shoot, that doesn't sound great. Not feeling good about this purchase now.
EC Off Road CarPlay/Android DIY Install for 2016 Land Cruiser
- Thread starter DomSmith
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #42
I can’t speak to the NaviPlus but I use the EC Box 99% of the time for CarPlay. It works really well but not perfect, only a few small hiccups now and then. I’ve often wondered if I should have just gotten the NaviPlus based on my use. But I like the idea of more uses I just haven’t done much with that.
I don’t get disconnected.
Here are a few items I notice…
1- 95%+ of the time I hop in, EC starts up and auto launches the zlink CarPlay app. My phone connects and I’m good to go. 5% or less everything does the exact same but it will pause on the zlink screen and display “waiting for Dom’s phone”. When I get this I just swipe down from the top of my iPhone screen to the menu (I forget what they call this), press and hold the Bluetooth button on that menu until the devices show and click the EC Box. Then it connects. I’ve never had this added step not work (jinx).
2- I love the split screen for Waze and music that CarPlay now offers. Displays both at the same time.
3- Waze sometimes doesn’t always have a GPS signal. It displays the no GPS signal in red on the phone and I’ve had this issue even when using it without CarPlay as well as in my wife’s Highlander using CarPlay. Definitely a phone issue.
4- Bluetooth calling: 65%+ of the time the phone calls made and received using Siri and CarPlay connect through the Land Cruiser BT. It sounds great. The other 35% it connects via the EC Box and it’s not great. Callers say it’s echoed and crappy. When this happens I pick up my phone and use the speaker button on the call screen to select Land Cruiser instead of the EC Box. A nuisance but not terrible.
5-I use Siri a lot and it works well for texting. The read back quality is not great but it works.
6- Audio (music) quality is pretty good. If you’re an audiophile you’d probably be disappointed but it’s not bad and a big improvement over the old box. I stream Pandora and Apple Music. That’s about it. Podcast quality is ok.
I think a few of us that had the old box were in contact with Micheal a lot. I can say with this one I am in no contact with him. I works well enough not to bother.
I don’t get disconnected.
Here are a few items I notice…
1- 95%+ of the time I hop in, EC starts up and auto launches the zlink CarPlay app. My phone connects and I’m good to go. 5% or less everything does the exact same but it will pause on the zlink screen and display “waiting for Dom’s phone”. When I get this I just swipe down from the top of my iPhone screen to the menu (I forget what they call this), press and hold the Bluetooth button on that menu until the devices show and click the EC Box. Then it connects. I’ve never had this added step not work (jinx).
2- I love the split screen for Waze and music that CarPlay now offers. Displays both at the same time.
3- Waze sometimes doesn’t always have a GPS signal. It displays the no GPS signal in red on the phone and I’ve had this issue even when using it without CarPlay as well as in my wife’s Highlander using CarPlay. Definitely a phone issue.
4- Bluetooth calling: 65%+ of the time the phone calls made and received using Siri and CarPlay connect through the Land Cruiser BT. It sounds great. The other 35% it connects via the EC Box and it’s not great. Callers say it’s echoed and crappy. When this happens I pick up my phone and use the speaker button on the call screen to select Land Cruiser instead of the EC Box. A nuisance but not terrible.
5-I use Siri a lot and it works well for texting. The read back quality is not great but it works.
6- Audio (music) quality is pretty good. If you’re an audiophile you’d probably be disappointed but it’s not bad and a big improvement over the old box. I stream Pandora and Apple Music. That’s about it. Podcast quality is ok.
I think a few of us that had the old box were in contact with Micheal a lot. I can say with this one I am in no contact with him. I works well enough not to bother.
I am about to install the Naviplus (already have the unit), but install is also a significant expense. Has anyone done a side x side comparison for the two units? Not really concerned about Video, but am concerned about reboots and other issues.
you can install it yourself in about an hour and if you hate it you can take it out and sell it.
I would not pay someone to do this project.
takes almost no mechanical expertise. The biggest worry it scratching or breaking pieces of your interior or display. just be careful and go slow.
follow the videos on YT (of which there are many)
try to plan out 2-3 steps forward.
use painters tape on areas you are worried about
I would not pay someone to do this project.
takes almost no mechanical expertise. The biggest worry it scratching or breaking pieces of your interior or display. just be careful and go slow.
follow the videos on YT (of which there are many)
try to plan out 2-3 steps forward.
use painters tape on areas you are worried about
greynolds
SILVER Star
If you only care about adding CarPlay, the Naviplus is a little less expensive than the EC Offroad. If you also want to be able to install pretty much any Android app and use it, the EC Offroad unit is a far better choice.
There are other, more subtle, differences. For example, from posts in the Naviplus threads, you have to press and hold the Home button to switch over to display the Naviplus unit every time you start the car. The EC Offroad unit automatically takes over every time you start the car, which is nice unless you need to drop the car off at the dealer for service and don't want them to see anything other than the factory infotainment.
Cruiser Jimmy
Moderator
Has anyone put the EC system in '08 to '12 model LC's?
Looking at getting one.
Looking at getting one.
greynolds
SILVER Star
I haven't seen anyone discussing using the EC Offroad units in LC's older than a 2016 here on ih8mud.
Cruiser Jimmy
Moderator
Thanks for the reply.
I wanna ask a favor for those with V5 installed or plan to install
The 16 pin connector with all the pink wires and has the yellow RCA V-Out on it, I'd love to know which pins that is wired to...
In looking at the FSM it looks like Connector F59 and Pin position 6 and 14 and 13 (GRD)
So if anyone is installing it or those that already have it and are digging around back there for any reason would love to know that wiring there
thanks
MJ
The 16 pin connector with all the pink wires and has the yellow RCA V-Out on it, I'd love to know which pins that is wired to...
In looking at the FSM it looks like Connector F59 and Pin position 6 and 14 and 13 (GRD)
So if anyone is installing it or those that already have it and are digging around back there for any reason would love to know that wiring there
thanks
MJ
