Unichip CarPlay Group buy for E70/E71

[BMWBuffalo]

Originally Posted by Jeffwels

While I don’t have an E70, hoping someone has some help for my problem in my E85.

I have the box setup in my 2016 F85 X5M in the 10.2 NBT version and everything works with one massive annoyance. When making any call over the CarPlay interface the person on the other end of the line ends up hearing an echo when they speak. They hear me talking from in the car fine and I do not hear any echo at all in the car. I get the impression the new external microphone gets into a mini feedback loop. This is emphasized as the volume of the call is turned up. I have the microphone mounted just in front of my rear view mirror at the roofline.

I’ve tried contacting Unichip directly But the support is really bad. I provided them the groupbuy information but they claim they can’t find my email address. I’ve tried multiple cables and am sure my aux settings are correct as everything else works perfectly.

Has anyone else ran into this problem by chance or have any advice?

I’ve also tried doing a hybrid Bluetooth and aux audio combination but it doesn’t work. I can make Bluetooth calls fine but can’t be connected to Bluetooth using the CarPlay otherwise I get no sound.

Any help is greatly appreciated and apologies if you’re not the right contact... I’m grasping at straws here

Thanks!
Jeff

Jeff,

I placed my Unichip mic in the left hand corner of the dash, about 6 inches above the air vent.

No feedback problems. As the BMW factory mic is near by the rear view mirror, the close proximity to one another might be part of the issue.

-Buffalo

[Spyro235]

Hey- just leaving my 2 cents:

I received my box a mere 4 days after sending payment. Super quick DHL shipping, which was appreciated. Install went very smoothly, Everything worked flawlessly from the first moment. Set my aux to -2 of the center, and sound quality has been great. I also ziptied mine above the gas pedal, and then ran my cords back under the carpet and into the center console. At some point, I'll want to run it through the center console, so that the wires are truly hidden, and not just tucked out of the way. Carplay is really quick to boot up for me, and functions wonderfully. I'm also pleasantly surprised with how easily the jog dial controls the carplay interface, it works great.

[heymattw]

Great reading all of these. I got my CarPlay box sitting in my closet waiting for my car to return to me from the dealership.

[SimSimmah]

Originally Posted by heymattw

Great reading all of these. I got my CarPlay box sitting in my closet waiting for my car to return to me from the dealership.

What's the prognosis? How's the bimma?

[jersey john]

I was finally successful in getting Mine to work. Thanks to Simsimmah for his help as well as DeeO for their help!

Pays to read instructions 5 & 6 times before delving into this. Thought I understood it all but you miss one thing and the works are AFU.

Thanks again guys!

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by jersey john

I was finally successful in getting Mine to work. Thanks to Simsimmah for his help as well as DeeO for their help!

Pays to read instructions 5 & 6 times before delving into this. Thought I understood it all but you miss one thing and the works are AFU.

Thanks again guys!

Yay!

[gghtpc]

Gratitude to everyone in this thread for sharing your knowledge. Without your group buy and discount tips, I might have paid the full price.
I got a single unit on Friday. They gave a fair discount. As others said, ask and hold out for a bit they will give you options.

[brianstrawberry]

Also wanted to say thanks. Finally got mine installed today and can say that (at least Day 1) I'm very pleased with the ease, interface and added functionality

[jlb11369]

hello every one just got an e70 and back to the forum
how can I get one? where or who I send payment to?
thanks JLB

[SimSimmah]

Originally Posted by jlb11369

hello every one just got an e70 and back to the forum
how can I get one? where or who I send payment to?
thanks JLB

Hey, congrats on the new E70!

Unfortunately, the group buy has come and gone. I'd suggest either setting up your own group buy (if there's enough interest in second round?) or pinging the manufacturer to buy yourself a single unit. Either way, enjoy your new bimmer!

[zMarih0e]

Hey, I'm also interested in a group buy if there's still anyone out there.

Had another question though for those who have bought this. Is it easy to switch out of apple carplay, once you have entered it?

Say, I don't want to install the microphone and want to take all my calls through the OEM system, could I easily do that?

EDIT: So after doing some more reading through this thread, it seems that I can take all my calls through the OEM system, but the microphone is for Siri functionality. And I should easily be able to switch out of carplay (I bought a lifetime satellite XM subscription, so I usually end up using that for music) -- but may lose on audio alerts from Waze, if I am understanding this correctly.

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by zMarih0e

Hey, I'm also interested in a group buy if there's still anyone out there.

Had another question though for those who have bought this. Is it easy to switch out of apple carplay, once you have entered it?

Say, I don't want to install the microphone and want to take all my calls through the OEM system, could I easily do that?

EDIT: So after doing some more reading through this thread, it seems that I can take all my calls through the OEM system, but the microphone is for Siri functionality. And I should easily be able to switch out of carplay (I bought a lifetime satellite XM subscription, so I usually end up using that for music) -- but may lose on audio alerts from Waze, if I am understanding this correctly.

Super easy, merely about a 1-2 second press on the menu button switches you seamlessly from one to another.

Correct on the audio part. The installation of this uses an aux cable into the aux port for the audio. So, you can switch to BMW ui, select radio or XM or whatever you choose, and that audio is playing. You can then go back to carplay, select waze, and have it up on the screen. Since you have another audio input selected, you wont get any audio from carplay until you go back to BMW and select aux.


I can't recommend this unit enough. I LOVE mine, I drive a lot- 100 miles a day on commuting, and usually that number goes to 140 to work on my car at my shop. This caplay box makes my 2010 X5 feel like it's competing technologically with a 2015 or higher, it's GREAT!

[BikeGeek]

I need this in my life and I'm in for a group buy if others are interested. PM me if interested and we can discuss getting one going.

[HedMan]

Originally Posted by BikeGeek

I need this in my life and I'm in for a group buy if others are interested. PM me if interested and we can discuss getting one going.

I'm interested...I'll PM as soon as it unlocks for me (as this is my first post).

[JCTT]

I'm interested if we can still get this going!

[Kwakjoe]

I'm also interested. Sent PM

[SeanHay]

If you guys end up doing another group buy, I am interested as well!

[Kwakjoe]

Anyone wanna set this up??

[Spyro235]

FYI- they gave me the 5 order discount rate just for asking for a discount. So to those of you who want it, I'd suggest just doing it that way if you don't want to personally set up the group buy.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

FYI- they gave me the 5 order discount rate just for asking for a discount. So to those of you who want it, I'd suggest just doing it that way if you don't want to personally set up the group buy.

Originally Posted by Maverik259

We're at 5 now. Originally at 3 and he didn't seem to care.

1) me
2) MrTookies
3) findo16
4) Mrod81
5) Calucb05

Maverik259 is organizing a GB over on the F15/F16 board if anyone's interested.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1513235

[X5-User]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

Hey- just leaving my 2 cents:

I received my box a mere 4 days after sending payment. Super quick DHL shipping, which was appreciated. Install went very smoothly, Everything worked flawlessly from the first moment. Set my aux to -2 of the center, and sound quality has been great. I also ziptied mine above the gas pedal, and then ran my cords back under the carpet and into the center console. At some point, I'll want to run it through the center console, so that the wires are truly hidden, and not just tucked out of the way. Carplay is really quick to boot up for me, and functions wonderfully. I'm also pleasantly surprised with how easily the jog dial controls the carplay interface, it works great.

How is the sound quality ?
I have the premium sound in my car and I really don't want to give this up. I have looked into AVIN and I have seen some reported not good sound quality.

Any feedback if l will be losing the sound quality when having this box?

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by X5-User

How is the sound quality ?
I have the premium sound in my car and I really don't want to give this up. I have looked into AVIN and I have seen some reported not good sound quality.

Any feedback if l will be losing the sound quality when having this box?

How do you input your sound currently? I don't claim to be a true audiophile, but I do care about the quality, and notice any serious reduction. I haven't noticed ANY reduction in sound quality. Previously I was going in through the AUX jack, which was good enough for me as long as the source file was ok.

Overall, I'm super satisfied with carplay. 0 reduction in audio quality that I've noticed, and completely normal functioning carplay. Usual carplay bugs, like when audible wont fully load up some music apps wont load right the first time. That happens on real factory carplays to me too though, so no complaints.