Even though wireless CarPlay is becoming the norm in many new cars, older vehicles still have to go through the trouble of connecting CarPlay through cables.
Fortunately, wireless CarPlay adapters can help solve this problem by allowing you to connect to CarPlay wirelessly.
The Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter is ideal for enabling wireless CarPlay.
The Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter can significantly improve your vehicle’s CarPlay experience. It allows you to connect to CarPlay wirelessly, has a built-in 5Ghz wireless module, and has a maximum startup speed of 18 seconds. However, it’s slightly expensive and limited to CarPlay.
| Overall Rating | 85% |
| Setup Process | 92% |
| Connectivity Time | 95% |
| Affordability | 75% |
| Flexibility | 75% |
- Fast Mini Wireless CarPlay Dongle
- Fully Automated Driving life
- Plug and Play – No Audio Delay
- Professional Technical Support
Pros of the Ottocast CarPlay Wireless Adapter
- The slender design fits well in your vehicle without causing disruptions.
- It doesn’t produce audio delay like other wireless CarPlay adapters.
- The maximum connection time is 18 seconds, and usually less.
- The 5Ghz module is an upgrade in terms of WiFi stability and connection strength.
- You get technical support and updates when needed or if your wireless CarPlay adapter malfunctions.
- It’s compatible with all vehicles that have built-in CarPlay from 2016. Make sure this s not an after-market unit, though.
Cons of the Ottocast CarPlay Wireless Adapter
- It doesn’t work with Android Auto, which is a big disadvantage since some wireless adapters have a double connectivity function.
- It doesn’t work with vehicles with wireless CarPlay, although this isn’t a major disadvantage.
- This device may not work with BMW CarPlay systems and a few other vehicles, so you’ll have to check for compatibility.
- The connection range may be limited, and it might not connect when it’s obstructed.
Who Should Buy An Ottocast Wireless CarPlay Adapter?
If you have a wired CarPlay system and are tired of having to deal with cables whenever you need to access CarPlay, then this is the ideal solution.
Connecting to CarPlay through wired cables isn’t ideal when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to look around for a cable.
The Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter also solves the issue of having to deal with long cables while you’re in the car.
In essence, you’re converting your wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay.
Do you really need it?
This depends on how much you’re willing to spend to get wireless CarPlay and whether you’re bothered by the limitations of having to connect to the vehicle’s infotainment system with a cable every time. Sometimes, you may misplace or forget to take a cable with you, and you’ll have no option to connect to CarPlay.
The only other way to get wireless CarPlace is to install a new infotainment system. This is extremely expensive, and you’ll hardly get any additional features that previous CarPlay versions didn’t have. If you’re willing to spend more than a thousand dollars just to get an infotainment system with built-in wireless CarPlay, then go for it.
If not, then your best option is to get a wireless CarPlay adapter like the Ottocast adapter.
This is negligible compared to the cost of a new infotainment system. And since Ottocast regularly releases new updates, you won’t have to get a new CarPlay adapter when Apple releases CarPlay software updates.
So, if you consider the pricing and compare it to the alternative of replacing your infotainment system, the Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter is definitely worth it.
Benefits of the Ottocast Wireless CarPlay Adapter
When compared to other brands, the latest model of the Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter has its benefits.
There’s not much competition in the wireless CarPlay adapter market, but other products, like the Carlinkit wireless CarPlay adapter, are my personal favorite.
Let’s look at the benefits that you’ll get from this device:
It Connects To Your Phone Quite Fast
*The GIF above is an example where the phone is already connected
One of the main advantages that the Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter has is its connection speed.
Ottocast adapters are much faster in establishing a connection between your phone and CarPlay, especially if you compare them to other popular adapters.
Tests indicate that the Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter connects to your vehicle’s infotainment system in less than 5 seconds and 18 seconds at most.
This is significantly faster than previous versions and adapters from other brands.
Since connection speeds are one of the reasons most people turn to wireless CarPlay in the first place, it makes sense to get a CarPlay adapter with fast connection speeds.
The initial setup doesn’t take too long either, and once you connect the wireless adapter to your phone, it will connect automatically afterward.
It Doesn’t Produce Audio Delay
If you’ve tried a wireless CarPlay adapter before, you’ll probably recognize that many have some audio delay. Newer versions have rectified this issue somewhat, but it’s still one of the main complaints that customers have when using these adapters.
Fortunately, the wireless CarPlay adapter from Ottocast doesn’t have this issue.
It produces smooth audio without any input delay thanks to the fast ARM A7 dual-core processor and 5Ghz WiFi module. If input lag or audio delay was an issue with other brands, you usually don’t have the same problem with Ottocast adapters.
The Design Is Much Better Than Other Adapters
This is one area where Ottocast adapters have really improved. These adapters come in a sleek box design that’s much more presentable than the USB-type design of other adapters.
After all, what’s the point of having a wireless adapter to hide cables if you’re going to replace it with something worse?
Best of all, the design improvement has not significantly affected the pricing, and these wireless CarPlay adapters are still affordable.
You’ll Get Good Technical Support
While there are only a handful of brands that manufacture wireless CarPlay adapters, Ottocast is one of the more established ones.
They provide regular updates to patch up software bugs or to stay up to date with changes in CarPlay.
With this being said, my advice is NEVER to update the adapter unless you are facing serious bugs or problems, as updates can make things worse.
Most user reviews indicate that the company producing these adapters is, at the very least responsive, and they will address your queries.
In most cases, they’ll guide you to resolve the issue, especially if it’s a software problem.
Downsides of the Ottocast Wireless CarPlay Adapter
While it’s one of the best CarPlay adapters in the market, it has limitations, like other brands.
While most of these downsides are minor, they’re worth discussing anyway.
Connection Range Is Limited
This is the biggest complaint that many people have when using the Ottocast adapter.
While Ottocast does claim that their adapter has an improved range, it’s still far behind built-in wireless CarPlay systems in this regard. The wireless CarPlay adapter will usually work if your phone is anywhere in the car.
However, you’ll sometimes get connection problems when your phone is in a bag or your pocket.
Unfortunately, this seems to be a hardware problem, and no software update will resolve it. Meanwhile, you’ll have to keep the wireless CarPlay adapter close to your phone.
It Doesn’t Work on Certain Vehicles
Like most other wireless CarPlay adapter brands, Ottocast adapters don’t work on BMWs and certain vehicle types.
They also won’t work with vehicles that have built-in wireless CarPlay, although you don’t really need it in such cases.
If your vehicle has CarPlay installed before 2016, you may also face issues pairing it with the device.
This device is also limited to vehicles with CarPlay, so don’t try it on vehicles with Android Auto. If you have Android Auto, you can try the Ottocast U2 Air instead.
It May Require Manual Updates
This is another minor downside that you’ll have to deal with when you buy the Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter. The good part is that you will get updates from time to time.
The bad part is that you’ll only realize that you must install the updates when the software starts facing problems.
This can be highly inconvenient, and many people will assume something is wrong with the adapter. This is a common problem with manual updates on many devices. Fortunately, installing the updates will resolve the problems in most cases.
How To Troubleshoot Your Wireless CarPlay Adapter
While it’s designed to work smoothly, you may occasionally face connectivity issues and other problems.
In most cases, you’ll be able to troubleshoot the issue unless it’s a hardware problem.
The first thing to do when facing an issue with your Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter is to disconnect the device and unpair it from your phone.
Wait a few seconds, and then try reconnecting it. This will resolve most minor software glitches.
If you’re still facing the issues, pull the USB in and out of the socket and try again. This will resolve 90% of the problems with this device.
If your device stops working after being dropped or there’s other hardware damage, the only option left may be to get a new device.
Where To Buy
Amazon is the best place to get a wireless CarPlay adapter.
Here are Ottocast adapters for CarPlay and Android Auto:
- OTTOCAST Wireless CarPlay Adapter 2022 (Amazon.com): This wireless CarPlay adapter is one of the fastest and most efficient on the market. It works with all infotainment systems with built-in wired CarPlay.
- OTTOCAST Wireless Android Auto Adapter U2-X (Amazon.com): With 2.4G Bluetooth and a dual-core chip processor, this wireless Android Auto adapter is ideal for vehicles with built-in wired Android Auto.
FAQs
How Do I Know if the Ottocast Wireless CarPlay Adapter Is Compatible?
If your vehicle was made in 2016 or later and it has a wired CarPlay system, then it should be compatible with the Ottocast Wireless CarPlay Adapter. BMWs, the 2019 Honda CRV, and a few other car models are exceptions. If you are unsure, check the Amazon listing or company website.
Can I Connect Multiple Phones To Ottocast?
You can connect multiple devices to an Ottocast Wireless CarPlay Adapter, but not at the same time. To connect to another phone, you’ll first have to disconnect the current device. This is true for most Bluetooth devices, as they only support one connection at a time.
Does the Ottocast Wireless CarPlay Adapter Work on Android Phones?
Since CarPlay only works on iPhones, the Ottocast CarPlay adapter won’t work on Android devices. You’ll need a different CarPlay adapter to connect your Android devices, such as the Android Auto and the U2-X adapter.
Final Thoughts
The Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter is a great option if you want the ease of wireless CarPlay without changing your vehicle’s infotainment system.
It offers great value for money and does the job.
Just remember that it doesn’t work on all vehicles, so make sure the device is compatible before buying it.
