Does anyone have experience of the new systems offered by AIO-5

[aloudon]

Does anyone have experience of the new systems offered by AIO-5 which plays android and CarPlay and is fully compatible with the BMW mount and magic wheel? Looks a real advance on the Garmin. Any views?

=====

I have edited the post’s title.

Richard

 

[carbonguy]

Does anyone have experience of the new systems offered by AIO-5 which plays android and CarPlay and is fully compatible with the BMW mount and magic wheel? Looks a real advance on the Garmin. Any views?

I have one. I think that they are pretty good but not perfect but I would recommend them. The screen is bright and is pretty good - at least as good as the Nav6 although in some bright sunlight it didn't work as well as I had hoped (but the Nav6 didn't either. The wheel integration is OK but not that great (perhaps I haven't spent too much time trying to work it out). The wheel does control the screen but not as well or as intuitive as the real thing but with more practice I think that it would be perfectly adequate. I haven't used the in built satnav (although I think that it has one). I use the car play feature blue toothed to my phone on which I run MyRouteApp. The car play bluetooth is easy to set up (I am not a Car Play user anywhere else and so am not familiar with it). On balance, I would recommend it. They are cheaper than most alternatives and work well. I have the integrated to BMW one and it fits fine into the BMW cradle. I also understand that there is a AIO6 (6 inch rather than 5 inch) coming out soon. Last point for my 2013 1200GS it also becomes a speed and rev screen just like the posh screen on the 1250.

 

[aloudon]

I have one. I think that they are pretty good but not perfect but I would recommend them. The screen is bright and is pretty good - at least as good as the Nav6 although in some bright sunlight it didn't work as well as I had hoped (but the Nav6 didn't either. The wheel integration is OK but not that great (perhaps I haven't spent too much time trying to work it out). The wheel does control the screen but not as well or as intuitive as the real thing but with more practice I think that it would be perfectly adequate. I haven't used the in built satnav (although I think that it has one). I use the car play feature blue toothed to my phone on which I run MyRouteApp. The car play bluetooth is easy to set up (I am not a Car Play user anywhere else and so am not familiar with it). On balance, I would recommend it. They are cheaper than most alternatives and work well. I have the integrated to BMW one and it fits fine into the BMW cradle. I also understand that there is a AIO6 (6 inch rather than 5 inch) coming out soon. Last point for my 2013 1200GS it also becomes a speed and rev screen just like the posh screen on the 1250.

Really helpfull
Thanks!

 

[Geecee68]

Does anyone have experience of the new systems offered by AIO-5 which plays android and CarPlay and is fully compatible with the BMW mount and magic wheel? Looks a real advance on the Garmin. Any views?

Carpuride does a 7inch one thats fully integrated with the wonder wheel too. I've had mine for 3-4 months and it works well.

I'm just about to edit a follow video to it where I share some findings after using it for a while.

 

[the woodster]

Really helpfull
Thanks!

Can I just add that none of the car play systems have a 'built in sat nav'. They all rely on 'mirroring' from a mobile phone.

I have had a Chigee AIO-5 and sold it because the screen was too small. I now have a Carpuride W702BS BMW. I also have the BMW ConnectedRide Navigator (I know). I recently sold my BMW Nav 5.

IMHO, I also think the car play units are both good and I would recommend them both. It all depends on what you are replacing, how you navigate, what you want to do whilst riding and the depth of your wallet. I found that the Chigee had better build quality and it's reflected in the price. However, the Carpuride is not cheap looking or low quality. Both have clear, bright screens and easy to understand controls. I agree completely with Carbonguy about the wonder wheel integration being clunky (and his other comments) but like him, think you would quickly get used to it. I never had to contact Chigee customer service but have had extensive contact with Carpuride over connection/sound issues and found them very helpful.

I think the Chigee units have an advantage over the Carpurides because they can be powered off the bike easily with a USB C lead and get OTA software/firmware updates. The Carpuride cannot and any necessary software/firmware updates have to be sent to you by email, transferred onto a micro SD card and then updated in the slot on the unit. It's not the end of the world.

In an ideal world, Chigee would have released an AIO-7 and I would have bought that in preference to the Carpuride because of the above. The new Chigee AIO-6 looks like a great unit but I cannot help but notice that they have not resisted the temptation to add more features. I do like the fact that the two AIO- 6 units (one with, one without 5G) are now modular and you can add on the bits you want and ignore those you don't, within limits. The price is increased because of this.

Every form of navigation has its advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Wapping]

Can I just add that none of the car play systems have a 'built in sat nav'. They all rely on 'mirroring' from a mobile phone.

Spot on.

 

[mw3230]

Can I just add that none of the car play systems have a 'built in sat nav'. They all rely on 'mirroring' from a mobile phone.

I have had a Chigee AIO-5 and sold it because the screen was too small. I now have a Carpuride W702BS BMW. I also have the BMW ConnectedRide Navigator (I know). I recently sold my BMW Nav 5.

IMHO, I also think the car play units are both good and I would recommend them both. It all depends on what you are replacing, how you navigate, what you want to do whilst riding and the depth of your wallet. I found that the Chigee had better build quality and it's reflected in the price. However, the Carpuride is not cheap looking or low quality. Both have clear, bright screens and easy to understand controls. I agree completely with Carbonguy about the wonder wheel integration being clunky (and his other comments) but like him, think you would quickly get used to it. I never had to contact Chigee customer service but have had extensive contact with Carpuride over connection/sound issues and found them very helpful.

I think the Chigee units have an advantage over the Carpurides because they can be powered off the bike easily with a USB C lead and get OTA software/firmware updates. The Carpuride cannot and any necessary software/firmware updates have to be sent to you by email, transferred onto a micro SD card and then updated in the slot on the unit. It's not the end of the world.

In an ideal world, Chigee would have released an AIO-7 and I would have bought that in preference to the Carpuride because of the above. The new Chigee AIO-6 looks like a great unit but I cannot help but notice that they have not resisted the temptation to add more features. I do like the fact that the two AIO- 6 units (one with, one without 5G) are now modular and you can add on the bits you want and ignore those you don't, within limits. The price is increased because of this.

Every form of navigation has its advantages and disadvantages.

Comprehensive and interesting. I wonder how the less expensive Aoccii products compare - their features seem to be the same, if not better and the price is attractive

 

[Wapping]

Other than a (possibly) larger screen, I’ve yet to find any clear advantage of the mirroring devices over those of a half decent sacrificial phone. There again, I don’t use any or all of the ‘must have’ features, such as music, texts, emails, ‘talking books’, radio, weather and the like, when on the move. I simply use the GPS function, invariably running reasonably complex routes, that I have created myself in MyRoute (before that BaseCamp / MapSource).

I do though still like my XT and the long line of Garmin devices which came before it.

 

[Geecee68]

Other than a (possibly) larger screen, I’ve yet to find any clear advantage of the mirroring devices over those of a half decent sacrificial phone. There again, I don’t use any or all of the ‘must have’ features, such as music, texts, emails, ‘talking books’, radio, weather and the like, when on the move. I simply use the GPS function, invariably running reasonably complex routes, that I have created myself in MyRoute (before that BaseCamp / MapSource).

I do though still like my XT and the long line of Garmin devices which came before it.

I tried using my iphone in a cradle on the handlebars for a long ride down to Spain. Worked fine, until it repeatedly overheated and switched itself off. In colder climates I'm sure it'd be fine, but the high temperates on that trip led to the battery quickly failing....that started my journey into looking for the best alternative. Of course you could just put it in your pocket and rely on audio instructions, but I found at the end of a long day, trying to find a hotel in some Spanish old town (Cordoba was the one that sticks out), a map really helps.

 

[the woodster]

Comprehensive and interesting. I wonder how the less expensive Aoccii products compare - their features seem to be the same, if not better and the price is attractive

I've seen plenty of positive reviews and know someone with one. They obviously work on the same principle as the others and are an attractive price. They even appear to have a version that integrates with the BMW nav prep and wonder wheel (BM5.5). But it's only for BMW riders who ride outdoors!

BM5.5 BMW Motorcycle Dash Cam & Smart Screen

Special for BMW motorcycle riders who ride outdoors. BM5.5 is a powerful dash cam with a smart display for seamless navigation, safety, and entertainment. Built with premium materials and advanced features.

aoocci.com

If this is the case, then something is not quite right as it is SERIOUSLY under reviewed etc. and the webpage is a bit short on detail - I also note that it's out of stock - Maybe a new one on way? Maybe someone on the forum has one and can report? This function is not the same experience as you get using the bike's menus on the TFT etc. or using the Connected Ride Navigator, unsurprisingly! The compatibility of Apple Car Play and Android Auto with your navigation app of choice also plays a part in what you experience in actual use. They are what they are. I have a bikermate who has an unbranded one and loves it. There is a unit to suit everyone's pocket.

 

[Geecee68]

I have one. I think that they are pretty good but not perfect but I would recommend them. The screen is bright and is pretty good - at least as good as the Nav6 although in some bright sunlight it didn't work as well as I had hoped (but the Nav6 didn't either. The wheel integration is OK but not that great (perhaps I haven't spent too much time trying to work it out). The wheel does control the screen but not as well or as intuitive as the real thing but with more practice I think that it would be perfectly adequate. I haven't used the in built satnav (although I think that it has one). I use the car play feature blue toothed to my phone on which I run MyRouteApp. The car play bluetooth is easy to set up (I am not a Car Play user anywhere else and so am not familiar with it). On balance, I would recommend it. They are cheaper than most alternatives and work well. I have the integrated to BMW one and it fits fine into the BMW cradle. I also understand that there is a AIO6 (6 inch rather than 5 inch) coming out soon. Last point for my 2013 1200GS it also becomes a speed and rev screen just like the posh screen on the 1250.

I echo the need to 'get used' to using the wonder wheel to navigate a carplay screen. Its new for everyone, and at the start I was quickly losing the highlighted curser and getting stuck in menus (this is on a Carpuride 702 device). I reflect that it was the same when I was getting used to navigating music on the tft.

 

[Wapping]

I tried using my iphone in a cradle on the handlebars for a long ride down to Spain. Worked fine, until it repeatedly overheated and switched itself off.

Indeed. Which might in itself create a problem, for those that want to use a phone mirroring device. Good, purpose built GPS devices (such as a Garmin) suffer much less from heat / cold than a phone. The phone cubbyhole on my 1600 has a fan, simply to keep the phone cool.

But we digress.

 

[the woodster]

Indeed. Which might in itself create a problem, for those that want to use a phone mirroring device. Good, purpose built GPS devices (such as a Garmin) suffer much less from heat / cold than a phone. The phone cubbyhole on my 1600 has a fan, simply to keep the phone cool.

I can see myself using the car play device in the UK and taking my CRN to warmer climes. Oh, the luxury!

 

[aloudon]

Carpuride does a 7inch one thats fully integrated with the wonder wheel too. I've had mine for 3-4 months and it works well.

I'm just about to edit a follow video to it where I share some findings after using it for a while.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[daesimps]

I have been using the AIO-5 Lite since late January 24. At the time it was the only unit from Chigee that was available. I’d previously tried cheaper CarPlay screens but they weren’t that good.

I previously used a sacrificial phone and a WunderLINQ controller to allow use of the Wonderwheel, for about a year. I used this when my Nav died, after using Garmin devices as far back as the Zumo 550.

The phone method was OK, and probably sufficient for many, but it didn’t meet my needs. Primarily, the phone screen would dim when the phone got warm and even when it wasn’t dim there were times when it just wasn’t bright enough. The screen is the biggest cause of heat and power drain, and by that I mean not just the powering of the screen itself but also the computational power required to render the screen by the app. I’ve never had the phone get remotely warm when using CarPlay.

Also, the apps I tried (MRA, Scenic and others) are free to layout the screen however they wish, and none were ideally designed for use whilst moving or with gloves. This could be seen as an advantage or disadvantage over CarPlay. Apple (and I believe Google also but haven’t tried it) enforce a strict layout of apps through their templates. This means that all apps have a relatively consistent look and feel and are easier to use, with big buttons and text etc., but makes it harder for developers to add certain features as they are limited to certain onscreen elements.

One advantage of CarPlay devices, assuming you are not charging your phone whilst riding, is the much lower battery usage as the screen is off on the phone when using CarPlay. The screen is by far the biggest power drain and heat generator when using a phone by itself as a navigator. Second on power drain is the nav app itself, which has been a big problem for MRA users (there is a bug with the software developers kit that they use and are waiting on Here fixing, although it’s a bit better of late). I have an iPhone 15 and can easily do 8 hours without the phone plugged in (with Scenic and Apple Music in use the entire time). If we’re out any longer I simply use a battery bank to add charge to the phone during lunch. I could leave the phone connected to the battery bank in my bar bag, but haven’t found the need.

Another advantage of CarPlay etc over a dedicated GPS is you can use multiple apps on the same device. Some apps are great for road, some better offload. By not having a dedicated device you can swap and change as appropriate.

My wife and I use Scenic on our bikes. One of us will plan the route, and share it with the other person. An advantage to this is that if we make changes, for example during lunch, the other person’s copy of the route is immediately updated. Being able to plan/modify with just a phone is brilliant. Scenic can also import a route from Google maps. Simply use the web view of Google maps to make your route, copy the web address and paste it into Scenic and it’ll import it.

I used to love Basecamp, and both my wife and I were pretty good with it and found it easy and intuitive to use. However, we’ve used MRA for planning since 2023 and find it much better. Again, the ability to use it in a web browser means you aren’t tied to a laptop. We do all our planning in MRA, then transfer to Scenic for navigation.

I can’t see us going back to a dedicated GPS, or standalone phone. CarPlay is just easier, especially since we both use music when riding, and find the easy control of Spotify and Apple Music on CarPlay much better than alternatives. The dashcam functions of the Chigee are also a great advantage that we’d lose.

We’ve both got the Chigee 6” on order. Whilst we’re both very happy with the 5” screen, we both felt the 6” version would be a bit better and that the 7” offered by other makes would be too big. I’m glad Chigee resisted the urge to just go massive on screen size.

The Chigee units have been great, and the over the air updates work really well. The screen is clear, bright and not subject to issues caused by rain that we got when using our phones (false touches caused by moisture in the screen). The new 6” version is apparently twice as bright, so should be even better.

With the Chigee, in CarPlay mode, your headset remains paired with the phone and not the Chigee. This removes complications of using the CarPlay screen as a hub, which I believe some people have struggled with on the Carpuride units. Siri etc have worked great with the Chigee.

It all down to personal preference. Some people swear by a dedicated device, others by a dedicated phone. Having tried all 3 extensively, CarPlay is my choice. Yours may be something else. It’s great that there’s the choice now.

 

[Wapping]

It all down to personal preference. Some people swear by a dedicated device, others by a dedicated phone. Having tried all 3 extensively, CarPlay is my choice. Yours may be something else. It’s great that there’s the choice now.

Indeed.

 

[Geecee68]

I recorded this yesterday, after using my Carpuride 702BS for 8+ hours over the past few weeks. The biggest learning is that getting used to Wonder Wheel navigation takes time. Its not as easy as just pressing a screen like you do with your phone. And I have made some idiot early mistakes too!

 

[smudger64]

I have been using the AIO-5 Lite since late January 24. At the time it was the only unit from Chigee that was available. I’d previously tried cheaper CarPlay screens but they weren’t that good.

I previously used a sacrificial phone and a WunderLINQ controller to allow use of the Wonderwheel, for about a year. I used this when my Nav died, after using Garmin devices as far back as the Zumo 550.

The phone method was OK, and probably sufficient for many, but it didn’t meet my needs. Primarily, the phone screen would dim when the phone got warm and even when it wasn’t dim there were times when it just wasn’t bright enough. The screen is the biggest cause of heat and power drain, and by that I mean not just the powering of the screen itself but also the computational power required to render the screen by the app. I’ve never had the phone get remotely warm when using CarPlay.

Also, the apps I tried (MRA, Scenic and others) are free to layout the screen however they wish, and none were ideally designed for use whilst moving or with gloves. This could be seen as an advantage or disadvantage over CarPlay. Apple (and I believe Google also but haven’t tried it) enforce a strict layout of apps through their templates. This means that all apps have a relatively consistent look and feel and are easier to use, with big buttons and text etc., but makes it harder for developers to add certain features as they are limited to certain onscreen elements.

One advantage of CarPlay devices, assuming you are not charging your phone whilst riding, is the much lower battery usage as the screen is off on the phone when using CarPlay. The screen is by far the biggest power drain and heat generator when using a phone by itself as a navigator. Second on power drain is the nav app itself, which has been a big problem for MRA users (there is a bug with the software developers kit that they use and are waiting on Here fixing, although it’s a bit better of late). I have an iPhone 15 and can easily do 8 hours without the phone plugged in (with Scenic and Apple Music in use the entire time). If we’re out any longer I simply use a battery bank to add charge to the phone during lunch. I could leave the phone connected to the battery bank in my bar bag, but haven’t found the need.

Another advantage of CarPlay etc over a dedicated GPS is you can use multiple apps on the same device. Some apps are great for road, some better offload. By not having a dedicated device you can swap and change as appropriate.

My wife and I use Scenic on our bikes. One of us will plan the route, and share it with the other person. An advantage to this is that if we make changes, for example during lunch, the other person’s copy of the route is immediately updated. Being able to plan/modify with just a phone is brilliant. Scenic can also import a route from Google maps. Simply use the web view of Google maps to make your route, copy the web address and paste it into Scenic and it’ll import it.

I used to love Basecamp, and both my wife and I were pretty good with it and found it easy and intuitive to use. However, we’ve used MRA for planning since 2023 and find it much better. Again, the ability to use it in a web browser means you aren’t tied to a laptop. We do all our planning in MRA, then transfer to Scenic for navigation.

I can’t see us going back to a dedicated GPS, or standalone phone. CarPlay is just easier, especially since we both use music when riding, and find the easy control of Spotify and Apple Music on CarPlay much better than alternatives. The dashcam functions of the Chigee are also a great advantage that we’d lose.

We’ve both got the Chigee 6” on order. Whilst we’re both very happy with the 5” screen, we both felt the 6” version would be a bit better and that the 7” offered by other makes would be too big. I’m glad Chigee resisted the urge to just go massive on screen size.

The Chigee units have been great, and the over the air updates work really well. The screen is clear, bright and not subject to issues caused by rain that we got when using our phones (false touches caused by moisture in the screen). The new 6” version is apparently twice as bright, so should be even better.

With the Chigee, in CarPlay mode, your headset remains paired with the phone and not the Chigee. This removes complications of using the CarPlay screen as a hub, which I believe some people have struggled with on the Carpuride units. Siri etc have worked great with the Chigee.

It all down to personal preference. Some people swear by a dedicated device, others by a dedicated phone. Having tried all 3 extensively, CarPlay is my choice. Yours may be something else. It’s great that there’s the choice now.

Agree with all of that, including having the 5 but now waiting on the 6 for the same reasons!

I’ve also tried all of the options, Nav 6, TomTom device, phone, wonderlinq and now finally CHIGEE. For me this is by far and a way the best solution out there.

 

[daesimps]

Agree with all of that, including having the 5 but now waiting on the 6 for the same reasons!

I’ve also tried all of the options, Nav 6, TomTom device, phone, wonderlinq and now finally CHIGEE. For me this is by far and a way the best solution out there.

Got my 6 on 4th June and its first run out was on 14th coming to Spain and Portugal. We’re about 1,800 miles in and I love it. Had no issues and the screen is easily visible, even under the intense sun.

 

[smudger64]

Got my 6 on 4th June and its first run out was on 14th coming to Spain and Portugal. We’re about 1,800 miles in and I love it. Had no issues and the screen is easily visible, even under the intense sun.

Still waiting for mine. Super early bird (about #1400), but assume the supplier delay has held it up.
Went for the LTE with just the cross bar mount as I already had that and the LIN module. Was tempted to put the nav mount back on but was worried it bring too far forwards. How have you mounted yours?