Gen6 Navigation upgrade possible? (1 Viewer)

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This comes up a lot, and short of a unit I've seen for Australian rigs from Alpine...I've neither seen nor heard of a US spec solution. If somebody finds one? That would be big news.

My personal solution is a home-made iPad holder that goes over the top of the screen...which I keep turned off, save for adjustments like climate, etc. I only do the iPad solution on long trips though. iPhone for other nav... No built-in solution will ever be as up-to-date & live as Google...

I put in a CD Mount magnetic holder for my phone. I also installed the most recent version of Android Auto that allows AA to be used directly on my phone screen automatically when I start the car (bluetooth detection feature), giving me instant and simplified access to Google Maps, Pandora, etc. It also turns off AA when you turn the car off. Android Auto v2.0 is rolling out with on-phone mode [APK Download]
 
I had installed the VLINE to my LX570 for a couple weeks recently. I will say it has incredible potential. There's no need for cell phone mirroring, as it's a full blown standalone android device on the stock NAV. I simply get in my car with hotspot cellular data sharing enabled on my phone. Nothing to connect or anything. And does full waze or google maps, along with spotify, etc. I say had installed, because at the moment I've returned it. They're still refining the integration. Not really integration, cause it works well with the stock setup, but it still had a lot of ways to go with general bugs and such. A beta product software wise at best. If they get it fully refined in the future, I may buy it again.

That said, I do have an IPad mini permanently and custom installed in my other car. Now THAT works surprising well with no excuses integration using activator. Turn on the ignition and the IPAD comes on and resume spotify. Has ambient display dimming. Goes to sleep with the ignition off. It's amazing having cloud apps at work. Same thing, I just get in my car with my hotspot enabled, and I get full blown WAZE and spotify.

I do hope VLINE matures enough shortly. Then again, it's not hard to just toss the phone up on the magnetic mount.
 
I had installed the VLINE to my LX570 for a couple weeks recently. I will say it has incredible potential. There's no need for cell phone mirroring, as it's a full blown standalone android device on the stock NAV. I simply get in my car with hotspot cellular data sharing enabled on my phone. Nothing to connect or anything. And does full waze or google maps, along with spotify, etc. I say had installed, because at the moment I've returned it. They're still refining the integration. Not really integration, cause it works well with the stock setup, but it still had a lot of ways to go with general bugs and such. A beta product software wise at best. If they get it fully refined in the future, I may buy it again.

That said, I do have an IPad mini permanently and custom installed in my other car. Now THAT works surprising well with no excuses integration using activator. Turn on the ignition and the IPAD comes on and resume spotify. Has ambient display dimming. Goes to sleep with the ignition off. It's amazing having cloud apps at work. Same thing, I just get in my car with my hotspot enabled, and I get full blown WAZE and spotify.

I do hope VLINE matures enough shortly. Then again, it's not hard to just toss the phone up on the magnetic mount.

Having to use my hotspot would annoy me. I liked my Android Auto deck in my 4R as I used the touchscreen to control my phone. VLine is supposedly AA compatible (beta). If it actually does become AA compliant, I won't hesitate to buy.
 
I do hope they get Android Auto working too.

I can see your perspective. Hotspot is no big deal and I've even automated mine to turn on. I personally don't like my phone mirrored for a couple reasons: 1) running apps like waze on the phone is a battery drain 2) I can setup my phone to be how I like my phone, and car to be the car.

Fortunately, if VLINE gets it right, it should have the option to support however you want to use it.
 
I do hope they get Android Auto working too.

I can see your perspective. Hotspot is no big deal and I've even automated mine to turn on. I personally don't like my phone mirrored for a couple reasons: 1) running apps like waze on the phone is a battery drain 2) I can setup my phone to be how I like my phone, and car to be the car.

Fortunately, if VLINE gets it right, it should have the option to support however you want to use it.
Android Auto doesnt exactly mirror. Just uses your phone to send the data. Requires the phone to be plugged in, so batter drain is not an issue. Plus it makes it easy to navigate the apps.

Mirrorlink worked on my old stereo too, but I liked the simplicity and safety AA provided due to ease of use.

I just want my hotspot data to be used for actual hotspot use. I have unlimited phone data but 5gbs of hotspot, which I regularly use on road trips...
 
The need for plugging the phone in every time would be a no go for me personally. I prefer to jump in the car without any further action. Does Android Auto require launching the app on the phone also? Probably can automate it with IFTTT anyways. Having the flexibility to use it the way you want is good though.
 
The need for plugging the phone in every time would be a no go for me personally. I prefer to jump in the car without any further action. Does Android Auto require launching the app on the phone also? Probably can automate it with IFTTT anyways. Having the flexibility to use it the way you want is good though.

No, it auto launches. You can use the standalone AA on your phone, which is what I do, and it auto launches when starting the car. AA through an AA stereo launches when you plug in usb then everything works through the touchscreen or steering wheel controls (feature I miss the most). I understand AA 2.0 decks can do all functions without plugging in. With the battery drain from GPS, I want to be plugged in. If Vline has stable AA support they can count me in as a customer.
 
I am currently uninstalling the vLine from my 2009 LC and sending it back after 2 weeks. It could be great, but the need for constant wifi is annoying (and mine wouldn't pick up routers 10 ft from the car). Also, the BT streaming audio was spotty, doesn't replace/improve the handsfree, and without Wifi you have no improved mapping over stock. All in all, not worth the money at this point.
 

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