I would recommend wireless, but how would it hook up to the head unit?

 

Looks like something like this would make any cam/head unit using RCA jack plug and play.

 

My Mark Levinson just failed. Buttons are unresponsive so now I need to buy one of these Tesla style units or spend $1,500-$2000 for a OEM replacement. (Not gonna happen).

So after reading several threads post by post, which unit is the best for my money. There are seemingly dozens on the market from sellers all over the planet. Which seller do you trust and which unit should I get for a 2006 GS 300 AWD.

Thanks. in advance.

 

Do you know if the hard drive is still intact? Maybe this would be a good solution. https://www.ebay.com/p/1225222503?ii...iABEgJRdPD_BwE

I replaced the unit in mine with a Tesla style screen (PX6 Android 9) primarily because my unit was all in Japanese and it would have cost nearly as much for me to convert it to English. My experience wasn't horrible, but it wasn't plug and play. Ended up having a problem with how one of the connector's pins were wired. Whether it was a mistake from the manufacturer (they build the harness to order based on car year/type) or if it was because the Japanese model is different, I don't know. I was not able to get through on the phone to anyone at Rhino, but they did answer a message request through Facebook and helped troubleshoot directly with the manufacturer. A lot of people end up with problems and then can't get support (easily). Not fun if you installed this in summer and you can't control your AC afterwards. I ordered from one of the US dealers to get at least a year warranty. Some offer 3.

Then there's just the overall bugginess of these units. I have a similar smaller android unit in another vehicle too, and it's got bugs as well. If you're hoping for a refined, dependable experience like the stock system offers, I think you'll be disappointed. If you're one that likes to tinker and play with software that feels very beta, then it's a neat upgrade. I pretty much let wireless Apple CarPlay connect as soon as I get in and don't have much use for most of the other features of the Tesla-style head unit, as I don't care to buy a separate hotspot or have to manually connect to my iPhone hotspot each time I get into the car. CarPlay (Waze and Pandora) is the main thing I was after.

I do like the look of the screen though. The install bracket that came with it is not perfect and will take some drilling to get a flush fit.

 

It’s the exact same problems detailed on this thread by another user https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...rols-wont.html

Climate, Maps, Defrost, and Audio buttons are all non responsive. Even after extensive troubleshooting. Strangely, the Navi screen and radio itself will play but you’re locked out of your AC, Heat and other functions needed through the touchscreen interface. It seems to be a common problem among GS owners and even some IS owners. I’m frustrated.

 

I bought from Phoenix Android and they'll at least check for you to see if it's compatible. There's a lot of variables here: mark Levinson or not, model year, optic audio cables, and backup/nav.

Email them with the info (theym even ask for a photo to make sure) and they should be able to tell you if it's fully compatible or not. The ones who are having issues might have just bought assuming it would work without checking. Also, the defrost and touch buttons are configurable.

 

Hey guys, another question (or two).

1. Are the latest units supposed to be PX6 with 4g Ram and Android 9? I’m only seeing the 2g ram on most websites. I want the latest model with the fastest boot up times.

2. Which supplier should I order from? I’m hearing mixed reviews on both Rhino Radio and Phoenix Automotive. I would prefer a shipper from the US for faster delivery and possibly better customer support but that’s no deal breaker.


Thanks in advance.

 

Not sure about rhino, but Phoenix is US based. Their customer support is also in the states, Pacific time zone I think.

PX 6 is the fastest to my knowledge so 6 Core processor compared to the previous 4 core

 

Thanks, I just emailed both companies very specific questions regarding my vehicle and needs.
Btw, do you recommend purchasing one of their backup cameras? The stock cameras on the 2006 GS isn’t compatible.
What other add-ons will I need to make this install go as smoothly as possible?

 

I do not recommend buying their backup camera. No matter how fast it boots, it won't be fast enough to get started up by the time you reverse.

I would find a dash cam / rear view camera combo on Amazon instead. They start up faster and you have the benefit of a dash cam

 

Guys,
It is possible to connect the OEM backup camera to the new head unit. See how I did it in my thread :
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...em-camera.html

 

The stock camera is compatible. But not plug and play. Just follow my steps in the above link 👆😊.

 

Has anyone put one of these in a 450H? What hybrid functionality is lost? Do you retain the graphic that shows if the battery is charging and which power source is driving the car? Do you lose the trip computer and all of the "info screen" functionality?
Any thing else you lose with the hybrid?

 

I installed in a 2006 450h (Japanese). While I never saw any graphics related to the hybrid system on the multi-function screen, I can see that information behind the steering wheel, along with the other trip computer information.

Honestly, I wouldn't expect to maintain any info from the center screen, except for door open notifications. Technically, they can display anything that's being broadcast over can bus, but they haven't spent the time on Lexus (the older ones at least). I don't even see parking sensor information on the Tesla-style screen, even though a sonar/car graphic pops up along with the reverse cam. I still get parking sensor information behind the steering wheel and the beeps.

Overall, it's a neat look, but it's flakey as hell. This was a nice replacement for my Japanese language only unit, but if I had an English unit to begin with I would have probably sent the Tesla one back and just added some type of bluetooth support to the stock unit.

 

Op here. I should have kept this In it to install in the GS I got after the one before it got totaled.

Second time around, I got a Grom VLine. For months complained about it not working, Grom just keep telling my to unplug it or insert a USB.

After 2 months, they finally allowed me to return it back. Well 4 weeks later, they are still waiting on an “upgraded part” and have no idea for when they will send the unit out. I am told I would get a replacement, but it seems like they are just trying to fix the defective one if they are waiting on a part.

Now, I have neither a VLine unit nor the several hundred I paid for it, with zero timeline of when I will get something back. Absolutely ridiculous.