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

The Navigator developed and offered by BMW with the ConnectedRide system provides several advantages. It is perfectly integrated into the motorcycle, can be controlled via the bike's controls, and connects quickly and automatically with all relevant systems on board a modern BMW machine. Additionally, with the ConnectedRide App, you have access to your tours and more via your smartphone, the control center of our modern lives. This control center, however, must interact with more than just the BMW motorcycle, which is why, besides ConnectedRide, one likely also uses Google Maps and many other programs. It is probably this overwhelming flood of apps, the massive oversupply of programs, that has ultimately led to the success of Android Auto and Apple Carplay. These cross-vehicle usable programs are almost mandatory in the car sector, but still more of a footnote in the motorcycle area. Only Honda offers Android Auto and Apple Carplay on some production motorcycles. This is exactly where Chigee comes in, offering smart displays for retrofitting. In the case of the Chigee AIO-5 Play we tested, it is even supposed to combine the same plug-and-play comfort as the BMW Navigator with the advantages 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, a 5-inch TFT display with a 720p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, encased in a magnesium-aluminum frame and durable, waterproof plastic housing, visually resembles the original BMW ConnectedRide Navigator. On the back, there are also two rows of contacts for the electronic interface with the motorcycle. However, it requires the navigation mount from BMW accessories, which costs a bit over €200. This base is definitely necessary. Both devices are latched and locked into the mount in the same way. For the Navigator, BMW charges €695 in the configurator, while Chigee lists a price of €511.95 on its website. Thus, you save nearly €200 with the Chigee AIO-5 Play.

The main feature of the Chigee, besides the seamless integration of the display on the BMW motorcycle, is undoubtedly Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This might not sound too exciting, but in practice, it opens up a whole universe of possibilities. Both systems allow the operation and mirroring of smartphone apps, typically in a car, with the Chigee also on a motorcycle. This is not possible with all apps, but only with programs optimized and approved for the two systems. However, the selection remains vast, with only a few limitations, which will be discussed later. Navigation options, messenger apps, calls, Spotify, and much more can be operated. Especially when paired with a Bluetooth headset, the various functions can be optimally utilized. It is practical that the headset is not connected to the Chigee system, but to the smartphone, which is also connected to the Chigee, thus sending the data simultaneously and without delay to both devices.

The second major group of features of the Chigee AIO-5 Play utilizes the extensive vehicle data sent to the display via the previously mentioned connections and the built-in OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) interface from various sensors of the motorcycle. Through different layouts, the Chigee system can display a wide range of information and parameters, such as oil temperature, trip data, tire pressure, RPM, speed, lean angle, and more. Since these data come directly from the motorcycle itself, they are 100% accurate.

The third major advantage of the Chigee system is that, since it is directly connected to the motorcycle, it can also be controlled via the original BMW operating concept. Simply press the menu button upwards for a long time, and the control switches from the original display to the Chigee display. Now, you can navigate through the apps, various displays, and control panels using the familiar rotary and tilt wheel at the left handlebar end. Additionally, there are buttons for further operation on the Chigee device itself, and the TFT screen is also a touchscreen.

So far, the basic functionality of the Chigee AIO-5 Play. But how well does it work in practice? We install the device on a BMW F 900 GS and ride it on the most spectacular roads of Gran Canaria. On the third largest island of the Canaries, a series of twisties line up in incredible density, sometimes with race track asphalt, sometimes extremely steep, rough, and challenging. After picking up our bikes at the rental company Canary Ride in the capital Las Palmas, we head twistily towards the center of the island.

The already mentioned similarity to the original BMW equipment ensures that the Chigee integrates very seamlessly into the motorcycle. Even at first contact, there is only positive feedback to report. The device snaps securely and firmly into the mount, the touchscreen works perfectly and smoothly, and operation via the BMW controls becomes logical and intuitive after just a few minutes of familiarization. Even in bright sunshine, the 1000-nit bright display remains easily readable. Only in direct sunlight reflection does it become unreadable, as the display is not anti-reflective. In practice, however, this was not a major issue for us. Thanks to the fast dual-core Cortex-A53 processor in the Chigee AIO-5, the display and switching between apps are very fluid and quick. There is only a slight delay between input via the motorcycle controls and the reaction of the AIO-5. However, this "lag" of less than half a second has no negative effect on the practical use of the Chigee.

Leaning and fast, we zip through the curves of the GC-65 speedster track, then wind 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 on the narrow GC-210, only to climb out of the rugged gorges via the adventurous, sometimes very bumpy GC-606. A true off-road deployment might have challenged the Chigee device even more, but for an on-road tour, it included pretty much everything. Besides the already described advantages of the AIO-5 Play, the Chigee was able to score some additional points.

For example, it absorbs all shocks, light rain showers, and temperature fluctuations without batting an eye. Whether downpours or snowstorms can affect the device was not verifiable for us on the weather-blessed Gran Canaria. According to Chigee, the AIO-5 Play should withstand -20 to +60 °C. What we could test, however, is the interaction between the smartphone and Chigee. First, it is noticeable that the wireless connection via Bluetooth happens faster than, in my experience, with many modern cars. No annoying waiting for the connection or tedious searching for the smartphone name in some lists. Turn on Bluetooth, connect with the Chigee, and less than 10 seconds later, everything is ready. This applies both when reconnecting after a driving break and when changing drivers and thus smartphones.

When switching, the first negative point becomes apparent, which doesn't really concern the Chigee device itself. In principle, the AIO-5 works flawlessly with Android and iOS devices, but there are still differences in usability. Android Auto is technically more demanding and stricter, which is why there are some apps that are only compatible with Apple Carplay. We mapped and recorded our routes on Gran Canaria with Calimoto. Unfortunately, this was only possible with Nils' iPhone, as Calimoto does not run on Android Auto. So, those who want to use specific apps should check the list of compatible programs beforehand. Other minor criticisms include the sometimes very overloaded info displays with vehicle data, which make it a bit difficult to see everything while riding. Riders with slightly 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 a problem.

The complete operation of all programs via the motorcycle controls can be perceived as somewhat complex. Standard operations, such as changing music, scrolling in Google Maps, or answering calls, are very simple and intuitive. However, if you want to use the BMW wheel to enter destinations in Google Maps or perform other more complex tasks while riding, you should familiarize yourself with the operating concept beforehand. Even with a good understanding of the system, we recommend, for the sake of a safe ride, to take care of the more detailed settings of the Chigee and its programs while stationary. A bright spot for the future: Even the somewhat cumbersome aspects of the Chigee operation and software might soon become irrelevant, as the AIO-5 Play can and should 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 in Gran Canaria, leaving almost exclusively positive impressions. The system is particularly recommended for those who already use Android Auto or Apple Carplay elsewhere and do not want to deal with a new navigation system, in the case of BMW, with the ConnectedRide. The Chigee is also available in a universal version that is supposed to be compatible with any motorcycle model. We will test this device during the 2025 season. The AIO-5 Play integrated perfectly with the BMW motorcycle and, with its multitude of options, lower costs, and equal comfort in operation, is a very attractive alternative to the original BMW equipment.