If your BMW uses the Connected Ride cradle, adding a dedicated motorcycle CarPlay unit is a plug-and-play way to get maps, music, calls, and more—without taking your hand off the bars. All of the units covered here share a few reliable traits: they snap into the cradle, pair solidly with CarPlay, and work with the Wonder Wheel so you can control navigation and media without moving your hands from the controls.
The differences worth paying attention to are screen size (5 to 7 inches), how the device fits in the cradle (flush vs. sticking out), whether it obscures parts of the bike’s TFT, what additional motorcycle data it displays, and overall build quality. Below I summarize each unit, call out quirks, and give a quick recommendation for who each one suits best.
How these units behave on a BMW?
- Installation: All snap into the Connected Ride cradle. No complicated mounting for basic use.
- Controls: Full support for the Wonder Wheel—navigation, answering calls, media control, all from the handlebars.
- CarPlay: Reliable wireless CarPlay connection across the board.
- Info screens: Extra motorcycle info (speed, tire pressure, RPM, temps, gear, range, etc.) varies by model—some are rich with data, some are sparse, and one has buggy/misleading values.
BMW Motorcycle CarPlay Options
Chigee AIO-5 Play (5 inch) - Compact but Premium
While the Chigee AIO5 boasts a premium, dense feel and fits nearly flush in the cradle, its 5-inch screen is significantly smaller than other options in the group. This compact size minimizes obstruction to the bike's TFT but may make navigation details harder to read at a glance for some riders.
- Screen size: 5 inch (Smaller display area)
- Price: Premium (High price point, around $400)
- Notable features: Multiple motorcycle info screens (sunset time, tire pressures, direction, speed, RPM, throttle position, temps, gear), physical buttons across the top, and a dedicated button that kills the display without powering the unit off (great for night riding or avoiding distractions).
- Who it’s for: Riders who want a high-quality, compact unit that won’t block the TFT and who value a physical screen kill switch.
Carabc DB601 (6 inch)
This 6-inch device is a tight fit in the cradle—so tight that insertion and removal require effort and a firm push. It looks nearly flush when installed, but the software for additional motorcycle data has some odd bugs.
- Screen size: 6 inch
- Price: $269, budget-friendly in the lineup
- Quirks: Extra info screens report incorrect or static values (e.g., total mileage and remaining mileage showing the same constant number). The screen can be a bit dim compared to others.
- Who it’s for: Riders focused mainly on CarPlay who want the lowest-cost option and can tolerate a fiddly fit and imperfect extra screens.
CPMC B6 / Pro - The Value & Performance Balanced Option
The CPMC B6 delivers a incredibly bright, usable display and include a handy auto screen saver that blanks the display after 1–3 minutes of inactivity—a practical feature for minimizing distraction during night riding. They offer a great balance between screen size, price, and feature set.
- Screen size: Available in 6-inch for a tighter fit, or 7-inch for maximum visibility.
- Price: Mid-range (Fantastic value around $300).
- Camera Functionality: Choose the "Pro" version if you want integrated camera recording functionality, perfect for capturing your rides or for security purposes.
- Notable features: Multiple motorcycle data pages (speed, tire pressures, heading, throttle position, temp, battery voltage). Supports screw-on TPMS caps.
- Fit and feel: Engineered to snap securely into the BMW cradle, featuring a lightweight design that minimizes stress on the mount while maximizing screen real estate.
CarPuride W702BS (7 inch)
The largest screen here at 7 inches. If you want a big display, it delivers plenty of space and lots of motorcycle data pages, but the downside is how much of the TFT it covers when sitting in the normal riding position.
- Screen size: 7 inch
- Price: Mid-range (around $320 depending on retailer)
- Notable features: Extensive info screens (compass, trip, elevation, throttle graphs, RPM, tire pressures). One physical button that acts as power and adjusts media/voice levels with a single press.
- Fit and feel: Larger profile that blocks the top of the TFT—requiring you to duck your head to see some bike info from the rider seat. Feels relatively compact and dense.
- Who it’s for: Riders who want a big, easy-to-read display or need larger text for visibility, and who don’t mind losing part of the TFT view.
- Who it’s for: Riders looking for a capable, bright display with versatile size options and an automatic screen-off feature at a reasonable price point.
Quick pros and cons summary
- Chigee AIO5: Pros: compact, premium build, physical screen kill button, rich info screens. Cons: higher price.
- Carabc DB601: Pros: lowest price, nearly flush fit. Cons: very tight insertion, buggy info screens, dimmer display.
- CPMC B6: Pros: good feature set, screen saver auto-off, mid-price. Cons: sticks out more, lighter build feel.
- CarPuride W702BS: Pros: large readable display, lots of data pages, solid feel. Cons: blocks top of TFT, may be too big for some riders.
Practical recommendations
Want minimal obstruction and premium feel: Go with the Chigee AIO5 (or consider the AIO6 if you want top-tier features and are okay with additional wiring).
Want a balance of size and price: The CPMC B6 hits a good middle ground; the screen saver feature is useful for minimizing distraction.
On a tight budget: The Carabc DB601 is the cheapest and will run CarPlay fine if you only need core features—expect some quirks in the extra info screens and a fiddly fit.
Want the biggest display: Choose the CPMC B7 or CarPuride 7 inch if screen real estate is your priority and you don’t mind covering part of the TFT.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Match
There is no single "perfect" navigation unit that satisfies every rider's needs. The right choice for your BMW ultimately depends on a trade-off between screen size, price, and integration depth.
Whichever you choose, bringing CarPlay to your handlebars will revolutionize your riding experience.
