Just wondering if anyone is using one of these in their LS

https://gromaudio.com/store/vlite/le...amera-kit.html

With a $50 adapter, it will do Apple Car play and Android auto. I am only interested in getting Android Auto in my LS.

The main unit is $429.99 and the Adapter is $50 and shipping is free. It seems like a FAR better deal than any of the other models to add these features and there is a $30 coupon code I found bringing the whole kit down to $449.99 shipped. Even the Aliexpress on their crazy sale they are running, the lowest cost one with Carplay/Android auto is $491.40(starts tomorrow) and they charge $25 for shipping and tax is extra (at least in my state)...

I wanted to hide the device, and I know it uses a MicroSD for updates and music, I am thinking something LIKE this...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32965924151.html

Will Extend the MicroSD slot, and someone needs to find a mount to be able to put it in the center console or on the side in the glove box, so you never have to touch the base unit (If there is room behind the factory stereo/ML system to hold it/hide it)

How does this unit compare to other units out there, and how is Grom for updates/bug fixes ?

At the price point it's very tempting...but wondering if there is a flaw with it when it's this much cheaper..

 

For me, if it involves having to connect my phone in any way, I'm not interested. I could have kept my 08 if I wanted to keep it plugged in.

 

I guess to each their own, when I am in my car, 95% of the time my phone is plugged. And I get you don't like wires, you've said it before. What does that have to do with how this item works ?

ANYWAY.....I know it needs the dongle to do Android Auto and Apple car play and I know the device has Bluetooth...Not 100% sure if it would work on android auto over Bluetooth.

Personally if it supports both ways, I would always have the Bluetooth setup for short drives, and plug it in on longer rides as I would be charging my phone for longer rides, and using GPS will normally eat the battery fairly fast.

Just wondered if anyone has tried this, and what is their thoughts.

The price is very attractive as it's almost $150 less most of the other options...

 

Well, I connected with their support and ASKED about Bluetooth over Android auto... BOTH their items do not support Android Auto/Apple car play over Bluetooth.

Just got the impression that it's not a good quality item... and all their support did was just try to push me over to the VL2 that is $599.99. It's very attractive around $450 shipped but, the dongle is made by a 3rd party, and they have no control over it...

Sounds like a setup to avoid... Not for today but, next year when Android auto is updated...

 

I have the VLite in my 14' ES and it has Apple CarPlay without needing to use a dongle. I believe they don't advertise it as such since it isn't certified by Apple.
Now would I recommend it? That's a hard one, they can't seem to update the thing without breaking something else sooo hard to give a confident yes to that.
I made a video about VLite as well, which I linked to on https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...tallation.html

Check out the GS thread with tons of feedback on the VLine and some on the VLite at : https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...installed.html

 

Thanks for the reply. Thanks for the video, I think I actually saw that earlier today

Ah, and they said that with the Vline on the Android Auto, I NEEDED the Dongle(see above). They also said they do not handle updates for the dongle, only the Vline, so basically 2 vendors for updates on one device (as I would see it) according to what "Andrew" said. With them breaking things on every update, and needing to deal with a 3rd party for Android Auto updates.

I just want a system that works, No frills, no 3rd party OS, I want to connect my Android phone and get Android Auto... It sounds like this product is could be a major headache.

Like I said, it was very attractive at $450 shipped... but, as always too good to be true...

Thanks again for the reply !

 

Hmmm. Interesting that you would take my comment as bashing. Where did I say it was a terrible product? Which part of my comment that I moved from an 08 to a 14 so as not to hardwire my phone, is a bash of this or any product? I’ll try not to comment on your posts since they tend to bring out the ire in you.

 

You made this comment in the past... "if I wanted wires I'd kept my 08". It just seems because it has wires your putting it down.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post10667179

I really didn't mean to offend.

I know people hate wires, I do get it but, you get better bandwidth wired than wireless.

Anyway about it with Car play or Android auto, reports from users is wireless connections are spotty and drop at random, it why I would avoid it in this case. This does use more bandwidth than a phone call or streaming audio.

It would really stink when your using Waze and it drops connection, and a 1/2 mile down the road is a cop when your doing 90 !

I drove a few cars with OEM Android auto, I never saw one that supported Android auto or car play that was wireless, someone can correct me if I am wrong here but, out of the 5, I never saw it

 

Seems legit I’ll let you know how it goes I’m a iPhone user and it has car play with no wire not that I will be using car play since it’s android auto I’ll just install apps on the car and use my phone as a hot spot. Maybe I’ll post a vid when I install it. 2013 -fsport is what I have.

 

I am interested in this GROM VLINE system, the things I would like to know must work; AC, rearview camera, and MAPS...

Because if any of them do not work, the system is useless to me.

 

works as it should I have Vline2 I love it

 

All the kits replace AUX mode and overlay video on it. I have now used 2 different kits in my 2014 LS. Your AC will work but, no on screen display while these kits are working. Factory rear view camera works fine, it will switch from the system to the Rearview camera when you put in reverse, some models there is a slight delay but, it works fine.

If your using Apple carplay or Android auto, your MAPS can be Waze or Google Maps (or what ever map program is compatible).

It's a worthy upgrade to get Apple Carplay or Android auto...they give you a internet connected car. I use XM radio, before trees would drop my signal for a second, some parts of my drive home because of tall trees for about a mile I had no signal.

Now, I stream XM, No more drop outs, I can skip songs like in a new car and I stream shows and even stream podcasts... lot of streaming services will work.

 

Hi David, I have been reading about your experiences with the AA/Carplay kits on the other thread. Are you able to stream video with AA/CarPlay? I thought they won't allow you to watch YouTube or stream movies.

 

Hi,

The Lsailt model has can play YouTube with the built in OS(not sure if it's locked while driving), not sure about Android Auto or Apple Carplay. I have not tried YouTube while driving.. When I talk about streaming, I am meaning steaming audio.

Both built in devices have video inputs. The Lsailt model has composite video and the Road Trip model has HDMI...I guess you can connect something playing video streaming and it would work.

The Lsailt also has a video player on it and you can use a MicroSD card to store audio/video files, so I bet you could put movie rips on there as well. The Lsailt model has a Android system (like a tablet on your screen), so with this you could use this OS, or Android Auto or Apple Carplay.

If I think about it, I will check it out tomorrow...

 

Hey David, I'm considering a VLite to surprise my wife w/ CarPlay capability in her 2014 RX450H, but we live in the mountains and frequently drive into areas w/out mobile data. From what I've read and seen on the videos, it appears that as soon as you enable CarPlay (or Android Auto), the OEM radio shuts off. Can you confirm this is the case?

In our other cars that have built-in OEM CarPlay support, we can continue to listen to built-in XM while bringing up Waze via CarPlay. It would unfortunately be a show-stopper if we don't have that capability w/ the VLite.