Both of my sons drive older cars. That means that if they want to enjoy the benefits of CarPlay, they need to either upgrade their radios or purchase an aftermarket solution that can interface with their existing audio system. Having used several of these products, I decided to give the Lamtto 7″ Wireless CarPlay Screen (model RC17) a shot, as it offered some unique features that I thought would be particularly helpful when used in my son’s not-so-late-model Hyundai Sonata.
Lamtto 7″ Wireless CarPlay Screen Features
If you’re buying the Lamtto RC17 Smart Display for wireless CarPlay or Android Auto, you likely won’t care much about the ancillary software features it provides. The hardware side, however, I find very important as there are a myriad of ways you can mount a third-party screen in your car or truck. It’s worth noting that this 7-inch display offers both a suction cup mount and a magnetic vent mount. I opted for the latter as it let me offset the screen from my son’s existing JVC radio. That gave him easy access to the manual volume control.
I’ve also had difficulty in the past using suction cup attachments in Florida. It gets really hot here, and they tend to eventually disconnect from the windshield. That wouldn’t be so bad—if it wasn’t for the fact that your expensive third-party screen (or phone, or iPad, etc) comes crashing down with it. Yes, I’ve cracked a screen this way…and you will too…eventually. Stick with the vent mount—it’s fantastic, and it also lets you quickly and easily detach the screen from the mount if you want to bring it in and remove a temptation for thieves to break into your car. Not everyone has a garage to park in.
Connecting Audio to Your Vehicle
You can connect the Lamtto RC17 Smart Display to your car using a physical 1/8-inch jack, or you can use your vehicle’s Bluetooth. With Wireless Carplay, we opted for the latter as it provided 100% hands-free operation for the system once we connected it to an iPhone. Setup was simple, requiring a pairing code and not much else to get it up and running.
Initially, the system came up in a vertical Carplay orientation. Via the front panel settings, I was able to quickly adjust the aspect ratio to my normal horizontal setup by pressing the orientation button on the bottom right.
There are also additional settings for the screensaver, auto-dimming, language, and more.
Another feature offered is the connection of a backup camera. While not included, you can both integrate a rear camera and send a signal to the device via the reverse lamp trigger input to enable it when the car is put into Reverse.
Using the Lamtto RC17 on Daily Drives
Once connected, CarPlay came up automatically, each and every time I got into the vehicle. It functioned identically to any CarPlay system I’ve used—and I’ve used quite a few in my own vehicles as well as various rental cars. The audio, pumped wirelessly via Bluetooth to the car stereo, worked flawlessly as well, and I was able to enjoy podcasts and my Spotify playlists to their fullest. It also worked very well with navigation using Google maps.
Pricing
As of the time I’m writing this, you can buy the Lamtto RC17 CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen for an astoundingly low $70 on Amazon or from Lamtto directly. The company has nearly a dozen models to choose from, which vary in size and functionality. The low price is likely due to the lack of a battery—something you really don’t need with a system like this.
Specifications
- Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink, Bluetooth, Aux
- FM transmitter
- Built-in speakers
- Touchscreen controls
- Rear-view parking camera compatible
- Includes: 12VDC adapter, aux cable, magnetic holder, suction cup mount,
- Installation: Windshield (suction) or vent mount
