The days of going without Apple Car Play or Android Auto during motorcycle rides are over.
I’ve been using an Ottocast Android Auto/Apple Car Play unit for more than a year now, so when the company reached out to me and asked if I’d like to review their latest version I said, “sure.”
Ottocast CarPlay Lite C5 SE product page
My current Ottocast has operated flawlessly. I was naturally curious to see how Ottocast might improve an already good product.
Right out of the gate, the latest CarPlay Lite C5 SE is slimmed down. The new one features a design that isn’t as bulky but Ottocast still managed to squeeze in an ever-so-slightly wider 5-inch screen with an 854×480-pixel screen resolution.
Ottocast sent me its base model but if you want all the bells and whistles, you can also order one with a larger 6.3 inch screen that comes with front and rear high-definition cameras, DVR recording, along with wireless tire pressure monitoring.
Installing the CarPlay Lite C5 SE is easy. If your motorcycle has a USB port all you need to do is mount it on your handlebar and plug it in. It also comes with a waterproof power box for those that will instead connecting it directly to their bike’s 12-volt battery.
To see just how easy installing it is watch the video at the top of this post
Once it’s set up, the Ottocast pairs to your Android or Apple smartphone just like any other Android Auto or Apple CarPlay device. Simply follow the prompts. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Ottocast also automatically detected my Sena 50c and paired it up to with my Samsung Ultra S23’s audio as well so I hear my music and other audio through my helmet’s Harman Kardon Sena helmet speakers.
Related: Review of the Sena 50c
Out on the road the Ottocast works like any other Android Auto or Apple Car Play unit.
In the case of my Sena and Ottocast, Google Assistant works just like it does with a phone, allowing me to take or make calls or do anything via voice I could normally do. In the case of the Sena, a short button tap activates the voice assistant.
For electric motorcyclists, being able to have EV-specific applications such as Plugshare or Chargepoint available at a glance during a traffic light stop is wonderful.
The unit’s touchscreen passed the glove test. I was able to scroll and activate apps without removing them. From a safety perspective you’ll obviously want to set up whatever apps you’ll be using ahead of your ride to avoid distractions.
The Ottocast also has a physical home button and power button on the right hand side of the unit if you want to turn off the display while riding.
Now that I have Android Auto there’s no need to subject my expensive smartphone to all of the vibrations and bumps that come with motorcycling.
Instead, I keep my phone either safely in my pocket or wrapped from harm and charging in the bike’s trunk.
Ottocast says its CarPlay Lite C5 SE will work in temperatures ranging from 14 to 158 degrees. It also has an IPX7 waterproof rating for those rainy days rides.
I didn’t experience any connectivity dropout or other issues. It also includes an external TF card slot that accepts memory cards up to 128G so you can have your entire music collection with you, even if you’re in an area with no cell service.
Performance wise, the Ottocast is working exactly as expected. The one mild criticism I can offer is I wish the display were brighter in direct sunlight. See the video at the top of this post for a look at how the unit displays in various riding conditions.
Given how well my other Ottocast has held up, I don’t see any reason the latest CarPlay Lite C5 SE shouldn’t provide years of trouble-free service.
Ottocast CarPlay Lite C5 SE Specifications
Ottocast provided EV Rider with the CarPlay Lite C5 SE featured in this review but did not have any editorial input into this video’s production, nor did it see an advance copy of the video or post. EV Rider’s editorial policy regarding review units is available here for anyone that would like to review it.