I’m a pretty no-nonsense guy when it comes to technology on my motorcycle. My bike has an incredibly basic LCD screen (which doesn’t even report revs or fuel level), and I have a cellphone mount and old helmet coms that I rarely use. So when CHIGEE reached out asking if I’d like to take one of their smart riding displays for a spin this fall, my first thought was that they were probably barking up the wrong tree.
The company hails from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China, and, best I can tell, they came onto the scene around 2020. CHIGEE offers a range of tech-focused riding products, with its flagship offerings being IOS and Android-compatible smart riding displays like the AIO-5 Play model they sent me.
What it is, and What it isn’t
It’s important to manage expectations, and so I think it needs to be clearly stated what the AIO-5 Play is and what it isn’t. In plain English, we’re basically looking at a universal, bolt-on TFT display if your bike (like mine) isn’t equipped with one. Powered by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, these touchscreen displays piggyback off your phone to give you simplified access to the apps you need on the road. Paired with helmet intercoms, you can easily take phone calls, access navigation apps, and listen to music without becoming a hazard to yourself or others.
What the AIO-5 Play is not is a standalone unit, so don’t equate it to that ancient TomTom or Magellan you used in the post-MapQuest days. Without a Bluetooth connection to your phone, this is basically a fancy GPS speedometer—and, without helmet coms, you won’t be listening to music, answering the phone, or receiving turn-by-turn directions.
Installation
My expectations for this review changed dramatically the moment I cut the shrink wrap off the box. It has vibration-dampening built into the mount, it’s compact and sharp-looking, and it has that weighty feeling of a quality piece.
While it’s become standard practice these days, I was thrilled to see that CHIGEE includes most everything you could need for installation, including extra hardware, tools needed to install the mounts, and a variety of wire ties and connectors. I had to source a single piece to accomplish the installation aside from what’s included in the kit.
Most of the AIO-5 Play installation is quite simple, since CHIGEE designed the power cable with a waterproof multi-pin aviation connector. You’ll likely have to remove your seat and some bodywork to route the cable from the handlebars back to the battery, and the positive and negative leads are preterminated. The third connection you’ll need is a keyed 12 V to make sure the unit powers on and off with the bike, and that can be a bit of a trick. Luckily, I found keyed power at an unused accessory power connection under my seat, and I crimped on a small Deutsch pin to complete the job.
CHIGEE sent me several mounts, and they’re all of exceptional quality, built from aluminum with position-locking detents and thread locker pre-applied. All of the included fasteners are tamper-resistant Torx, meaning they have a center pin that prevents a normal Torx bit from doing the job. That’s an important consideration, as it makes the unit harder to nab if you leave your bike out at the curb.
Road Tested
The 5-inch TFT display mounted best on my Honda CRF450L with the crossbar mount, which left me the best access to my ignition and factory multi-function LCD. I can’t see a need for the bigger 6-inch screen of their flagship models for my application, but I can picture it on a larger adventure bike. The AIO-5 displays 1,280 x 720 pixels at 60 frames per second, which leads to a crisp picture with zero lag. It’s also auto-dimming and IP68 waterproof—meaning it’s completely dust-tight and can survive around 30 minutes completely submerged.
The touchscreen functionality on the AIO-5 is also quite good, which I think is the number one consideration for a smart display like this. Since it’s designed for riding, app icons and controls are easy to toggle between, and the screen works really well with gloves on. I’ve answered calls, shuffled music, and altered routes while on the move, and that’s not something I can confidently say about a cellphone mount. If you have to take your eyes off the road for too long, or pull over to take your gloves off, then it’s not in the same category as this.
At the risk of boring readers who have a stock TFT or are well-versed in CarPlay, I’ll relay my first use of the AIO-5 Play. Leaving the office, I knew I needed fuel, so I simply tapped the ‘destinations’ tab in the main display and was directed to the nearest gas station. After topping off, I tapped in my home address and was on my way in about 15 seconds—with metal tunes, of course. All with gloves on, and without pulling my phone out from a zippered pocket.
Aside from the usual CarPlay functions, the AIO-5 Play also has two dashboards for monitoring your ride. There’s a GPS speedometer, voltage reading, compass bearings, altitude readings, and a running ride timer. With optional equipment, this could be expanded to include tire pressures, tachometer readout, engine temperature, throttle percentage, and more.
Is it Better than a Phone Mount?
Considering smart displays like the CHIGEE AIO-5 require a Bluetooth connection to your phone, you might be asking why you wouldn’t just throw a phone mount on your bars and go, and it’s a fair question. I’ve already touched on how much easier this display is to navigate while you’re riding, but there are a few other things to consider.
The biggest is, of course, legalities. Laws in most US states and parts of Europe restrict interactive phone use while riding, even for navigation, meaning riders could technically be cited for handling or viewing a smartphone mid-ride. While you’re still pressing buttons on the AIO-5, I’d wager your odds of getting a ticket are much lower. Additionally, cellphone mounts make some riders nervous that their device will fall off or be stolen, and a phone is a pretty expensive item to replace if it’s damaged by weather or a fall. And let’s not forget that most phone mounts on the market require the use of a specific phone case.
Takeaways
So yes, I was skeptical for all these reasons and more when I started using the CHIGEE AIO-5 Play, but I think it’s safe to say it won me over. It’s the simplicity of it. It boots up right away when you turn on your bike, and the features are there if you need them. No clocking your phone into a holder, no forgetting to install the right case, and no pulling over to access apps.
I can’t say that the AIO-5 is a need, since I’ve been riding around without one as long as I’ve had my Class M endorsement, but at $399.99, this thing pays for itself in many ways. Anyone riding an older touring or ADV machine without a TFT display will see a big change in their riding experience—especially if you’re frequently using navigation.
Even on my Honda CRF450L, the AIO-5 Play makes a lot of sense. I now have access to all the features Honda didn’t build into this bike since it’s fitted with such a weak LCD screen. Nav, music, calls, and more are there if I need them, and by downloading the onX Offroad app, I now have access to all the firelanes and recreational trails in my area.
Bringing things full circle, I am a no-nonsense guy when it comes to my personal motorcycle, but I think the AIO-5 Play is probably a permanent installation. And if you know me, there are few better compliments I can give.
