need AA/AndroidOS and just want a fast wireless CarPlay adapter then I would highly recommend Carlinkit Mini 3.0(looks like an AirPod case). I’ve used it and no fault at all. Extremely fast and there’s plenty of good reviews out there. Can’t say the same about their AA devices - It’s clunky and slow.

      Happy to answer any questions.
      I have both iOS/Android phones so can test either functions.

      • @Safoan which one are you looking at (link)?
        @iamtezr which one did you purchase (link)?

        • +1

          Copied the link from my phone and it blocked the post. Forgot it doesn't like shortcut links.

          This is the one i bought from: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005415710443.html
          Need to select the 8gb+128gb. It's the EU version so it works with our teleco provider if you're planning to use the sim card.

          Only reason i bought from above because the aliexpress coupons and discount stacking didn't work with the official carlinkit for some reason. Otherwise would have bought from them.

          This is from the official carlinkit: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005475187782.html

          • +1

            @iamtezr: thanks for the links!! i bought from the same one you did as well, weirdly official carlink coupons didnt work for me as well and ended up being more expensive.

      • Thank you so much for your detailed response. Just on you last comment about AA devices being clunky and slow dose that mean you would recommend buying the wireless carplay adapters insted of getting the 8+128 version you have ?

        • +1

          If you only need it for carplay then i would recommend the Carlinkit 3.0 mini. About ~$50-60 on aliexpress.
          I think wireless AA itself isn't as fluid as wired connection. The only device that has really good review is AAWireless dongle/device for Android phones to use AA.

          My comment about being clunky & slow was referring to the Carlinkit AA device only.
          The androidOS system itself runs fine. The AA side when connected wireless works fine too but not as fluid as wireless carplay.

          Anything wirelessly will be less fluid compared to a wired connection, so using the built-in AndroidOS from the device meaning you won't need an extra device to wirelessly transmit data to and from therefore you will have a much better experience. That's why I've been using the AndroidOS on this device now rather than wireless carplay.

          Also Android has better features and functions such as split screen. Carplay is more restrictive due to the ios. Can't play youtube, can't install apps, can't really do much.

          So the 8GB+128gb unit gives you the best of both worlds really. You can also load your own music/video to the microsd and play it off vlc or other media player which is great if there's no reception or you don't want to use data.

          Hope that makes sense.

  • This is a bit of a weird device.
    It looks like it's effectively a full blown Android box for your car.

    Not super sold on this idea, but Carlinkit do some good stuff.

    I recently got the Carlinkit 5.0 from Aliexpress for $106 which I think is their latest model of that type, and it's been amazing so far.

    It's a little tiny dongle a little bit bigger than a USB stick that hooks up to your USB port on your headunit and outputs your Android Auto wirelessly (or CarPlay wirelessly).
    Really fast to fire up and start working once you get into the car and the range on the wireless functionality is excellent - if I fire up the car in the garage and the phone is in the house, it still connects up wirelessly.

    The trouble with 99% of Android-based units for cars like this one is just how slow and clunky they usually are and the fact they run a tablet type of Android OS.
    Especially with boot-up times in or around 45+ seconds, unless you set it to only go to sleep or hibernate when you turn the car off (meaning it runs off the battery, albeit not a huge drain).
    But 2G of RAM is definitely going to be a bit of a slog with this thing I think.

    • +1

      Share the link to what you got. Am keen to check it out. :)

    • Agree on the Carlink 5.0; have had no issues thus far with the exception of I'm not able to access the local web page for the device which allows me to do OTA updates.

      Were you able to access web page and run updates?

      • +1

        Just from what I read from the carlinkit support page and posts.
        Don't update if it's working fine and you're not having issues. Only update if you have a lot of issues like disconnects, functions not working etc…

      • Haven't tried it yet actually, but thanks to @iamtezr, I probably will avoid it as mine has been faultless.

    • I’ve tried two different units via Amazon that haven’t worked. More expensive but returns with Amazon are easy. How are aliexpress for returns?

      • Really depends entirely on the seller.

        A lot of sellers like to offer like… $5 refund for a $100 faulty item as an opening offer until you kick up.

        Some sellers have offered to send me out the same product free of charge for the inconvenience.
        It's a complete lottery I think, but you can do your part by avoiding sellers who little/no feedback or history.

  • +1

    I would definitely want more ram if I was to go back to one of these. I had 3/4gb and wasn't happy with it at times

  • Niiiice!

  • Bought one in the last deal to go up from the carlinkit4.(FYI, the 4 has been more problematic than the 3).

    This device does all it claims to but many issues. CarPlay lags on all functions, carplay app crashes often, unit OS reboots very often. I did add a SD card but did not add any apps.

  • Whats the difference between this one and https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/carlinkit-5-0-carplay-and… ?

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