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Single DIN Carplay head unit

Specific conversations and info for the BMW E28 M5 and M535i.
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Machtig
Posts: 281
Joined: May 14, 2009 10:44 AM
Location: Kingsland, GA

Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by Machtig »

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The purists will hate me. Hate away 😂. I like it. I like carplay, connects wirelessly, and sounds pretty good for a $139 walmart exclusive. Added the M5 load screen and wallpaper. It comes with both an antenna trigger and an amp trigger so I was hoping it would only trigger the antenna when the radio tuner was selectedbut no such luck (I separated the factory single antenna/amp wires). Since it has a built in mic that works well, I’ll just put a discreet pushbutton switch for the antenna where I had the old radio’s microphone right next to the head unit- no need to cycle the antenna unless I want to listen the the radio. Edit: the unit isn’t pushed in all the way yet as it has inputs for front and rear cameras and I intend to add a discrete backup camera. 
 
ThisOldJeep
Posts: 24
Joined: Jun 10, 2020 6:50 PM
Location: Colorado

Re: Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by ThisOldJeep »

How did you add the start screen?? I have the same unit in my e28 daily for the same reasons.  
Machtig
Posts: 281
Joined: May 14, 2009 10:44 AM
Location: Kingsland, GA

Re: Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by Machtig »

ThisOldJeep wrote: May 25, 2025 6:49 PM How did you add the start screen?? I have the same unit in my e28 daily for the same reasons.  
There is a YouTube video that covers it pretty well; essentially you find a photo you like, resize it to 960x480 pixels, name it changelogo.jpg, and then go into general settings and add it.  You can do a similar thing for the main screen wallpaper but it can be named anything as long as it's a .jpg.  
Machtig
Posts: 281
Joined: May 14, 2009 10:44 AM
Location: Kingsland, GA

Re: Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by Machtig »

Go here under general settings. You’ll need a USB drive with the photo loaded onto it. The instructions weren't clear but I formatted my USB drive to Fat32 since that is what most radios use and it worked fine. 

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jimoreno
Posts: 1600
Joined: Aug 30, 2007 9:31 PM
Location: Land O Lakes, FL

Re: Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by jimoreno »

What sorts of RCA outputs does this unit have? I currently have a Kenwood KMM-X704 that has three sets of RCA (four channels and subwoofer). The color can be adjusted to match the red/orange original BMW dash lightning color with two USB inputs, Bluetooth and even Alexa. The only thing that bothers me is the reflection on the face of the unit but overall I love the sound and flexibility to adjust many sound parameters.

 
vinceg101
Posts: 4980
Joined: Jun 20, 2007 2:40 AM
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by vinceg101 »

jimoreno wrote: May 27, 2025 10:35 AM What sorts of RCA outputs does this unit have? I currently have a Kenwood KMM-X704 that has three sets of RCA (four channels and subwoofer). The color can be adjusted to match the red/orange original BMW dash lightning color with two USB inputs, Bluetooth and even Alexa. The only thing that bothers me is the reflection on the face of the unit but overall I love the sound and flexibility to adjust many sound parameters.

 
I had the same issues with an slightly older Kenwood KDC-X895. The glare was a real problem, the only way it really worked in daylight was to switch the positive/negative background (i.e. switch the background to solid orange with black numbers). I often wondered if that could be mitigated with some matte film on the face. Food for thought as it might have application here in the OP's situation.
stuartinmn
Posts: 9584
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Minneapolis

Re: Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by stuartinmn »

What make/model is this thing?
Machtig
Posts: 281
Joined: May 14, 2009 10:44 AM
Location: Kingsland, GA

Re: Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by Machtig »

stuartinmn wrote: Jun 03, 2025 5:47 AM What make/model is this thing?
Power Acoustic CP 71WA; I think it is only available through Walmart.  Ordered and delivered next day for me here in SE Georgia.
liamwonka
Posts: 1
Joined: Jun 25, 2025 11:26 PM
Location: United States

Re: Single DIN Carplay head unit

Post by liamwonka »

The purists will hate me. Hate away 😂. I like it. I like carplay, connects wirelessly, and sounds pretty good for a $139 walmart exclusive. Added the M5 load screen and wallpaper. It comes with both an antenna Block Blast trigger and an amp trigger so I was hoping it would only trigger the antenna when the radio tuner was selectedbut no such luck (I separated the factory single antenna/amp wires). Since it has a built in mic that works well, I’ll just put a discreet pushbutton switch for the antenna where I had the old radio’s microphone right next to the head unit- no need to cycle the antenna unless I want to listen the the radio. Edit: the unit isn’t pushed in all the way yet as it has inputs for front and rear cameras and I intend to add a discrete backup camera. 
 
 
 
Hi Machtig,
How’s the screen visibility in bright daylight, and does the touchscreen remain responsive in colder temps or with gloves on?
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