Being firm believers in driving in style without sacrificing the wonders of modern technology, we recently tested the “Westods Wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto”. With its promise of perfectly marrying retro and modern, this piece of tech has proven itself to be a phenomenal companion for the enthusiastic retro car driver.

Features

This all-encompassing, multi-functional device offers both wireless Carplay and Android Auto capabilities, Bluetooth connectivity, amongst a plethora of other amenities. Equipped with front 2.5K and rear 1080P cameras, it promises crystal clear visuals of the road for more precise reversing and safer journeys.

One of its defining features is the 7″ HD IPS screen which delivers vivid imagery and accessible touchscreen control. With an impressive 1024×600 resolution, it ensures top-notch quality for video playback and GPS navigation.

It also offers a range of audio output options, a much appreciated nod to flexibility. Furthermore, it comes with a 64GB Micro SD card, replacing the hassle of having to procure one separately. The device is designed to be incredibly user-friendly with its easy installation process, allowing you to avoid any complications with the central control.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The device consistently delivers on its promise of striking visuals and seamless touchscreen control. The crystal-clear quality of the front and rear cameras is unprecedented in a portable unit, providing a clear view for safer reversing and parking. The system is snappy, reliable, and incredibly useful.

When it comes to installation, it doesn’t pose any daunting challenges, with the user-friendly design making it a plug-and-play experience. The added touch of customizable startup logos was appreciated, as was the incredibly responsive support from Westods.

The Wireless Carplay and Android Auto functionalities give users a wire-free experience, reducing the clutter while driving. With both Carplay and Android Auto active, the system loads quickly and operates without any hitches, providing a smooth and convenient utilization. Additionally, the overall quality of the unit, as well as the backup camera, remains consistent, adding a level of reliability highly sought-after in aftermarket tech.

Cons

Despite its many pros, we have noticed a few cons worth mentioning. It takes a little too long for the system to start up with wireless Carplay. Although the backup camera’s cord length was satisfactory for standard cars, it falls drastically short for larger vehicles, which would necessitate acquiring an extension. Furthermore, the system seems to drain the battery quickly when left on overnight, particularly for cars with constantly powered 12v sockets.

We found problems with the screen mirroring function, specifically for Android users. The need to download a questionable program was concerning, to say the least, and the feature seemed operative only for Apple devices. Last but not least, the device’s screen doesn’t switch from Day to Night mode automatically, obstructing the navigation experience, especially for Android users. Although the attentive service from Westods’ tech support tried to solve these issues, there is a need for a more comprehensive in-built resolution.

Final Thoughts

All things considered, the “Upgraded Westods Wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto with 2.5K Dash Cam, 1080P Backup Camera, Portable 7″ HD IPS Screen for Car” exceeds expectations in many fronts, offering a modern yet user-friendly driving experience suitable even for retro car enthusiasts. It’s an excellent investment for those in need of a full-featured, high-quality infotainment system that isn’t tied down by pesky wires. Keep aware of a few downsides, however, such as screen mirroring issues and potential battery drain if left powered overnight. We’d recommend prospective buyers to weigh these factors in their decision-making process.

Before we wrap up, please note that the links provided in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through these links, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows us to continue to bring you quality content like this.

Check it out on Amazon.com (United States)

When it comes to upgrading a classic vehicle with modern functionality, the Westods Portable Wireless Carplay Car Stereo proves to be an impressive option. As we immersed ourselves in the testing phase, a series of impressive features, along with a few not-so-impressive ones, revealed themselves, paving the way for this comprehensive review.

Impressive Specifications

By far the most attractive feature of the Westods Car Stereo is the wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. By exploiting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, the device allows seamless access to music, navigation, and even messaging services, providing an all-round safer and all-encompassing hands-free experience.

It comes with a 2.5K HD front camera, and an AHD rear camera supported by a split-screen feature, allowing for safer and more effective reversing, and that’s not all. The system also incorporates DVR loop recording. An added bonus is the inclusion of a 64GB TF card for automatic recording storage.

The device displays cutting edge HD IPS touchscreen technology, with a 1600*600 resolution and a 178° viewing angle, markedly improving the viewing experience. The screen size stands at a generous 9.3 inches which is a significant upgrade for a classic car’s dash.

Mounting and Installation

The car stereo is simple to use, and won’t need a mechanic’s expertise for an easy dashboard installation. All models of cars are catered for considering it comes with a 7-32V voltage range, and that includes trucks, vans, campers and RVs as well.

Performance and Usability

In terms of performance, the device turned out to be functional and responsive, with a snappy touch screen that displayed seamless wireless Android Auto functionality. The customer service experience has also been noteworthy for its promptness and eagerness to provide assistance.

The device has a built-in speaker but can also transmit sound to the car’s speakers for a louder output. The Bluetooth connectivity works perfectly well for hands-free calling and music streaming. Furthermore, the device successfully connects to the FM Transmitter for frequency-to-frequency wireless transmission, thereby making it possible to send all sounds to the original car speaker.

Pros and Cons

Like every piece of technology, the Westods Stereo does come with a few catches. In some instances, units were reported as not supporting AA wireless which required a firmware update, and some users had issues with audio output. In certain models, the audio would play only from the device and not the car’s bluetooth speakers. The power-on experience was also inconsistent among various units.

Nonetheless, some of its more commendable features included the size of the screen, and the fact that music, GPS navigation, and Siri & Google Assistant functionalities were perfectly rendered through the device. The boot-up logo customization earned many praises as did customer service responsiveness.

The audio quality, however, when using the FM transmitter, was a bit of an issue, with users reporting scratchy and static-laced sound. The Auxiliary plug-in, on the other hand, proved to be a better alternative. There was also a noticeable difference in sound volume depending on whether you used the in-built speakers or the car’s FM radio.

Conclusion

Summing up, the Westods Portable Wireless Carplay Car Stereo with 2.5K Dash Cam is a pretty solid choice to enhance a classic car with modern amenities. While it does come with a few downsides, it nonetheless offers some impressive functionality at a reasonable cost. The few misses we experienced did not feel significant enough to overshadow the fact that it is a reliable and feature-rich head unit that should be considered when shopping for a car stereo upgrade.

Before we wrap up, please note that the links provided in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through these links, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows us to continue to bring you quality content like this.

Check it out on Amazon.com (United States)

Check it out on Amazon.ca (Canada)