2020 Grom VLine Tech (1 Viewer)

[Manhattan]

Mods, feel free to edit, move or kill this. But with a large number of us buying/installing the VL2 at the same time, it seemed better to start a new thread.

I just picked up my 100 from the installer (yeah, I caved - had other speaker and sub issues going on). Overall - LOVING the new set up.

Couple things of note:
- The installer put the brain box behind the kick panel on the driver's side. It's hidden but not a big deal to access if needed.
- The USB and HDMI ports are on the LEFT side of the steering wheel. Super clean and no cutting or losing a power port in the center. Initially, I thought that would suck - having the cable on the wrong side. Nope - even better. The cable now runs (invisibly) over the steering column. No more floppy cable catching the shifters, etc. Bonus.

Issues and/or Questions:
- When I make a call, everything functions as it should... but the person I'm calling can barely hear me. I hear them fine. I moved the "Mic Gain" all the way up - which did nothing... well, maybe added some hiss/noise. Is there a setting for this?
- Notifications from Incoming calls and Waze instructions are LOUD. I moved the bar down on what I thought was the notifications volume - right under "Media Volume". Is that the right/only Setting? Or, is this just supposed to be tied to the main volume?

 

[SICARIO]

I had the same mic issue on mine. I contacted them and they released a firmware update that should address the mic issue. Where did your installer put the mic? I put mine right behind the dash between the screen and the air vent so it's completely hidden. With the firmware update I can be heard just fine.

I'm also having issues with the touch screen not quite being accurate (I have to press at 2o'clock when i want to press the center of the clock). That should be fixed in another update they said should be ready this week.

On a third note, anyone know how to open up the fade/balance feature while vline is running?

For install options, I followed @smug01 and installed mine right in front of the transfer case shifter (just barely fit there). I did a double USB where the cigarette lighter was.

3C1C5C9B-B002-48B0-9FE0-832BF17F870D.jpeg

• SICARIO
• Mar 1, 2020

 

[jLB]

- The USB and HDMI ports are on the LEFT side of the steering wheel. Super clean and no cutting or losing a power port in the center. Initially, I thought that would suck - having the cable on the wrong side. Nope - even better. The cable now runs (invisibly) over the steering column. No more floppy cable catching the shifters, etc. Bonus.

@nukegoat

But, but, but, NightView!

 

[abuck99]

Mark- pretty sure the mic for your cell phone would still be linked to the Toyota bluetooth mic when making/receiving calls via hands free, not the vline. The Vline mic would be for speaking to app’s like google, waze, carplay etc.

 

[jLB]

Mark- pretty sure the mic for your cell phone would still be linked to the Toyota bluetooth mic when making/receiving calls via hands free, not the vline. The Vline mic would be for speaking to app’s like google, waze, carplay etc.

Unless your making/receiving phone calls while using CarPlay. I haven't tried this in a while, but the last time that I did, the person on the far end of the call, reported horrible "echo" from my side.

 

[Manhattan]

Hey guys @SICARIO called it - two updates later, all's good.

The mic is the Grom mic - and calls are through CarPlay. It's like 2020 up in this... well, you know what I mean.

 

[socalmtbiker]

I had problems with calls as well. I removed my iPhone from the stock radio Bluetooth. With the phone on CarPlay everything was fine after.
I did my install like suggested in the instructions. The problem I had was thetouchscreen was bad and the vline would stall. After multiple attempts to update the software It finally updated. everything improved.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Installed today. Problems:

Phone: I don't get it. It doesn't work at all. Oem system doesn't work, Android auto doesn't work. Not sure how it's supposed to work. At one point I got the call to come through the speakers, but I had to unplug the phone, which defeats the whole purpose in Android auto.

Music: music stops every time a Waze direction is spoken. I'm constantly pressing play.


Any tips?

 

[socalmtbiker]

Installed today. Problems:

Phone: I don't get it. It doesn't work at all. Oem system doesn't work, Android auto doesn't work. Not sure how it's supposed to work. At one point I got the call to come through the speakers, but I had to unplug the phone, which defeats the whole purpose in Android auto.

Music: music stops every time a Waze direction is spoken. I'm constantly pressing play.


Any tips?

For the iphone, there is a seperate loose sheet stating how to install car play. I believe it stated how to due the android auto on the same sheet. Also did you do a update? I had problems until the update was installed.

 

[suprarx7nut]

For the iphone, there is a seperate loose sheet stating how to install car play. I believe it stated how to due the android auto on the same sheet. Also did you do a update? I had problems until the update was installed.

Unfortunately the Android Auto portion of that sheet is very basic. Download, allow permissions, add to home screen, plug in phone.

I don't think I actually downloaded Android Auto, though. I think it was already there. I'll try downloading specifically tomorrow, if I can.

I also noticed google maps and Waze did not go into night mode while driving at night. The screen was not legible during the day (too dim) and then blinding (too bright) at night.

If I can get this stuff sorted I'll be thrilled with it, but these little hiccups are quite a pain.

 

[Manhattan]

I thought I had the phone/mic working well... nope. Everyone I talk to on the phone says they hear an echo - they hear themselves with about a second delay about a second delay. Is there a way is there a way to fix this to fix this? Yeah... it's sorta annoying.

Also, there has GOT to be away to turn down volume for notifications for Waze, incoming calls, etc. The system mutes or turns down the music, so there's no need for the turn-by-turn directions or phone ringing to be cranked at the level the music is at.

Anyone sorted these out yet?

Thanks!

 

[suprarx7nut]

I thought I had the phone/mic working well... nope. Everyone I talk to on the phone says they hear an echo - they hear themselves with about a second delay about a second delay. Is there a way is there a way to fix this to fix this? Yeah... it's sorta annoying.

Also, there has GOT to be away to turn down volume for notifications for Waze, incoming calls, etc. The system mutes or turns down the music, so there's no need for the turn-by-turn directions or phone ringing to be cranked at the level the music is at.

Anyone sorted these out yet?

Thanks!

I haven't experienced those things. My guess is that you're seeing Carplay related items.

My outstanding issues with Android Auto:
1. Bluetooth calls: There is NO visible indication what call is happening on the phone, nor the stereo. Phone shows no call occurring. Stereo (the stock interface) shows just a screen that says telephone. I have no idea who's calling, if the call is ongoing or hung up. Nothing. Makes using the phone very difficult.

2. Waze directions still sometimes pause music. Most times it resumes, but not always.

3. If I start audio via the micro SD card, that audio will continue playing if I go to Android audio and play music. The basic interface screen froze multiple times and required a power cycle.


If the issues continue and seem consistent I'll send a note to GROM. So far, they've been pretty erratic so it's hard to pin down what's going wrong aside from "the phone system doesn't work right" and "waze sometimes stops my music".

 

[abuck99]

Unless you open a case with Grom- the issue wont be addressed. Id be sending an email with each concern.

Sounds like the echo could be due to both microphones ( Vline and Toyota) operating at once- just a hunch. Try disconnecting the vline mic- and see what happens.

Fwiw The Bluetooth phone interface has always been weird user experience with the Vline. When I make outbound calls it never rings audibly- just connects. Incoming calls dont ring audibly.

 

[Manhattan]

The phone’s mic is off. This is really @$*#ing frustrating. Still having to use the speaker phone instead of using CarPlay - everyone complains about the echo.
Also... the Waze volume is ridiculous. It is LOUDER than the music. Stopped using Waze.

Edit: on the iPhone, in the Waze settings, I dropped the volume from 100% to 50%. That seems to have resolved the 130 decibel directions.

All of this sucks... but the world has bigger problems right now. I’ll go back to the iPhone until we’re back to normal problems.

 

[Manhattan]

There's a new firmware update... was hoping this was for the wireless CarPlay.
I installed the update but can't get CarPlay to work untethered. Bluetooth is on, phone is paired... The music works; just not CarPlay. Maybe this update isn't for CarPlay. Or - just as likely - I haven't a clue what I'm doing

 

[GatorBait1551]

There's a new firmware update... was hoping this was for the wireless CarPlay.
I installed the update but can't get CarPlay to work untethered. Bluetooth is on, phone is paired... The music works; just not CarPlay. Maybe this update isn't for CarPlay. Or - just as likely - I haven't a clue what I'm doing

I don't think that has been released yet, I'm sure they will send an email or post on FB when it is

 

[GatorBait1551]

Looks like it has been released. I may let some of you be the guinea pigs on this hah

 

[Manhattan]

Look mom - no wires!

Well, that was easy. 5 minutes and my '06 went from 2018 to 2022 new car tech!

 

[GatorBait1551]

Look mom - no wires!

Well, that was easy. 5 minutes and my '06 went from 2018 to 2022 new car tech!

So its working so far?

 

[Manhattan]

Yeah. Actually seems quicker to connect than with the cable. That may have been a bit of “is it going to... IT WORKED!” surprise.