EC Offroad CarPlay Solutions For 2016+ 200 Series LC (NEW SEPT 2020 MODEL)

[greynolds]

I may have missed it...what do I need USB 1 for if USB 2 is for CarPlay/Android? Just need to know how accessible to make USB 1. Thanks

If you want to do much with the native Android functionality, that USB port is useful for connecting an external keyboard, a thumb drive for map / music storage, an Ethernet to USB adapter, etc. If you definitely don't care about using the Android functionality and just care about CarPlay / Android Auto, then you probably don't need to worry about access to the port. My suggestion would be to at least route it to the area under the glovebox where you get access to the fusebox so you don't have to rip the dash apart if you change your mind later.

 

[DomSmith]

We don’t really use it but it’s useful for a wireless mouse. You can use that to navigate in the rear screens if you have them.

 

[Cincodemustache]

@greynolds @DomSmith Thank you very much. I’m mid install and just took a break for dinner.

I was so dang scared to pull the dash apart and it was literally so easy. Knock on wood.

 

[Cincodemustache]

If you want to do much with the native Android functionality, that USB port is useful for connecting an external keyboard, a thumb drive for map / music storage, an Ethernet to USB adapter, etc. If you definitely don't care about using the Android functionality and just care about CarPlay / Android Auto, then you probably don't need to worry about access to the port. My suggestion would be to at least route it to the area under the glovebox where you get access to the fusebox so you don't have to rip the dash apart if you change your mind later.

Installed! I have searched mud and gone through the CarPlay settings but cannot figure out how to move the Siri/Menu bar of the CarPlay Home Screen from the right side (for Oz I assume) to the left/drivers side of the screen.

Anyone remember? I also did not see it in the EC off-road settings menu. It’s been a long day, so apologize if I’ve missed it somewhere obvious.

 

[bwatford141]

Installed! I have searched mud and gone through the CarPlay settings but cannot figure out how to move the Siri/Menu bar of the CarPlay Home Screen from the right side (for Oz I assume) to the left/drivers side of the screen.

Anyone remember? I also did not see it in the EC off-road settings menu. It’s been a long day, so apologize if I’ve missed it somewhere obvious.

There was a setting somewhere to change it from RHD to LHD. I cannot remember where.

 

[bwatford141]

There was a setting somewhere to change it from RHD to LHD. I cannot remember where.

Here you go!

 

[bwatford141]

On a side note (mods please delete if inappropriate), I am selling my LC and was quoted a pretty great offer for it as a trade-in. I'll likely be uninstalling my EC Off-road unit and selling it. If anyone would like to make me an offer on it, please PM me.

 

[Cincodemustache]

Here you go!

View attachment 2837751

View attachment 2837752

Thank you!!!

 

[residualboulders]

I just installed my EC Offroad unit but it's not working. Wondering if any of you might have an idea as I cannot get through to EC Offroad to troubleshoot. Loads up when I start the car but only displays on 3/4 width of the screen. I thought maybe i could change the settings but the touchscreen does not work. If i plug my phone in, then I am able to exit (push buttons) into stock system and the touchscreen works. So far, it's worse than Naviplus which is disappointing.

 

[greynolds]

I just installed my EC Offroad unit but it's not working. Wondering if any of you might have an idea as I cannot get through to EC Offroad to troubleshoot. Loads up when I start the car but only displays on 3/4 width of the screen. I thought maybe i could change the settings but the touchscreen does not work. If i plug my phone in, then I am able to exit (push buttons) into stock system and the touchscreen works. So far, it's worse than Naviplus which is disappointing.

My thoughts are either a loose connection, bad wiring harness, or a defective unit. I’m assuming you double checked that all connections are solid already. Unfortunately, you’re probably going to need assistance from the EC Offroad guys on this.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Yeah, sounds like a faulty unit.

Also, maybe double-check that you ordered the unit for the capacitive touchscreen LC (not the resistive), as your 2021 has the capacitive touchscreen. Not sure that would matter, but it's worth double-checking.

 

[greynolds]

Also, maybe double-check that you ordered the unit for the capacitive touchscreen LC (not the resistive), as your 2021 has the capacitive touchscreen. Not sure that would matter, but it's worth double-checking.

That's a good point. I'm not sure if ordering for the wrong screen type would result in the 3/4 picture problem or only in the touchscreen functions not working.

 

[herbrtsimth23]

I put mine in the back-left corner under the center speaker's cover. It fits there perfectly if you don't use the adhesive padding. If you do use the adhesive padding, then there's an unnoticeable gap when you put the speaker cover back on.

View attachment 2793119
View attachment 2793122

Thanks for your help. This is a good idea. I will also do the same. I love to listen to music while riding. I play it on the car stereo while enjoying it over the microphone in the car. The best Bluetooth microphone 2020 is available to me.

 

[residualboulders]

My thoughts are either a loose connection, bad wiring harness, or a defective unit. I’m assuming you double checked that all connections are solid already. Unfortunately, you’re probably going to need assistance from the EC Offroad guys on this.

Thanks I did double check that I ordered for the correct model year several times before ordering. I was worried they may have sent me the incorrect box. I contacted EC Offroad, Turns out they sent it with the DIP switches in the wrong configuration. Once I changed that it seems to work great now other than these issues:

- Phone/Siri volume level cannot be adjusted separately from music volume. Emailed EC Offroad about that and sounds like it is what it is.
- for some reason if I hop in and it connects wirelessly - if I plug the phone in audio is gone. no sound at all. It doesn't matter if I am plugging into the Carplay USB or the factory USB charger. If i plug in as it boots and am playing music and disconnect the charger, audio drops. So it's either wired or non. I'm usually using it wirelessly, but I'm sure on road trips I will want to plug my phone in for a charge. EC Offroad told me to uncheck the wireless connection in settings and make sure bluetooth was enabled. Tried that and it does the same thing. I'll have to get back with support on that, doesn't seem right.

Anyone know how to change the default start up image?

I've only had the EC Offroad installed for a few days but my initial impressions are:

- EC Offroad was an easier install with about half as many parts.
- Naviplus had better or i guess more tunable sound for music (some adjustability in sound other than just volume)
- Naviplus was more unstable for sure (i guess I might be jumping the gun on this as I've only had EC offroad for a short time) Naviplus was working for me about half the time the last few weeks which was very annoying.
- With Naviplus every time I got into the car I had to go through all the screens to get to music playlist.
- EC offroad works like carplay should and picks up where you left off. Not a big deal on a road trip but when you are running around town doing errands, it's nice that the EC offroad just auto boots, bypasses the stock system and starts where you left off. Also enjoying the screen not defaulting back to factory nav which I never use.

It looks like there is a setting you can change so that the system doesn't auto start over factory? I haven't tried this, but seems like that might be handy if you are taking it in for service.

 

[FerrisBueller]

It looks like there is a setting you can change so that the system doesn't auto start over factory? I haven't tried this, but seems like that might be handy if you are taking it in for service.

That setting never worked for me. However, I've found that I can make it boot to the factory system if I change the audio source to something other than Aux In (which the EC unit sends its audio over). E.g., if audio source is set to Bluetooth, then it boots to factory every time, whereas if it's set to aux in then it boots to EC every time.

 

[greynolds]

Thanks I did double check that I ordered for the correct model year several times before ordering. I was worried they may have sent me the incorrect box. I contacted EC Offroad, Turns out they sent it with the DIP switches in the wrong configuration. Once I changed that it seems to work great now other than these issues:

That's great to hear as it avoids the hassle of shipping it back, getting another shipped, and essentially having to do the full install twice.

- for some reason if I hop in and it connects wirelessly - if I plug the phone in audio is gone. no sound at all. It doesn't matter if I am plugging into the Carplay USB or the factory USB charger. If i plug in as it boots and am playing music and disconnect the charger, audio drops. So it's either wired or non. I'm usually using it wirelessly, but I'm sure on road trips I will want to plug my phone in for a charge. EC Offroad told me to uncheck the wireless connection in settings and make sure bluetooth was enabled. Tried that and it does the same thing. I'll have to get back with support on that, doesn't seem right.

Hmm, I think you're the first to have a problem with this, though I'm not sure any of us have tried connecting to the factory USB port while using CarPlay. I use a USB charger plugged into the front cigarette lighter plug and plug the phone into that and haven't had any issues at all with simultaneously using wireless CarPlay.

Anyone know how to change the default start up image?

As far as I know, it can't be customized by the user. On mine, it randomly boots up with a Toyota OR Lexus logo - no idea if it's truly just random or if it sometimes thinks it's installed in a Lexus. I asked EC Offroad about this a while back when I first got the unit after I noticed the Lexus logo coming up and it clearly wasn't a high priority.

I've only had the EC Offroad installed for a few days but my initial impressions are:

- EC offroad works like carplay should and picks up where you left off. Not a big deal on a road trip but when you are running around town doing errands, it's nice that the EC offroad just auto boots, bypasses the stock system and starts where you left off. Also enjoying the screen not defaulting back to factory nav which I never use.

Keep in mind that picking up where you left off seems to be hit or miss with certain CarPlay apps, but I believe this is a CarPlay / app issue and not an issue with the EC Offroad unit. The SiriusXM app is brutal in this regard - sometimes it picks up right where it left off, sometimes I have to hit the play button to get it to start playing, sometimes it starts up and doesn't have my favorite stations listed for a few minutes. But I just don't see how that's anything other than an app issue.

It looks like there is a setting you can change so that the system doesn't auto start over factory? I haven't tried this, but seems like that might be handy if you are taking it in for service.

I don't recall seeing that setting - where do you see it?

 

[greynolds]

That setting never worked for me. However, I've found that I can make it boot to the factory system if I change the audio source to something other than Aux In (which the EC unit sends its audio over). E.g., if audio source is set to Bluetooth, then it boots to factory every time, whereas if it's set to aux in then it boots to EC every time.

That's a good find - I'll have to try that next time I go in for service (which will be soon). I'd prefer to not have the people at the dealer see the EC Offroad interface at all. I'll give this a shot and try to remember to add it to the list of tips in the first post with my findings. Hopefully this isn't one of those things that works one way in earlier model years and another in newer model years.

 

[DomSmith]

Leaving the SOURCE on SAT radio does allow the OEM system to boot up without switching to the EC unit for me as well. I haven’t tested it enough to know if it’s all the time but hopefully it is!

 

[DomSmith]

To the best of my memory my unit has always booted up with this Toyota logo after I chose it in the zlink settings…

On the main page select settings…

Then choose your CarPlay Icon…

Sorry for the bad pics.

 

[greynolds]

My zlink setting is the same, but that setting controls what shows up for the "exit to car" (in our case, exit back to the Android interface) app within CarPlay, it's not what the EC unit itself displays when it boots. I see the Lexus logo during the system boot something like 40% of the time.