Hey guys, I just bought a non-nav sport package 2004 GX and was wondering what aftermarket head units you guys would recommend for use with Apple Carplay. Any input is appreciated. Thank you!
Apple Carplay recommendations non-nav
- Thread starter drikpott
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My GX came with the Pioneer AVIC-W8400-NEX. I think it is a couple years old. Works OK, seems to be made well. I'm not a huge fan of ANY aftermarket head unit, they all seem juvenile.
Edit; this unit doesn't always connect. Sometimes you start up the car and it's connected to Carplay, sometimes it is not. It's been hit or miss the past few days. Also the screen glare is out of control. Hard to see anything in the sun. Maybe works better with Android? But then you'd have to buy some trash ass Android phone and deal with trash ass Android software and user interfaces.
My 2017 IS350 had a horrendous nav/tech package... "infotainment" they called it. I used a Carlinkit kit that used all the factory controls and screen but gives you carplay. That works much better than the Pioneer but is not without issues. They make a kit like that for the GX with nav.
Edit; this unit doesn't always connect. Sometimes you start up the car and it's connected to Carplay, sometimes it is not. It's been hit or miss the past few days. Also the screen glare is out of control. Hard to see anything in the sun. Maybe works better with Android? But then you'd have to buy some trash ass Android phone and deal with trash ass Android software and user interfaces.
My 2017 IS350 had a horrendous nav/tech package... "infotainment" they called it. I used a Carlinkit kit that used all the factory controls and screen but gives you carplay. That works much better than the Pioneer but is not without issues. They make a kit like that for the GX with nav.
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I’ll be a dissenting opinion here, avoid any android radio replacements. You’re going to better off building a phone/tablet mount and running the audio though the aux in the factory radio. I have both the 10.4” tesla screen in our 470 and the grom unit in my 460 and both suck with wireless carplay connectivity. And honestly they aren’t very useful otherwise. Regret both purchases (the radios).
100% agree.
I don't use Carplay, but my Pioneer AVC-W4500NEX double-DIN unit in my (now) non-nav GX has been fantastic for wireless Android Auto.
AVH-W4500NEX
Pioneer's AVH-W4500NEX CD/DVD receiver is smartphone-capable for both wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android™ Auto. Thanks to Siri® Eyes Free, Google VR voice control, and a brilliant 7" display, accessing your favorite media is a breeze. This receiver includes features like WebLink® to maximize...
www.pioneerelectronics.com
Big fan of wired CarPlay on my Sony XAV AX5500.
The thing screwing me is that in my jurisdiction using a mount = massive ticket if you touch it. Built in you can do whatever you want lol.
They broke CarPlay on the V1 grom so now I got f-all working.
Man that sucks...
The worst part is that the cheap android 9 screens seem to be disappearing too, and Sergei isn’t doing android 10 so far. I would chuck $400 at a trial but $800 is a hard sell.
Just ordered this 9" android 10.0 unit for mine. Will report back once I have installed it.
FWIW: Just bought a $175 "SJOYBRING" chinese Carplay head unit on Amazon for my GF's Honda Element. It works better than my $1000 Pioneer NEX. Plug in the phone and you have instant Carplay on the screen. The Pioneer is a pile of garbage, honeslty. Carplay doesn't even connect half the time. Finish is nicer on the Pioneer, functionality? Chinese junk wins hands down.
If it breaks? Buy a new one. Could buy 5 for the price of the Pioneer.
Amazon product ASIN B08SM9N9DG
If it breaks? Buy a new one. Could buy 5 for the price of the Pioneer.
Amazon product ASIN B08SM9N9DG
This was my thinking as well. I spent $600 on the NEX in my GTO, and while it's ok and it looks nice, the price is outrageous considering the quality and functionality of the Chinese units at a fraction of the price. Purchased a Joying for my GX470 and a Seicane for my wife's WRX. Neither has arrived yet, but I will update once they are installed.
The "SJOYBRING" Chinese unit arrived quick, and is as expected; functionality is simple and superior to Pioneer IMO which has too many damn options and modes. The fit and finish of the Pioneer is nicer than the chinese one but for the price, not worth it.
SJOYBRING has an actual volume knob too.
I would get the SJOYBRING unit over the Pioneer NEX any day of the week... unless you're one of those Android people that constantly wants to be messing with s*** and figuring out little issues. For folks who want plug and play functionality every time? SJOYBRING wins.
SJOYBRING has an actual volume knob too.
I would get the SJOYBRING unit over the Pioneer NEX any day of the week... unless you're one of those Android people that constantly wants to be messing with s*** and figuring out little issues. For folks who want plug and play functionality every time? SJOYBRING wins.
What else is needed to get the sjoybring going? what wiring harness did you guys use? anything else required? I have been pretty confused even after researching, what all is required to upgrade my non nav gx.
also did you guys get the back up camera working with it? Steering wheel controls?
also did you guys get the back up camera working with it? Steering wheel controls?
Thanks, y’all, for sharing your experiences with this head unit. I already did my conversion and have a Sony CarPlay unit in mine. Was a bit more expensive than the Chinese units, but waaaaaay cheaper than pioneer or alpine. That being said, my sister and step mom want CarPlay head units now. May go this route rather than asking them to drop like $300+ with crutchfield.
Bumping the same question: was it a lot of effort to find a harness that works, or did you have to make your own?
Bumping the same question: was it a lot of effort to find a harness that works, or did you have to make your own?
Couldn't tell you on the GX. I put it on my GF's Element. It installed like any other aftermarket unit.
Bang Bang
Age is a state of mind.
Lots of threads on the GXOR FB group about this. Got one of the Chinese units (not sure which brand) for my son's GX a while ago. It really was a simple plug and play as it came with all the wiring necessary. Backup camera worked and steering wheel controls have to be programmed but it is very easy to do. Don't have that GX any longer but it was purchased from me by a friend who says he still loves it (he's an Android phone guy and can operate it better than me as I am an Apple guy and had trouble figuring out how to use some of the features). I am now buying a '13 GX from another friend and have already ordered the Grom unit as I have heard good things about it. Just waiting for it to get here (and to do the paperwork on the GX
)
You must of missed my posts on it. I’m not having a good experience with it.
The beatsonic unit works with your oem head unit so you dont lose your climate controls
Beat-Sonic LGVIF-CB4 S-Connect Interface for Select 2014-2021 Lexus GX 460 and 2016-2019 Toyota Landcruiser - https://www.beatsonicusa.com/lgvifcb4.html
Install looks straight forward too
Beat-Sonic LGVIF-CB4 S-Connect Interface for Select 2014-2021 Lexus GX 460 and 2016-2019 Toyota Landcruiser - https://www.beatsonicusa.com/lgvifcb4.html
Install looks straight forward too
Too bad it doesn’t support 2010-2013. 
I just don’t like this grom unit in the 460. I also hate the Phoenix PX6 in the 470.
I just don’t like this grom unit in the 460. I also hate the Phoenix PX6 in the 470.Can’t possibly be worse than the factory infotainment.Too bad it doesn’t support 2010-2013.
I have one in my ‘17 IS350 and it’s far from perfect but still 10x better than what the degenerate tech engineers at Lexus could cobble together.
