Great experience with Custom Car Stereo CarPlay kit (3 Viewers)

[7000ft]

The unit took about 2 and 1/2 hours to install. The installation guide was detailed enough for even me to be able to install it. Note I installed the USB port (aftermarket part)on the side of console. I hate dangling cords!
The only issues I am having is I am not able to use Google voice controls through the steering wheel or touching the screen. The other issue is the SIM card provision will not work due to the unit manufacturer claiming they do not have the right frequency in their package yet. I was hoping to install a SIM card just to make it a more friendly experience. Custom car systems customer service is exceptionally good. They respond quickly to any questions though they are 17 hours in front of Arizona. Here are a few photos of what I've installed so far.


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[7000ft]

Latest ccss Android auto interface unit observations from using it this past weekend. I decided to load a 64 GB stick with music and use the USB 2 port they have with their unit. Yes it'll play music but it will not show albums artist playlist just starts at the beginning of the stick and shuffles down. I guess I'll just use it for a charging port at this time. The other issue is the hey Google voice command does not work from the steering wheel or from the unit itself. The Psychedelic floating line across the bottom proves the unit is receiving the signal but is not deciphering what is to be done. I have yet to find anything on Google elsewhere and how remedy this issue. Ccss recommended surfing the Google sites to see if there is a repair on there. I'm kind of disappointed in that reply since everything points to their unit not my steering wheel nor my cell phone. My cell phone pairs perfectly in my other Android auto vehicle and hey Google works all the time there. Any ideas on how to remedy this situation? I would appreciate any thoughts.

 

[Crunch]

what does it look like? Do you have one for the GX460?

 

[FerrisBueller]

It looks like they have a 10% off Black Friday deal right now. Not as good as the coupon code that was previously offered here. Current deal more or less offsets the shipping costs. Still a very expensive unit. It's a tough decision, high cost vs better experience with this part of the vehicle that we use constantly. If I didn't already have an older EC Offroad unit installed, then this would be a no-brainer upgrade.

 

[7000ft]

It looks like they have a 10% off Black Friday deal right now. Not as good as the coupon code that was previously offered here. Current deal more or less offsets the shipping costs. Still a very expensive unit. It's a tough decision, high cost vs better experience with this part of the vehicle that we use constantly. If I didn't already have an older EC Offroad unit installed, then this would be a no-brainer upgrade.

Everything with the CCSC Android interface has performed flawlessly until I turned it on this evening. The unit appears to need to be reset.
Anyone ever seen this display? I'll
reach out to CCSC after the holiday for a solution.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Everything with the CCSC Android interface has performed flawlessly until I turned it on this evening. The unit appears to need to be reset.
Anyone ever seen this display? I'll
reach out to CCSC after the holiday for a solution.
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Weird. Please let us know how it turns out. I ended up ordering one as I got fed up with my wired-only unit with old Android OS version today. Black Friday can do that to you

 

[7000ft]

Everything with the CCSC Android interface has performed flawlessly until I turned it on this evening. The unit appears to need to be reset.
Anyone ever seen this display? I'll
reach out to CCSC after the holiday for a solution.
View attachment 3782045View attachment 3782046View attachment 3782047

FIXED with Andrew @ CCSC help. No need for new app file. Great fast customer service! Only issue I'm having is the "Hey Google" Android voice assistant won't cooperate. I've done everything i found if the web as well as contact Google ( no response). Nice feature, but not the end of the world.
PER ANDREW:
"If it’s for the TLINK app (CarPlay / Android Auto), have you tried connecting the interface to a WiFi network (your home WiFi or phone hotspot) then open the TLINK app again - it should auto activate.
If not, it may be because the app was updated to a different version that isn’t compatible with the system, we will need to send you through the correct app file and instructions on how to install it."

Kind Regards, Andrew
Custom Car Stereo Systems.

 

[7000ft]

I believe in the settings for the unit it has an option for what is activated when the voice command button is press. Mine was set to Siri by default. Poke around and please let me know if that works. I never used aa in my unit so haven’t tried it personally

I didn't find it in the settings, but I will dig a little deeper. Thanks for the impute.

 

[ASurfacePro]

Thanks for the interest everyone!

We now have a discount code exclusive to IH8MUD members!

Please use the coupon code IH8MUD when ordering, this will give you a $250 (Australian dollar) discount!

Only applies to our G3V4 interface kit and 13.1” replacement unit. The code will be valid for 2 weeks!

Direct links to the products:

G3V4 Interface kit for 2016-2021 Land Cruiser:

Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series VX / Sahara 2016-2021 G3V4 Interface Ki

Introduction This product is classed as a "Android Interface Kit" which basically means its a hardware kit that connects in parallel with your factory system. It provides a much needed "tech" upgrade that is severely lacking in what is otherwise an AWESOME vehicle! Many of our customers have...

customcarstereosystems.com.au

13.1” Replacement unit for 2013-2015 Land Cruiser:

Toyota Landcruiser 2013-2015 13.1” Replacement Unit

Compatible Models 2013 - 2015 LC200 GX / GXL / VX Models with the same (or similar) stereo as in the photo above 2013 - 2015 LC200 Sahara Models with the same stereo as in the photo above. Specifications Latest Android 12 Operating System 8 core processor HD QLED Screen Model Audio: 4 x...

customcarstereosystems.com.au

Andrew - Anyway to do another 2wk special for mud members? I'm wanting to get one of your Sahara 13.1 replacement units..

 

[BradInVA]

Im just stumbling across this...Interested for my 2016.

 

[fcigoj]

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the kit: Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series VX / Sahara 2016-2021 G3V4 Interface Ki - https://customcarstereosystems.com.au/products/toyota-landcruiser-lc200-200-series-vx-sahara-2016-2018-g3v4-interface-kit?variant=45294825570533

Firstly, I am not affiliated in anyway, payed full price.

I struggled for awhile comparing different carplay adapters. There are lots of options out there, but all with flaws/ inconveniences that turned me off to them.

• EC offroad doesn't have wireless carplay
• Grom has mixed reviews/ wonky steering wheel controls
• Lots of the other options require you to press a button to bypass toyota software and access carplay
• Many units are hit/miss on customer service

I randomly stumbled upon custom car stereo, but couldn’t find any reviews on it. It seemed to check all the boxes i wanted- wireless, boots on startup, all steering wheel buttons still function etc. I used the chat function on their website and they responded immediately, answering all my questions. They have some of the best customer service I have ever encountered. They even responded back at odd hours if they were awake, they are in Australia so time zones are a bit wonky. After they answered all my questions I decided to give it a shot, and ordered. It took about a week from ordering to arrive at my door. Got it installed (if you are in bay area I have an amazing installer, took him about an hour and half)

Thoughts: I couldn’t be happier with the unit, and carplay in general. I had never used carplay before but had heard great things. I can only speak to the carplay functionality as I don’t have an Android phone. When you start the car up it goes right to the boot screen and then launches carplay, the phone then automatically connects and will start playing the last thing your phone was playing. You don’t have to press anything, it’s really nice.

• Quick run through of the things I like
  • All steering wheel buttons work great, including the phone buttons.
  • Uses stock microphone
  • The voice command button summons siri (which will hopefully be even better with ios18 on the way)
  • Audio sounds fantastic, can’t tell any difference from when i was connected via bluetooth to the stock unit
  • Easy to get back to stock unit, just press home button
  • Respects brightness adjustment of the dashboard, and also headlight on/off puts maps into light/dark mode)
  • All camera functions work perfectly, reverse, 4low cams, auto cams etc.
  • The android unit that underpins the carplay allows you to use youtube, netflix, amazon video, etc. You just have to connect it to phone's hotspot, or you can get a sim for the unit if you prefer. It also has Torque obd built in, though I haven't set it up yet.
  • Using the car's built in wireless charger while using carplay makes the phone get warm, but not hot. Even when using nav it charges the phone pretty fast.
  • Everything just feels really well integrated and very OEM.
• Things I dislike
  • Takes ~40 seconds from turning the car on to being fully connected to carplay with music going. Honestly doesn’t bother me but if i had to have a gripe that would be it. Might be a bit faster with a newer phone (i have 13pro max)
  • Climate control button doesn’t override the carplay. Gotta go back to stock unit, then hit climate. I use auto 99% of the time anyway so again, doesn’t bother me in the least.
  • The track forward/ back buttons that are between the volume/ tune dials do not work. Doesn’t bother me as the buttons are on screen and steering wheel. The play pause does work.
  • Price. Not cheap. But the results and great CS made it worth the price imo

In summary I think this is the best unit available. I’m so happy with it, and it really fixes the only thing I didn’t like about the car, the antiquated tech. (better mpg would be nice too, but it is what it is…)

Feel free to ask any questions

Hi,

You say it uses the stock microphone, but their website clearly states the contrary. Can you elaborate on this please ?
Reason I ask is that I currently have a Grom, and the location of the additional microphone is quite critical in using voce commands (as Grom uses the OEM telephone interface and mic anyway.

 

[FerrisBueller]

View attachment 3733311View attachment 3733312

the kit: Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series VX / Sahara 2016-2021 G3V4 Interface Ki - https://customcarstereosystems.com.au/products/toyota-landcruiser-lc200-200-series-vx-sahara-2016-2018-g3v4-interface-kit?variant=45294825570533

Firstly, I am not affiliated in anyway, payed full price.

I struggled for awhile comparing different carplay adapters. There are lots of options out there, but all with flaws/ inconveniences that turned me off to them.

• EC offroad doesn't have wireless carplay
• Grom has mixed reviews/ wonky steering wheel controls
• Lots of the other options require you to press a button to bypass toyota software and access carplay
• Many units are hit/miss on customer service

I randomly stumbled upon custom car stereo, but couldn’t find any reviews on it. It seemed to check all the boxes i wanted- wireless, boots on startup, all steering wheel buttons still function etc. I used the chat function on their website and they responded immediately, answering all my questions. They have some of the best customer service I have ever encountered. They even responded back at odd hours if they were awake, they are in Australia so time zones are a bit wonky. After they answered all my questions I decided to give it a shot, and ordered. It took about a week from ordering to arrive at my door. Got it installed (if you are in bay area I have an amazing installer, took him about an hour and half)

Thoughts: I couldn’t be happier with the unit, and carplay in general. I had never used carplay before but had heard great things. I can only speak to the carplay functionality as I don’t have an Android phone. When you start the car up it goes right to the boot screen and then launches carplay, the phone then automatically connects and will start playing the last thing your phone was playing. You don’t have to press anything, it’s really nice.

• Quick run through of the things I like
  • All steering wheel buttons work great, including the phone buttons.
  • Uses stock microphone
  • The voice command button summons siri (which will hopefully be even better with ios18 on the way)
  • Audio sounds fantastic, can’t tell any difference from when i was connected via bluetooth to the stock unit
  • Easy to get back to stock unit, just press home button
  • Respects brightness adjustment of the dashboard, and also headlight on/off puts maps into light/dark mode)
  • All camera functions work perfectly, reverse, 4low cams, auto cams etc.
  • The android unit that underpins the carplay allows you to use youtube, netflix, amazon video, etc. You just have to connect it to phone's hotspot, or you can get a sim for the unit if you prefer. It also has Torque obd built in, though I haven't set it up yet.
  • Using the car's built in wireless charger while using carplay makes the phone get warm, but not hot. Even when using nav it charges the phone pretty fast.
  • Everything just feels really well integrated and very OEM.
• Things I dislike
  • Takes ~40 seconds from turning the car on to being fully connected to carplay with music going. Honestly doesn’t bother me but if i had to have a gripe that would be it. Might be a bit faster with a newer phone (i have 13pro max)
  • Climate control button doesn’t override the carplay. Gotta go back to stock unit, then hit climate. I use auto 99% of the time anyway so again, doesn’t bother me in the least.
  • The track forward/ back buttons that are between the volume/ tune dials do not work. Doesn’t bother me as the buttons are on screen and steering wheel. The play pause does work.
  • Price. Not cheap. But the results and great CS made it worth the price imo

In summary I think this is the best unit available. I’m so happy with it, and it really fixes the only thing I didn’t like about the car, the antiquated tech. (better mpg would be nice too, but it is what it is…)

Feel free to ask any questions

@Foggy415 @CCSS
I find it strange that this unit apparently comes with its own speaker that must be mounted somewhere (which the instructions say is for when using the built-in nav app). Have you tried the built-in nav app, and how was the audio quality over this little standalone speaker? Have you found that this speaker is used for other built-in apps, too, like Netflix or other apps with audio? I don't understand why it wouldn't use the vehicle's oem speakers for everything.

 

[Foggy415]

Hi,

You say it uses the stock microphone, but their website clearly states the contrary. Can you elaborate on this please ?
Reason I ask is that I currently have a Grom, and the location of the additional microphone is quite critical in using voce commands (as Grom uses the OEM telephone interface and mic anyway.

That's odd. Mine def uses the stock microphone. Reach out to Andrew if you have any concerns, he's really good at responding promptly

 

[Foggy415]

@Foggy415 @CCSS
I find it strange that this unit apparently comes with its own speaker that must be mounted somewhere (which the instructions say is for when using the built-in nav app). Have you tried the built-in nav app, and how was the audio quality over this little standalone speaker? Have you found that this speaker is used for other built-in apps, too, like Netflix or other apps with audio? I don't understand why it wouldn't use the vehicle's oem speakers for everything.

I didn't have the speaker installed, as I'm just gonna use the carplay for nav, or if there is no service I'll just use the stock unit. The speaker is only for the built in nav, everything else goes through the car speakers. Don't know why that app in particular can't use the car speakers

 

[7000ft]

I didn't have the speaker installed, as I'm just gonna use the carplay for nav, or if there is no service I'll just use the stock unit. The speaker is only for the built in nav, everything else goes through the car speakers. Don't know why that app in particular can't use the car speakers

Do you use an Apple phone for Siri commands? I have an Android S24 that the "Hey Google" voice command feature doesn't work thru the Android Interface unit. Andrew still hasn't figured how to correct this.

 

[Foggy415]

Do you use an Apple phone for Siri commands? I have an Android S24 that the "Hey Google" voice command feature doesn't work thru the Android Interface unit. Andrew still hasn't figured how to correct this.

Yes, I use siri/iphone. Sorry to hear you're having issues.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Installed mine today (replaced my aging EC Offroad unit) without any problems. For anyone familiar with the EC Offroad unit, this one is a much more updated version of the same unit (i.e., it seems both companies are getting their hardware from the same source, but EC Offroad is further behind on the revision). I'm happy to have wireless Android Auto now, and a recent enough version of Android OS that it can actually handle modern versions of Android apps.

 

[napir]

Just giving this a bit of a bump. How are they holding up?

How does it do with device switching? As in, I pair my phone with the unit one day. My wife takes the car the next day and wants to pair her phone. Or we're both in the car together, how do it do with switching? I've had a few Android-based head units in other cars and this seems to be the biggest sticking point for me, as thye've all had problems with this.

I'm only interested in reliable Carplay with multiple drivers, no need to futz with any other apps.

 

[Foggy415]

Just giving this a bit of a bump. How are they holding up?

How does it do with device switching? As in, I pair my phone with the unit one day. My wife takes the car the next day and wants to pair her phone. Or we're both in the car together, how do it do with switching? I've had a few Android-based head units in other cars and this seems to be the biggest sticking point for me, as thye've all had problems with this.

I'm only interested in reliable Carplay with multiple drivers, no need to futz with any other apps.

So far the unit has been nothing short of amazing. I absolutely love it and could never go back to not having car play. That being said, unfortunately I have zero experience in switching, as my phone is the only one that is paired with the unit. I wish I could be more helpful but I'm the only one who drives my 200. Hopefully someone else can chime in, or if not you can message CCS and see what they have to say. They were very honest about shortcomings when I was asking questions before I purchased the unit.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Just giving this a bit of a bump. How are they holding up?

How does it do with device switching? As in, I pair my phone with the unit one day. My wife takes the car the next day and wants to pair her phone. Or we're both in the car together, how do it do with switching? I've had a few Android-based head units in other cars and this seems to be the biggest sticking point for me, as thye've all had problems with this.

I'm only interested in reliable Carplay with multiple drivers, no need to futz with any other apps.

It's been fantastic, no problems whatsoever... Except for one little quirk. If I want to make the connection via USB, then I have to wait until the unit has fully booted before connecting my phone to it (again, this quirk only applies to the USB connection) - otherwise the unit refuses to connect or charge. If my phone is plugged in before I start the car, that works fine too. The only problem is when I plug it in while the unit is booting.