GPS Antenna?
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I don't see any replies. It may be you have found your answer in the past year. If you have, you know there is no GPS present without the navigation module, you can add a module after the build but you don't get info on the instrument panel, and, I believe with SC you don't get the track performance feedback. I, don't have navigation on my base 2019 Cayman but I do have the boosted phone compartment and Apple CarPlay. While this combo seems to work well where I live for GPS signals, I use an external bluetooth-connected GPS to augment the phone's signal.
I have one fairly insignificant quibble with not having a built in GPS, and that is that I have to manually change my car's clocks to different time zones or DST. I don't know if this will work, but I'm thinking of spending $12 for a GPS that will connect to the car's radio to see if that will change my clocks automatically. I doubt if anyone has tried this, but if so, I'd like to hear about it. I'm also thinking of installing a short shifter and part of that install requires pulling the PCM out of the dash, exposing its GPS port. So that would be the most painless time to experiment with this.
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Can you provide a little more information about this? I understand that the compartment under the center console has been optimized for cell and GPS reception for all these cars, or was there something else as far as an option that improves signal strength here?
In the USA, maybe earlier in Canada, a “phone compartment” was an added $500 feature for 2019 cars for the first time. It was basically the under-the-armrest phone spot with an antenna booster. My understanding was that it boosted only the cellular antenna, but if cell tower triangulation was augmenting the GPS for location services, you’d get better mapping positioning. I think that does happen around my metro area, but I drive mostly on country roads for fun and augment my GPS signal with an external Bluetooth GPS. I think European cars have had this for years, including Britain, and I assume, Commonwealth countries?
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Thanks for the reply, so I checked, I must have completely glossed over this option, this right?
I probably over looked it because I used to have a mount for the phone or before that simply connected it in the glove box... Hmmm I will have to figure this out as I use Android and since the PCM doesn't have Android Auto I wouldn't hook my phone in other than to charge it. I suppose that Porsche could offer a software update to the PCM to facilitate Android Auto, although I suspect it would be newer hardware version of the PCM.
Yes, our cell system has augmented phone GPS for a number of years now.
Another possible thought. I bought a used, slightly scratched iPhone 7 on eBay for about $225-$250 (can't remember) for the car, mainly because I'm a bit chunky and the process of plugging the phone in and out all the time was a bit of a circus act. I already had an iPhone 8 for normal use so I got the Apple CarPlay. When I get in, the iPhone turns on (I turn it completely off before exiting) and I open the arm rest and plug in my PIN. It connects to the PCM and then I usually use Google Maps because I can store maps of my usual haunts so it doesn't have to download them on the fly or from places without good cellular connectivity. Then I just forward my normal iPhone to the car's iPhone and have hands-free calling. I've asked Harry's Laptimer to become shortcut usable in the new iOS 13 (which iPhones 7 and higher support). I am not sure a car without Nav or CarPlay has the voice button (which the config requires Nav but it does come with CarPlay).
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Certainly a workable solution if I had some connection to the world of 'i' but for now I am firmly in the Android camp. FWIW Porsche said the reason the went the iPhone route was that most people who own Porsches also own an iPhone...
Thanks for the suggestion though!
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That's what people that use iPhones and drive Porsches said. I've seen comments in Rennlist approximately like 'people that drive Porsches have achieved a certain economic level, and at this level, most people use the more expensive iPhones...' B(oxster) S if you ask me.
Porsche's excuse was that Google wanted to gather too much information that Porsche considered Porsche proprietary, so the deal was not done.
I've seen a 2018 list of cars which will play with CarPlay AND Android Auto. All major brands were represented except Porsche and possibly Yugo. What a disgrace...
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I agree with you and I heard this as well, funny because wasn't it Apple who was caught tracking iPhone users movements just a couple years ago?
If it doesn't show up on the 2020 I hope to order then I will be looking to add it somehow!
I think I've seen a link to a device that can be added to the PCM that will do the Android linkage, so you might do a search for it. Also, I've seen something on the great god Google that may be the same device.
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Just addressing some of the comments above without quoting them all:
-I also use a "retired" iPhone 7" permanently in the cell phone compartment because, due to back issues etc., it is also an uncomfortable circus act for me to plug my current phone in/out. However, I just ignore it and leave it on when I park the car, even if the car is not used a over a couple of weeks like when I just took a vacation. There appears to be no harm and, with only periodic exceptions, it always stays fully charged. Every couple or three weeks I take it in the house and update apps etc.
-Although Porsche's decision not to use Google based products may not have been altruistic with respect to protecting their customers, I applaud that decision because I firmly believe there is a real clear and present danger to the overwhelmingly pervasive data mining efforts Google (especially), Facebook, etc. are engaged in. That is not to say Apple doesn't collect personal info too but I have to trust someone to some extent and Apple seems to be the least of the evils. I avoid Google products as much as beyond reasonably possible and glad Android software is not in my care.
A few months ago, in another thread, there was discussion about a Bluetooth adpator that seemed to have some good potential for working with the phone in your pocket so the huge pain in the ass of a hard wire connection needed for Apple Carplay can finally be mitigated. Does anyone remember this and has anyone tried it yet. I seem to remember it was about $200. I wouldn't hesitate to spend that if there is some reasonable chance it will work but that is really too much to piss away without some credible evidence its viable.
-I also use a "retired" iPhone 7" permanently in the cell phone compartment because, due to back issues etc., it is also an uncomfortable circus act for me to plug my current phone in/out. However, I just ignore it and leave it on when I park the car, even if the car is not used a over a couple of weeks like when I just took a vacation. There appears to be no harm and, with only periodic exceptions, it always stays fully charged. Every couple or three weeks I take it in the house and update apps etc.
-Although Porsche's decision not to use Google based products may not have been altruistic with respect to protecting their customers, I applaud that decision because I firmly believe there is a real clear and present danger to the overwhelmingly pervasive data mining efforts Google (especially), Facebook, etc. are engaged in. That is not to say Apple doesn't collect personal info too but I have to trust someone to some extent and Apple seems to be the least of the evils. I avoid Google products as much as beyond reasonably possible and glad Android software is not in my care.
A few months ago, in another thread, there was discussion about a Bluetooth adpator that seemed to have some good potential for working with the phone in your pocket so the huge pain in the ass of a hard wire connection needed for Apple Carplay can finally be mitigated. Does anyone remember this and has anyone tried it yet. I seem to remember it was about $200. I wouldn't hesitate to spend that if there is some reasonable chance it will work but that is really too much to piss away without some credible evidence its viable.
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Be careful of the quiet ones... they are generally the worst! If you don't want to share information the answer is simple don't connect and stay offline, Apple is no better.
But this is about choices not who is better, Android should be a 'choice'...
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Yes, I am chasing down the options down, I have time to research while I wait for the car because I doubt it will have the Android connectivity that I an looking for.
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For the turning-to-plug-the-blooming-thing-in impaired (I am probably the honorary president of the association due to neck and sciatica issues..).
The EASY way to do it without turning is to use a coiled USB Thunderbolt cable. I got these (it came with a Thunderbolt and a Smartphone coiled cable)
You leave the cable plugged in! You plug and unplug the phone from the stretched cable without turning. Then I ease the phone back into the phone compartment. The angled Thunderbolt connection ensures that the cable stays out of the way.
I used a 3 ft straight cable before and it worked too. However, I always had trouble closing the lid of the phone compartment without pinching the long cable. The coiled cable works like a charm.
I have also set the phone to work in the locked position with CarPlay, so I don't have to punch in the code every time.
I get in the car, start the engine, reach slightly back and open the phone compartment, get the cable by feel, (you can't miss it) stretch said cable to 2 ft, so I can see what I am doing, connect iPhone, ease the phone and cable back into the phone compartment and close the lid. By this time CarPlay is on the PCM screen waiting.
The EASY way to do it without turning is to use a coiled USB Thunderbolt cable. I got these (it came with a Thunderbolt and a Smartphone coiled cable)
Amazon.com: OTSC Compatible Carplay Cable, Universal X 8 7 7 Plus Mobile Charger & Data Transmission Adapter for Audi Volkswagen BMW, MB, Porsches, Range Rover with Genuine Carplay Function: Gateway
Amazon.com: OTSC Compatible Carplay Cable, Universal X 8 7 7 Plus Mobile Charger & Data Transmission Adapter for Audi Volkswagen BMW, MB, Porsches, Range Rover with Genuine Carplay Function: Gateway
www.amazon.com
You leave the cable plugged in! You plug and unplug the phone from the stretched cable without turning. Then I ease the phone back into the phone compartment. The angled Thunderbolt connection ensures that the cable stays out of the way.
I used a 3 ft straight cable before and it worked too. However, I always had trouble closing the lid of the phone compartment without pinching the long cable. The coiled cable works like a charm.
I have also set the phone to work in the locked position with CarPlay, so I don't have to punch in the code every time.
I get in the car, start the engine, reach slightly back and open the phone compartment, get the cable by feel, (you can't miss it) stretch said cable to 2 ft, so I can see what I am doing, connect iPhone, ease the phone and cable back into the phone compartment and close the lid. By this time CarPlay is on the PCM screen waiting.
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I did try connect a GPS antenna to PCM but nothing happened. I think it requires a code on the PCM to enable the function of inquiring GPS time.
I suspect GOOGLE being blocked in China (their biggest market) is the real reason.
Thanks! That may save me $15! I will see if can find out more when I take the car in for servicing. It could be something they could do on the down-low.
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Not disputing that China may block Goggle, but what about the rest of the world? Doesn't just about every other manufacturer that offers in car connectivity give both iOS and Android, how hard or expensive can that really be...
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Which antenna? The reason I ask is if was the one included with the Android box, perhaps it is not compatible with what is used by Porsche, it wouldn't be the first time they used a 'special' part! Although from the spec it seems to cover all bases: GPS : Ublox8 GPS (GLONASS/BEIDOU/GALILEO/QZSS/SBAS)
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Let us know and see my post above...
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