Android Auto & Apple Carplay for BMW - Chigee AIO-5 Play Reviewed

The BMW-developed Navigator with the ConnectedRide system offers several advantages. It's seamlessly integrated into the motorcycle, can be controlled via the bike's instruments, and connects quickly and automatically with all relevant systems on a modern BMW machine. Add the ConnectedRide app, and you have access to your tours and more through your smartphone, the control center of our modern lives. However, this hub needs to interact with more than just the BMW motorcycle, which is why, in addition to ConnectedRide, you probably also use Google Maps and many other programs. It is likely this overwhelming abundance of programs that has ultimately led to the success of Android Auto and Apple Carplay. These software solutions, usable across different vehicle types, are almost mandatory in the car sector but are still somewhat of a side note in the motorcycle world. Only Honda offers Android Auto and Apple Carplay on some of its production motorcycles. This is exactly where Chigee comes in, offering smart retrofit displays. In the case of the Chigee AIO-5 Play we tested, it is supposed to combine the same Plug & Play convenience as the BMW Navigator with the benefits of Android Auto and Apple Carplay. We took a close look at how well this works during our winter escape to Gran Canaria.

The hardware of the Chigee AIO-5 Play, featuring a 5-inch TFT display with a 720p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, is encased in a magnesium-aluminum frame and a durable, waterproof plastic housing, closely resembling the original BMW ConnectedRide Navigator. At the back, there are also two rows of contacts for the electronic interface with the motorcycle. However, you will need the navigation mount from the BMW accessories, which costs a bit over €200. This base is definitely necessary. Both devices are mounted and secured in the holder in the same way. While BMW lists the Navigator at €695 in their configurator, Chigee offers it on their website for €511.95. So, you save nearly €200 with the Chigee AIO-5 Play.

The main feature of the Chigee, aside from the seamless integration of the display on a BMW motorcycle, is undoubtedly Android Auto and Apple Carplay. While this might not sound thrilling at first, it actually opens up a whole universe of possibilities in practice. Both systems allow for the operation and mirroring of smartphone apps, typically used in cars, now accessible on the motorcycle with the Chigee. This isn't possible with all apps, only those optimized and enabled for the two systems, but the selection is vast, with only a few limitations, which we’ll discuss later. Navigation options, messaging apps, calls, Spotify, and much more can be managed. Especially when paired with a Bluetooth headset, the various functions can be utilized optimally. Conveniently, the headset connects not to the Chigee system but to the smartphone, which is also linked to the Chigee, allowing data to be sent simultaneously and without delay to both devices.

The second major feature set of the Chigee AIO-5 Play leverages the extensive vehicle data sent from various sensors on the motorcycle to the display via the previously mentioned contacts and built-in OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) interface. Through different layouts, the Chigee system can display a wide array of information and parameters, such as oil temperature, trip data, tire pressure, RPM, speed, lean angle, and more. Since this data comes directly from the motorcycle, it is 100% accurate.

The third major advantage of the Chigee system, being directly connected to the motorcycle, is that it can also be operated via the original BMW control scheme. A long press on the menu button upwards switches control from the original display to the Chigee screen. Now you can use the familiar rotary and toggle wheel on the left handlebar end to navigate through the apps, different displays, and control panels. Additionally, there are buttons for further operations on the Chigee device itself, and the TFT screen is also a touchscreen.

That's the basic operation of the Chigee AIO-5 Play. But how well does it perform in practice? We installed the device on an F 900 GS and took it on some of Gran Canaria's most spectacular roads. On the third-largest island of the Canaries, one twisty road follows another in incredible density, sometimes with racetrack-quality asphalt, sometimes extremely steep, rough, and challenging. After picking up our bikes from Canary Ride in the capital Las Palmas, we headed into the winding heart of the island.

The previously mentioned similarity to the original BMW equipment means that the Chigee integrates very seamlessly into the motorcycle. Even at first contact, there's only positive feedback. The device clicks firmly and securely into the mount, the touchscreen operates perfectly without lag, and the control via the BMW instruments is logical and intuitive after just a few minutes of familiarization. Even in bright sunlight, the 1000-nit display remains easily readable. The only limitation is direct sun glare, as the display is not anti-glare. However, in practice, this wasn't a major issue for us. Thanks to the fast dual-core Cortex-A53 processor in the Chigee AIO-5, the display and app switching are very smooth and quick. There is only a slight delay between input via the motorcycle controls and the AIO-5's response. But this "lag" of less than half a second doesn't negatively impact the use of the Chigee in practice.

Leaning and swift, we zip through the curves of the GC-65 speedster route, then snake our way up to the Picos de las Nieves, the highest point of Gran Canaria. We traverse the local pine forests in single-digit temperatures and descend into the Valley of Sorrow via the narrow GC-210, only to climb out of the rugged ravines on the adventurous, sometimes very bumpy GC-606. A real off-road deployment might have challenged the Chigee device even more, but for an on-road tour, it had pretty much everything covered. In addition to the already mentioned advantages of the AIO-5 Play, the Chigee was able to score some extra points.

For instance, it handles all bumps, light rain showers, and temperature fluctuations without batting an eye. Whether downpours or snowstorms can affect the device was something we couldn't test on the weather-blessed Gran Canaria. According to Chigee, the AIO-5 Play is supposed to withstand -20 to +60 °C. What we could test, however, was the interaction between the smartphone and the Chigee. The first thing you notice is that the wireless Bluetooth connection is faster than in many modern cars, in my experience. No annoying waiting for the connection or tedious searching for the smartphone name in lists. Turn on Bluetooth, connect to the Chigee, and everything is ready in less than 10 seconds. This applies both when reconnecting after a riding break and when switching drivers and thus smartphones.

The first downside becomes apparent during the switch, but it doesn't really concern the Chigee device itself. In principle, the AIO-5 works seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices, but there are still differences in usability. Android Auto is more technically demanding and stringent, which is why some apps are only compatible with Apple Carplay. We mapped out and recorded our routes on Gran Canaria using Calimoto. Unfortunately, this was only possible with Nils' iPhone, as Calimoto doesn't run on Android Auto. So, those wanting to use specific apps should check the list of compatible programs beforehand. Other minor criticisms include the sometimes very cluttered info displays with vehicle data, which can make it somewhat difficult to recognize everything while riding. Riders with somewhat poorer eyesight will generally need glasses to use the Chigee, as many text fields in the various apps are quite small. However, for healthy eyes, readability is not an issue.

However, the full operation of all programs via the motorcycle controls can be perceived as somewhat complex. Standard tasks, such as changing music, scrolling through Google Maps, or answering calls, are very easy and intuitive. But if you want to input destinations into Google Maps or perform other more complex tasks using the BMW wheel while riding, you should familiarize yourself with the control concept beforehand. Even with a good understanding of the system, we recommend making detailed adjustments to the Chigee and its programs while stationary for safer riding. A bright spot for the future: even the somewhat cumbersome aspects of the Chigee’s operation and software could soon be irrelevant, as the AIO-5 Play is supposed to be continuously improved and optimized via over-the-air updates. In the future, even more apps are likely to run on the Chigee.

Overall, the Chigee AIO-5 Play was a great asset during our days on Gran Canaria, leaving almost exclusively positive impressions. The system is especially recommended for those who already use Android Auto or Apple Carplay elsewhere and do not want to deal with a new navigation system, such as BMW's ConnectedRide. There is also a universal version of the Chigee available, which is supposed to be compatible with any motorcycle model. We plan to test this device during the 2025 season. The AIO-5 Play has integrated perfectly with the BMW motorcycle and, with its multitude of features, lower costs, and equal comfort in operation, it presents a very attractive alternative to the original BMW equipment.

For all interested parties, further information is available on the Chigee website.