Back-up camera has worked perfectly for me since Day One. Make sure you follow the installation instructions to the T or you're going to have issues later. Especially important is the first initialization process that most people skip. Then they complain that GROM sucks because things don't work right due to their inability to follow directions.

 

Yeah, I did the initialization process and it turned out my auto screen setting was already set to off and I’m still having this issue. But I read somewhere on this thread about double tapping radio for backup camera to pop up and that actually seems to work but pretty annoying I have to do that every time

 

And does anyone know how to edit bass, etc with the Vline? I’m missing my factory settings lol

 

Do you have 2013-2014 MY? If so, those older radios tend to have more bugs. Get with GROM support, they will provide you with fixes for back-up camera. My 2015 worked flawlessly for most part.

You go back to OEM infotainment to change sound settings. Can't do that in GROM interface.

 

I have a 2013, I figured that's why I'm having issues. I'm gonna try to update the software and firmware tomorrow, hopefully that fixes issues instead of causing more 🤨 and I also contacted GROM. I'll really love this system if a few things can be resolved

 

Update: I updated VLINE, installed Gapps, and found out how to access factory UI settings and now my backup camera works as it should and my music settings are how I want them. Feeling much better about the system

 

So either I'm doing something wrong or there's some issues here. First thing, I always turn my car off in carplay/AUX mode. Whenever I start it, it takes me to the Android homepage and I have to go to the carplay settings, it says "paired" but I still have to scroll down and manually tap it every time for my phone to connect and wait until my phone goes into Carplay, is this normal? I always make sure wifi and bluetooth are on before i get in the car to try to make it as simple as possible. Is there something I'm doing wrong or didn't set up in the settings? Could it be my phone being connected to both the car bluetooth and the Vline bluetooth at the same time? The next thing is once I'm in carplay, whenever I start playing music it'll start playing with no sound, no amount of messing with the volume ****, skip track, audio off, etc will make it work. This happens with wireless AND wired Carplay. But I found out that pressing the radio button and it taking me to the factory UI where I then have to switch modes all the way until I get back to AUX seems to make the music play every time. Weird stuff, this is my first car and of course my first experience with Carplay on my own and it feels overly complicated lol.

 

Good afternoon everyone,

I am thinking about getting a 2017 Lexus GS but really need to have CarPlay. I have been reading through all of the threads to try to figure out what the best solution is. I stopped here because it seems the Grom VL2 is the best. I have taken a look at their YouTube channel but I am having a hard time understanding how it works and wondering if someone could provide some insight.

1) How do you switch to and from the factory system to CarPlay? I read something about pressing the media physical button on the console. Is there a way to do it from the steering wheel?

2) Can you listen to the radio and change stations while still being in the CarPlay interface or do you need to switch between both in order to do that?

3) Are there any large issues that I should be aware of (electrical or warranty) that I should be aware of before buying?

4) Can you use the factory USB to get into CarPlay or do I have to mount a USB cable somewhere else in the car?


Thanks for your help in advance. If anyone can point me towards some good videos to watch I would be happy to do that.

 

Hello,

Here are my thoughts:

1) How do you switch to and from the factory system to CarPlay? I read something about pressing the media physical button on the console. Is there a way to do it from the steering wheel?
Media button is how I get in and out. I haven't tried it from the steering wheel, but I never turn it off Grom/Carplay unless I get a phone call. Even then, it switches right back after.

2) Can you listen to the radio and change stations while still being in the CarPlay interface or do you need to switch between both in order to do that?
No, this is using the AUX input, so you would need to use apps. There are plenty of radio apps that can play local stations. I only use Apple Music, Spotify, and sometimes the Sirius XM app.

3) Are there any large issues that I should be aware of (electrical or warranty) that I should be aware of before buying?
Not that we have seen. It's plug and play, so should any issues arise, you can remove the unit to prove its not causing the issue.

4) Can you use the factory USB to get into CarPlay or do I have to mount a USB cable somewhere else in the car?
Depends on what year car, but for you getting a 2017, stock USB would not work because it has a USB hub (2 ports) built in and Carplay doesn't support hubs. I ran another USB cable to the same location. I use wireless carplay 100% of the time and find it just as good as wired.

 

Thanks so much. Sucks that I can't listen to the radio and use CarPlay at the same time. Really wish Lexus had put CarPlay in the GS models. Something for me to think about before I buy the car. I really don't need or want the android apps. Just want CarPlay.

 

I would just download the iOS app for iHeartRadio or TuneIn. Best of both worlds. Radio and built into CarPlay. Problem solved.

I don't use the Android apps either. Just CarPlay.

 

Good idea. I will give that some thought! Thanks

 

Not getting any sound after install of VLine 2 for 2013 350. I read the instructions over and couldn't find anything. Anyone experience this after initial install?

 

Any sound from the Grom or any sound at all (using stock system)?

 

Sound is coming from the stock system but nothing from the Grom unit. I suspect the unit I received was a used unit. The lettering on the sticker has faded so maybe they sent me a refurbished unit? I opened a ticket with them a few minutes ago. Just wondering if there are any additional steps not mentioned in the instruction book.