GROM VLine Owners (Please post only if you've owned this device) (1 Viewer)

[Nooner]

Just finished installing my Grom in a 2019 VLine 2 (P/N: LEX9TVL2). Works (mostly) great. The screen does 'blink' occasionally, but I haven't noticed any other problems yet. I still need to take it for a longer trip.

A couple install notes:
-WAY easier than I expected. All the clips were cooperative. I do have a nice set of trim tools, but I honestly didn't need any of them.
-VLine2 will NOT fit in the bottom section of my glovebox, had to install on the top. I have dual-lock velcro at work and will use that to affix the unit tomorrow.
-I used a 1 11/16" OD Grommet (1.5" GD) and the wires all fit fine, I also bought a 1 1/4" (1" GD) grommet and I decided I liked the room the bigger one gave me. I think I probably could have used the 1 1/4" but would have had to feed the displayport (standard, not mini) through the grommet before fitting it into the hole in the glovebox (oh yeah, I had to cut a hole in my glove box ) the other connectors would have had to go in sideways too, so I felt more room would be better. I'd be willing to bet 1 1/4" would be perfect.
-I had to remove the airbag below the glovebox to remove the glovebox. I didn't need to disconnect the connector to the airbag because I propped it on a small amazon box I had in the garage. I will have something about 4" tall on hand if I remove the glove box again. I was able to rest it on my impact driver while I got the box, but if I wasn't using the impact driver I likely would have reinstalled it to get the box.
-The provided USB extension was pretty lame. I would not trust it to remain connected without some type of help. I am planning to just plug/unplug a higher quality (Apple OEM) cable into mine since it is in the glovebox should I ever need it. Same for USB media if used (I can't imagine I will use USB media since I have plenty of downloaded Spotify songs on my phone).

Questions:
How can I change between the factory functions and return back to the VLine? I was only able to get back to Vline by restarting the car?

 

[82SC]

you usually hit the AUDIO button to switch back and forth.

Make sure you update the software and firmware.

I don’t know if they have the newest firmware available.

I was sent an advanced copy last month and with that my display issues were solved.

 

[Nooner]

you usually hit the AUDIO button to switch back and forth.

Make sure you update the software and firmware.

I don’t know if they have the newest firmware available.

I was sent an advanced copy last month and with that my display issues were solved.

Duh... the Audio button worked, I just needed to be more patient.

I did the Firmware/Software update in the menu and both were up to date on the unit (I just ordered this week, maybe Tuesday? And it shipped from Plano, so not far from here).

Hopefully when they launch that beta firmware it resolves that 'blink' issue. But it is still worlds better having Waze than the factory Nav.

 

[82SC]

If you like to tinker. OBD fusion with a Bluetooth reader. Al the streaming apps. Off-road maps. Etc….

 

[finboy]

I have the vlite in my 08 LX non-mark levinson, works as expected. I do find bootup time can take a few seconds to connect the phone but I’ve found this on other wireless CarPlay decks as well. One thing I will note, low reception cell phone areas seem to interrupt the connection, I’m planning out how to add a wired connection for these areas.

 

[2HundyJTex]

Just finished installing my Grom in a 2019 VLine 2 (P/N: LEX9TVL2).

Just wondering why you did not choose a LEX78TVL2 ?

 

[Nooner]

Just wondering why you did not choose a LEX78TVL2 ?

P/N LEX9TVL2 is what came up as the suggested for my model year. I suspect the only thing different is pre-loaded software. Maybe the webpage has an error?

 

[gromaudio]

Questions:
How can I change between the factory functions and return back to the VLine? I was only able to get back to Vline by restarting the car?

If you exited through the VLine to the Factory mode (using the factory UI icon), you can go back to the VLine mode by exiting to the other factory mode such as FM, and then going back to the VLine stereo mode. See if that will work for you.

 

[runnerxa]

They are planning for the android upgrade. But they’ve been saying that for a year or so.

Not sure if there is a year to year difference even within the 200 series.

From my knowledge for entertainment units for the 200 there is

Pre 2016
2016-2018
2018+

The later two are similar except for the screen type.

My 2017 is running steady and I don’t have many issues…anymore.

Not sure if the earlier years have more issues.

I will say some of the connectivity issues are on the iPhone side of things.

I have cleared all BT connection to the Toyota system and only do BT with the VLine.

I haven’t heard any word about a hardware upgrade so unit wise I think it will be the same.

But I agree unless you are a pretty capable DIYer. Like to fiddle with and upgrade the software. Be willing to check and recheck your connections and make sure all pins and connectors are tight. On direction by GROM I’ve even opened the unit to reconnect the ribbon cable as I was having some intermittent display issues. Be willing to be pretty much a beta tester and work with the GROM guys……you might get frustrated and may not like your unit.

I can only say mine fires up and connects seamlessly. And with the most recent upgrade it the most stable it’s been in the 2 years of ownership.

Heath at GROM is very responsive and has sent me software to either backdate the firmware or given me advanced copies of the firmware as we ironed out some of the issues.

I’m actually a little worried that when they do upgrade the android will that cause new issues with stability.

Pre 2016 has two different entertainment unit as well. 2008-2011 is different from 2013-2015.

 

[lx200inAR]

I threw caution to the wind and did the Android 12 upgrade to my Vline2. It definitely breaks some of the native Android apps, so if you use those more than CarPlay / Android Auto, I’d wait a few iterations of updates.

I found the new firmware/OS to be much more stable on my 2010 LX. Before the upgrade I would have small audio drops (very minor, GF didn’t even notice them) and my video would drop for 1-2 seconds every few minutes. With the new, I was in the truck for 6 hours yesterday and did not see a drop in audio or video the whole time. That was using CarPlay with an IPhone 15 Pro.

 

[185]

I threw caution to the wind and did the Android 12 upgrade to my Vline2. It definitely breaks some of the native Android apps, so if you use those more than CarPlay / Android Auto, I’d wait a few iterations of updates.

I found the new firmware/OS to be much more stable on my 2010 LX. Before the upgrade I would have small audio drops (very minor, GF didn’t even notice them) and my video would drop for 1-2 seconds every few minutes. With the new, I was in the truck for 6 hours yesterday and did not see a drop in audio or video the whole time. That was using CarPlay with an IPhone 15 Pro.

Can you download torque from the playstore onto the unit itself and use it to see live vehicle data?

 

[lx200inAR]

I h

Can you download torque from the playstore onto the unit itself and use it to see live vehicle data?

I had that setup with with OBD Fusion and it works. Configuring dashboards can be tedious on the not great user interface. You would definitely want a mouse and keyboard if you were setting one up.

Doing the upgrade to Android 12 wiped everything I had set on the VLine2, so I’ll have to go back and redownload apps. Some day I’ll make a good dashboard for it that can be saved and shared.

 

[ATwoZ]

I threw caution to the wind and did the Android 12 upgrade to my Vline2. It definitely breaks some of the native Android apps, so if you use those more than CarPlay / Android Auto, I’d wait a few iterations of updates.

I found the new firmware/OS to be much more stable on my 2010 LX. Before the upgrade I would have small audio drops (very minor, GF didn’t even notice them) and my video would drop for 1-2 seconds every few minutes. With the new, I was in the truck for 6 hours yesterday and did not see a drop in audio or video the whole time. That was using CarPlay with an IPhone 15 Pro.

I did the same and mostly the same experience. 12 is a more efficient OS and things feel snappier and AA loads faster.

I am noticing some native android apps are loading in the wrong orientation (portrait vs landscape). I've heard others report that so assuming will get resolved quickly. A little annoyed the upgrade wasn't free, but given there's no subscription I get it takes time and development effort to do this in the first place.

 

[c4xplsv]

Does the update do anything useful for the CarPlay side of things or is this predominately for the base OS if you’re using it for android functionality?

 

[lx200inAR]

I did the same and mostly the same experience. 12 is a more efficient OS and things feel snappier and AA loads faster.

I am noticing some native android apps are loading in the wrong orientation (portrait vs landscape). I've heard others report that so assuming will get resolved quickly. A little annoyed the upgrade wasn't free, but given there's no subscription I get it takes time and development effort to do this in the first place.

Agree on all counts. I was okay once I saw it was only $25… I was expecting it to be $100, of which I probably wouldn’t have done it.

I also assume the landscape thing will be fixed quickly.

 

[lx200inAR]

Does the update do anything useful for the CarPlay side of things or is this predominately for the base OS if you’re using it for android functionality?

I mean it gives you about a 4-5yrs newer version of Android. But for native Android apps, they are a little broken right now, so I’d wait a little while, if that’s how you use your GROM.

It doesn’t change CarPlay abilities, but CarPlay runs better on the new OS.

 

[burtlively]

My vline worked flawlessly for years until the update. Now it’s bricked. Can’t connect to WiFi nor Bluetooth. Grom said no way to downgrade.

 

[lx200inAR]

My vline worked flawlessly for years until the update. Now it’s bricked. Can’t connect to WiFi nor Bluetooth. Grom said no way to downgrade.

That sucks. Do they have a plan, as far as reloading the A12 software.or something. Haven’t heard of anyone having that problem yet, but it’s still early.

 

[burtlively]

Nothing yet. Said they’d have updates in future. Asked to refund my upgrade on my other unit in my Tundra and haven’t heard back. Going to attempt to swap tundra unit into lx and just upgrade head unit in tundra.

 

[82SC]

I sent my unit in for disgnostics cuz I haven’t been able to get my HDMI out to work. So I wasn’t able to upgrade to A12.

Sucks you having trouble with the upgrade.

They have been very good with me working through any bugs and glitches. I’m sure they will come up with some solution.

Sometimes they send me a file that I put on usb stick and on power up it can boot up and fix the problem.

I’d give it a little time and patience as I’m sure with such a massive upgrade across 30 different car brands and who knows how many model and years they gonna have to work thru these bugs.

That being said I’m not gonna use my A12 upgrade til some of these things are ironed out.