For years, I struggled with the outdated infotainment system in my car. Navigating felt clunky, music required fiddling with ancient interfaces or AUX cables, and the thought of taking a call hands-free was a distant dream. It was a constant frustration on commutes and road trips, making the driving experience less enjoyable and, frankly, less safe. Solving this problem wasn’t just about convenience; it was about staying connected and focused without distractions, something modern technology should provide effortlessly.
If you’re tired of your car’s limited factory stereo, or perhaps you drive an older vehicle without modern connectivity features like built-in navigation, Bluetooth audio streaming, or smartphone integration, a portable car stereo upgrade is likely on your radar. This category of product aims to bridge the gap between older vehicles and current automotive technology, allowing drivers to access popular apps like Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, Apple Music, and make hands-free calls and texts directly from a dedicated screen mounted on their dashboard or windshield.
The ideal customer for a portable car stereo screen is someone who wants the functionality of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto without the expense and complexity of replacing their entire head unit, which can be costly and sometimes impossible depending on the car’s make and model. These devices are perfect for drivers of older cars, secondary vehicles, or even leased cars where permanent modifications aren’t desired.
However, this type of product might not be for everyone. If your vehicle already has a fully integrated, modern infotainment system with seamless smartphone connectivity and advanced features, you likely won’t gain much from a portable screen. Additionally, if you prefer a completely factory-integrated look and don’t want anything mounted on your dash, a full head unit replacement might be a better, albeit more expensive, option.
Before buying, consider key factors: screen size and resolution (for clarity and ease of use), connectivity options (wireless or wired CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, AUX, FM transmitter), mounting style (suction cup, adhesive, magnetic – and how stable it is), included accessories (backup camera, power adapter length), and additional features like voice control, split-screen capabilities, and potential for software updates. Thinking through these points will help ensure you choose a device that best fits your needs and vehicle.
Introducing the Avylet RC04
The Avylet 8” Wireless Apple Carplay Screen & Android Auto, model RC04, is a portable car stereo designed to bring modern smartphone connectivity to any vehicle. It promises a seamless integration of your phone’s core functions onto a dedicated 8-inch touchscreen display, allowing for safer access to navigation, music, calls, and messages. When you purchase it, you typically get the screen itself, multiple mounting options (magnetic and suction cup), a car charger, AUX cable, rear camera kit (with a lengthy cable), installation accessories, and a user manual.
This specific portable car stereo is squarely aimed at drivers with older cars or vehicles lacking built-in CarPlay or Android Auto. It’s a retrofit solution that requires no complex dash disassembly, making it accessible for DIY installation. It’s not for someone looking for a factory-flush install or a high-end audiophile experience requiring extensive sound tuning capabilities often found in full head units.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons I’ve experienced with the Avylet portable car screen:
Pros:
* Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are incredibly convenient.
* Clear and bright 8-inch 1440×900 display with excellent resolution.
* Versatile landscape and portrait screen modes.
* Easy installation with stable magnetic and suction cup mounts.
* Includes a 1080P backup camera with a very long cable.
* Supports OTA updates for future improvements.
* Mirror Link/Super Link adds flexibility for other apps.
Cons:
* Bluetooth audio setup can be slightly confusing; phone calls don’t route microphone audio through the screen’s mic when connected via Bluetooth to the car stereo for sound.
* AirPlay functionality can be hit-or-miss for some users.
* Screen responsiveness, while generally good, isn’t always instantaneous compared to high-end built-in systems.
* Audio quality via FM transmitter is not ideal (common for this method).
Exploring Key Features and Benefits
Having used the Avylet RC04 for quite some time, I’ve had ample opportunity to really dig into its features and understand the impact they have on the daily driving experience. It’s not just a screen; it’s a collection of technologies working together to modernize your vehicle.
Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
This is arguably the main event. The ability to wirelessly connect my iPhone or Android phone to the Avylet portable car stereo is a game-changer. No more fumbling for a cable every time I get in the car. Once paired initially, it connects automatically within seconds of starting the vehicle. This instant connectivity means my preferred navigation app (Waze or Google Maps), my music library (Spotify, Apple Music), my podcasts, and messaging apps are all available right there on the 8-inch touchscreen. The interface is familiar and intuitive, mirroring the standard CarPlay or Android Auto experience you’d find in a brand new car. This significantly reduces distraction, as I’m not looking down at my phone; everything is on a large, accessible display. It solves the core problem of outdated or non-existent integrated systems by bringing the power of my smartphone, optimized for driving, front and center.
Landscape and Portrait Screen Modes
A feature that sets the Avylet RC04 apart is its support for both landscape and portrait orientations. While landscape is the standard for navigation and most apps, the option to flip to portrait is surprisingly useful, especially for things like scrolling through long lists or, as the description mentions, viewing short-form video content while parked (obviously, never while driving!). It also allows for a unique split-screen experience where the map can be extended downwards in portrait mode, potentially showing more route detail at a glance. Switching is seamless, and the interface adapts quickly. This flexibility allows you to optimize the screen layout based on what you’re doing, enhancing usability.
Magnetic Mount System
The included magnetic mount system is a stroke of genius. It features a robust suction cup base that attaches firmly to the windshield or dashboard (with an included adhesive gasket for dashboards). The truly innovative part is the magnetic ball joint connection to the screen itself. This allows for incredibly quick installation and removal of the Avylet 8” Wireless Apple Carplay Screen & Android Auto – literally one second. It’s also highly adjustable thanks to the 360-degree rotating ball joint and a bendable arm, ensuring you can position the screen exactly where you need it without obstructing your view. The stability is surprisingly good; it stays firmly in place even on bumpy roads, provided the base is properly secured. This ease of mounting makes the ‘portable’ aspect truly practical, allowing you to easily move it between vehicles if needed or remove it for security.
Smart Voice Control Integration
Leveraging the power of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Avylet RC04 portable car screen fully supports voice control via Siri and Google Assistant. A simple “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google” activates the assistant, allowing you to control navigation, make calls, send messages, and play music using only your voice. This is crucial for maintaining focus on the road. I can ask for directions, request a song, or reply to a text without ever touching the screen or my phone. This hands-free control is a major safety benefit and a key component of the modern driving experience the device aims to replicate.
Mirror Link & Super Link Functionality
Beyond just CarPlay and Android Auto, the Avylet RC04 also offers Mirror Link and Super Link via Wi-Fi connection. Mirror Link, familiar to many, simply mirrors your phone’s display onto the 8-inch screen. This is useful for apps not natively supported by CarPlay or Android Auto. The unique Super Link feature takes it a step further by allowing you to control your phone *from* the Avylet touchscreen. This means you can interact with any app on your phone via the larger display, even turning off your phone screen while doing so. While control from the Avylet screen is limited to Android devices with Super Link (iOS typically only allows mirroring), it adds significant versatility, letting you potentially watch videos, browse the web, or use specific utility apps from the comfort of the larger screen (again, use responsibly and only when parked!).
OTA Upgrade Capability
The inclusion of Over-The-Air (OTA) upgrade capability means the Avylet RC04 isn’t stuck with its initial software. Firmware updates can be pushed wirelessly, allowing Avylet to add new features, improve existing ones, fix bugs, and enhance overall performance over time. This ensures the device remains relevant and functional as smartphone operating systems and app versions evolve. Knowing the device can improve over time adds value and longevity.
Included 1080P Backup Camera
A significant bonus included with the Avylet 8” Wireless Apple Carplay Screen & Android Auto is a 1080P IP67 waterproof rear camera. For cars without a factory backup camera, this is a massive safety upgrade. The kit includes a 24.5ft cable, which should be sufficient for most cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks (and they offer free extensions if needed). Wiring it to the reverse light ensures that the rear camera feed automatically displays on the 8-inch screen when you shift into reverse. The 170° viewing angle provides a wide perspective, making parking and reversing significantly safer and easier. While not designed for recording, it’s an excellent auxiliary system for maneuvering.
Stunning Visuals and Personalization
The display quality on the Avylet RC04 is genuinely impressive for a portable unit. The 1440×900 resolution on an 8-inch screen results in a sharp image with a good pixel density (200 PPI). With 550 nits of brightness and a 1000:1 contrast ratio, the screen is clear and vibrant even in bright daylight, making navigation maps easy to read and media look great. The ultra-slim design and narrow bezels maximize the usable screen area. A nice touch for personalization is the ability to set a custom boot logo, letting you add a personal touch or match your car’s brand logo if desired.
Upgraded Audio Outputs
The Avylet offers multiple ways to get audio from the unit to your car’s speakers. You can use the built-in speaker (adequate for voice prompts but not ideal for music), stream wirelessly via Bluetooth or FM frequency (common methods for portable units, though FM quality varies), or use the included AUX cable for a direct, wired connection to your car’s auxiliary input. The AUX connection generally provides the best audio quality. This range of options ensures compatibility with most car audio systems, allowing you to integrate the Avylet portable car stereo seamlessly.
Customer Perspectives
After checking out feedback from other users online, it’s clear that many share my positive experience with the Avylet 8” Wireless Apple Carplay Screen & Android Auto. People praise its ease of installation and the way it instantly modernizes older vehicles, making commutes much more pleasant. Many highlight the clear and responsive screen and the convenience of wireless CarPlay and Android Auto for navigation and music. The magnetic mount is frequently mentioned as a stand-out feature for its ease of use and stability. Users appreciate that it functions just like the integrated systems found in newer cars. While the screen quality is widely lauded, a few users noted minor issues like AirPlay sometimes being unreliable or the limitation regarding using the unit’s mic for calls while audio is routed through the car’s Bluetooth. Overall, the sentiment is very positive, emphasizing the great value and functionality this portable car stereo provides for the price.
Final Assessment
If you’re currently dealing with an outdated or non-existent infotainment system in your vehicle, the daily frustrations of poor navigation, limited connectivity, and unsafe phone handling are likely weighing on you. Ignoring these issues not only makes driving less enjoyable but also increases the risk of distraction. The Avylet 8” Wireless Apple Carplay Screen & Android Auto offers a compelling solution. It’s easy to install, brings essential smartphone integration features like wireless CarPlay and Android Auto to your fingertips, and includes a valuable backup camera. The clear, versatile screen and convenient mounting options make it a practical and user-friendly upgrade that effectively solves the problem of outdated car tech.
To modernize your ride and enjoy a safer, more connected driving experience, Click here to check out the Avylet 8” Wireless Apple Carplay Screen & Android Auto.