Performance of a car for 60 euros in testing

With car displays from Banggood, vehicle owners can easily upgrade to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Testing shows how it works.

Instead of expensively replacing the car radio with a new monitor, car monitors or car displays provide an inexpensive retrofit solution. One such device is this 10.26-inch portable screen from Banggood 58 eurosYou attach the monitor to the cockpit like a navigation device and connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth. This test shows how the screen works in practice and what challenges may arise.

The screen with IPS panel offers a diagonal of 10.26 inches in ultrawide format. The screen resolution is 1600 × 600 pixels and provides a clear enough image in HD quality. Individual pixels can still be seen, but they do not cause any problems during operation. There is no automatic brightness adjustment. Although the display is quite bright, it is also very reflective. The result can be irritating reflections in bright sunlight. However, we didn’t have that problem in the current cloudy autumn weather. There’s a Night Mode for driving in the evening, which can be set by tapping on the sun icon at the top. Then the screen light dims.

The display is quite large with a housing size of 245×97 mm. As for attachments, only a base is included that can be stuck onto the fitting. This is not particularly practical in a small car, as the driver’s field of vision can be severely impaired. This makes the screen more suitable for vans, delivery trucks, SUVs or minivans. The tilt angle of the display can be adjusted as desired using the plastic adjusting screw. The housing is made entirely of plastic. The processing is very simple and doesn’t look particularly high quality.

With such a large screen a suction cup mount would be more practical. Unfortunately, the same mounts as other displays from our tests don’t fit here. In addition, a cable with two jack connections is included to connect the monitor to the car radio via the AUX input – if available.

Once the base is attached to the fitting using the attached adhesive strip, you plug the device into a 12-volt socket in the car with the power cable. You then search for the device via Bluetooth on your smartphone and initiate the connection.

First of all you see the home screen in front of you. To start Android Auto or Apple Carplay you need to open the menu phone link choose. We stared at the screen, slightly puzzled, for over a minute without anything happening. Then suddenly Android Auto finally starts. We don’t know what is the reason for this delay. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay reliably kick in as soon as you turn the ignition key. Optionally, the display also supports AirPlay for iPhone or Mirror Link (wireless link) for Android devices.

Sound is transmitted either via an AUX cable or via an integrated FM transmitter. With the latter solution, the device transmits the audio signal directly to the car radio via an FM wave. To do this, you first set the desired frequency on the display and then select it on the car radio.

When connecting via cable, you immediately notice annoying sounds like crackling and hissing. A problem we have encountered with most displays of this type. This can be corrected by an interference filter that is plugged between the AUX input and the cable. you got this AliExpress for 2 euros and at Amazon for 8 eurosThis solves the problem. The sound is quite strong and good. However, if you choose an FM transmitter, the sound is quite quiet. In combination with an interference filter, cable connection is the better choice for this model.

An equalizer is available to improve the sound. There’s also a calendar – good for whatever. In the settings you can select additional background motifs and make settings on the display.

The no-name product is currently only priced at Banggood 58 eurosThis is a good price. Shipping within a few days from Czech Republic. Buyer protection rules in the European Union also apply to the product.

The Banggood Car Display offers a large 10.26-inch screen that allows you to play smartphone content wirelessly via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The device also supports Mirror Link and Apple AirPlay.

Unfortunately, there are weaknesses: only one stand is used for attachment. Depending on the vehicle, the driver’s field of vision may be impaired, which is not only dangerous, but can also lead to trouble with the police or insurance company after an accident. A suction cup holder would be a desirable addition here.

Unfortunately, wired sound transmission between the screen and the car radio creates noise. A final interference filter can help here for just a few euros – which also provides the best sound. An integrated FM transmitter is available for vehicles without an AUX input on the radio.

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The price is excellent – ​​if you can live with the stick-on attachments and get the final interference filter, you’ll have a cheap and practical solution to retrofitting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay into an older vehicle.