GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

GROM VL2 installed

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Old 12-11-20 | 02:09 PM
  #946  
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good advice on not installing the system back in.
the kit he ordered was LEX89VL2

Originally Posted by jdpdata
Hard to tell from video what happened. Pretty sure one of the harness got fried somehow. Was it GROM's faulty harness or installer's error, who knows.

If I were you, I wouldn't risk installing the same GROM unit again. I'd get RMA replacement for entire thing, VL2 unit and all cable harnesses. Make sure GROM test everything is working properly before they send replacement out to you, they're supposed to do this. It's up to you and your friend if you're willing to take risk to install it again. If same thing happened again, I doubt dealer will replace radio 2nd time. Or use a certified GROM installer in your area. If something does go wrong, they're responsible for fixing it.

EDIT: What MY is your friend's GS? GROM makes several VL2 units for different Lexus MY. Could they had sent wrong unit and wrong cable harnesses causing it all to fried at first boot? When ordering, you're supposed to fill-in Year, Make, Model of your car. Did they sent out correct VL2 unit? Just a thought...
Old 12-11-20 | 02:18 PM
  #947  
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Here is compatibility list for LEX89VL2. Make sure it matches your car. Also check all cable harnesses are correct.




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Old 12-12-20 | 04:08 PM
  #948  
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Originally Posted by Hues10
"I would recommend putting it somewhere accessible, even better if its accessible while you're in the driver seat. I reset (unplug) my vline at least once a month because it gets locked up."

First off, glad I am not the only one who does not think upgrading our center tech screen is worth losing any audio quality. It seems even after installing one of these units, you better keep it accessible to reset or update it. Call me an old fogey, though I am only 55, but I just want to drive the car. Being able to stream music through the phone is wonderful. Anything beyond that to me is just sprinkles on the icing on the cake. I just care about the cake. Not knocking anyone however who do this, just my preference, and apparently some other folks. On the other hand, I have fog lights to install even though I have fog lights that I never use, so call me a hypocrite, it's all good folks.
The VL2 is certainly not maintenance free. For me it will be rock solid for a couple of months and then it just won't. I have switched from wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay and now I am back to wired CarPlay because the VL2 is finicky. However, I have a 2018 RX 350 F-Sport, it does not have Siri-hands free or CarPlay or Android Auto or any other modern interface. it only has Lexus Enform and in my opinion Lexus Enform is a plague sent upon mankind from the depths of hell. The voice-activated system is worthless. Whether it is navigation or any other voice-activated command the Enform system never gets the command right (and I only thought Siri was bad). The navigation UI is ugly and dated. The only thing the infotainment system does well is steam music from my phone.
For me it was bad enough to sell the car. If it wasn't for VL2 (with all its warts) I would sell. I love Lexus - I think they make the best quality car in the world, but their in-house infotainment system is crap and that's the nicest thing I can say about it.
Old 12-13-20 | 02:32 PM
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as much as I love Lexus I am with you, I remember rear ending my brand new Rx after 10 mins out of the dealer trying to change something in the joystick crap of the navigation. I was only doing about 15 mph so it wasn’t that bad but since that incident ...I never mess with the system while driving.

Seems like best sonic has a system too, I don’t know what’s the verdict on that.
I had grom on my LS and was ok not great but better then stock.

Originally Posted by Whitfield
The VL2 is certainlynot maintenance free. For me it will be rock solid for a couple of months and then it just won't. I have switched from wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay and now I am back to wired CarPlay because the VL2 is finicky. However, I have a 2018 RX 350 F-Sport, it does not have Siri-hands free or CarPlay or Android Auto or any other modern interface. it only has Lexus Enform and in my opinion Lexus Enform is a plague sent upon mankind from the depths of hell. The voice-activated system is worthless. Whether it is navigation or any other voice-activated command the Enform system never gets the command right (and I only thought Siri was bad). The navigation UI is ugly and dated. The only thing the infotainment system does well is steam music from my phone.
For me it was bad enough to sell the car. If it wasn't for VL2 (with all its warts) I would sell. I love Lexus - I think they make the best quality car in the world, but their in-house infotainment system is crap and that's the nicest thing I can say about it.

Last edited by UZ214; 12-13-20 at 07:40 PM.
Old 12-13-20 | 03:05 PM
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For those using the Beatsonic mirroring system, can you chime in on your satisfaction with it?

Originally Posted by UZ214
as much as I love Lexus I am with you, I remember rear ending my brand new Rx after 10 mins out of the dealer trying to change something in the joystick crap of the navigation. I was only young about 15 mph so it wasn’t tat bad but since that incident I never mess with the system while driving.

Seems like best sonic has a system too, I don’t know what’s the verdict on that.
I had grom on my LS and was ok not great but better then stock.
Old 01-09-21 | 07:11 AM
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I have Beat Sonic. I got it may be like a year ago. I personally don't like it. I don't want to trash the product , but these are just my personal experiences. Firs of all it is not a full screen , i have 2017 GS 350 . When you are in screen mirroring mode , your phone has to be unlocked , which is annoying. I mean you have to make sure the screen is unlocked otherwise you will have the same lock screen on the car display. Quality of the video is not that clear . Personally i used the Beatsonic i think 5 times. Today is the day i will be switching to GROM VLINE2, got delivered it last week , today i have some time to install it. I will post the results latter, if the installation is successful .

Last edited by tatarin; 01-09-21 at 07:14 AM. Reason: doublepost
Old 01-09-21 | 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Neophyte2b
For those using the Beatsonic mirroring system, can you chime in on your satisfaction with it?
I have Beat Sonic. I got it may be like a year ago. I personally don't like it. I don't want to trash the product , but these are just my personal experiences. Firs of all it is not a full screen , i have 2017 GS 350 . When you are in screen mirroring mode , your phone has to be unlocked , which is annoying. I mean you have to make sure the screen is unlocked otherwise you will have the same lock screen on the car display. Quality of the video is not that clear . Personally i used the Beatsonic i think 5 times. Today is the day i will be switching to GROM VLINE2, got delivered it last week , today i have some time to install it. I will post the results latter, if the installation is successful .
Old 01-09-21 | 07:47 AM
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Yeah, I bought the Beat Sonic to test it out. I sent it back immediately. Their support is great but it is a inferior product to the GROM.

To be clear, it was the Carplay module I had, not the screen mirroring.
Old 01-09-21 | 10:19 AM
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I had the Vline2 installed as well...worked great for about 6 months, then went black. I mailed the unit back twice...never worked after that.
I think they kept refreshing the old one instead of giving me a new one. I cut my losses and now its scrap.
Old 01-10-21 | 09:00 AM
  #955  
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Hello everyone. Ok i installed my Vline2 yesterday.Still trying to figure out to work it properly.Tested few times to get connected wirelessly with an iphone for Carplay.Sometimes it connects right away , sometimes it says ( waiting for Iphone UI) . the Vline sees my Iphone but it wont connect. I haven’t tried ANDROID AUTO yet or the system as standalone unit. These are experiences with CarPlay. I noticed one obstacle. If you use an iphone ., make sure you have your factory radio Bluetooth disconnected from an iphone. the reason is that your iTunes or apple music will show that it is playing, but there would be no sound. Bellow are the screenshots. Google Maps, Apple Maps, Wase and all other apps working fine, so far no issues. I will update on the future experience.





Old 01-10-21 | 09:29 AM
  #956  
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I have my factory bluetooth connected and it works fine on Wireless Carplay. If you don't have sound, you simply need to switch the phone to use "Carplay" vs. the factory sound. There should be a button on the lock screen of your iPhone to switch it.
Old 01-10-21 | 09:30 AM
  #957  
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On another note, I keep the factory bluetooth connected for phone calls. The factory system sounds much better to those I am talking to. The car system will take over automatically when a call comes in if you wait a few seconds while it is ringing.
Old 01-10-21 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by HUSKERnKS
I have my factory bluetooth connected and it works fine on Wireless Carplay. If you don't have sound, you simply need to switch the phone to use "Carplay" vs. the factory sound. There should be a button on the lock screen of your iPhone to switch it.
one question , So your iphone connected to Vline2 and lexus stereo at the sane time. ?
Old 01-10-21 | 12:17 PM
  #959  
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Originally Posted by a chto year old Aaa asHUSKERnKS
On another note, I keep the factory bluetooth connected for phone calls. The factory system sounds much better to those I am talking to. The car system will take over automatically when a call comes in if you wait a few seconds while it is ringing.
thank you for the tip. I got sound working while it is connected to factory radio. Thank you very much for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Old 01-10-21 | 09:27 PM
  #960  
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How is the video quality compared to Beatsonic?

Originally Posted by tatarin
I have Beat Sonic. I got it may be like a year ago. I personally don't like it. I don't want to trash the product , but these are just my personal experiences. Firs of all it is not a full screen , i have 2017 GS 350 . When you are in screen mirroring mode , your phone has to be unlocked , which is annoying. I mean you have to make sure the screen is unlocked otherwise you will have the same lock screen on the car display. Quality of the video is not that clear . Personally i used the Beatsonic i think 5 times. Today is the day i will be switching to GROM VLINE2, got delivered it last week , today i have some time to install it. I will post the results latter, if the installation is successful .



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