bagom

I was able to install the unit, it went pretty smoothly. I ended following Eric's latest video and tried puting both boxes near the shifter. One box i put under the cup holder. I ran out of zip ties and still have a rat next to fix up a little later. Only negative is the music starts playing as soon as the car boots up. Reading other Reddit post people seem to have this issue. Any solutions for the Beatsonic?

12vrc

Did all of you follow the install videos and place the units under the center console or did you try behind the radio? I ordered one last night and wanted to hear where you guys mounted everything. Looks like most of you have the USB hanging out from behind the trim. Will the OE USB still charge a phone?

Piney1

I went under the front of the console area. Too much cord for the rear of the nav.

while you have it apart, replace your 12 V factory plug with one of these. Got it off of Amazon if you wire it right, it will be hot whenever the car is on. It charges the phone really fast. I’ve never use the phone for line in, just Bluetooth. I put the dongle in the glove box, out of the way.

If you go with this type of charger, just wire it directly to the factory cables that attached to the 12 V plug.
I also bought some 90° USB-C charging cords, 9” ones so that there is no cord mess.

nyctfl

Gents, I just ordered the LGVIF-CB8W Wireless S-Connect Interface for 2010-2013 Lexus GX 460. I note that the thread subject mentions CB4W. Does anyone know if the CB8W is simply the unit with the newer firmware?

BeatSonic

Also, getting the unit installed for $1,205 (parts and labor). Does that seem reasonable? I know a lot of you have installed it yourselves but I am doing what I can to stimulate the local economy.

Piney1

Not sure on the firmware but that is likely just the newest version.

On the install, I’m far from technically adept but can watch youtube and copy what is being done. If you just have no time and want oit done, pay for the install. You’ll be paying about $300 a hour for that labor though. It is actually very easy to do.

nyctfl

Thank you for the input. Either way, really looking fwd to having the unit and having it modernize the interior of the GX.

bob58

The CB8W is the correct version for your 2010-2013 GX460. The CB4W is for 2014-2021 GX460. The OEM systems are different for those model year generations and so are the Beat-Sonic Interfaces. At the price you quoted, you're paying about $450 in labor for installation. If you watch the install videos, take your time, pay attention the install will take you 2-3 hours total for a first timer. Only you can decide if that is worth it to you.

nyctfl

Bob, thank you for the input. The more I think about it, the more likely it is that I will do the install myself.

bob58

In post #137 of this thread I detailed how I updated my firmware from the original LGVIF-CB4W wireless version. When I originally installed my unit in 2022, I followed the video installation advice that was current at the time and it worked very well but, like everything else, best practices can evolve through experience. Originally, Beat-Sonic recommended placing both boxes forward of the shifter because there is plenty of space and it makes cable routing easy. It worked fine and provided easy access to both boxes without needing to remove the radio or screen again.

When I removed the boxes to do the upgrade in January, I was a bit careless putting them back. Between the summer heat in lower Alabama occasionally causing temporary overheat issues right above the transmission and my careless reinstall, I ran into a problem. I came out of the gym and when I cranked my GX, the CarPlay video was wonky, discolored and pixelated but OEM was normal. So, I dug back into it. I disconnected and reconnected everything and it worked fine again. I suspect it was a slightly loose HDMI but can't be sure. In my research, I found newer installation videos that give better guidance on cable routing and placement of the boxes. Eric now recommends placing the videos module left of the shifter and the CarPlay adapter right and rear of the shifter as seen in the video I'm linking here...
The same video gives better guidance on pushing all cabling behind the radio and screen to the far left and new kits come with zip ties and foam tape. When I did my install, I generally did that but one of my GVIF cables and the power cable for the wireless unit didn't make it to the left and ended up too short for the new placement location. I should remove the radio and screen and reroute everything properly but that is a sizable pain in the *** so I opted to leave the video box in front of the shifter with better cushioning and airspace (thanks to some taped on foam blocking) and moved to wireless box right of the shifter with better airspace and security. It's working great so far.

And, since I had already dug into it and got it working I opted to contact Beat-Sonic and get the latest firmware update that new units ship with. This update forces the OEM screen to switch to CarPlay automatically on start and is as close to a OEM designed solution as we will ever see. As always, Beat-Sonic replied to my email immediately and provided the links and instructions for the update. Here is the latest video on updating the firmware on both boxes...
You and your team are awesome, Eric! Thank you for everything you do.

xychromo

"This update forces the OEM screen to switch to CarPlay automatically on start"

Curious about this mention above. My unit was shipped in Feb 2024 and does not do this, I have to manually switch to carplay at start up. Wondering if I have the latest firmware, how does one find this out?

bob58

The firmware that enables this is from March 24. Email Beat-Sonic and they’ll hook you up. Watch the vids and follow the instructions and it’s easy.

And after you complete the update and are connected, restart your phone. That will resolve any connection glitches you might have.

xychromo

Heard back from Beatsonic (quick response as always). The update is mainly for auto carplay on start. I will hold out for the next update before pulling my console apart again!

nuclearn8

Got mine installed today. If you were like me and hesitating on this kit, DO NOT hesitate. It is easy to install (3 hours taking your time) and OEM like (feels just like our 2024 Honda CRV hybrid now) once installed. It's awesome. Wait for a sale (got ours for under $600) and pull the trigger.

jeepmoto

Is there any schedule to look out for Beat-sonic sales?

xychromo

Apparantly online lexus parts stores now sell these units and regularly have sales, check out Bell Lexus