Ottocast Android Auto Wireless Adapter

Heuer · September 25

I have been researching and experimenting with Android Auto Wireless adapters for the LBX and I alighted upon the Ottocast A2 Air Pro as my chosen device. This costs £79 from amazon although amazon Resale have them for £52.50 as "used - like new" which was what I bought. It was new and never opened, worked perfectly.

This particular device appealed because of its quality construction, small size and rapid connection of the Android Auto app to the car (approx 15 seconds) for either my wife's Pixel 7a or my Pixel 8. The biggest advantage though is it supports Bluetooth aptX HD so I can stream lossless music from phone to car. Basically, for reasons of compatibility, Lexus Bluetooth only supports A2DP for music which means your phone must deprecate the sound quality to about a third of that from a CD all because apple refuse to join the high def sound over Bluetooth revolution and remain steadfastly stuck on the old technology. All modern Android phones support aptX. So if you send music from any apple phone to any other Bluetooth device (speaker, headphones, car etc) you end up with pretty lousy sound (through those Mark Levinson speakers on the LBX!) unless you connect it to the USB-C socket. Both sending and receiving devices must support aptX for it to work.

The Ottocast upgrades the LBX to allow Android Bluetooth high definition sound because it includes the necessary chip and plugs into the car USB-C port. It also has 5Ghz WiFi support. I used the included sticky pad to fix the Ottocast to the roof of the car charger pocket so it is out of the way and does not interfere with the phone. Only downside is I cannot see the beautiful pyramid light up when the phone connects!

Lexusjim · September 25

Good review. I had been thinking about buy an AAwireless dongle.....however after your review I may reconsider...

GruffaloRider · September 26

I use the AA dongle. Stuck up with velcro. Works effortlessly with no issues. I paid £70 (mail order)

Heuer · September 26

Not sure if the AAWireless dongle supports aptX HD as it is Bluetooth 4.1 rather than 5.0 or above. They are releasing AAWireless 2 later this year but they do not provide a detailed spec for either product. If you are not interested in streaming high res music over Bluetooth then it will work just as well for Android Auto.

Here is the Ottocast installed in our LBX. The button on the front allows quick swapping between phones when both of us are in the car.

Lexusjim · September 26

Here is a comparison of the two devices (from the ottocast forum.....so perhaps a little biased.?)

https://www.ottocast.com/blogs/carplay-adapter/autocast-vs-aawireless-unleashing-the-ultimate-wireless-audio-experience

Heuer · September 26

That is a review of the older Ottocast which supports Android and apple, the latest one is the Ottocast A2Air Pro which is Android only; it reads like it was written by AI. On the other hand the review does say the AAWireless supports aptX HD. Worth buying both from amazon, testing and returning the one you don't like; got to love their return policy!

Mincey · September 29

Looks like I'm going to have to invest in one of these. My AAWireless unit which has worked flawlessly from day one doesn't like my new Samsung S24.

Mincey · October 1

My Ottocast arrived today. Plugged it in to the car, paired it to the phone, job done.

Vlady · October 1

Does the car need to have an Android Auto for this to work?

Mincey · October 1

2 hours ago, Vlady said:

Does the car need to have an Android Auto for this to work?

Yes, it just saves you plugging the phone in physically.

Mincey · October 1

4 hours ago, Mincey said:

My Ottocast arrived today. Plugged it in to the car, paired it to the phone, job done.

I should also add that there is no app to control it unlike AAWireless. You just connect, pair and go.

Heuer · October 1

There is an app but only for software updates which they recommend not doing unless you have an issue.

Lbeex · October 12

When using AA via Ottocast, and Google Maps navigation, are voice commands interrupted by Lexus LBX speed limit exceedance ding-ding-ding sound?

I have this issue when using USB cable to connect my smartphone, i.e. standard way to connect.

Herbie · October 12

On 10/1/2024 at 6:24 PM, Mincey said:

I should also add that there is no app to control it unlike AAWireless. You just connect, pair and go.

That may well be because it doesn't do any processing and is really just a 'dumb' device, according to the following info anyway:

Mincey · October 12

1 hour ago, Herbie said:

That may well be because it doesn't do any processing and is really just a 'dumb' device, according to the following info anyway:

Having just spent two hours trying to get two Echo Studios talking to an Echo Sub, give me dumb devices any day....

Graham45 · October 15

Just purchased the ottocast device from eBay for £31.99 new. Just need the car to arrive now to install it in! 😁

Mincey · October 23

On 10/12/2024 at 4:20 PM, Lbeex said:

When using AA via Ottocast, and Google Maps navigation, are voice commands interrupted by Lexus LBX speed limit exceedance ding-ding-ding sound?

I have this issue when using USB cable to connect my smartphone, i.e. standard way to connect.

Yes, Nanny Lexus still tells you when you're being a bit lead footed.