Installing and testing the Grom Vline2 Android Infotainment System to get Apple CarPlay (Updating) (2 Viewers)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

TheGrrrrr

GOLD Star
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Threads
82
Messages
1,724
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
I just ordered a Grom Vline2 for my 2013. It should be here by end of the week. I will do my best to document the install, setup and tips & tricks in this thread. I suspect that the touch resolution of the factory multifunction display will be a limiting factory for many applications, but its worth pushing it to its limits. A few things I will be focusing on are:
  • Carista Android OS App functionality/communication with Carista ODB2 Interface
  • Icom RS-MS1I Android OS App functionality for controlling the Icom ID-5100a HAM Radio
  • Apple CarPlay functionality and responsiveness
    • Waze responsiveness
    • Spotify sound quality
  • GaiaGPS CarPlay functionality vs GaiaGPS Android OS App funtionality
  • SwitchPros Android OS App functionality
  • Business Android OS App Functionality
    • Microsoft Outlook
    • Webex/Zoom
  • Streaming Android OS Apps
    • DirecTV
    • Netflix
    • MLB.tv
  • APRSDroid Android OS App Functionality
  • GoPro Android OS App functionality and connectivity range for cameras mounted on vehicle exterior/roof rack etc.
  • Escort Live Android OS App for Escort 360Max radar detector
If anyone has messed around with any of these on the Grom, let me know so I can eventually pick your brain. If there are any apps or compatibilities that you are interested in, please post your requests/suggestions here.
 
Last edited:
GROM VLine2 Arrived today:

IMG_0705.jpeg


IMG_0706.jpeg


IMG_0707.jpeg


IMG_0708.jpeg


IMG_0710.jpeg
 
Last edited:
I have installed and used the GROM VLINE2 for a couple of weeks, although limited by social distancing. I have a few initial observations to share and will provide more detailed functional reviews in the future.

Install: Pretty easy and straightforward. Taking the dash apart is not fun, but very doable with patience and interior trim tools.

Sound Quality: There is a bit of noise on the high end for music, but is not noticeable for podcasts and audiobooks. This is less pronounced when using the native Android apps vs CarPlay. The difference with CarPlay may be related to the quality of the USB cable in use or the USB port itself. Still testing on that. As far as the native sound quality not being up to par, there is talk of a remedy involving unplugging of the OEM 16 pin adapter. I will attempt this and report back, but am waiting for information on what functionality will be lost by doing so.

OEM Functionality: Track Up/Down on the steering wheel is not working for me in GROM, but Volume Up/Down on the steering wheel works fine. I have not noticed an other OEM functions not working at this time.

GaiaGPS: I actually prefer running GAIA on the GROM native android OS vs. CarPlay. This requires the GROM unit to have internet access, which I achieved by putting a permanent hotspot in the truck. All GAIA functionality seems to work fine, but the low resolution of the touch interface makes moving around the map less than ideal compared to iPad/iPhone. On my most recent trip to Montana Mountain, I was able to search for a public track of the trail and also able to load my personal track of the trail and was able to record a new track of the trail all from the head unit.

Spotify: Works as expected for both Native Android and CarPlay. Native Android has been a better experience primarily due to not needing to plug my phone in and open up CarPlay. As with everything else, the GROM does need an internet connection, whereas with CarPlay it uses the iphone's data connection.

Waze: Works great in both Native Android and CarPlay. This and Spotify are always running on my setup and both have worked flawlessly. Easily my two most utilized apps.

Icom RS-MS1a: Connects to Icom ID-5100a via Bluetooth (if equipped) and seems to work fine for making settings adjustments. App also works well for DR communications but not normal radio communications. App could be better designed for full functionality, this is not a GROM issue.

Thats all for now... keep checking back for updates.
 
Last edited:
@TheGrrrrr , how's the GROM treating you? i've had mine installed for little over a month and have really enjoyed it - while the audio out is a touch lesser quality than other sources, the integrated apps and use of touch screen are completely worth it. A couple of questions for you - did you test your rear-entertainment / dvd playback - i tried to play a dvd for my son today and realized i never tested this - sure enough, this did not work. the dvd audio came through, but no video. did you run into the same issue?
secondly, did you ever get netflix to run - after some internet searching i was a bit wary of going to a mirror site and downloading/installing various programs to get netflix to work - maybe i could just stream it to the screen somehow...
 
With the latest update, Apple CarPlay is now wireless and works well. I’ll do some more thorough testing this weekend.
 
With the latest update, Apple CarPlay is now wireless and works well. I’ll do some more thorough testing this weekend.

Awesome. Wireless CarPlay is pretty much the point I get to where I can say, no need to advance the in-dash tech anymore. Just give us a good display and let the phone do the rest, be it AA or CP.
 
Do you retain the factory audio setup and just have the Grom as an AUX input or what?
 
Do you retain the factory audio setup and just have the Grom as an AUX input or what?

Yeah, the GROM is on the Aux input. I haven't tested all factory functionality to ensure it works with the GROM installed, but both satellite and terrestrial radio work, bluetooth audio and phone works, steering wheel controls work etc. That said I never use factory functionality anymore. Is GROM perfect? No. But with wireless CarPlay, my setup is as good as any other vehicle... right up to the moment I lose cell reception and have to rely on downloaded maps, music etc.
 
Excellent choice of music on Spotify there!

Anyone figure out if the rear entertainment still works? Native DVD? Netflix or other app streaming to the rear?
 
Excellent choice of music on Spotify there!

Anyone figure out if the rear entertainment still works? Native DVD? Netflix or other app streaming to the rear?

Grom operates on the front screen only through Aux. The rear screens will work as they currently do, no streaming to rear.


I'm glad Grom finally tool the 16+ off their website as compatible after a number of people realized they don't work after getting their cars torn apart :/. I'm still annoyed that they told me there was nothing wrong with the unit and it should have worked. They should have owned up to the fact that they aren't compatible as currently made. I understand R&D limitations and issues like this. I don't understand a company that won't own up to their mistakes. They will never get my support.


I have an inquiry to Naviplus about their system and a potential group buy. Evidently it allows netflix/streaming in the back seat too. I'll start a new thread if anything comes out of it.
 
Last edited:
Grom operates on the front screen only through Aux. The rear screens will work as they currently do, no streaming to rear.


I'm glad Grom finally tool the 16+ off their website as compatible after a number of people realized they don't work after getting their cars torn apart :/. I'm still annoyed that they told me there was nothing wrong with the unit and it should have worked. They should have owned up to the fact that they aren't compatible as currently made. I understand R&D limitations and issues like this. I don't understand a company that won't own up to their mistakes. They will never get my support.


I have an inquiry to Naviplus about their system and a potential group buy. Evidently it allows netflix/streaming in the back seat too. I'll start a new thread if anything comes out of it.
The holy grail for me would be the ability to run the Plex media client (not Plex server) on the rear DVD, so if it allows Netflix that might be possible as Plex is just another client. Not a required feature, just really nice to have. I'm not going to watch movies on the front screen... at least not until level 5 autonomous self-driving cars are a thing.
 
I've been lazy and had no idea how much my Grom installation had been weighing on me. I didn't like the way I had routed the USB to Lightning cable for connecting my iPhone, and the sound quality was really hurting my overall experience. I love the unit and its capability, but I hadn't felt like tearing apart the dash again to reroute the iPhone cable and unplug the 16-pin plug from the harness as others have indicated might improve the sound quality.

Well today I got around to doing it and HOLY ****ING s***BALLS!!!!! Now that my CarPlay is wireless, I was able to wire the USB to a charging connector instead of the GROM, which give a much faster charging experience. Also, the trick of unplugging the 16-pin plug from the harness worked perfectly. The audio sounds better than it ever has and I just fell in love with my rig all over again!!!!! Such a weight lifted!

Yeah, it may take a minute for Grom to boot on cold start and it may take a minute for wireless CarPlay to connect, but both are good to go within about a block from my house and it is such an improvement that I don't even mind or really notice.

With wireless CarPlay the Grom Vline2 is now my favorite mod as it fixed the most glaring weakness this vehicle has: Lack of modern Navigation and App integration.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom