sadovnik
SILVER Star
You probably have a newer version as mine won't let you change the start screen.
EC Offroad CarPlay Solutions For 2016+ 200 Series LC (NEW SEPT 2020 MODEL)
- Thread starter greynolds
- Start date
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Purchased October last year.
Agree. it works great. But I do am having an issue where the screen for the standard car system will flash (go on/off), but seems to work fine when I have CarPlay on. I think I've seen where EC Offroad says the patch cords they provided may be faulty. I just haven't yet reached out to them for assistance because the CarPlay aspect of the unit works just fine. The only other downside that I've noticed is that my AC setting sometimes resets to 75 when I start the engine.
sadovnik
SILVER Star
Mine was doing that too, resetting to 75 degrees and it would take a long time to show the HVAC info on the LCDs. It stopped doing that when I replaced the car battery. It was the original battery, so 5 years was all I've ever gotten out of a battery. You may want to check your battery status.
How did you make it change from the top pic to the bottom picture? I can arrive at the first screen but no the second. Thanks!
I had this unit installed about a year ago and using the wireless CarPlay without any problems and today I figured out how tos treat video from usb2 and wired iPhone. Just in time for my installer to reroute the cables to one of the dash blanks by the driver from the glove box. Now they don’t work (I used a 2 usb port from crutchfield). Has anyone had any luck adding the usb ports to their dash with something from Amazon or anywhere else? Thanks in advance.
If anyone has the screen flicker issue, it is caused by a faulty LVD cable. Cost is $50 plus shipping. Although the issue started happening right after I installed it, I guess messed around and waited too long to let EC Offroad know. I purchased the unit last June.
By entering the password on the first screen 12081206
Searched this thread but didn't find anything. Has anyone else had trouble with phone volume? When I make or receive calls there is no volume on either side. I have the external mic hooked up and have tried all of the different mic settings. I've also mess with phone gain. No luck. This is with an iphone, wireless connection.
Has anyone had trouble with high beams / gear box lights shorting after starting the unit? I had the unit installed but noticed that when my light stick was turned to “auto” I couldn’t keep the high beams on and my gear box lights were off (both issues weren’t there when the light stick was turned to on).
I took to Toyota dealer and they fixed the problem, but once I started the EC unit the issue came back (and it doesn’t go away when I turn it off). I also hear a click when switching from light stick from “on” to “auto” so I’m wondering if there was an issue with the install and engaging the Unit somehow causes a power surge that blows whatever fuse is responsible for high beams staying on while stick is in “auto” and the gear box lights being on/off. Car is only 3 years old so I can’t imagine it’s a battery issue.
I took to Toyota dealer and they fixed the problem, but once I started the EC unit the issue came back (and it doesn’t go away when I turn it off). I also hear a click when switching from light stick from “on” to “auto” so I’m wondering if there was an issue with the install and engaging the Unit somehow causes a power surge that blows whatever fuse is responsible for high beams staying on while stick is in “auto” and the gear box lights being on/off. Car is only 3 years old so I can’t imagine it’s a battery issue.
I haven't experienced this problem. My unit was purchased and installed about a year ago.
Does anyone else have to connect the bluetooth every time you start the car? Looking at Eric Sargent's video t appears that there is a "carplay" app that automatically connects when he starts the vehicle.
I have to go into Zlink and connect with my phone via bluetooth every time I start the car. Not a big deal but it would be nice if it just automatically connected and I didn't have to fiddle with my phone.
I've also noticed a couple second delay from when I push the "next song" button on the steering wheel and the next song actually playing over my speakers. I'm using Spotify. The next song title/artist will appear immediately on my screen but it takes a couple of seconds to actually kick in (so if I'm "scrolling" through songs by continually pushing next I always hear a second or two of a song that I've already "passed".
I have to go into Zlink and connect with my phone via bluetooth every time I start the car. Not a big deal but it would be nice if it just automatically connected and I didn't have to fiddle with my phone.
I've also noticed a couple second delay from when I push the "next song" button on the steering wheel and the next song actually playing over my speakers. I'm using Spotify. The next song title/artist will appear immediately on my screen but it takes a couple of seconds to actually kick in (so if I'm "scrolling" through songs by continually pushing next I always hear a second or two of a song that I've already "passed".
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- Thread starter
- #394
I swapped my EC Offroad module out for a full Tesla style replacement unit over a year ago and recently traded the Land Cruiser in (for a 2024 Highlander) so I can't actually test and verify anything at this point. But Zlink should be starting up and automatically connecting to your phone every time, at least if you're using an iPhone (no idea how reliable the Android equivalent is). That was one thing that seemed to work very reliably for me when I used this unit.
The delay on the steering wheel buttons is definitely the way these things work. It was the same way with the Tesla style unit I had swapped in - the steering wheel controls all worked on a brief time delay. It's kind of annoying, but I decided the overall gains were worth it.
If anyone is looking for one of these EC Offroad modules for cheap, send me an offer. I still have mine with all of the original cabling, box, etc. It has been sitting unused for about 1.5 years now. No even remotely reasonable offer will be turned down.
Zlink is starting automatically and it even says on my phone that the bluetooth is connected but nothing happens. I still have to click the bluetooth on my phone to get it to launch. I'm going to tinker with some of the advanced settings to see if I can get it to work.
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A bigger issue I found is that the air con controls do not over ride the screen, so you have to go out of the EC unit to change fan speed.
I’m also really disappointed in the screen quality, I know this is not ECs fault, but you can by units at 1/2 the price which replace the rubbish screen for lower spec models. It’s frustrating that at Sahara spec you can’t!
installed mine today and have the same issue. I assume you all so have the V5? I’m hoping I can sort this out.
A bigger issue I found is that the air con controls do not over ride the screen, so you have to go out of the EC unit to change fan speed.
I’m also really disappointed in the screen quality, I know this is not ECs fault, but you can by units at 1/2 the price which replace the rubbish screen for lower spec models. It’s frustrating that at Sahara spec you can’t!
I can’t edit my post? Might be because I’m too new….
The other thing I am really disappointed in is the audio quality coming out of the unit, it is very poor. I am hoping I am able to find an RCA out harness for the unit somewhere, so I can add an amp and dsp which might help.
Failing that, I can see myself stumping up for a Tesla style unit, with better screen and outputs….
The other thing I am really disappointed in is the audio quality coming out of the unit, it is very poor. I am hoping I am able to find an RCA out harness for the unit somewhere, so I can add an amp and dsp which might help.
Failing that, I can see myself stumping up for a Tesla style unit, with better screen and outputs….
- Thread starter
- #398
Yeah, having used both options, the Tesla style unit really offers a better overall solution. Just be aware that the Tesla option isn't perfect either as you will mostly run into a few quirks, at least initially. But my feeling was that once I got past the initial installation it was a much better overall solution. There just has to be a higher level of trust in the hardware because if it fails, you're pretty much completely out of luck on any HVAC control. I installed my Tesla unit shortly before a 2 week road trip, so I brought the factory unit and the small set of tools I would have needed to swap it back in with me on the trip just in case. But in the end, the Tesla unit proved to be just fine.
I was able to get my phone to automatically connect by going into the Zlink advanced settings (passcode 12081206) and switching the auto-connect to bluetooth from "off" to "on." Everything now works as expected. The screen quality isn't the best but it's not an issue for me. I haven't noticed any degradation of sound quality but I've only played Spotify music thus far (haven't taken any calls yet).
Do you have the V5. I just looked for the Zlink option in there and its not there? Also I don't have toyota under my power logos, there does appear to be away to add my own picture bit I am unsure about how to do that yet... next job.
Overall I am bitterly disappointed with this unit. I wish I had found this forum before committing the $1500 to by it. There are so many other units out there (Not for the Sahara admittedly) that offer a better screen and much better UI, for 1/2 the cost.
I am going to look at the @greynolds purchased, I am concerned because while I can install the thing, the software side and technical side worry me, and trying to deal with a guy in Russia could be interesting especially now day! lol
I admit I am tempted to just try and speak to EC and see if I can send mine back for an upgrade, but them I am 3k in.... There was also talk of a more 300 look unit coming for the Sahara in one of there video's, (I think you can already get it for the glx) that would be something I was very interested in.+
I also have a woman's voice telling me where the traffic is, as well as speed cameras, not sure which app is doing or how to turn it off, any one have any ideas?
Overall I am bitterly disappointed with this unit. I wish I had found this forum before committing the $1500 to by it. There are so many other units out there (Not for the Sahara admittedly) that offer a better screen and much better UI, for 1/2 the cost.
I am going to look at the @greynolds purchased, I am concerned because while I can install the thing, the software side and technical side worry me, and trying to deal with a guy in Russia could be interesting especially now day! lol
I admit I am tempted to just try and speak to EC and see if I can send mine back for an upgrade, but them I am 3k in.... There was also talk of a more 300 look unit coming for the Sahara in one of there video's, (I think you can already get it for the glx) that would be something I was very interested in.+
I also have a woman's voice telling me where the traffic is, as well as speed cameras, not sure which app is doing or how to turn it off, any one have any ideas?
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