This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
The Ottocast Car TV Mate Max plugs into the USB port of a car whose head unit only supports wired Apple CarPlay, and makes CarPlay wireless. In my 2020 Toyota RAV4 PHV it set up in a few minutes, reconnected automatically every time I restarted the car, and connected about as quickly as a cable did. It also has an HDMI input, so I later added a Fire TV Stick to watch video on the car screen while parked.
What I tested
- Ottocast Car TV Mate Max, plugged into the USB port of a Toyota factory display audio unit (wired CarPlay only)
- My iPhone, paired over Bluetooth, using maps through CarPlay
- Restarting the engine to check how quickly it reconnects
- In a follow-up video: an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus connected through the HDMI input, plus a console tray I drilled to hide the cables
What I found
- Setup: plug it in, choose the language, pick “CarPlay” on the menu, then pair the iPhone with the Bluetooth device whose name starts with “Otto”. CarPlay appeared almost immediately.
- After restarting the engine, it came back on its own; I only had to tap CarPlay. I noticed almost no difference in connection time compared with a cable.
- Unlike an Ottocast AI box I had used before (an Android-based box that felt laggy), this unit only acts as a bridge. I saw no touch lag or glitches.
- It weighs 43.4 g in my measurement and is roughly 58 mm square, so it disappears into the centre console.
- It also fixes a small daily annoyance: with a cable, nudging the connector could drop the CarPlay session.
| Item | What I confirmed |
|---|---|
| Weight | 43.4 g (measured) |
| Size | About 58.2 mm square |
| Connection | USB-A (USB-C adapter included) |
| Features | Wireless CarPlay from a wired-only head unit, HDMI input |
| Price | ¥9,243 after an Amazon Japan coupon, at the time of recording |
Adding a Fire TV Stick
- Set the Fire TV’s resolution to 1080p 60Hz at home first (Settings, Display and Sounds, Display). Left on 4K, it would not show up through the adapter.
- Set up the Fire TV’s Wi-Fi at home too; in the car I used my phone’s hotspot.
- YouTube and other apps played fine, with sound through the car speakers. The Fire TV remote’s volume buttons did not work.
- Shifting into reverse still switched the screen to the factory rear-view camera.
Who it’s for
People whose factory head unit supports CarPlay only over a cable and who are tired of plugging in every trip. If your car already has wireless CarPlay, you don’t need it for that purpose.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. Unboxing starts around 2:00 and the in-car setup around 3:40. The Fire TV setup and cable-hiding work are in a separate video:
Limitations
I tested one car (2020 RAV4 PHV with Toyota display audio) and one iPhone. Compatibility depends on your car and head unit, and the product comes in several grades with different wireless features, so check the listing before buying. Prices were Amazon Japan’s at the time of recording, and the large coupon I used may not be available.
Products
Ottocast Car TV Mate Max: on Amazon Japan
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Phones (10) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.