So my new device came in. I sent back my CarlinKit 4 after having connectivity issues. I purchased the
AutoSky Wireless USB Adapter off of Amazon. So far based on my driveway test it is hands down easier and faster than the CarlinKit 3 in my wife's Macan and it worked whereas my CarlinKit 4 did not.
It installed very easily. There is no cable if you have a USB Type A connection which is what we have in the 718 and it plugs in directly to the port. There is also a USB Type to USB Type A extension if you don't want it to be elevated inside the center console. There is also a USB Type A to USB C extension if you want to use it for something other than the 718. When I turned on power to the car it popped up immediately in the section on my phone for new Bluetooth connections. I allowed my phone to pair with the device on my phone screen and on the PCM. I set it on the PCM as a CarPlay device and asked it not to ask me again. Suggested in the well written instructions I scanned the QR code and updated the Firmware, unplugged the device and plugged it back in, and it paired again immediately. I shut the car off and turned it back on and it was connected within 5 seconds. I did this several times and each time it was immediate. The graphics were clear, no fuzziness, no delays in switching between screens, and it recognized my finger touch on the PCM without hesitation. The instructions suggest deleting your Bluetooth connection between your phone and the car and only having the phone to the dongle connection. I may play around with this and see if it causes issues. The only drawback is that it only works with iPhone 6 or newer phones. Android users won't be able to use this dongle.
For the driveway test it was very successful. I won't de driving the car again until later this week but I'll report back if there are any issues. It appears while the device is made in China, the company I ordered it from is based in Houston, TX.
