thinking of something similar myself, i was thinking of hiding it in armrest, as there is a power point in there i think and it would be out of sight

 

Why not get one of these for your phone from Amazon?

"XCSOURCE Universal QI Wireless Charging Receiver Film for Smartphones".

It charges the car wirelessly using the built-in Qi Receiver. If you download the "Android or Apple Auto" from google play, it switches your phone "hotspot" automatically when you start the car.

 

Why not get one of these for your phone from Amazon?

"XCSOURCE Universal QI Wireless Charging Receiver Film for Smartphones".

My car does not have the wireless charging option. I would need the receiver and a wireless charger pad.

 

Will it only work via wifi, or can it be paired using Bluetooth? Just seems peculiar having a link for handsfree/music, but won't do data back for accessing live data.

 

As far as I can see, Blue-tooth is used only for the phone to connect (calls and address list), but for internet access it needs wifi. Maybe it's different with a newer phone? Mine is android 4.4

 

WiFi is used for live services on the NAV system, Bluetooth is used for phone and music (unless you are connected via cable for android auto or apple carplay)

 

Now, i'm using the "HUAWEI E8377S-153 CARFI" gadget in my car to get connected and not drain my phone's battery if I forget to plug it in. It works fine and every passenger can use their tablet or laptop as well.

does it turn off immediately or does it have an internal battery?


how quick does it give data to the NAV system?

 

This gadget has no internal battery, so it turns off immediately with ignition-off. It does not turn on directly when power is back (ignition-on), you have to push the button for two seconds to turn on the device. Therfore, the location of the device as shown in the picture is ideal. From booting the device to active nav-connection is about 30-40 seconds, but I think it can strongly vary per location and or service provider. In this connection time testing, the device went from red to green (4G connected), red again (no connection) to green again and then the car nav gave the message "wifi connected", all within about 35 seconds.
On the road, I sometimes see the light going from green (4G) to orange (3G or lower) and back to green again.

 

This gadget has no internal battery, so it turns off immediately with ignition-off. It does not turn on directly when power is back (ignition-on), you have to push the button for two seconds to turn on the device.

bugger, I was hoping it would turn on and off without any user intervention, as I use that 12 socket for my work phone (personal phone has wireless charging) so was hoping it just turned on / off with car as it is designed to work in a car


oh well,

 

Kind of related but off topic a bit, but are the 12v sockets active when in ACc mode or just when ICE could be running? Just each car seems different these days.

 

are the 12v sockets active when in ACc mode or just when ICE could be running?

The 12v sockets are 'live' only when ignition is on, so ICE could start running. Not live in ACC mode! The USB port in the center is always 'live', even with all systems off.

 

Might be an option in its firmware configuration to turn on when power is applied. Would seem something sensible for them to facilitate.

 

will have to see if I can find the manual online and have a read

 

Just in case its of interest, Huawei make one that is a USB dongle, if you apply power it will turn on automatically. You can also remove it to use it in a device with USB port.

Its model is E8372.

I should have one arriving tomorrow. I was thinking of putting it in the centre console usb port. I will be putting in a dashcam when I get mine, so will be tapping a switched live wire from somewhere, so may put my own usb port in if the one in the armrest is not switched.

Hope that helps.

 

Just in case its of interest, Huawei make one that is a USB dongle, if you apply power it will turn on automatically.
Its model is E8372.

At the time I got the E8377, I had not seen or found the E8372. Too often, I was forgetting to push the button to power the 8377 and only thought about it (too late) when I was approaching a traffic-jam, so I got the E8372 as well now.
It fits perfectly in the usb port under the armrest and powers automatically. The thing has connections for external antenna's but despite it's hidden under the armrest, i'm not worried about the strength of the wifi signal, but I cannot check if the 4G signal is coming in strong enough while driving. I can see the NAV is updating information sometimes, so I think it works just fine.

 

I ordered the Huawei CarFi E8377 https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0133G613W/ and received it.
Looks nice.
Will try in a few days.

 

I ordered the Huawei CarFi E8377 https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0133G613W/ and received it.
Looks nice.
Will try in a few days.

let us know how it works, and where's the best place to fit it

 

I can confirm that the USB version I have turns in when power applied so no need to turn on every time.

 

Are you using the USB in the armrest storage rather than the one in front console ?

 

Richie that's good as I was thinking about that as Argos were doing a 12gb preloaded dongle for 49.99 recently for 12 months.

I would want to use the front one for connecting iPhone for CarPlay to work although I am currently on a three contract that has lots of data and allows tethering so might just use that.

I believe Tom Tom Traffic and camera locations needs access to Internet all the time

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trio-Pay-Mobile-Broadband-Pack/dp/B01M3VJ2B2

That's the SIM card. I got the 99p one to0 that gives you 200mb per month free if you register just to test signal in the area before activating the 24gb sim. 3 is ok in my area. I could tether to my phone but I plan to use the 3 to boost my phone signal using wifi calling. I also hammer my phone fairly hard on mobile data already and being responsible for the work account I can't have a go at others for running bill up if I do it myself! ;-)

 

I've ordered an E8372 and it arrived in the post today. I really like that it just plugs straight into the USB port in the arm rest, and close the lid, and forget about it. I really thought that it would be too tall/long, but it fits neatly in.
Satnav is able to find the wifi network and download any traffic info very easily. I'm still not sure if I like the maps feature - if you haven't set a route, then the default view isn't that great. For now, I've got my iPhone mounted and I'm using Waze instead.

 

I'm pleased my find has been of use. can't wait to get my car to fit mine in to.

 

Does anyone using a Carfi know how much data they are using for the Satnav?

 

seems to be about 1-2MB per 10 miles 100-200MB per 1000 miles


not massive amounts


will try and see if I can get more accurate figures, but there appears to be two elements, 1 is the distance, the other is time, as it has to poll and see if new data available

 

Thanks, that's good to know. My broadband provider is offering a free sim with 500mb data free per month so I will probably take this offer up and use it solely for the Satnav and probably Spotify (although that is likely to use a lot more). I already have a Huawei mobile wifi E5330 that I could use.

 

in 22 days I have used 2.2gb data


that is car for live services (about 60 hours of driving and 2000 miles), all my email, tethering for my laptop when in hotels, and pod casts while on the road


so not a lot of data used for live serices

 

May be of interest, I use Trigger for Android to automatically enable wifi sharing when my phone connects to the car (Bluetooth), then turn it off when the Bluetooth disconnects. It works very well and doesn't need me to do anything for it to work.

I seem to use about 1-1.5mb per day, 40 miles, 1hr driving. I'm happy with it.

 

Hyundai has also same kind of wifi hot spot enabler app, least for Android - it is called as HYUNDAI Access Point in app store.

 

After nearly 4 weeks of having the Hauwei E8372 wingle in the car, and doing 1000 miles, i've just checked the data usage, and... 10MB !!
I've only actively used it once to route me back home, otherwise, I've left the satnav to connect to the wifi network, download any local traffic info and cameras, and poll every now and again.

So, it really uses hardly any data.

 

Just got mine, configured it and installed it in the armrest in just a few minutes. Really pleased with this, will work a treat for the traffic data. A better solution than my iPhone that I needed to go into each time to get the hotspot working.

 

What did you get for this?

 

Not sure if LE is using the same but I am using a Hauwei E8372 wingle in combination with a 3 network data sim ( free 200 MB data every month ) . This covers the data needed for my navigation AFAIK


The wingle slots perfectly into the USB socket inside the drivers armrest ( the lid of the armrest can be closed with the wingle inside) . This socket is only powered on when the car is started. It takes around a minute for the wifi to start working ( power on ... searching for network .. connection to network etc ) but this gives me enough time to put on the seatbelt and have quick check on the dash lights.

 

Thanks for the info - will have a look

 

Have been out in the car today and can honestly say the 8372 wingle works a treat. Glad I followed peoples advice and bought one.