[Rasoul77]

You can also download BR125 from this link.

[sas46]

Originally Posted by sas46

I just noticed that an update for my unit is out (I presume)

EW-BMCP-EVO-A


Can I safely flash

Andream [NBT EVO ID5/ID6] [ISPBOOOT.BIN]
NEW v2.2.0.2.gpe.e (PIN: 2863) (Not cross compatible)

Current version

No one can answer that?.....

[dmeerpa]

I'm looking to buy one of these for my BMW Z4 e89 (CIC)

Which one would you advise
- Andream
- Roadtop
- Carlinkit
- other ...

I'm aware that the hardware is probably all the same, and the difference will be software wise.
So basically the question is, which one has the best software...

PS. I will use it with Android (version 11), I have no intensions of switching to Apple again.

[Eldewy]

Originally Posted by dmeerpa

I'm looking to buy one of these for my BMW Z4 e89 (CIC)

Which one would you advise
- Andream
- Roadtop
- Carlinkit
- other ...

I'm aware that the hardware is probably all the same, and the difference will be software wise.
So basically the question is, which one has the best software...

PS. I will use it with Android (version 11), I have no intensions of switching to Apple again.

Till now, my experience with RoadTop has been nothing but pleasant. they are very responsive on WhatsApp if you have questions, issues or requests.

I cannot say anything against or for the other sellers.

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by dmeerpa

I'm looking to buy one of these for my BMW Z4 e89 (CIC)

Which one would you advise
- Andream
- Roadtop
- Carlinkit
- other ...

I'm aware that the hardware is probably all the same, and the difference will be software wise.
So basically the question is, which one has the best software...

PS. I will use it with Android (version 11), I have no intensions of switching to Apple again.

I used to recommend CarlinKit for Android Auto users because you can use the custom sw from page 1. The custom sw provided auto-launching AA, wide-screen support, automatic night mode switching, and routed calls via the OEM Bluetooth for the best call quality.

However based on recent posts it seems that both Andream and RoadTop now have all of these features.

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by sas46

No one can answer that?.....

Yes, if you have an Andream EVO unit then this sw is compatible.

[ggonxhi]

Hello I recently installed the Adream CiC and I have a few issues.

1st my steering button does not work to open Siri.
2nd FaceTime calls are paused, so no video( I suspect this is a safety measure)
3rd is there a way to change the car into the pdc/aftermarket Camera screen. ( right now it’s showing a Z4

I’m on the latest firmare from this forum.

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by muniz_ri

Newer as in after June 2020 for the A units.

I don't see it posted on the first page but I am running the attached Carlinkit mcu 20.08.13 which should also run on the Andream A units (not compatible with the B units).

Was there a documented hardware change? I'm running the custom firmware v2 right now. Edit: I'm an idiot. MCU = the software, I kept thinking MCU = MMI.

Edit: Is it possible to flash the bimmertech MCU update using the custom firmware, and then the bimmertech firmware? Not sure if anyone's tried this yet.

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by Unspec

Was there a documented hardware change? I'm running the custom firmware v2 right now.

Edit: Is it possible to flash the bimmertech MCU update using the custom firmware, and then the bimmertech firmware? Not sure if anyone's tried this yet.

The mcu's are black box. I have no idea how they work.

But yes, you can flash the Bimmertech mcu's after flashing the custom software. But if at any point you want to flash back to your unit's stock mcu, you will first have to flash back to your units stock software before you can do so.

However the latest Bimmertech mcu dimmed my screen's brightness for some reason which is why I am using the Carlinkit mcu.

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by muniz_ri

The mcu's are black box. I have no idea how they work.

But yes, you can flash the Bimmertech mcu's after flashing the custom software. But if at any point you want to flash back to your unit's stock mcu, you will first have to flash back to your units stock software before you can do so.

However the latest Bimmertech mcu dimmed my screen's brightness for some reason which is why I am using the Carlinkit mcu.

Yea I derped out, I kept thinking that MCU was refering to the actual unit itself, rather than the software.

I meant more along the lines of, can you flash custom, then flash BT MCU, then flash BT FW. Or will it go "invalid update" on me.

Edit: Wait, you can flash carlinket MCU on custom v2? I see this on the first page:

A word regarding MCU updates: With this update you can only flash the MCU updates by Bimmertech. Flashing the default MCU from Andream/Carlinkit etc is only possible on their firmware. Currently there is no need to do anything (no new features etc), so you can leave everything as is. Also note that Bimmertech transforms the first digits of the MCU version from '20' to '10'.

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by Unspec

Yea I derped out, I kept thinking that MCU was refering to the actual unit itself, rather than the software.

I meant more along the lines of, can you flash custom, then flash BT MCU, then flash BT FW. Or will it go "invalid update" on me.

Edit: Wait, you can flash carlinket MCU on custom v2? I see this on the first page:

All vendors now have security in their updates that prevents them from being used on other units. So if you flash Bimmertech sw on any other unit you will get the "Invalid Update" screen.

The custom sw is based on a Bimmertech update but the security was removed by FireFly and team.

As for the Carlinkit mcu, you can't flash it while the custom sw is installed. But you can first flash back to your units stock sw then flash the Carlinkit mcu.

[Xerxist]

Hello All,

Been using the custom rom on the Carlinkit NBT unit for quite some time now and still works great. One bug I rarely see is a black screen and I have to wait till the unit completely shutsdown and start it again. No big deal.

I've seen some people upgrading the screen to 8.8 inch or larger, but it's quite difficult to figure out which part number. I own a F21 from 2015 and like to upgrade to a larger screen so I get the splitscreen in Android Auto. Can anyone recommend a screen?

I've found this part number but I'm not sure if this is the right one.

Part number : 9387453

Or are there better solutions?

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by Xerxist

Hello All,

Been using the custom rom on the Carlinkit NBT unit for quite some time now and still works great. One bug I rarely see is a black screen and I have to wait till the unit completely shutsdown and start it again. No big deal.

I've seen some people upgrading the screen to 8.8 inch or larger, but it's quite difficult to figure out which part number. I own a F21 from 2015 and like to upgrade to a larger screen so I get the splitscreen in Android Auto. Can anyone recommend a screen?

I've found this part number but I'm not sure if this is the right one.

Part number : 9387453

Or are there better solutions?

You can find the part#'s for the compatible screens for your car on RealOEM.com.

Also, when does the blackscreen occur? Is it when first booting up or using the rear camera, etc?

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by muniz_ri

You can find the part#'s for the compatible screens for your car on RealOEM.com.

Also, when does the blackscreen occur? Is it when first booting up or using the rear camera, etc?

I've noticed it sometimes as well. It's usually on AA/carplay launch. So either the auto launch, or if you exit out of AA/CP and then try to enter it again, it'll just stay at a black screen.

[Sergiu]

This may sound like a stupid question, but how do you update AA on these boxes: does it have a play store app / can you install an apk file on it, or do you have to wait for a new firmware?
I don't have the box yet, I'm in the research phase, but would really like to add AA to my car so that I can use the big (and much better than my phone on sunny days) screen for more than just range and GPS position display. And I really like to have the latest version of software available.

[ImpX]

Originally Posted by Sergiu

This may sound like a stupid question, but how do you update AA on these boxes: does it have a play store app / can you install an apk file on it, or do you have to wait for a new firmware?
I don't have the box yet, I'm in the research phase, but would really like to add AA to my car so that I can use the big (and much better than my phone on sunny days) screen for more than just range and GPS position display. And I really like to have the latest version of software available.

You update application in your phone.

The box itself does not have "Android Auto" installed. It just have it's firmware to facilitate streaming of data and screen from your phone.

[Rasoul77]

Originally Posted by Unspec

I've noticed it sometimes as well. It's usually on AA/carplay launch. So either the auto launch, or if you exit out of AA/CP and then try to enter it again, it'll just stay at a black screen.

I have a similar issue that I described in this post.

[RAAF12]

Originally Posted by Eldewy

to avoid having washed out colors & increase the graphical sharpness as much as possible.

And set the chroma and saturation not too high, 50% is OK.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...1&d=1615390255

[RAAF12]

Originally Posted by Homersbud

Same error if you would bypass the mmi (after clearing the code)?

Per ISTA - my invalid cid image (or whatever it said) is safe for me to ignore, so I will lol.

If I clear the memory a new error came up, even with bypassing the MMI box in iDrive mode. Off topic: today I change the BMW battery and register the new Varta with Bimmerlink.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...1&d=1615391036

[glitched79]

Is there any reason anyone can think of that a future CarPlay update would break functionality with these MMI boxes?

Coming from a 2016 Chevy Volt with built-in wired CarPlay to a 2016 528i that I installed one of these boxes into recently, I can say this implementation is already far better than the factory-installed wired version from the Volt that was riddled with constant connection problems. It seemed to work whenever it felt like it, and would often disconnect at any time for no reason at all.

So far, I've had very few problems with the MMI box I ordered from HifiMax Navi, which looks identical to all the boxes I'm seeing here, though I don't know specifically who manufactured it - I'd love if someone on here could tell me.

My only real fear is that a future CarPlay update from Apple might break connectivity with these boxes, since I'm assuming they're not "Apple-approved".

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by glitched79

Is there any reason anyone can think of that a future CarPlay update would break functionality with these MMI boxes?

Coming from a 2016 Chevy Volt with built-in wired CarPlay to a 2016 528i that I installed one of these boxes into recently, I can say this implementation is already far better than the factory-installed wired version from the Volt that was riddled with constant connection problems. It seemed to work whenever it felt like it, and would often disconnect at any time for no reason at all.

So far, I've had very few problems with the MMI box I ordered from HifiMax Navi, which looks identical to all the boxes I'm seeing here, though I don't know specifically who manufactured it - I'd love if someone on here could tell me.

My only real fear is that a future CarPlay update from Apple might break connectivity with these boxes, since I'm assuming they're not "Apple-approved".

I don't expect that to happen.

If Apple revamps the CarPlay implementation requirements/parameters it would also break Carplay in every other vehicle having Carplay from the factory.

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by Unspec

I've noticed it sometimes as well. It's usually on AA/carplay launch. So either the auto launch, or if you exit out of AA/CP and then try to enter it again, it'll just stay at a black screen.

I believe that, at least for Bimmertech, that issue was resolved with updated sw.