CPLAY2air Now Available for 2020 GLE
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 203
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From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
CPLAY2air Now Available for 2020 GLE
I was on the notification list for this product which provides wireless Apple CarPlay connect. They just sent me an email that it is now approved for use on our 2020 GLE. I’ve watched some bad reviews of the product on YouTube. However, I decided it would be nice if it would really work, so I dropped $129 to see. I’ll report back once I get it and see how it goes.
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NCC-1701
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 145
From: Toronto, Canada
2023 GLE63S - Edition 55
I was on the notification list for this product which provides wireless Apple CarPlay connect. They just sent me an email that it is now approved for use on our 2020 GLE. I’ve watched some bad reviews of the product on YouTube. However, I decided it would be nice if it would really work, so I dropped $129 to see. I’ll report back once I get it and see how it goes.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 203
Likes: 103
From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
Here is the message I received from the Chinese seller:Good news! At the beginning of the month we launched a new firmware release for the CPLAY2air adapter which now supports these brands that we personally tested:
All CPLAY2air adapters purchased from the 4th of November include a new firmware release, you can purchase a CPLAY2air adapter here.
- Land Rover;
- Jaguar;
- Nissan;
- Honda, including Accord and others;
- Mercedes-Benz the newest MBUX 2020 system with USB-C (requires additional adapter from USB-A to USB-C);
- Audi 2020;
- If you have a USB-C system, it requires an additional adapter from USB-A to USB-C.
All CPLAY2air adapters purchased from the 4th of November include a new firmware release, you can purchase a CPLAY2air adapter here.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 203
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From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
I received the dongle after about 2+ weeks shipping time from China. Nicely packaged product, installed easily, so far seems to work as advertised. An adaptor converting USB-A TO USB-C is required. Rather than use a short cable, Amazon sells an adaptor, smaller than your thumb. Makes for a nice uncluttered installation.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 145
From: Toronto, Canada
2023 GLE63S - Edition 55
I received the dongle after about 2+ weeks shipping time from China. Nicely packaged product, installed easily, so far seems to work as advertised. An adaptor converting USB-A TO USB-C is required. Rather than use a short cable, Amazon sells an adaptor, smaller than your thumb. Makes for a nice uncluttered installation.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 203
Likes: 103
From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
Having said that, I’m not all that impressed with Apple CarPlay on this vehicle. The screen display is too small, and even though the MBUX navigation display isn’t as dramatic to see as the Google Maps satellite view, it’s easier on my eyes and totally acceptable for its purpose.
It begs the question of why I got the wireless connection to begin with, but it isn’t the first such gadget I’ve bought and didn’t need and most likely won’t be the last.
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 80
Likes: 14
From: Boston
2025 GLE450 SUV 4Matic
Personally, other than longer trips where I'd be on the highway and can leverage Waze's alerts, I find no benefit to use Carplay. MBUX interface is much better, for daily driving and short trips the NAV works fine and looks much better. You're able to make use of the AR functionality as well.
I'd consider getting this for those long drive situations anyway, since I've had almost no luck with cables trying to get connected carplay to work. Always drops connection or doesn't recognize after a while - and I've tried a ton of different cables.
I'd consider getting this for those long drive situations anyway, since I've had almost no luck with cables trying to get connected carplay to work. Always drops connection or doesn't recognize after a while - and I've tried a ton of different cables.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 203
Likes: 103
From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
Personally, other than longer trips where I'd be on the highway and can leverage Waze's alerts, I find no benefit to use Carplay. MBUX interface is much better, for daily driving and short trips the NAV works fine and looks much better. You're able to make use of the AR functionality as well.
I'd consider getting this for those long drive situations anyway, since I've had almost no luck with cables trying to get connected carplay to work. Always drops connection or doesn't recognize after a while - and I've tried a ton of different cables.
I'd consider getting this for those long drive situations anyway, since I've had almost no luck with cables trying to get connected carplay to work. Always drops connection or doesn't recognize after a while - and I've tried a ton of different cables.
Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 80
Likes: 14
From: Boston
2025 GLE450 SUV 4Matic
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 203
Likes: 103
From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
I would guess that it should work on the 2021, not that much different from the 2020. However, why not just go on their website and ask them?
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Joined: Sep 2020
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GLE 450
As others in the group I hate the CarPlay implementation on the Benz, I would love to have the CarPlay cover the whole screen and it looks much better that way.
