I’ve now reviewed five or six of these smart stereo add-on screens. They’re all similar but have slight differences. For me, it’s easier to simply note the differences between this unit and the others, but to those who haven’t seen all the other reviews, that’s not particularly helpful.

For anyone who hasn’t seen the other reviews, these smart screen devices are the equivalent of adding a Roku to an older, not-so-smart television. These portable units are designed to easily mount to your car’s dash or windshield, and provide features like CarPlay and Screen Mirroring. All of them can connect to your current car’s stereo via Bluetooth, an aux cable (1/8″), or through a built-in FM transmitter. Many of them, like this one, also have built-in speakers so they could even work in a car with no stereo at all.

This unit shipped with a 10′ 12v-to-USB-C cable for power, a suction cup mount, a suction cup mounting disc, and a dash mount. The suction cup mount has multiple joints and can be configured in almost any way imaginable. One thing I like units like that one that come with multiple mounts is that the device can be easily and quickly moved between vehicles.

What separates this device apart from the others I’ve tested is its 10.26″ wide screen. The shape and size is similar to that of a rear view mirror. I recently tested a unit with a 9″ 4:3 screen and no matter where I mounted it, it seemed to block some part of my view of the road. The super-wide screen on this unit allows it to be mounted directly in front of the driver without blocking your view of the road. This is especially helpful when using the device for GPS navigation.

This device supports CarPlay, which allows you to access any CarPlay-compatible app on your iPhone (and the same for Android). This allows you to use multiple navigation apps like Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze. You’ll also get access to your music and podcasts, and can use it for hands-free dialing and texting.

If there’s one Achilles heel with this unit it’s that it doesn’t come with any cameras. Many people buy these to use as dash cams. For only $30 more, Jataza sells the same model with two included cameras — a 4k front facing camera and a 1080p backup cam. If you’re looking for an entry-level device with the ability to add CarPlay, hands-free dialing, and all those other features, this is a great bargain. If the cameras are important to you, spend the extra $30 and go with the upgrade. Both devices came with the same 10.26″ screen.

Link: Jataza 10.26″ Smart Media Player (no cameras): https://amzn.to/3X8PcSM
Link: Jataza 10.26″ Smart Media Player (no cameras): https://amzn.to/4dKwl7P