I fitted this seven-inch KAXRUO display to the faded dashboard of my thirteen-year-old Focus at the weekend, and for a moment I felt like a back-street magician, one minute the car looked ready for the scrapyard, the next it had a gleaming touch screen that would not look out of place in a new Fiesta.The IPS panel, 1024 by 600, is brighter than I expected and the viewing angles are generous. I can still read the map when the low winter sun sneaks beneath the visor. The capacitive glass reacts faster than my battered Galaxy S9, so poking at tiny icons while the lights change is less of a gamble.Pairing was painless. I signed in with CarPlay on the drive, unplugged the cable, then set off. From that point on the phone connected itself each time I turned the key, which means the centre console is no longer buried in white Lightning leads. Voice commands do the heavy lifting, letting me ask for Spotify playlists, WhatsApp messages or fresh directions. Siri does occasionally play the diva if the heater fan is roaring, but nine times out of ten she behaves.Sound can travel four different ways. Bluetooth into the factory speakers is the neatest approach, the auxiliary lead is there for belt and braces reliability, and the FM transmitter keeps the dinosaurs happy. The unit’s own speaker, on the other hand, is about as meaty as a takeaway napkin when you hit seventy on the M1. A physical volume knob would have been welcome, because prodding a small on-screen slider while cornering is not my idea of fun.Those quibbles aside, installation took less than ten minutes. The suction cup clung to the windscreen first time and stayed put over three days of speed bumps and potholes. Navigation is clear, notifications are unobtrusive and the whole set-up cost me far less than a factory upgrade. For an elderly hatchback that spends most of its life on the commute, that feels like a small miracle.

At last my fifteen-year-old Mondeo can keep pace with my mobile. I have fixed a neat seven-inch IPS screen to the dashboard, and its 1,024 × 600 panel stays bright even when the sun is glaring through the windscreen, so Waze remains pin-sharp. Wireless CarPlay connects in roughly ten seconds, the Bluetooth link has yet to drop out, and Siri manages to catch everything I say over the engine’s grumble. I routed the AUX lead into the original head unit and the sound is full and warm, miles better than the phone’s weedy speaker, although you can still use that if you must. Swapping to Android Auto for my wife’s handset is literally one tap. Fitting the thing took no more than five minutes with the supplied suction bracket. Smart kit, solidly put together, and for the price it is a bit of a steal.

My son has just opened this as it was a gift, that I had bought early in the sales. He has only just got his car.It doesn’t turn on and we can’t return it as it’s out of the return date.So complete waste of money.

I was unsure initially about buying this CarPlay device as the reviews were mostly from people who got them for free. I’ve used it regularly for a few weeks now and it works really well, I plugged the power into the 12v cigarette lighter charger and the 3.5mm audio jack into the existing sterio. I drive a classic car so it’s a real luxury to have Apple car play and a clear view of Waze satnav. It’s not too big so it doesn’t block your view. Very easy to install you just stick it to the dash and off you go. Worth every penny, once I start the car my phone connects automatically to the car play. Very much recommended!

Great
All good thanks