GROM VLine Owners (Please post only if you've owned this device) (2 Viewers)

[82SC]

I'm starting this thread to collect as much info in one spot about this device.
I kindly ask that people who haven't had first hand experience post questions in the various other GROM VLine related threads.
That way we can just collect first hand experience which will be a good resource for current and future users of this device.
This won't be installation heavy as there are great threads that already cover that.

Grom VLine

Edit-Did not work in my 2016. Sent it back. Will not be spearheading a group buy.

forum.ih8mud.com

GROM VLine - Google apps/Android&iPhone integration

very cool stuff coming soon to let us use the existing nav screen with on-screen display integration with google maps, apple car-play, etc. if anyone is w/n 50 miles of Belmont, Ca they are looking for Beta testers right now. any Mud'ers in the area willing to go be testers i'm sure others...

forum.ih8mud.com

Grom Vline.. yay or nay?

There’s a sale/group buy. Wondering if it’s worth it or waste of money?

forum.ih8mud.com

Grom vs EC offroad vs Naviplus

Which one do you pick and why?

forum.ih8mud.com

One poster said it perfectly that this device is so close to being perfect it is even more frustrating when there are problems.
But maybe we can share what we've done to manage it
One reason I am sticking to this unit is they seem to be responsive and constantly updating and improving the product so I don't feel like I am stuck with a static product that may or may not have flaws.

I ordered the VL2 in the last group buy
2017 LC200
Installation was easy
I tested unit with the 16 pin in and out and didn't notice a difference so left mine plugged in.
Although some people have said they can't hear me well when I take a call thru CP so I might mess around with the mic gain and maybe the 16 pin disconnect

I will say so far my experience with customer service has been great and terrible too.
Response time is great and they will get back to you in a few days.
But I clearly had a lemon the first time I installed my VL2 and there were multiple issues. Getting them to just replace the unit took a bit of escalation of the frustration but the replacement unit
seems to be working better. I will list my problems and the workarounds I've found some success with

1) horizontal flickering line
This happens when you update to the latest FIRMware LEX7TK (Aug 2021)...dates are when I updated not necessarily the release date
The flickering line is at the bottom of the screen
I hounded them to give me a copy of the older Firmware so I can roll it back
They finally relented and I put it on a usb and plugged it in and the problem goes away.
Per GROM they are working on this and collecting data on the parameters of all the different screen sizes so they are aware


2) restarts
so I get 2 different restarts occasionally
First type the screen flips to the OEM nav screen and and the audio has an annoying buzz. Then 3-5 seconds later it flips right back to GROM/CarPlay as if nothing happened
Second type is OEM nav screen + buzzing and then goes into full restart. It flips to VLine splash screen and reboots.
These also come in different flavors. Sometimes the CP connects after 15-30 seconds and it's good to go
Other times it has trouble reconnecting to CP and I'm stuck in the GROM screen (see below)
A new one is that I get a splash screen that the Bluetooth has stopped working and then I'm stuck in that loop
I was thinking that it might be related to my iPhone losing signal as it seemed to happen in a cellular dead spot near my home more often then not.
Also seemed to happen when I pass by our local PD helicopter pad. But now I'm thinking it is random and not based on location.
I used to get a "DASH LINQ isn't responding" error message but I think the updates have fixed that
I still have a iPhone XS Max which is getting a teeny bit glitchy so not sure if it is phone related
Will be updating phone this next cycle so we'll see.
I disconnected my Iphone from the OEM LC system completely but that doesn't seem to matter
Also I have consistently updated them on this so they are aware.
If you have an issue you can connect your unit to the internet and then hit the buttons on your steering wheel in this sequence
">>>>...<" so forward forward forward forward back (edited)

And a small popup will show on the bottom saying logs are being prepared and sent
This seems to be helpful for them to try to figure out what the problem are originating from


3) trouble reconnecting to CP
Sometimes this is upon initial ignition start up of the vehicle. But updating to the latest V2OVL3.44.0.0 (Aug 2021) update seems to have improved that alot. CP starts up super quick
With the above mentioned restarts issues...if it reboots and I don't re-establish CP connection...this does seem to affect initial ignition car startup connection too.
If I had a random restart and CP connects smoothly. When I turn the car off and back on, it seems to have a more consistent CP launch
But I have noticed that after a random restart the GROM unit Wifi is on and that seems to prevent CP from connecting via BT and then via it's local VLINE Wifi. This is all speculation on my part.
So I will go into the Wifi setting for the GROM unit and turn it off and then CP seems to connect more smoothly.
When that doesn't work I try to manually connect to my iPhone via bluetooth and that sometimes helps
And when all else fails I just go to the VLine update page and reboot and sometime that seems to help


Why am I sticking with it despite all these issues?
When it works it's GREAT.
I think the company is committed to ironing out all these issues the best they can.
I like the idea of Wireless CarPlay but as I am in the midst of rewiring my car with the ARB Linx and Compressor etc... I may set it up so it can just be a wired setup and that could get rid of some of the glitchiness
I am hoping I could do some integration with ARB Linx and this unit but so far no dice
In speaking with the company they have planned upgrades in the future like OS updates and the unit has an HDMI out that may come into play for future versions so they are forward looking
I don't mind tinkering

Hopefully some of the other users can chime in with their experiences and solutions.

I will also update GROM with a link to this thread so they can maybe see LC200 related problems all grouped into one spot.

 

[kcjaz]

Thanks for this. I started to read up a little on GROM last weekend and had found some of these threads. I've made no decisions on what I'm going to do and I'm a ways off of doing anything as I want to focus on some other mods/upgrades first but someday, that OEM NAV needs to go. For now I will watch and learn.

 

[burtlively]

I have the Grom Vline in my 2008 LX570 as well as my 2017 Tundra. The LX has worked fine while the Tundra has had a few bugs. The Tundra rear camera has a good deal of distortion as well. Customer service has been excellent providing updates to fix bugs. The Android firmware is aging on the device which limits some apps for download. The wireless CarPlay isn't perfect, but it works much better than the wireless CarPlay with 2020 Kenwood head units in a couple of other family vehicles. Overall I have been very pleased with the offering especially considering the age of my vehicle. This unit updates many features a 2008 model could never have.

 

[molanginaeda]

My advice, keep updating andriod patches, grom firmware and application. So far, it's been working fine for me.

I just completed a cross-country trip to attend LCDC 2021. I have been using car play through out the trip. It's been working solid after the last firmware upgrade. I'm currently a revision behind, but solid stability. No complaint. Prior to the last firmware update, I do have bluetooth crashing. Usually a reboot clear the problem. IMO GROM Vline 2 has been a good addon. It's not replacing the oem audio system, but additional function addon/compliment to the OEM audio system. One thing is GROM release update firmware very frequently. That's good as most vendor will not release update as frequently.

In regards limited app download, you can always install any missing app using apk installer. Find the app apk and download to GROM. Then execute the apk for installation. i.e. netflix app is not available on play store due to older andriod version running in GROM.

 

[SC4TA]

I had issues with the backup camera; it never worked with the VL2. There are a ton of small kids in our neighborhood so I want my camera to work. I suspect it was a faulty cable.

The biggest issue was it took days for responses. I would rip everything apart, still wouldn’t work, have to put everything back together and then wait 3 more days for a response. I kept asking if I should send back or if they can send a new cable, but they kept asking me to try different things. After trying everything they asked they said I can return it for a partial refund. Fortunately I had emails from me asking if I should return it within a week of receiving it. After a ton of hassle they said I can return it for the full refund.

I had a really bad feeling in my gut about the character of the company based on how hard it was to return so I took a ton of pictures, paid the insurance, and got a tracking number. After not getting my refund, I asked about it and sure enough, they said they never got it. I sent the tracking number and they suddenly found it. They did eventually give me a refund for the unit, but I still lost about $300 for the multiple trips early on to a professional installer. It was getting expensive so much of the later trial and error I did myself.

I ended up just buying a nice mount for my phone.

Side note, I didn’t like how I couldn’t use any other stereo functions if I was using CarPlay. For instance, I couldn’t use the satellite radio or let the kids listen to a movie if I was using CarPlay for Google Maps.

 

[ATwoZ]

I have one and echo the sentiment of the frustration of how close it is to perfect. Incidentally there is a very active Facebook group as well for the Grom that gets good feedback across different vehicles etc.

Things I like:

• Actual Android OS: Load other apps, launchers etc. Ran Gaia natively during LCDC with waypoints, layers etc
• Wireless CP and AA: I know others have had quirks, but as of latest FW they both generally work exactly as expected
• Better than stock in most ways

Annoyances:

• Periodically the screen flickers to black - no rhyme or reason
• FW occasionally breaks things and you have to revert it
• Included microphone is more crap than not
• Some Android apps don't translate/interface well - especially without multi-touch etc - a notable one is Gaia, specifically when you go to select different layers the app is expecting a multi-touch scroll. The work around is to use an external pointing device (see below)
• Occasionally need to pull power

Things that drive me f%*&ing mad:

• Phone Calls with AA - I'll preface this probably has more to do with my year - For CP, calls are managed fully through CP, so while the microphone is not great, the entire call etc remains in the interface. For AA, calls route through the factory stereo - at least for my 2010, there are multiple measure in place that prevent doing much during a call while the car is moving, notably, the entire 'keypad' on the OEM screen is greyed out while the car is moving. So, think of joining a conference call etc where you have to "press 1" etc, can't do it...add to that that while the phone is in AA mode, the smartphone will 'hide' the actual phone interface because it assumes you're doing that via the AA screen, except you're not because that's been taken over by the OEM factory phone screen....more than a little infuriating...still waiting on a fix for this and don't know if it will ever come. Oddly AA works well for calls if you're using a separate BT device (headset device etc) and works as expected to control the call.

Things that 'help':

• Get a separate keyboard mouse...some people really like the 'air' mice, I've found that I'm a big fan of Amazon product ASIN B07T13GLY3 specifically because it has a scroll wheel which is immensely helpful with lists that require scrolling (see Gaia above)
• Keep a backup of a last good FW to revert to

 

[ATwoZ]

3) trouble reconnecting to CP
Sometimes this is upon initial ignition start up of the vehicle. But updating to the latest V2OVL3.44.0.0 (Aug 2021) update seems to have improved that alot. CP starts up super quick
With the above mentioned restarts issues...if it reboots and I don't re-establish CP connection...this does seem to affect initial ignition car startup connection too.
If I had a random restart and CP connects smoothly. When I turn the car off and back on, it seems to have a more consistent CP launch
But I have noticed that after a random restart the GROM unit Wifi is on and that seems to prevent CP from connecting via BT and then via it's local VLINE Wifi. This is all speculation on my part.
So I will go into the Wifi setting for the GROM unit and turn it off and then CP seems to connect more smoothly.
When that doesn't work I try to manually connect to my iPhone via bluetooth and that sometimes helps
And when all else fails I just go to the VLine update page and reboot and sometime that seems to help

Check My WiFi keeps turning itself off - GROM Audio support and community forum - https://gromaudio.com/forum/forum/vline-lite-support-forum/general-tips/232-my-wifi-keeps-turning-itself-off?fbclid=IwAR1ezzvrqHQsmqf6bmirbJWShtoBe8PUSfzXDcdMgL1kj-qxuUjT3XpkyIk not sure if it will be the exact issue, but may be part of what's going on.

 

[runnerxa]

I have the GROM VLine2 on my 2005 GX470 since Sept/Oct 2019.

Initially I had issues with the backup camera not showing up. After e-mail GROM support and sending them the YouTube link of my issue, their engineer sent me a couple of modified firmwares and the final one fixed my issue. This was resolved within two weeks because I told them I am refunding it if it doesn't work seamlessly by the time I deploy overseas.

I had no issues with the VLine2 since October 2019 after the hiccup. I was told not to update the firmware unless the GROM engineer specifically tell you to. You can update the GROM app/OS software but not the firmware.

Regarding navigation, I don't even use Android Auto. The Google Maps and Waze app can be used directly in VLine2; no need to use Android Auto unless you want the UI. The microphone worked well enough that I don't need to type while driving, plus I can ask for the weather, stock updates, add calendar events, dictate notes, etc. It really comes down to where you install the microphone. Alternatively, you can splice in your own professional microphone.
I don't have an iPhone so I cannot provide any inputs to Carplay usability.

For data (YouTube, Pandora, etc), I use my phones (T-Mobile or Verizon) for hotspot. It worked well enough that I can hotspot to the Vline2 and my kids' tablets.

Here is the link to my GROM VLine2 impression on the GX470 after two years of usage (2019 to 2021).

I haven't decided on whether I want to add it to my LX570. Tempting but I was hoping that GROM would have made some hardware updates and released VLine3. The main reason for holding off the upgrade is that GROM VLine2 is still on Android 8...

 

[82SC]

FYI

GROM has told me they are getting a LC test vehicle in the shop next week and plan to work out some of these LC specific issues.
Please list any issues you've been having
Also send Logs to GROM using the Up up up up down button sequence on your steering wheel if you do experience a crash
and alert them via email that you sent them logs with your unit serial number found on the GROM update screen

They didn't tell me what year LC specifically but I will point them to this page to see if they can address any problems we all may be having

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

i have a 08 lx and install the vline 2. i have 2 iphone. one of the iphone personal. does not play nice with carplay. my work iphone works perfect. it doesnt auto connect to carplay. i just have to select my work iphone and it work fine.

 

[82SC]

Interesting.
I tried turning the Bluetooth off and just using a usb connection for car play and it is much more stable then wireless car play.

 

[shehadln]

Hi everyone
Coming in from a thread I posted.
I have a vline on my 2021 HE. Install went fine. I plugged everything in. Stashed the unit behind the screen. Runs fine. Issue is it flickers intermittently every 3-4 minute or so. Has anyone had this issue? Any resolve?

 

[82SC]

Check your PM
I can send you the firmware rollback that helped the problem I was having which is different but similar to what you got

But it also sounds like a loose connection or overly bent wire.

I left the unit out on the passenger foot well and was going to make sure I got all the kinks out before hiding it behind all the paneling.

The firmware is quick and easy. you put it on a usb and plug into the bottom USB port and start the car and it will prompt you to see if you want to install the firmware

But I'd take the unit out and just run all the wires out to the pass footwell and use the car and unit for a while before tucking it away.
Also I would suggest you run USB extensions out from the unit if you plan to put it deep behind the dash.
I plan to put it in the glove compartment area so it is accessible for these reasons.

 

[shehadln]

Check your PM
I can send you the firmware rollback that helped the problem I was having which is different but similar to what you got

But it also sounds like a loose connection or overly bent wire.

I left the unit out on the passenger foot well and was going to make sure I got all the kinks out before hiding it behind all the paneling.

The firmware is quick and easy. you put it on a usb and plug into the bottom USB port and start the car and it will prompt you to see if you want to install the firmware

But I'd take the unit out and just run all the wires out to the pass footwell and use the car and unit for a while before tucking it away.
Also I would suggest you run USB extensions out from the unit if you plan to put it deep behind the dash.
I plan to put it in the glove compartment area so it is accessible for these reasons.

PM sent
Thanks for the info

my flicker is the whole screen will give out then come on Not like a line flicker

is that what you had also?

 

[82SC]

no

if you look above in my first post I put pictures. I had one line at the bottom

sounding more like a loose jiggling connection

 

[82SC]

Update

So looks like they had their hands on an LC200

The most recent updates of the software and the hardware seem to have ironed out ALOT of my issues.

I pretty much did a factory reboot. Got rid of all apps.
I removed my LC from my phones Bluetooth and also removed my Phone from the LC menu.
Also turned off adaptive volume control as that might have been a culprit of the random volume bar drop down.
Downloaded Gapps only.
Updated software and hardware.

So with this clean updated install I have not had any restarts or glitches so far (1 week). Boot time is fast and connection is seemless.

BUT there still is that horizontal line at the bottom of the screen. GROM has said they are aware and an fix is coming in the next couple weeks.

I will be adding the apps and turning on those functions one by one and see if any of those trigger any issues.

PS I got the pedal commander and have been enjoying it immensely. I was excited when I was able to download the app to the grom and had a full screen pedal commander control panel on my dash….but it won’t connect thru Bluetooth. I will be asking Grom about this.

Very happy so far. Fingers crossed.

 

[pvchaitanya]

I got one for 2011 lx 570 , will let you know how its working after I install it. How to update the device to latest firmware version? Is there any documentation or support site where we can download the latest firmware and update it?

 

[82SC]

Instructions go over it. But once installed connect to WiFi and go to Vline update menu page and update.

From past experience I’d actually run it with no updates and see how it is. I’d only update if there are issues.

 

[pvchaitanya]

I removed all my display and media ECU units to install my grom vline2 today, just to realized that I got a wrong version which is not compatible with lx 570. the one I have is for different model of lexus.
Talked to customer support at grom and they mentioned that all I need is a different cable which will fit into my lx570 and reprogram my firmware so the vline2 can work with lx 570. Waiting for the cable to arrive. Will let you know once I get it installed (again).

 

[82SC]

also interestingly Carplay with GROM does not have a swipe capabilities.
You have to push arrows on the side to scroll.

GROM says swipe is no supported right now but there are plans to include that in future upgrades (really weird right?)

Going on 2 weeks of solid use and really no problems except the horizontal flickering line
I didn't mention specifically but I've never had reverse camera issues