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If you want a different display [not the stock which is the way I went] then scratch Grom and BeatSonic off.
There is a larger display option which sits in front of the old display location and just very recently I saw a thread which has a fairly large [similar to Tesla screen] ... the thread may have not fallen of the current 3rd gen entry page.
It would be nice if they offer touch screen option.
If you want a different display [not the stock which is the way I went] then scratch Grom and BeatSonic off.
There is a larger display option which sits in front of the old display location and just very recently I saw a thread which has a fairly large [similar to Tesla screen] ... the thread may have not fallen of the current 3rd gen entry page.
It would be nice if they offer touch screen option.
Yeah, I saw that thread. The screen itself looks cool, but in my opinion, it kind of ruins the refined interior of the older RX. Also, it seems like it cannot be installed in the 2015 model, according to the information in the top post
I just sent a message to Navirider using the AliExpress chat. I want them to confirm that their unit can be installed in my vehicle. I will try to document progress here.
I do understand that a non-genuine head unit will have some bugs and quirks, but I think it's still a significant upgrade. Today, I use the stock unit only for climate system management and checking the rear space while reversing. Having wireless CarPlay with the maps and the music app would be a big win, even if it freezes occasionally.
I have already scanned this thread and a few similar ones on this forum. I don't think anyone installed the unit linked above in the vehicle similar to mine. When it comes to aftermarket infotainment systems, research capabilities are very limited, unfortunately. That said, the video shared by the Australian fellow looks very promising. I think there was another video where he shared his experience after using Navirider multimedia for around 6 months. I don't remember him mentioning any critical issues. He has a 2013 RX350 with a joystick and navigation similar to what I have in my car.
But, yes. Before ordering, I guess it's a good idea to talk to the seller to ensure it fits the 2015 RX350.
Initially, I was going to go with the GROM module as well. However, my wife complained about the position of the stock screen. She isn't very tall, and even if she pushes the seat all the way up, it's still a bit hard for her to see the display very well. So, this is another reason why we decided to consider another head unit.
Interesting that your wife is having trouble viewing the stock display screen. The RX350 was mainly designed for women to use and very successfully as that many woman seem love driving the RX350(various generations); especially at my work place. I am one of the few men driving an RX350 in the hospital parking lot that I work at and most of the woman are short in height that are driving them.
Last edited by carguy75; Dec 30, 2024 at 06:35 PM.
Interesting that your wife is having trouble viewing the stock display screen. The RX350 was mainly designed for women to use and very successfully as that many woman seem love driving the RX350(various generations); especially at my work place. I am one of the few men driving an RX350 in the hospital parking lot that I work at and most of the woman are short in height that are driving them.
Well, I guess her main complaint is that the display is slightly recessed into the central console, making it a bit harder to see the left side of it.
Small update. I ordered the 8GB RAM version of the Navirider multimedia. It should arrive in around 2 weeks.
I had a quick chat with the Navirider representative. They mentioned that the infotainment system should work well with my vehicle. They also proposed disassembling the central console and sending photos of harnesses so that their tech could review them and confirm fitment, but I'm not comfortable doing that alone.
Well, I guess her main complaint is that the display is slightly recessed into the central console, making it a bit harder to see the left side of it.
Small update. I ordered the 8GB RAM version of the Navirider multimedia. It should arrive in around 2 weeks.
I had a quick chat with the Navirider representative. They mentioned that the infotainment system should work well with my vehicle. They also proposed disassembling the central console and sending photos of harnesses so that their tech could review them and confirm fitment, but I'm not comfortable doing that alone.
Fair enough.
Keep us posted on the Navrider install. I went with the GROM VL2 and is very happy with it, but it is interesting to see the other upgrade options as well.
I have this exact combo 12 inch navirider on 2014 rx450h.
It works really good for me, and I like it more than my previous Vline 2 mostly because it does show the climate control and for sure sounds better on Mark Levinson.
My only 2 issues are that it is kind of slow to start (1 min) so you have to wait for it to boot if you want to use the reverse camera.
2. The call quality is not good.
For the second I found a way around it, by using AAWireless for my Android phone. So at the moment my phone does not connect to the Navirider with Bluetooth and I am using the original car phone.
I haven't tested it with IPhone, but AAwireless might be the solution there as well. (the small square unit)
I have this exact combo 12 inch navirider on 2014 rx450h.
It works really good for me, and I like it more than my previous Vline 2 mostly because it does show the climate control and for sure sounds better on Mark Levinson.
My only 2 issues are that it is kind of slow to start (1 min) so you have to wait for it to boot if you want to use the reverse camera.
2. The call quality is not good.
For the second I found a way around it, by using AAWireless for my Android phone. So at the moment my phone does not connect to the Navirider with Bluetooth and I am using the original car phone.
I haven't tested it with IPhone, but AAwireless might be the solution there as well. (the small square unit)
Hey @djovaniii
Thanks for sharing your experience! May I ask a few questions, if you don't mind?
1. Was it hard to install the Navirider unit? Also, did you have to buy any additional adapters or other equipment?
2. What model do you have? Is it the one with 8 GB?
3. Do all the steering wheel buttons still work?
Also, if you have a chance, sharing 1-2 photos of the head unit would be awesome
I bought the 8GB & 256GB NAVIRIDER Android 14 unit & installed it myself in my 2011 RX450H.
There are a lot of units out there, which fake the actual ram & memory & android version.
There is a Fake Device Test app, which checks these things, but this was blocked on my unit ( They're getting better at hiding fake units).
I did try another program, and it turned out that my unit is Android 10 & ram is 6gb RAM = 8, Memory 256
But yes, the steering wheel controls do work.
And no, in my case the mouse controller does not work in Android, only touchscreen.
Android auto works good.
I still use the original camera, but when it switches back after reversing you'll get a pink screen flash, as others also have mentioned.
My unit is otherwise very restricted, can not change the Homescreen or the background. Can not install the Lexus animated boot logo, so stuck with android start up screen. Other units can.
Last edited by animalfarm; Jan 6, 2025 at 07:31 AM.
Reason: Added picture
Wow, thanks for sharing honest feedback, @animalfarm!
It is worrisome that units come with older versions of Android. Does that mean wireless AndroidAuto will eventually stop working because the phone's and head unit's OS are incompatible?
I guess Apple CarPlay will have the same problem...
Not necessarily. I've installed a couple of Android headunits in other cars (kids) and, as long as Apple doesn't suddenly deprecate old CarPlay, you'll be fine.
Wow, thanks for sharing honest feedback, @animalfarm!
It is worrisome that units come with older versions of Android. Does that mean wireless AndroidAuto will eventually stop working because the phone's and head unit's OS are incompatible?
I guess Apple CarPlay will have the same problem...
That's disappointing for the price they charge.
Update: settled the dispute with the seller, got. $30,- refund.
I could also return the unit at their expense.
The truth is, there are no other units.
I asked them to send the right unit, with 8 gb RAM, but they said there is hardly any improvement compared to the 6 gb version...the only option was to send it back & get the refund.
I like the big screen, Android car works fine. The options on the head unit itself are disappointing.
Hence why I just went with the GROM VL2. The complete android replacement units seem to be a bit sketchy and expensive for possible low quality electronics that may fail or get buggy in a few years or so. However, I could be wrong. If the Navirider was about $300 or maybe $400 I would have picked it up and took a risk on it.
It does look nice in the RX350 dash, but I tend to stay away from cheaply made Android based devices like tablets in which the Navirder seems to be that is mounted in an dash mounted case.
Thanks for sharing your experience! May I ask a few questions, if you don't mind?
1. Was it hard to install the Navirider unit? Also, did you have to buy any additional adapters or other equipment?
2. What model do you have? Is it the one with 8 GB?
3. Do all the steering wheel buttons still work?
Also, if you have a chance, sharing 1-2 photos of the head unit would be awesome
Hey,
1, I did follow the grom installation. First time it takes around 1hour maybe more. But after that I would say not more than 20 min.
2. I do have the 8gb model
3. Yes, but there were some settings in the system menu that needed to be changed.
The only additional equipment is as mentioned the AAwireless dongle. As it allows the calls to go to the original Car Multimedia, and all other media to the Android Auto. It is not needed, but the call quality of the car is much better for background noise insulation. Another benefit if using AAwireless is that all audio can go trough bluetooth to the car multimedia w/o using the device DAC, but I didn't find that needed.
I am attaching some pictures, but let me know if you want more
Last edited by djovaniii; Jan 9, 2025 at 07:14 AM.
Thanks, guys, for all the photos and sharing your experience with the Navirider units. AliExpress says the mine should arrive in the middle of next week. I can't wait to get it installed! I understand it won't work as seamlessly as native head units in new Lexuses, but the screen does look nice, and I'm excited to get the Apple Maps and Music working in my car.
