Finally got my hands on a 2019 Chrysler 300S and man I am so hyped. Its that deep velvet red color and honestly it feels like driving a couch made of silk but the tech is just... okay its fine but could be way better. Im in Chicago and planning a massive drive down to Florida next month for a wedding so I really need to get this thing kitted out before the trip. I have about 500 bucks total to spend right now and I am really torn on which direction to go for the essential feel.
So I was thinking first about the wireless carplay situation. My logic was that cables just ruin the sleek look of the center console and I hate having wires tangling around the shifter so I've been looking at the Carlinkit 5.0 versus the Ottocast U2-AIR. The Carlinkit seems more versatile since it does both but I keep reading these forums where people say it lags after an hour of driving and honestly that would drive me insane on a 15 hour road trip. But then the Ottocast is strictly for iPhone which is fine for me but what if my brother wants to plug in his pixel and take over the DJ duties? Is the stability worth the lack of flexibility?
Then there is the whole dashcam thing because people in this city drive like they have a respawn button. I really want one of those smart rear-view mirror dashcams like the Wolfbox G840S because it makes the car feel so much more high-end but I am worried it might look tacky clipped over the original mirror. The 300 has that chunky auto-dimming mirror with the Assist buttons on it and I dont want to lose functionality. The alternative is just a stealthy Vantrue N4 but then I lose that cool digital mirror factor.
Lastly I was looking at some interior ambient lighting because the factory blue light is kinda weak. Im looking at the Govee Dreamview vs a more pro fiber optic kit. The Govee is cheap and easy but the wires might show and that would kill the luxury vibe of the 300. If I go for the fiber optic one I have to pry the door panels off and I am terrified I'm gonna break a clip or end up with a rattle.
Which of these actually adds the most value for a long trip? Should I prioritize the wireless connection or the better camera system first given the 500 dollar limit?
Building on the earlier suggestion, I have to say that Velvet Red is just incredible! Honestly one of the best looking cars on the road today. I have spent a ton of time kitting out big sedans and I actually disagree slightly on going with the <a href=" https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw= iPhone-only+adapter&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p4624852.m570.l1311&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337998953&customid=22&toolid=10001&mkevt=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">iPhone-only adapter. If your brother is tagging along, grab the Carlinkit 5.0 2-in-1 Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto Adapter instead. The flexibility is way more important for a 15-hour haul, and honestly, the lag issues people talk about are usually just old firmware. Just update it right out of the box and you will be golden! For the dashcam, I totally get the appeal of the digital mirror, but if you are worried about it looking tacky, you are probably right... it can look a bit added on in such a nice interior. I would suggest the Viofo A139 Pro 3-Channel 4K Dash Cam instead. It is super stealthy and the image quality is absolutely fantastic. It is way more low-profile and wont block your Assist buttons at all. If you want those lights, go for the Govee RGBIC Interior Car Lights with App Control but definitely take your time hiding the wires. You can tuck them right into the trim gaps with a credit card or a plastic tool. You dont need to pull door panels off to make it look pro! And dont forget a high-end card like the SanDisk Max Endurance 256GB microSDXC because that Florida heat will absolutely fry cheap SD cards. Have an amazing trip man!