Has anyone purchased the Beat-Sonic Carplay connector for the smaller screen navi units that come with the 2014-2015 model years? If so, is it worth it? I mean, I would mainly be purchasing the unit to access better navigation interfaces via Google and Apple maps, but I'm not sure if it's worth it given that I can just upgrade the standard navigation system's maps for far less by buying the SD card at the dealer or on Amazon. I have never used Carplay, so perhaps there are some other benefits? I usually just stream music, so it's not like I'd gain any additional functionality there...

Thoughts?

 

While upgrading your SD card for your navi is an option, in my personal opinion, the stock navigation is no where near as good as apple, google, or waze. Also, if you think about it, you would have to keep buying a new SD card every year and that cost would add up over time, Also with the stock SD card you only get an update every year (and pay for it) while apple, google, and waze are constantly up to date always (for free).

I do not have the beatsonic unit, but I do have the Android head unit and the one of biggest selling points for me was the excellent navigation options. I hated the stock one, even updated.

Car play is awesome.

 

I know That's the conundrum. The Beat-Sonic unit itself isn't very expensive, although the installation is going to be because I have absolutely no idea how to do those sorts of things. I haven't updated the OEM maps since I bought the car in 2014, so I thought that I would just update the SD card as a cheap alternative, but you're absolutely right -- Apple and Google maps are far, far superior.

I have some thinking to do. I think it really comes down to how long I want to keep the car. It's already six years old, but I've put in SO MUCH WORK!!! into the car. See below for a bit of what I mean. Maybe four more years? Three more? I dunno. Is it worth it? Hmm...