Increasingly, having Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in our vehicles is becoming a must-have. It’s already standard equipment for many cars and some motorcycles, and even the aftermarket is getting into the game. Everybody has their reasons for desiring this feature, but mine were born of necessity during a ride in the sweltering Texan desert a few years ago.
Let’s start at the beginning. As a directionally challenged motorcyclist, I consider onboard GPS to be the single most important innovation since I started riding in 1997. I was an early adopter of some of the first Garmin devices designed for two-wheelers, and I have integrated smartphone GPS into my riding since it first became available. About five years ago, I discovered Scenic – my favorite GPS app of all – which allows me to quickly and easily design routes to explore the most exciting backroads, wherever I am in the country. As I became more proficient in route planning with it, my dependence on Scenic grew into a full-blown addiction. Ever since, my approach has been to install the largest iPhone available onto my motorcycle using a QuadLock case attached to QuadLock anti-vibration mount. The phone handles GPS and a myriad other duties, and the Garmin V GPS that came as standard equipment on my BMW R 1250 RT serves as a backup.
Everything was working fine, until I found myself in Texas Hill Country in the dead of summer. The intense ambient temperature caused my iPhone to overheat, leaving me with a paper map and the old Garmin to navigate. Needless to say, the ride I had planned was ruined. There had to be a better way, which led me to the Chigee AIO-5 Play. Essentially, this unit is an integrated Apple CarPlay / Android Auto 5-inch high-definition 1280×720 pixel display built into an aluminum chassis that is IP68 rated for full immersion into water and operational from -4 degrees to +140.
As shown in the photos, the AIO-5 is a sleek and compact unit, with modern styling and four buttons across the top: Home (home screen), Switch (to switch between pages), Screen (on/off), and Lock. These buttons are rarely used, because once fully installed, the Chigee is operational through the BMW’s stock switchgear, without the rider’s hands ever leaving the grips!
Installation and initial setup couldn’t be easier for the main display: Simply replace the existing standard GPS with the Chigee in the stock GPS cradle. There is no need for any wiring whatsoever. In less than 5 seconds, you’re ready to power it on for the first time. Upon initial startup, the Chigee will ask you to select a time zone and preferred language. It then requests a WiFi connection to check for firmware updates. Finally, after about a minute, the screen reboots and is ready to roll. That’s it, the whole installation and firmware check was well under 5 minutes flat. Now, onto part two of the installation.
To control the Chigee, the rider can select between three different methods. Options include the physical buttons on the Chigee display, OEM switchgear / Multi-Controller (aka “Wonderwheel”) control, or an external remote control. One of this unit’s main benefits is the ability to utilize the BMW’s stock switchgear, and for that you need Chigee’s CGRC-CAN module. There are different module configurations (4-, 6-, or 8-pin) depending on the BMW model in question, as the Chigee screen can work on C-Series scooters, as well as F-Series, K-Series, R-Series, and S-Series BMW motorcycles. The small 2×1-inch module plugs into the bike’s DWA or RDC module (again, depending on BMW model) and from there, the rider simply presses the BMW’s Menu switch upward for a few seconds. The Chigee’s default control mode will change from touchscreen mode to OEM switchgear mode. Once there, the Multi-Controller is used to scroll around different screens and icons as required, eliminating the need to move your hands from the grips once underway.
For those wondering, I did play with the other methods of control for the purposes of this test. Both the Chigee’s physical buttons and the optional Pro Wireless Remote worked as expected, but neither is nearly as convenient or practical as utilizing the stock switchgear and Multi-Controller during daily riding.
With everything installed, the Chigee lives where the GPS used to, and the CGRC-CAN module lives under my RT’s passenger seat, where there was plenty of room to mount it. The system boots up automatically and rapidly once the ignition is turned on and functions as an extension of the phone display: GPS, music, messaging, etc. all at a glance! Personally, I use it for GPS only and refuse to be distracted by anything else while riding.
Beyond simply mirroring your phone’s screen, the Chigee can also display additional data harvested from the bike’s ECU on dedicated home screens. On top of the usual speedo/tach/odometer, you also get throttle position, elevation, engine temperature, battery voltage, lean angle, gear, and tire pressure (either through the BMW’s TPMS system or, if not equipped with one, via Chigee’s optional sensors that install in place of the stock valve stem caps). You also get a basic trip computer with top speed, average speed, ride elapsed time, ambient temperature, compass, trip log, range until empty, and more. Some of this is redundant as the bike already reports this information on its dashboard, but it’s easier to see at a glance on the Chigee than digging through my R 1250 RT’s submenus for it.
Out on the road, the Chigee fulfilled its role perfectly as an extension of my phone. The screen, which I keep in “auto dimming” mode, is always bright and crisp, even from wide angles. It reacts rapidly to any inputs, and after getting used to its operation, control via the Multi-Controller became second nature. I now use it to operate my Scenic GPS on even the hottest of days, with no fear of overheating. If I have one nitpick, it would be that there is room in my RT’s display for a larger screen – maybe up to 6-6.5 inches. That would be most welcome on future models! This is a worthwhile unit for any BMW owners searching for CarPlay / Auto capability. Chigee offers universal units for riders of other motorcycle brands as well.
The Chigee AIO-5 Play tested retails for $499. The CGRC-CAN module required for OEM switchgear / Multi-Controller operation adds $99. Alternatively, the Pro Wireless Remote can be purchased for $98. My unit as tested was equipped with optional sunshade ($22.99,) tempered glass screen protector ($24), and protective storage case ($35.99).
For more information, visit Chigee’s website.
