Technaxx TX 320 Wireless Car Play Android Auto Display Review scaled

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The Technaxx TX-320 is an affordable smart display that allows you to get Apple Car Play and Android Auto functionality with older cars.

It features an AUX out and FM wireless transmitter, allowing you to connect it to your car’s audio, mimicking the functionality you would get on a newer, much more expensive car.

Features

  • Wireless Car Play / Android Auto via BT/WiFi
  • Big capacitive touch display 7” (17.78cm)
  • AUX out or FM wireless audio transmission to car radio
  • Built-in loudspeaker
  • Windshield and dashboard mount
  • MicroSD card up to 128GB
  • FM range from 87.5 – 108MHz
  • Bluetooth V5.0
  • Power supply DC12/24V

Specification

  • Display size: 7” (17.78cm)
  • WiFi distance: Up to 10m
  • WiFi protocol: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac
  • WiFi transmitting frequency: 2.4GHz; 5GHz
  • WiFi radiated output power max.: 40mW, 16mW
  • Bluetooth: V5.0 / ~10m distance
  • BT protocol: BR, EDR, BLE
  • BT transmitting frequency: 2.4GHz
  • BT radiated output power max.: 2.5mW
  • FM frequency range: 87.5–108MHz
  • FM radiated output power max.: 50µW
  • Input (power adapter): DC 12/24V (cigarette lighter socket)
  • Output (power adapter): USB-C, 5V/2A
  • AUX out: 3.5mm jack
  • AV in: 2.5mm jack
  • MicroSD card: Max. 128GB class10 U1
  • MicroSD format: FAT32 up to 32GB; exFAT up to 128GB
  • Material: ABS

Unboxing / Design

Technaxx TX 320 Wireless Car Play Android Auto Display

The TX-320 is not dissimilar in appearance to old sat navs. The 7-inch display is a good enough size to display all the information you need without blocking any visibility from your dashboard. Some competing models go up to over 9 inches, and I can’t help but think they would block the visibility of the road.

The display has a small sun visor, which I haven’t really needed since it is January in the north of the UK, but I imagine it will be helpful during summer.

Overall build quality is cheap and plasticy, but it is an £85 gadget, so to be expected.

Technaxx TX 320 Wireless Car Play Android Auto Display In use

Set-Up

Technaxx TX 320 Wireless Car Play Android Auto Display5

There is not a great deal to do to set up the TX-320. I mounted it on my dashboard and used the mounting plate, which had a strong adhesive patch, to attach it securely to my dashboard. I then affixed the TX-320 to the plate with its rubber suction cup.

The TX-320 is then powered via the lighter socket and USB-C. As I already had a dashcam in place, I used the spare USB-A port to wire up this display.

Technaxx TX 320 Wireless Car Play Android Auto Display 3

When powered on, there are no accounts to add, as this connects to your phone. With Android Auto, once I paired it up, it automatically connects each time I enter the car and power up the display.

Annoyingly, I don’t have an AUX on my ageing Vauxhall Corse, so I had to use the FM wireless transmission to get audio to play to my speakers. The is never ideal as it is prone to interference and the quality is not as good, but it’s the most user friendly solution if you don’t have AUX in.

Technaxx TX 320 Wireless Car Play Android Auto Display 4

In Use

The Technaxx TX-320 works exactly as I expected it to, and it has been reliable.

The main advantage of using this over maps and streaming on my phone directly is that my phone connects to the TX-320 as soon as it powers on and loads up maps immediately.

Even if you don’t use it for music, I find it quite useful as maps and notifications are easily accessible, and the TX-320 has a built-in speaker for maps guidance and notifications.

I use the radio transmitter to get media to play through my car speakers. It works reasonably well; it is prone to interference but not too bad. The audio isn’t the loudest, and being an old Corsa, the speakers are not the best quality, but it works well on short trips. For longer journeys, I have tried running a 3.5mm jack between the TX-320 and a Bluetooth speaker (with an AUX jack), and this works well but creates a cable mess.

Price and Alternative Options

The Technaxx TX-320 is listed on the Technaxx website for €100, which works out to around £85.

There are a lot of competing options available on Amazon from random brands. Examples include:

  • Pashlysh 7-inch display for £40
  • Lyssiefeel 9.2-inch display, which has a front and rear camera with the rear camera working as a reversing camera, which is available for £83
  • Lamtto 9-inch display for £80

Overall

The Technaxx TX-320 doesn’t provide the perfect solution for adding smart functionality to my car, but it is probably the easiest solution for adding Android Auto.

Using my phone in a mount and an FM transmitter (or, in my case, Bluetooth speaker) replicates most of the functionality you get here. The main advantage I found was that my phone automatically connects to the TX-320 as soon as it powers up, and I don’t have to mess around with fitting the phone into a mount. I then have access to maps immediately.

An FM transmitter and a decent dashboard phone holder will cost around £15 each, whereas this costs £85. As I drive a lot for my job and put off a car upgrade for as long as possible, I’d say the extra money for the TX-320 is worth it, making the driving experience fractionally less frustrating.

I’d say the only real criticism I have is that there are plenty of other options from random brands that offer a similar solution for a lower price. Some fo the options arguably look better.

Overall, the Technaxx TX-320 does exactly what it is advertised to do. While it is not the cheapest on the market, it is hardly expensive, and in my case, I think it is worth it, and I have found it a genuinely useful addition to my ageing car.

Technaxx TX-320 Wireless Car Play & Android Auto Display Review

Summary

The Technaxx TX-320 Wireless Car Play & Android Auto Display offers a practical and affordable solution for adding smart functionality to older vehicles. While it may not provide a perfect experience, it significantly enhances the driving experience by offering easy access to maps, notifications, and media playback. The device’s automatic connection and immediate access to navigation make it a valuable addition for frequent drivers, especially those who have postponed upgrading their vehicles.

Overall
75%
75%
  • Overall - 75%
    75%

Pros

  • Affordable way to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to older cars
  • 7-inch display size is suitable for most dashboards
  • Easy setup and automatic connection with smartphones
  • Built-in speaker for navigation guidance and notifications
  • Versatile audio output options (AUX and FM transmitter)
  • Compatible with both Apple and Android devices

Cons

  • Build quality feels cheap and plasticky
  • FM transmitter audio quality is not optimal and prone to interference
  • Audio volume may be insufficient for some users
  • More expensive than some competing options from lesser-known brands

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