My screen did the same with randomly going black. Reverting firmware resolved that issue for me. I noticed my keyboard didn't work the other day, so i wonder if my USB is messed up as well. I haven't troubleshot that at all yet.
Merge screens car play adapter lx570
- Thread starter Stonethedoctor
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I was regretting my decision to not get the grom until reading these comments
I've never even heard of this. Seems like a great alternative - especially at that price.Here’s a link. I think the one above is broken.
Wireless CarPlay Display for Car Bus SUV Pickup Taxi Truck Lorry Van MPV GM all models
Road Top Touch Screen of Linux system with Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Air Play Navigation for Dodge Jeep Seat Skoda Wrangler etc.www.roadtop.com
Big thing that's steered me away from the integrated units is the need to swap back to OEM for climate control. Looks like this can be avoided with an additional screen.
@jefo13 (and any others that may be using this Road Top option), interested to see how this holds up long term. At its price, it may be worth the gamble. Looks good!
GromVL2 isn’t bad, it just requires patience. I’m just frustrated but all in all it’s a solid unit with good support. However if you aren’t the patient type then I don’t suggest it. I feel like GROM has a few more updates to go until it’s a true plug and play. Unless you are an android user haha
@jefo13 This is a very reasonable solution for those not looking to open up their dash to install the tesla style screens. I like the fact it has a wide format and doesn't obstruct too much of the driver's view. Did you look at other vendors in this market? How did you route your power cable and is there an option to hardwire it? Are you happy with the quality of the screen? I think this RoadTop device deserves a separate thread for review purposes.
Yeah I know I accidentally highjacked the thread and mostly because the vendor referenced was called merge screen and they sell add-on screens which made me think of Road-Top. - I’ll cut and paste a bunch and repost.
Screens in the Market
To answer your question, Yes I have been hyper aware of this market because my previous work car was super old with the 3” screen and I wanted to add separate screen just for CarPlay. Back then only car and driver had an option but it was pricy and no wireless option. I toyed with and Android tablet and an adapter but it was too gimmicky. Meanwhile on my LC I was using the iPad like I mentioned earlier in the thread which had some great advantages but several annoyances. So I kept my out and saw this pop earlier in the year, I watched for reviews as Amazon and Reddit’s CarPlay built some history with it. I liked what I was hearing and then this thread pushed me to it as I mentioned above…. So in short I have not seen any other unit like it (wide and low profile, there are many 3:3 ones out there)
Hardwire Question
I tested it plugged in cigarette lighter to make sure I wanted it, in a few days I knew I did so I went to my trusted Autosound guy and they hardwired it. Unfortunately he did it to the ignition instead of accessory but not a gotal inconvenience. I might go back and have jume fix it.
Cable routing
I followed the same path as I had for years with the iPad. Pull the panel with the ignition button and route it through there, from above the ignition to the device I tucked it in the A/C vent using adhesive clips. It’s not super clean and I thought of going through the speaker grill but the Autosound guy thought the cable is too thick for it. For me it’s fine since with the iPad I’ve had a cable there for years…
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any further Road Top comments, Go to this Thread
FYI, i gave it a try. To me, I think it was like all the other built in systems that work behind the scenes. It worked, but just too much changing screens for HVAC, etc. I'm selling mine if anyone is interested in trying it out.
SOLD - Merger City Mergescreens Apple Car play Android Auto unit with Wireless AA/CP
I tried this thing out and it was just a bit too much tinkering for me and not as streamlined as fully built in units. Mainly, I got tired of having to push the Home button to switch between systems and moving to Aux for various outputs. I think it was partly due to my non normal Android...
forum.ih8mud.com
FYI, i gave it a try. To me, I think it was like all the other built in systems that work behind the scenes. It worked, but just too much changing screens for HVAC, etc. I'm selling mine if anyone is interested in trying it out.
SOLD - Merger City Mergescreens Apple Car play Android Auto unit with Wireless AA/CP
I tried this thing out and it was just a bit too much tinkering for me and not as streamlined as fully built in units. Mainly, I got tired of having to push the Home button to switch between systems and moving to Aux for various outputs. I think it was partly due to my non normal Android...
I bumped into the Merge Screens site randomly searching for CarPlay solutions, then checked here and you seem to be the only person to have tried it.
Sounds like that all that switching would probably annoy me as well...although less so than having a secondary screen mounted above the OEM unit.
It is worth noting that their site currently says something like "Climate Control Displays Inside Our System"...wonder if they've made some updates to solve the issue?
Do you recall if that was listed as a "feature" on your particular unit, or was it just not functional?
I also realize, as a first post, my $0.02 is even far less valuable.
If I decide to go the Merge Screens route, will definitely post an update here.
Thanks! That may be really good news, suppose I may give it a shot sometime soon.
Reading their website, I think that language was there and refers to the fact that you maintain control of the climate system with their system installed (like the steering wheel controls). I'm not sure much is different, and frankly, have seen no one crack that code. Never know though.
The tesla style units do have climate controls, so it is possible to do.
Thanks again! What generation LC are you working with?
I know with my '17, the OEM unit requires constant swapping between screens (nav, audio etc...) just to change most things Climate related except overall temperature & defrost (Fan Speed & Zones are in the screen menu). Then defaults back to whatever initial screen you were on...usually although unpredictable sometimes.
So, even swapping out of the MergeScreens may not be any more work/swapping that I seem to already be doing to make any adjustments.
I know it's been 2 years since the last post. But was wondering if anyone had any updates to share reason I ask...
I have been running the Grom Vline for years and loving it, except my LCD is starting to fade out... 2005 GX
Recently the AC has been acting weird and would start blowing hot after idling for a bit. I thought maybe the fan is weak, so I added another fan ran off a relay, which didn't help.
The other day the AC won't turn on at all No HVAC at all not fan heat ac nothing the AC controls are dead, and a message un the climate screen states something like Check the Air Conditioning Connection and the HVAC controls that are usually populated on that screen are not there.
Check all connections in back, check all fuses and everything checks out.
I think the HVAC controller has failed
Also, the heated seats do not work, the red LED on the wheel switch does not turn, IDK if its related or not??
So instead of finding some used HVAC controller, I figured I would get one of these tesla radios...
OR does anyone know if I can install a newer model year Nav Screen, I have heard the 05 and 06 sux compared to say an 08??
As far as I know there are 3 companies that make these "Tesla" screens for GX;
Phoenix Automotive - Bad reviews and don't return emails or Facebook messages
Rhino Radios - They have allot of complaints as well, including the BBB
Merge Screens - can't seem to find any negative feedback, their system only has one camera input for back-up. I currently have a forward facing into my Grom for looking over hill crests, make the wife less nervous off roading.
I have been running the Grom Vline for years and loving it, except my LCD is starting to fade out... 2005 GX
Recently the AC has been acting weird and would start blowing hot after idling for a bit. I thought maybe the fan is weak, so I added another fan ran off a relay, which didn't help.
The other day the AC won't turn on at all No HVAC at all not fan heat ac nothing the AC controls are dead, and a message un the climate screen states something like Check the Air Conditioning Connection and the HVAC controls that are usually populated on that screen are not there.
Check all connections in back, check all fuses and everything checks out.
I think the HVAC controller has failed
Also, the heated seats do not work, the red LED on the wheel switch does not turn, IDK if its related or not??
So instead of finding some used HVAC controller, I figured I would get one of these tesla radios...
OR does anyone know if I can install a newer model year Nav Screen, I have heard the 05 and 06 sux compared to say an 08??
As far as I know there are 3 companies that make these "Tesla" screens for GX;
Phoenix Automotive - Bad reviews and don't return emails or Facebook messages
Rhino Radios - They have allot of complaints as well, including the BBB
Merge Screens - can't seem to find any negative feedback, their system only has one camera input for back-up. I currently have a forward facing into my Grom for looking over hill crests, make the wife less nervous off roading.
You may want to properly troubleshoot that climate issues. The Tesla units are just screens. They don't have the actual ac controlling modules that command the servos in your car. You may go to all the trouble just to find out you got a pretty screen but still no AC. Add to that they are buggy and you are making your life harder troubleshooting both at the same time.
They actually do have HVAC controller
Having an HVAC “controller” and being the HVAC ecu are different things. Most likely, what the Tesla screen does is talk to the hvac ECU the same way the OEM does. The only way swapping out the OEM unit for the Tesla unit could poccibly help is if the part that died was communication side of the OEM radio. I suspect at best you have a 50/50 chance of that helping, but if for a while you had a temporarily communicating but dying HVAC ecu, but the OEM screen was still working, I suspect that function would be all or nothing, so more likely it’s the hvac ecu.
