I have some issues with my VL2 but Grom Audio is aware of these issues and they are working on a fix. However, yesterday morning I asked Dmitry @ Grom Audio if it was OK to install the Beta firmware and software that is available for LEX6 (I have 2012 CT200h) and he replied immediately asking me to revert back to Release channel as Beta channel is only for technical testers. If you install a Beta firmware or software without Grom Audio authorization and brick your unit, they are not responsible for any damage caused to the unit or to your vehicle.

 

Ahh - noted. I'm not big on Betas so I'm not doing it. Curious if anyone has.

They did confirm Wireless Carplay to me Mid-March. Wonder if its in the beta

 

That is what I was told but I think they are focusing right now on fixing a few bugs before releasing Wireless CarPlay. Dmitry told me yesterday that the new firmware would be available yesterday late night but it's not available yet. I guess they didn't finish it or they found other bugs. Main issues for me are UI Shortcut is broken (according to Grom it's broken for the whole LEX6 platform) meaning I can't access to USB Audio settings, black screen after 10 mins of turning ON the car, factory bluetooth causing black screen when used and VLine not found after tuning ON the car happened twice already. Turning ignition OFF and ON fix this particular issue. Anybody would say, why not returning it? well the problem is that when CarPlay works, it is just amazing. Fortunately I'm still in the returning window but after experienced CarPlay, even with all these bugs, I don't now if I would be able to live without it. Also, GROM VLine is the only interface available for my 2012 Lexus CT200h so it's this or nothing.

 

Gotcha - Yea my only grip with my GS is that the infotainment was ****. Got a Grom roughly 6 months ago and haven't looked back.

Genuinely curious about Android 10 + Wireless carplay tho ..

 

Mine is a 2016.

 

I'm on beta now, i switch back and forth depending on whats stable. When a beta release starts doing strange things I switch to production. When they screw up a production release I switch back to Beta since so far its always fixed the production bug. Beta firmware can be sketchy but software only shouldn't cause any problems and its easy to go back to production. Although anything is possible I'm not worried about bricking the device since the software/firmware is made for the device. At the end of the day its just software, if things do go wrong they can give you a file that will automatically overwrite the software or firmware. I know because i had a problem once when upgrading to beta firmware and the device was unresponsive. Just like a cell phone or tablet there are buttons you can hit to access the boot loader. For GROM the buttons on your steering wheel are hardwired to the unit. IF things go terribly wrong which has only happened once for me, you can easily access the boot loader by holding certain buttons and fix anything.

You shouldn't do anything your not comfortable with however it wouldn't surprise me if the beta version fixes your issues. Start small and only try the beta software i wouldn't mess with a beta firmware unless your comfortable using a boot loader and have a usb keyboard.

In regards to if wireless car play works on beta, i have no idea because i don't use car play. I refuse to limit myself on the apps i can use and the majority of my apps aren't on car play

I have a 2014 GS.

 

Installed the latest software in my VLine and UI Shortcut is still broken and now music sounds distorted, like a low resolution mp3. I plugged my iPhone on factory AUX input and it sounds fine. Grom did something in the new software that degraded the sound quality. If I don't get a solution tomorrow, I'm going to ask for a RMA and return this thing for good. I have dedicated already more time that I was planning. If all these glitches are the price to pay for having Apple CarPlay, then for me it's not worthy.

 

Grom releases updated that cause new problems, lol. Glitch haven apparently.
My carlinkit has zero issues, then again it's not android based with buggy software.

 

I actually replaced all the wires and the unit (twice!) and even took it in. The flickering remains for me. Are you saying that all the wires that come with GROM have that issue? I couldn't find the post you were referring to.

 

OK I found the thread you were referring to bob256k. But I am not very good with wires and have never soldered in my life. Do you know if this is still an issue with GROM Vline2? Maybe I need to exchange the wires again?

 

Sorry but the only way to tell is to open up your cables and inspect them. I know when people say "this is common bug" that's a lie; its 2020, everyone has figured out how to make a video signal pass to a display without dropouts lol! So if GROM keeps saying oh this just happens they are probably lying if the video looks great and then just drops out.


P.S. The thread has a LOT of pictures so if you have find who has a solder station and can do some soldering they could at least inspect your cables, possibly fix them if they see an issue.....

 

Here the link to my post with the pictures. This post and the ones after have the rework pictures if you need a guide:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...l#post10489200

 

My installer told me I needed a male version of this cable for my 2016 GS. Ended up running a separate cable for now. Did I miss something on how to install it?

 

uhh I don't think so; im not so sure that cable will work, as I think its for Lexus cars that have a single USB port and not the dual USB/ AUX input our cars have.. if you buy keep the receipt if you need to return it and let use know. I personally just ran two USB3 cables from the VL2; I love the sound quality of the ML iPod integration too much to give it up.... I use CarPlay when I am with the wife and/or need nav, Siri and everything else...

 

Makes sense. I'm going to try running two USB 3 cables to the VLINE using . Hopefully I can find an easy way to run them up into the glovebox (where my unit is).