That was my video.
I need to do a follow up video on it. I am personally happy, I have never used my infotainment more than now since the Vline 2 install.

In the video I had some screen flickering issue, that cleared itself up on its own. As far as any app issues went, it seems that those apps (They call shortcuts) are modified apps put in by Grom to be more compatible in a car environment, this may or may have not had their intended results, but was easily resolved by just downloading the full versions from google play store.

As far as Android auto or Apple car play goes, they work, but I personally do not even see a need to use them, since they take away Youtube, etc. So I just use the normal interface as it works just as well but allows your passengers to watch videos while driving.

Installation is straight forward. It does not need any special cabling for the backup camera to work, and utilizes the factory joystick without needing a separate android mouse. I would say so far that it is a much better system, just without the bling. It also does not include a bigger screen like the Lexion or 4x4. A bigger screen is nicer, but I would rather have a more refined and closer to OEM experience if given the choice between the two, if Grom would offer a bigger screen, we would have a clear winner.

If I ever get time, I plan on doing a follow-up video.

 

sorry to tell you your video looks like trash compared to Lexion. Let me upload a quick cold boot video. This is in a 2014 IS250 with Navigation non-Mark Levinson. Your video looks like it’s from 2015 or maybe it’s the Android auto’s fault. I have an old Android phone that I can test out later if you want a comparison but CarPlay works flawlessly. Widescreen 1280x480 jog supported, nothing is stretched. Android 8.1 I believe. I’ll post a fast boot video as well. No flickering, auto connect, literally everything you complained about in your video is a non issue with Lexion. Which comes with widescreen. I don’t understand why some people are obsessed on keeping the stock tiny screen, like why? The stock system looks great on the widescreen, you can have a car logo on the side or stretched. Nothing is changed on the stock side.

edit: https://imgur.com/gallery/9qaqvIR

there are two videos and a screenshot in the link

 

That's all good, but i rather deal with a company that provides customer service and i don't have to pay through western union. What happens if someone gets a faulty unit and needs to return it or get a refund? All these products are not 100% functional, so, it's all a gamble. I don't have issues with our screens, i saw that before buying the car. The guys on the GS forums get instant support on theirs whenever they have issues, that's all i need.

 

Good to hear and please share any issues or cons you have run into since installation. Bigger screen is not a big deal for me.

 

Contact Lexion Automotive on facebook and ask them that you do not have a western union account and if they can open up a paypal to pay thru there. Lexion was kind enough to open Paypal thru their website for me to purchase. Now, as for customer service... that is a tough one to ask because as I said on previous post, it seems like a one man operation and the level of response fluctuates. This is probably my second or third week that Lexion has not responded to my questions yet. I believe Lexion is just one of the satellite locations that are trying to distribute these head-units worldwide. The primary companies responsible for building these unites would be HEX Tech - Fun, Binary - Lexus Premium Solution (Esishuo) which is the same as Shenzhen Binary Technology Co. LTD, or Carsyso. You can ask these primary companies but they will not sell you the unit as they can't (Trust me, I've went that route before). If you want to see more of their videos they posted, they are available on youtube.
Carsyso - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK...4bX386w/videos
HEX Tech - Fun - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnm...9lt3G2Q/videos
Obviously I've done quite a bit of homework before making the purchase decision.
I've gathered informations between Beatsonic (which I owned), 4x4 Canada, Grom VLine V2, and made a conclusion to take a stab at Lexion even though there aren't many reviews out there. However, the SOC (system on chip) used is plenty powerful because the have been used on Android TV Boxs and HardKernel products. Beatsonic is good but has some problems with Phone calls. People hear themselves echo when speaking to me on phone. However, their customer response makes up for it. 4x4 Canada has integrated unit behind the LCD (Lexion is separate) which I can imagine overheating issue over time. Grom Audio is a good company which I have owned their Bluetooth line on my previous car which was a 2004 Acura TSX and their customer support was also great. But seeing reviews online about the issue of vertical lines presented on the LCD when backing up and or navigating something which doesn't for no apparent reason, has ticked me off. Yes, it can be faulty wire harness and or can be fixed in future firmware, but they had a V1 Line previously. That should have been refined by the next iteration which is V2.
It all boils down to preference. If you want to have a simple android auto and Carplay on your Lexus and maintain a "factory" look where no one knows its been installed, Beatsonic or Grom Audio is the way to go. Beatsonic for simplicity but both android and Carplay needs to be plugged, Grom Audio if you want that extra usability.
If you want that widescreen that you don't have in your vehicle and specs there are currently up to date in todays standards, Lexion is the way to go.
In the end, it is a Gamble, and heck, we all took a gamble as Lexion Claims that they have sold quite a lot (20 +) units and yet no video or written review from any of the buyers.

I'm an android guy and all of Lexion, Carsyso and HEX-Tech only showcased Carplay which I was a bit disappointed. If you are saying that it is apple Carplay and android approved, showcase both at least. I asked Lexion to make a video of the android auto side, and he linked me to a video of only the android interface which was the home screen. Specifically told him "android auto" but was prompt with a response saying that I clearly don't know how to decipher android and android auto. As my head was boiling inside me and a couple of posts I've made on the 2015 NX vendors forum, one user explained that it could be a misunderstanding as Lexion is a Korean company in Korea, so clearly English was not the primary language. Setting that aside, you still need to plug in your android phone for android auto to work. Carplay is wireless.

For Android people like me, if you want wireless android auto on your unit, there is a product out there that is a prototype for now, that plugs directly to the USB and make android auto work wirelessly. It is called AAWireless. Idea is great and the person who built it was an active user from the XDA Developers website. He also created apps for android users and has done fairly well. Downside to this is that it is posted in an Indiegogo funding page. Another gamble, but nonetheless, I took the plunge again and helped contribute so I can get the unit hopefully by March 2021 or perhaps later.

Long post, but hope you learn a bit or two more. Any other questions, feel free to ask and I will try to help answer them. Funny thing that I am on an IS forum and I don't own an IS but an NX.

 

Thank you for this detailed post, this really helps breaking everything down. I don't have Facebook, but can open one just to contact them. I haven't made a final decision, yet. I recently got an iPhone for the first time too, but i still keep my android phones handy for whichever works.

 

I too am thinking about getting an iPhone as I have been a long time android user, but have not taken the plunge yet as I am waiting for the Galaxy S21 announcement coming out January 2021 (so they claimed). I am pretty sure UI for Carplay is way better than Android Auto in many ways.
Just a heads up, When you contact Lexion Automotive on Faceook, they will give you their number which you use to contact them thru Whatsapp for further conversations. It may or may not happen to you. I cannot give you their number because it seems like Lexion have multiple numbers. I currently have two numbers belonging to Lexion but from the same person.
For shipping, Don't expect to get it immediately as they are out based in Korea, but head-unit is manufactured in China. They don't have any in stock, but how they operate is when you purchase the unit from Lexion, Lexion will notify primary source and they will start building the unit. For me, I'm based in New York, and it took a good 2 weeks for the unit to arrive in my hands.

 

upgrading the screen was the main reason I even considered this unit. So you dont even have touchscreen? I get that support is not what you would want but like another user said these are all made by the same company. The product is way better but they don’t answer their emails right away? I rather gave a good product than good support but then again I’ve never been the type to need a lot of technical support. Seriously if you’re upgrading why not upgrade the most obvious part which is the screen! Can you watch full screen YouTube videos? It’s basically an Android tablet in your car that looks and feels stock. No crappy logo or anything. Don’t be intimidated​​​​​, this is plug and play. Also this is WIRELESS and you’re still plugging in your phone like a Neanderthal. How much was it if you don’t mind me asking?

 

Saying that the Grom Vline 2 looks like trash in comparison to the Lexion, is like saying your IS250 looks like trash in comparison to a IS350 and then asking why you didn't buy the IS350, and why you are so "obsessed" with sticking to 100 hp less? You probably didn't buy the 350 because it cost more, or the extra features for you did not justify the additional price for what it offered, likewise you are trying to compare two products that (in my case, group buy) were almost $400 difference in price, what next, saying the IS looks like trash beside an LC? Maybe the extra HP and features of the 350 may just have not been enough justification in your scenario for the additional cost of the 350, just like the almost double cost of the Lexion to me is not worth a widescreen, in a car that I will rarely if ever, watch a movie in. Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't rather have a bigger screen, that just means a few inch bigger screen is not worth $400 to me.

Also, my video looks like it is from 2015, because the car is a 2015, and the Vline2 does not include a screen, and I addressed that in the original message if you would like to reread it, so yes that is a 2015 screen in a 2015 car. The Grom also has fast boot, no flickering (again I already addressed that), also no stretching and wireless carplay. Literally, everything you just said, the product also has. There is no obsession with keeping a small screen to answer your question, and I think that you are fairly aware that you have a major exaggeration issue in your response since that was never the implication. The reason I have the original screen is that 2-3 more inches in screen real estate in a car that I will never watch a movie on, does not equate $400 more dollars to me, nor does a touch screen that I have to reach to the windshield to even touch. If you love bigger screens that much, you can buy a 55" TV and have the Grom for the same price as your Lexion.

I have no vested interest or own stock in Grom, someone just asked about the unit, so I responded. You seem to have major issue with that response. This is not a pissing contest on who's unit is better, I am addressing questions on it since there is literally nothing out there on the Grom unit for our cars in order to compare it with others, not sure why you took it any different or why my response triggered you so hard. As I said, the Grom is a less blingy alternative in a different price range, for different consumer needs, yet offers pretty close to the same experience from what I can tell. However, If you regularly watch movies in your car, the extra $400 might just be worth the extra real estate to you, and the Lexion does in fact look like a very good unit, one that I had even considered.

Heres another short vid I took today to address some of the questions here.

 

holy **** dude calm down, you’re projecting so hard right now. Look I get it you have to defend your purchase after I called it trash, but for anyone else reading they will get the impression that your unit is comparable to Lexion when it’s not. You said there’s a clear winner in your unit, I’m saying it’s trash compared to what you get with Lexion. You essentially upgraded a 2015 to 2015. I upgraded a 2014 to a 2020. $749. It’s much more than a bigger screen. Ironic that you are the one calling me triggered dude. Also the obsession I was talking about is not only you but for all the purist out there that are missing out. My system looks and feels stock.

 

Folks let’s drop the personal comments here please

 

Last time you stated that people had an obsession with smaller screens, this time you are saying that I said the Grom was the clear winner when I actually said "if Grom would offer a bigger screen, we would have a clear winner", which in full context is a bit different then you stating that I declared them a winner.

As far as them being trash compared to the Lexion, maybe you are right. But I think you would be taken more seriously with your statement if you demonstrated to the forum how you came to that conclusion so quickly even with the little information available on the Vline2, especially when you did not even know the price of the unit. I would rather see the detailed comparison.

If you have a comparison of the two units to demonstrate your conclusion that it is trash, I think we all would love to see it, because this comparison does not exist yet, and I also am interested in the Lexion.

 

I am actually Glad that Grom probably fixed the problem with probably an update and or replaced faulty wiring Harness. They are good with these things and there quality is considered top notch. I believe the group buy may still be lurking around in facebook group, well at least on the NX facebook group for those who might want to consider getting it.
Reason why I mentioned about the Vertical lines when backing up was because I was basing on this video (yes, I know back in October) - Although yes, he has an older version of the Lexus IS, but the Box itself is the same. My guess like I said before was probably faulty wiring harness or a more recent firmware update. Not to mention that the Car internals itself are different.

To tell you the truth, I thought to myself that at that price, the wide screen was not worth it at all when this first introduced. Even the seller had some level of attitude that had turned me off. But I was patient enough until Black Friday, which they offered a discount until the end of this year, So I took the plunge. I did regret it at that time that it was an impulse buy since I already had the Beatsonic system in my car and did what it needed but that phone call issue was annoying. however their level of support is superb.

 

There are some great pictures on page 5 of an earlier thread regarding the Lexion unit, and on 8-13-20
a video by an Australian guy ISDAS that shows how seamless it works. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/cl-...-models-5.html

 

That's interesting, I had not heard of that before, it is rather odd. I feel that the different generations of cars may have something to deal with that issue. The reason being is when you first install the head unit, it needs to do that weird reinitializing sequence that reads the SD card and is sometimes hard to get to startup (same thing after removing or changing the battery). Well, I was having a hard time getting it to start the reinitializing sequence like normal, which left the screen completely black. Even during this period of time, if I put the car in reverse, the screen would pop to life, and show the backup cam.

I've also seen other people on this forum that have had their radio fail in their 3is and yet retained the backup camera. So I feel like the backup cam is not even a part of the OEM head unit, and operates independently of the head unit, or in this case, independently of the Grom Vline2. The Grom harness probably just passes the backup cam portion of the harness like OEM without ever routing it through the Grom VL2, but that is just an educated guess given the situation I had and read that others have had. Maybe this is why the Lexion needs the camera wired differently, maybe they are passing that signal directly through the head unit for some reason.

*** After watching the video @Jazzrock linked above, when he puts the car in reverse @1:48, it does still keep a portion of the car graphic visible to the right of the screen. I am assuming that this is done to prevent screen stretching of the backup camera or black bars, and is probably the reason they are passing through the camera to the headunit.