I got my pre-owned 2014 GS300H top trim (In Thailand) with three lenses eyes for a month and can't live with the original navigation system. I decided to look through the Internet and can't find the perfect match for my car so I decided to do a little DIY. (The pro technician did that for me).

I bought from Aliexpress. From this link. Shipping is fast, $75 For import tax to my city.


US $699 - 32GB ram

NAVIRIDER navigation 12.3" octa-core android 7.1 Head Unit for Lexus GS200t GS250 GS350 GS400 GS 300h 200t 250 450h 2011~2018
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/MzG7qkQ8

There's no right-hand drive version. So I asked the audio shop to do the DIY frame, cost me another $200. I see the Left-hand drive frame provided, even though I didn't try it myself, I have no doubt it would fit US car just fine.

Here is the result:


all original functions still work. switch back and forth by long-pressing menu button.

Only the main menu is able to control by mouse. When launching an application, it needs touch input like controlling a tablet.

What I like:
1. Large map area, very easy to navigate.
2. Dedicated navigation speaker, uninterrupted music playing while navigating.
3. USB mp3 music playing is fully controlled by the steering wheel.
4. The support from the Chinese factory is great. I can solve all my doubts using Whatsapp with Google Translate. :P They even teach me how to update the firmware, sorry mam but this kind of Chinese Android equipment is mostly unable to do OTA.
5. By Native android, I can install Youtube Vance and listen to Podcast while navigating. Spotify is also great on it.
6. I felt the sound coming out from this screen is much better from the Original Equipment. Esp, the Bluetooth and USB mp3 playing. Much more enjoyable. Mine is not ML audio.


What I dislike:
1. I still can't figure out how to use Google Assistant Voice commands on-road screen, on my phone it's perfect. I can navigate, control gmap, waze, spotify, buy voice easily.
2. Touch screen is far deep into the console, required proper parked before doing anything. So my case, I will set Navi, select music or radio I like before I start driving.
3. The screen is super super reflective. Anybody can recommend best anti-glare anti-fingerprint film this size?
4. Sometimes after car restart, the screen can't detect (already) plugged-in USB disk, not sure why.


***
This is not a sponsored review. Paid all myself. I do not participate in any commission what soever. Just want to share one way (expensive way hah) to upgrade our car.

 

Thanks for that review. I guess for me biggest downside is having to touch the screen. Our screen is set deep into the dash because it was never intended to be a touch screen.

 

Here is my $200 custom made diy Right Hand Drive frame. Kind of art I guessed.

 

Here are the WeChat logs, communicate with few Chinese engineers was fun though.

 

My next project is the full spindle grilled front part.
Already shipped to my garage, waiting for Paint shop to have an available slot to do the work.

http://www.car-act.com/product/en/20...nt-Bumper.html

Wish me luck with the gap others have discussed some time ago!

 

Wow great work with the custom fabrication.

 

I don't think he made that.

 

Haha yeah I meant to the shop that did it or whoever that did that custom work. Looks good and pretty OEM.

 

Is it to push the screen up to the edge of the dash? I don't get it lol

 

I believe its the plastic molding surrounding the display that had to be fabricated because the replacement android head unit came with the molding for LHD cars and not for his RHD car. The final result in the Youtube video looks like a pretty good and OEM looking molding surrounding the display.

 

Ahh okay, makes total sense now.

 

Salute to the Shop's guy.

 

I could, estimate around 1.5-2 Inches can be closer. But I didn't, because even then it made not much different.

The screen is huge, can't move closer much.