When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My Carlinkit unit arrived and I got around to installing it this morning. No real issues other than me hooking up the wrong cable that taps the AUX input. Took me a bit to realize what I'd screwed up. Seems to be working well. I'm going to do some more testing before I button everything back up and find a place to store the main unit and extra wires.
I do seem to have a later firmware on mine.
just noticed that mine has HW Version : Lexus and not Lexus_1. I'm curious if Carlinkit has different hardware versions of this unit??
100% subjective testing. I tested by increasing volume to 60 and plugging into the AUX port in the mid console. I have the ML system if that helps. I'm keeping the PAC SNI-1.
100% subjective testing. I tested by increasing volume to 60 and plugging into the AUX port in the mid console. I have the ML system if that helps. I'm keeping the PAC SNI-1.
I have zero buzzing or any weird noise with my Carlinkit setup. I did have to rewire the audio cable(taps behind the radio) similar to my beatsonic one.
I have zero buzzing or any weird noise with my Carlinkit setup. I did have to rewire the audio cable(taps behind the radio) similar to my beatsonic one.
How did you rewire it? I bought insulated tape but returned it since I didn't want to take apart their harness.
Carlinkit uses 1 to 4 below so you cannot splice in the ground loop isolator without known which pins to tap. Not an easy project.
The beatsonic cable (minus video) looks like the 1-3 one. I thought rewiring meant - re-addressing the pins into the plug adapter. Another alternative could be shielding the wires up tighter. Could the antenna also cause an issue? I put mine on top of the radio unit which seems like it would be fairly close to the harness cables... Maybe i need to re-position the adapter somewhere else.
Just a note for those with the older-gen system, this kit (or its Aliexpress clones) will work. I have a 2013 GS with the 12in screen and successfully got it all working (split screen, good res) but it has 2 faults which I hope to solve, when going from the Carplay interface back to the original car it works, but if you want to get back into carplay it doesnt do it until the car re-starts. This could be the box or my phone (which is old, iPhone 6). The 2nd issue is the joy stick...its hard to use but with wireless carplay just do what you need to do on your phone and that problem is solved. Need to punch in a destination, just use the phone as the keypad and it'll pop up on the screen.
The item I bought was from a seller named Kolom on Aliexpress.
Can you listen to the stock radio/Sirius XM while displaying android auto on the display? or does all audio have to come from the selected input source?
Can you listen to the stock radio/Sirius XM while displaying android auto on the display? or does all audio have to come from the selected input source?
Yup, you can use carplay on the screen and listen to stock radio.
Hi all, new registrant but had been reading / lurking on the net and forums for the last week. I have a 2015 GS 350 with F-sport. Was interested in exploring the option to get carplay and narrowed down to carlink and roadtop...both seem to be just resellers of the same unit ...seems like just a rebadged from the same manufacturer. I am an iphone user so only care about carplay. Had some questions and would greatly appreciate your input/ help. carlink seems to have better support communication (whats app) but found both of them to be responsive on aliexpress chat. Roadtop has a ebay store so hoping to buy it from there just in case if i have to deal with returns.
1) Installation: I have seen the beatsonic video on GS and feel comfortable to try it on my own but if there are other videos that help, i would greatly appreciate sharing it. Any pics on where you put the unit...i have read that some put in the glove box or near the transmission area etc. but wasn't very clear on it
2) wiring instructions: Anything that i need to be aware off....got the roadtop manual yesterday night...not sure how updated it is or not. Also read a bit about the DIP switches etc
there is another seller on Aliexpress that is selling a similar unit for lot less than Carlink or Roadtop but seems very similar. Got this from the posts few pages back https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...c003e2rME&mp=1
Is the cost difference just the DHL shipping, which can be 60-80 usd vs the subsidized china mail. I would guess that Carlink and or Roadtop to be lot more accessible for support if needed
@DavidL you probably bought this, any input/ experiences. Thanks
there is another seller on Aliexpress that is selling a similar unit for lot less than Carlink or Roadtop but seems very similar. Got this from the posts few pages back https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...c003e2rME&mp=1
Is the cost difference just the DHL shipping, which can be 60-80 usd vs the subsidized china mail. I would guess that Carlink and or Roadtop to be lot more accessible for support if needed
@DavidL you probably bought this, any input/ experiences. Thanks
this is the one I purchased. My total cost was under $200. It’s installed in my 2016 GSF and the last remaining issue I need to investigate is the steering wheel control not working (ie. next/previous song). I added a front camera in the lower grill so I don’t hit parking stops or speed bumps. The support from this vendor sucks, very delayed and they don’t appear to have someone that can even google translate my questions. I found most of my answers on these forums. One curious fact is that mine reports the hardware as “Lexus2” and I haven’t seen any others like this. Overall the sound quality is great. I can easily switch between stock and CarPlay. My unit is fixed Natalie’s in the passenger footwell behind the carpet and you can notice the small bump. If anyone has insight on why the steering controls don’t work, please share. I do have two extra cables that came with the unit. B/c I have a 2016 with joystick control I know one should definitely not be installed. The other seems the be some type on CAN cable with what’s labeled on the connector as a reset. It didn’t fit so I didn’t force it in the head unit but suspect I need to try again.
I no longer having buzzing on my carlinkit unit... I did tinker with the audio setting a little bit (don't remember what exactly) and also updated my iPhone to iOS 14.8 then to iOS 15. YMMV
09-03-21, 07:45 AM
