Adding GPS puck to EVPLAY on Gen 1 for Waze & Google Maps

[Gurule92]

@Alex - EV Play was kind enough to send out a GPS Puck and it was an easy plug and play to get WAZE and Google Maps up and running!

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[AAA]

Hi Gurule92-

Just a clarification. It’s true that EVPlay does not have an internal GPS so if you are not pairing it with a smart phone, you will not have GPS location/Nav capabilities without the reference GPS dongle however if you’re always pairing with a smart (Apple or Android), it does reliable get gps coordinates from that source. A standalone GPS dongle is only required when not pairing with a smart phone.

I use EVPlay Carplay Waze with an Iphone 16 in a Gen1 R1T with no issues without a GPS dongle.

 

[TahoeTexan]

Is it correct the Gen2 EVPlay orders come with a gps dongle?

 

[Gurule92]

Hi Gurule92-

Just a clarification. It’s true that EVPlay does not have an internal GPS so if you are not pairing it with a smart phone, you will not have GPS location/Nav capabilities without the reference GPS dongle however if you’re always pairing with a smart (Apple or Android), it does reliable get gps coordinates from that source. A standalone GPS dongle is only required when not pairing with a smart phone.

I use EVPlay Carplay Waze with an Iphone 16 in a Gen1 R1T with no issues without a GPS dongle.

That's for Android Auto and Apple car play though right? I don't like those. They're not as good imo

 

[Gurule92]

Is it correct the Gen2 EVPlay orders come with a gps dongle?

They do

 

[swhme]

Nice! I just ordered one, my intent is to use it for onX and Waze so I don’t have to bring my phone with me on trips

 

[AAA]

That's for Android Auto and Apple car play though right? I don't like those. They're not as good imo

Correct Android Auto & Carplay which I believe most people are looking for when considering the EVPlay purchase. I didnt want folks to think they needed another accessory to make it work. As mentioned below, if they are ordering for a Gen 2, they get the GPS dongle included with their order.

 

[RivianPioneer]

I wonder why the GPS puck would be included with a Gen 2 install kit and not a Gen 1?

 

[KBabione]

I wonder why the GPS puck would be included with a Gen 2 install kit and not a Gen 1?

The EVPlay box is connected to the CANbus in the Gen1 vehicles - Alex couldn't find the CANbus in a Gen2 (it may not be there). He uses it to limit what you can do while you're moving - you can't watch Netflix unless the Gen1 is in park (a status he reads from the CANbus). He needed the GPS puck on the Gen2 so he could tell if you were moving or not.

 

[RivianPioneer]

The EVPlay box is connected to the CANbus in the Gen1 vehicles - Alex couldn't find the CANbus in a Gen2 (it may not be there). He uses it to limit what you can do while you're moving - you can't watch Netflix unless the Gen1 is in park (a status he reads from the CANbus). He needed the GPS puck on the Gen2 so he could tell if you were moving or not.

That makes sense. Thanks for explaining.

 

[KBabione]

That makes sense. Thanks for explaining.

It sucks that he had to engineer that into the product to keep some idiot from turning on Driver Assist and watching a movie instead of watching the road. If there was an accident it would have been the fault of EVPlay - not the user.

 

[RivianPioneer]

It sucks that he had to engineer that into the product to keep some idiot from turning on Driver Assist and watching a movie instead of watching the road. If there was an accident it would have been the fault of EVPlay - not the user.

Yep. That’s the way things work. No one takes responsibility for their own stupidity. They blame someone else

 

[TampaR1T]

So does the Gen NOT need the GPS dongle because EVPlay is plugged Into the Canbus? I've got a Gen1, but I am planning to install EVPlay next week.

 

[Gurule92]

So does the Gen NOT need the GPS dongle because EVPlay is plugged Into the Canbus? I've got a Gen1, but I am planning to install EVPlay next week.

Right. Gen 1 doesn't need it to function and use car play or Android Auto.

I personally like native Android is so I added the dongle

 

[TucsonST]

I added the GPS dongle to EVPlay and it works for Google Maps and Waze but OnX Offroad app will not recognize it and errors with the message "This device appears to not have GPS". I put in a request to OnX and got this reply:

Andrew H (onX Offroad)​

​

Sep 15, 2025, 8:18 AM MDT​

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Hey Scott,

Sorry to say, but onX generally doesn't work well with external GPS devices. There is some compatibility for some devices, but it's not something we recommend or can endorse because of the unreliable service it can provide.

Best,

Andrew
Customer Experience Guide​

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Bozeman Office
45°41’34.8684”N
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onxmaps.com​

The Gaia app appears to work so I'm looking at cancelling OnX and moving to that. Disappointed that OnX won't even look into it.

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