Mazda Apple Carplay implementation

15772 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Phinx, Dec 21, 2018

nyu111

Discussion Starter · Nov 22, 2018

I DIY'ed the official Carplay/AA install on my 2017 Mazda3. It's functioning fine, but I have a few thoughts after a couple months of user experience if you will allow me to rant.

Basically Carplay is an improvement over the original infotainment but implementation in the MZD connect system is miles behind what I've experienced in other systems. In both Kia/Hyundai and Ford systems I've used personally, the loading times and responsiveness is orders of magnitude better than with MZD such that as soon as I connect the iphone to USB, it is instantaneously ready to go. In my Mazda, both the system load time after starting the car and lag time for Carplay to initiate after USB connection is painfully laggy.

Also, Carplay UI really functions best with full touchscreen integration. Touch lockout when car is moving is annoying. And I don't agree with the safety excuse... trying to navigate the functions with rotary knob is not intuitive on many apps and takes my eyes off the road MUCH longer than being able to quickly tap the screen. Also, even when car is at a stop, touch function is limited compared to other Carplay systems (for example, you cannot pan/zoom maps or scroll through lists by dragging).

While I don't regret doing the install, I've realized not all Carplay systems are created equal. Using it in a recent Kia rental was a revelation. Improved usability from the snappy connection/load speeds and full touch functions cannot be overstated.

Thoughts or advice? Agree or disagree?

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rhysandrews

· #2 · Nov 23, 2018

Touch lockout is not only annoying, it is dangerous. Scrolling through with the rotary knob takes ages, and is prone to making mistakes. Just tapping the darn screen would not be a problem.

Re: Performance - I'm just happy it's running faster and more reliably than pre-carplay. The standard USB & Bluetooth options were a horrible experience for me.

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Geoffers

· #3 · Nov 23, 2018

Im just considering getting CP for my wife’s 3. Seems overall you’re happy with the upgrade which is a reassuring start but a couple things still on my mind.

Can you advise if the HUD still shows direction information and also if the map app’s give the same speed warning and speed camera notifications/warnings as the MZD original Nav?

Also, as you have mentioned the lag/load times...do you know what sort of time this is (few seconds, half a minute, etc). for the initial loading and connection through the iPhone cable.

Thanks!

Geoffers

nyu111

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 23, 2018

The HUD works only with the built-in MZD nav system but not with Carplay's maps. So you will not get directions or speed limit info through Apple Maps or Google Maps running on Carplay projected onto the HUD.

When starting the car cold with my phone plugged in, it seems to take minute or so before everything is loaded up and Carplay is ready to go. What's annoying is there's also some lag (10-15 sec sometimes?) when MZDconnect is already booted up and then I connect the phone before Carplay is up and running. It's strange but this lag seems to vary from time to time (on a few occasions, almost right away).

The limited touch control, again, sucks. And I say this as generally a fan of the rotary control knob. MZDconnect is much more "tuned" to function through the knob controller, but Carplay is not really.

Again, all that said, I still think the install was worth it for me at least, for Apple/Google maps if nothing else.

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Geoffers

· #5 · Nov 23, 2018

nyu111 said:
The HUD works only with the built-in MZD nav system but not with Carplay's maps. So you will not get directions or speed limit info through Apple Maps or Google Maps running on Carplay projected onto the HUD.

When starting the car cold with my phone plugged in, it seems to take minute or so before everything is loaded up and Carplay is ready to go. What's annoying is there's also some lag (10-15 sec sometimes?) when MZDconnect is already booted up and then I connect the phone before Carplay is up and running. It's strange but this lag seems to vary from time to time (on a few occasions, almost right away).

The limited touch control, again, sucks. And I say this as generally a fan of the rotary control knob. MZDconnect is much more "tuned" to function through the knob controller, but Carplay is not really.

Again, all that said, I still think the install was worth it for me at least, for Apple/Google maps if nothing else.

Thanks for the honest review!

Certainly given us something to think about...as my wife uses her music and maps through her phone I think it will still be worth it for us and she really likes the control knob but I feel CarPlay is more suited to touch and seems the way from what you’ve said.

It just seems strange that Mazda restricts touch so much when other manufacturers do not. I appreciate its their take on ‘safety’ but surely there should be an option to enable full touch...even if it comes with a disclaimer...I’d be happy with that but there ya go.

Thanks again for the info! Will let you know what we think if/when it’s installed.

Cheers!

Phinx

· #6 · Dec 2, 2018

I recently had mine retrofitted. The MZD Nav system doesn't work anymore. Says 'your mazda is not equipped with a navigation system'. Is that how it's suppose to be? As I originally had the AA mod & it was recommended to take it the SD card since the system has subpar memory. So I figured they might have disabled it.

Still, in areas with bad reception, or I'm at my data limit. I'd like to use the MZD navi.

Agilix

· #7 · Dec 2, 2018

The slow loading up ofCP brings up one question I have, without CP yet in my 2015 Mazda 3 with V55 FW upgrade just done recently.

For some reason when I cold start my car, the HUD now always needs to do a “download contact” process, assuming being connected to my iPhone via BT, with a progress bar on the top of the screen for about half min. That is kind of annoying. Does anyone have this issue?

I only have one iPhone paired to this car, and it does not make sense to download contact every time I connect. Is it to update my recent phone activity to the Car? Still annoying.

Haldon

· #8 · Dec 2, 2018

Agilix said:
Is it to update my recent phone activity to the Car? Still annoying.

Yes, you can disable it on your phone's bluetooth connection and also in the MZD Connect configuration. That's what i did, it needs only a working blutooth connection, all other options are useless with CP/AA.....unless you want to use the MZD Connect without CP/AA, then it can be handy.

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MrBen

· #9 · Dec 2, 2018

Agilix said:
The slow loading up ofCP brings up one question I have, without CP yet in my 2015 Mazda 3 with V55 FW upgrade just done recently.

For some reason when I cold start my car, the HUD now always needs to do a “download contact” process, assuming being connected to my iPhone via BT, with a progress bar on the top of the screen for about half min. That is kind of annoying. Does anyone have this issue?

I only have one iPhone paired to this car, and it does not make sense to download contact every time I connect. Is it to update my recent phone activity to the Car? Still annoying.

The voice commands AA/ACP work a lot better, than scrolling the contacts in Mzd system.

2017mazda3

· #10 · Dec 2, 2018

nyu111 said:
When starting the car cold with my phone plugged in, it seems to take minute or so before everything is loaded up and Carplay is ready to go. What's annoying is there's also some lag (10-15 sec sometimes?) when MZDconnect is already booted up and then I connect the phone before Carplay is up and running. It's strange but this lag seems to vary from time to time (on a few occasions, almost right away).

Even though I have not installed OEM AA/CP or via AIO tweaks as I'm still on the fence moving forward, appreciating and awaiting more reviews, I do have thoughts on your observation about what you see at startup. My observation is this which probably in some or all aspects affects how the AA/CP begins at start up. If you in just a few seconds....unlock your car, get in, connect your phone and start your car, you likely will see a longer delay. However, if you unlock your car, take several seconds or a couple of minutes to put things in the trunk/hatch, put dogs/kids in the car, etc. then get in, connect and then start the car you will probably see a much shorter delay. What I have noticed is once you unlock the car, the CMU "clock" also begins...the longer delay between unlocking the car and starting the engine, greatly reduces the delay of the infotainment screen. In the second scenario I have described above, I have noticed the screen, whether radio, USB, navigation etc. will begin within 3-5 seconds once I start the car. In scenario one, it will take 10 to 15 seconds before the radio,USB loads, followed by 10 more seconds for navigation.

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The_Professer

· #11 · Dec 2, 2018

Check that the NAV SSD is not write protected

timdawes

· #12 · Dec 3, 2018

I got the CP/AA retrofit today, and I must say the most frustrating part is the inability to use touch while the car is moving. This should have been something that was deactivated when the upgrade was done - it basically kills the good functionality that I've experienced in all the rentals I've used with it.

Part of me wishes I'd found a solution for an aftermarket system but ahh well

wowser21

· #13 · Dec 3, 2018 (Edited)

To get the touchscreen working, can't you install the AIO tweak that enables touch while moving? I thought this was possible?

EDIT: Reading the other threads, looks like this will NOT work.

rixm6

· #14 · Dec 3, 2018

Touchscreen with aio tweak works with carplay and dont work with AA

MPCX

· #15 · Dec 3, 2018

I don't know if any of you have this happen. Sometimes the system will freeze and will have a message saying that the Carplay is not responding. Need to remove from USB and reconnect to start Carplay.

sevec

· #16 · Dec 5, 2018

What I am missing the most in CP is the lack of recent when pushing the pick up button on the steering wheel.
This functions has been very handy on MZD and I don't understand why it does not work the same way in CP.
It is just stupid

mifan

· #17 · Dec 5, 2018

Phinx said:
The MZD Nav system doesn't work anymore. Says 'your mazda is not equipped with a navigation system'. Is that how it's suppose to be?

Certainly not! You are seeing the message because the Map SD card is not properly inserted in the new USB Hub. Perhaps the SD Card is not transferred from the old Hub to the new one?
I DIY two cars with AA/CP kit and both are fine with factory navigation, Waze, Google, and Apple Maps.

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Phinx

· #18 · Dec 21, 2018

Thanks bro. I took it back to Mazda to have a look. And brought up the things you mentioned. Second usb port and SD card slot doesn't work. Apparently faulty. Now gotta wait for them to have more in stock

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