Naviks vs Beatsonic for GX460 Carplay (2 Viewers)

[qdogg]

Just curious if anyone has any opinion on the Naviks vs Beatsonic. Naviks about 100 cheaper from some guys in Brooklyn, Beatsonic is Lexus approved and predominantly what is installed out there other than some GROM. Just want to see if there is any real feedback on the Naviks mod from people who have installed it since I haven't been able to find it. Any pros/cons if you have it? Any install pros / cons vs Beatsonic?

 

[r2m]

Just curious if anyone has any opinion on the Naviks vs Beatsonic. Naviks about 100 cheaper from some guys in Brooklyn, Beatsonic is Lexus approved and predominantly what is installed out there other than some GROM. Just want to see if there is any real feedback on the Naviks mod from people who have installed it since I haven't been able to find it. Any pros/cons if you have it? Any install pros / cons vs Beatsonic?

Have you seen any online reviews of the Naviks? Regardless of what vehicles they may be fitted in, if there's issues with the product, it will probably transcend through all their vehicle models. That would/should give a good idea and maybe help you a wee bit in the decision process.

 

[ztodd377]

Here’s what I’ll be doing eventually. Looked at the BeatSonics but I prefer this.

CarLinkLife 12" Android Screen - '10-'21

2022-2023 Lexus GX460 12.3 Navi screen Installation and Lessons Learned https://carlinklife.com/products/lexus-gx460-2010-2021-carplay-multimedia-video-player-12-3inch-all-new-car-radio Features: Built-in Wireless CarPlay Support 70+ language Supprot Voice Control Support Wi-Fi, 3G / 4G...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[thescreensavers]

I would go Carlink Life/Hamilton Motor module can even be had on amazon for ~$300.

 

[r2m]

I would go Carlink Life/Hamilton Motor module can even be had on amazon for ~$300.

You may want to look at this video first.

Elite Car Box looks way better than Magic Box.

 

[thescreensavers]

You may want to look at this video first.

Elite Car Box looks way better than Magic Box.

That only works for 22 and 2023 model years.

 

[qdogg]

Have you seen any online reviews of the Naviks? Regardless of what vehicles they may be fitted in, if there's issues with the product, it will probably transcend through all their vehicle models. That would/should give a good idea and maybe help you a wee bit in the decision process.

Haven't found many anywhere online or on any forums, hence the post hoping someone had some experiences to share. But sounds like not many. It isnt really about the money since its only 100 less, more about whether its been more reliable, better experience, easier install.....those factors....but im leaning like everyone else to BeatSonic just need to decide now if i want to save $400 and put it in myself or have less stress and let the shop across the street do it including warranty on the labor and device. I've seen GXBOBs install video so i know what i would be getting into if I choose that route, but may be feeling lazy if i can win some SuperBowl money .

 

[r2m]

Haven't found many anywhere online or on any forums, hence the post hoping someone had some experiences to share. But sounds like not many. It isnt really about the money since its only 100 less, more about whether its been more reliable, better experience, easier install.....those factors....but im leaning like everyone else to BeatSonic just need to decide now if i want to save $400 and put it in myself or have less stress and let the shop across the street do it including warranty on the labor and device. I've seen GXBOBs install video so i know what i would be getting into if I choose that route, but may be feeling lazy if i can win some SuperBowl money .

After doing stereo installs as a kid back in the early 1980's, I would have a shop install it. I hate the cuts and nicks trying to get my fingers/hands in all those contorted positions, and doing it all while lying on my back. Yeah, I know most of the install is sitting in the front seat, but it's always nice that if there is an issue, that it's the "shop" that trouble shoots it and not you spending hours chasing down a loose wire or something.
AND too boot, you said they'll do a warranty! (for me, no brainer)
Just my .02¢

 

[ShumbaTX1999]

I'll chime in here if I may. I recently bought my GX in December and the first thing I did was add CarPlay to it via the Hamilton module. I looked at BeatSonic and Grom, but it looked like the Hamilton kit was easier to install, and I liked that it seemed to have fewer components (just one metal "box" for lack of a better term, and a Bluetooth antenna). Plus, the Hamilton unit was around $300 less than BeatSonic, and basically did the same thing. Anyway, I have installed a couple of head units in my other vehicles, so I figured it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Hamilton has an installation video on YouTube that walks you through the process. You can also watch GXBob's video on how to get to the rear of your radio via removing a lot of the dash. Still, I figured I wouldn't need to do all that because the Hamilton video only has you remove your center console (with your gear shifter removed) and you just need to reroute some wires behind the radio and drop the metal unit under your shifter and you are done. At least that is what I thought initially, but Hamilton changed the wires that came with the unit and I ended up having to remove the upper screen/radio to plug in a wire that runs to that unit, and they did not (at least as of a month or so ago) update their youtube video to explain this.

That was my one gripe in the installation, but the tech support from Hamilton was fantastic. I called their support line and had to leave a message, and I figured it would be a minute before I heard back, but they called back within the hour and emailed me instructions on what I needed to do. Now, I'm used to buying head units at Crutchfields and I would say that Hamilton's support was almost as good as Crutchfields, but typically Crutchfields will call me and walk me through issues on the phone, but Hamilton did a good job with corresponding via email. The unit is working as designed, and I have Apple Car Play and the steering wheel controls still work. Obviously, the screen is still old tech, so that is the biggest limiting factor that I see. I really wish there was a way to drop in the OEM unit that comes with the 2021 GX, but I guess there are too many back-end changes for us to be able to do this. Oh, and one thing that I found very cool about Lexus is that everything is held together with clips that just pop out and pop back in. I mean, there are some bolts that you have to remove, but they are very few. I think both the upper and lower radio units have maybe six bolts holding them in place. That's a far cry from my first Chevy pickup truck I had back in college where I had a bunch of stuff to keep track of when replacing my stereo. All in all, I would recommend the Hamilton unit. I'll circle back in a few months and tell you if my opinion has changed.

 

[qdogg]

After doing stereo installs as a kid back in the early 1980's, I would have a shop install it. I hate the cuts and nicks trying to get my fingers/hands in all those contorted positions, and doing it all while lying on my back. Yeah, I know most of the install is sitting in the front seat, but it's always nice that if there is an issue, that it's the "shop" that trouble shoots it and not you spending hours chasing down a loose wire or something.
AND too boot, you said they'll do a warranty! (for me, no brainer)
Just my .02¢

Tending to agree these days. I also put in my share of subwoofers and alpine decks in many vehicles over the years, and I am of the age now where really i dont have much of that patience anymore either to go with the nicks and cuts and dropped screws and and and!

 

[thescreensavers]

I'll chime in here if I may. I recently bought my GX in December and the first thing I did was add CarPlay to it via the Hamilton module. I looked at BeatSonic and Grom, but it looked like the Hamilton kit was easier to install, and I liked that it seemed to have fewer components (just one metal "box" for lack of a better term, and a Bluetooth antenna). Plus, the Hamilton unit was around $300 less than BeatSonic, and basically did the same thing. Anyway, I have installed a couple of head units in my other vehicles, so I figured it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Hamilton has an installation video on YouTube that walks you through the process. You can also watch GXBob's video on how to get to the rear of your radio via removing a lot of the dash. Still, I figured I wouldn't need to do all that because the Hamilton video only has you remove your center console (with your gear shifter removed) and you just need to reroute some wires behind the radio and drop the metal unit under your shifter and you are done. At least that is what I thought initially, but Hamilton changed the wires that came with the unit and I ended up having to remove the upper screen/radio to plug in a wire that runs to that unit, and they did not (at least as of a month or so ago) update their youtube video to explain this.

That was my one gripe in the installation, but the tech support from Hamilton was fantastic. I called their support line and had to leave a message, and I figured it would be a minute before I heard back, but they called back within the hour and emailed me instructions on what I needed to do. Now, I'm used to buying head units at Crutchfields and I would say that Hamilton's support was almost as good as Crutchfields, but typically Crutchfields will call me and walk me through issues on the phone, but Hamilton did a good job with corresponding via email. The unit is working as designed, and I have Apple Car Play and the steering wheel controls still work. Obviously, the screen is still old tech, so that is the biggest limiting factor that I see. I really wish there was a way to drop in the OEM unit that comes with the 2021 GX, but I guess there are too many back-end changes for us to be able to do this. Oh, and one thing that I found very cool about Lexus is that everything is held together with clips that just pop out and pop back in. I mean, there are some bolts that you have to remove, but they are very few. I think both the upper and lower radio units have maybe six bolts holding them in place. That's a far cry from my first Chevy pickup truck I had back in college where I had a bunch of stuff to keep track of when replacing my stereo. All in all, I would recommend the Hamilton unit. I'll circle back in a few months and tell you if my opinion has changed.

I actually had Hamilton send me the "light green harness" so mine installed like their video. The unit has been working good for me. I wasn't interested in taking more of my interior apart then I need too

 

[ShumbaTX1999]

I actually had Hamilton send me the "like green harness" so mine installed like their video. The unit has been working good for me. I wasn't interested in taking more of my interior apart then I need too

Question for you. How is your call quality? My wife was complaining about an echo on her end when I called her, and when I brought this up with Hamilton, they told me to use the Lexus Bluetooth connection instead of the Bluetooth connection that the Hamilton unit provides. Have you had any similar issues?

 

[thescreensavers]

Question for you. How is your call quality? My wife was complaining about an echo on her end when I called her, and when I brought this up with Hamilton, they told me to use the Lexus Bluetooth connection instead of the Bluetooth connection that the Hamilton unit provides. Have you had any similar issues?

Yea I had same issue, they had me go into the units settings and set "use cars BT channel" see the attached . Esentially this just goes back to using the factory stuff for calls.

 

[qdogg]

I'll chime in here if I may. I recently bought my GX in December and the first thing I did was add CarPlay to it via the Hamilton module. I looked at BeatSonic and Grom, but it looked like the Hamilton kit was easier to install, and I liked that it seemed to have fewer components (just one metal "box" for lack of a better term, and a Bluetooth antenna). Plus, the Hamilton unit was around $300 less than BeatSonic, and basically did the same thing. Anyway, I have installed a couple of head units in my other vehicles, so I figured it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Hamilton has an installation video on YouTube that walks you through the process. You can also watch GXBob's video on how to get to the rear of your radio via removing a lot of the dash. Still, I figured I wouldn't need to do all that because the Hamilton video only has you remove your center console (with your gear shifter removed) and you just need to reroute some wires behind the radio and drop the metal unit under your shifter and you are done. At least that is what I thought initially, but Hamilton changed the wires that came with the unit and I ended up having to remove the upper screen/radio to plug in a wire that runs to that unit, and they did not (at least as of a month or so ago) update their youtube video to explain this.

That was my one gripe in the installation, but the tech support from Hamilton was fantastic. I called their support line and had to leave a message, and I figured it would be a minute before I heard back, but they called back within the hour and emailed me instructions on what I needed to do. Now, I'm used to buying head units at Crutchfields and I would say that Hamilton's support was almost as good as Crutchfields, but typically Crutchfields will call me and walk me through issues on the phone, but Hamilton did a good job with corresponding via email. The unit is working as designed, and I have Apple Car Play and the steering wheel controls still work. Obviously, the screen is still old tech, so that is the biggest limiting factor that I see. I really wish there was a way to drop in the OEM unit that comes with the 2021 GX, but I guess there are too many back-end changes for us to be able to do this. Oh, and one thing that I found very cool about Lexus is that everything is held together with clips that just pop out and pop back in. I mean, there are some bolts that you have to remove, but they are very few. I think both the upper and lower radio units have maybe six bolts holding them in place. That's a far cry from my first Chevy pickup truck I had back in college where I had a bunch of stuff to keep track of when replacing my stereo. All in all, I would recommend the Hamilton unit. I'll circle back in a few months and tell you if my opinion has changed.

I'm not afraid of doing the install I did the MTS mod a few years back and like I said have done many stereos over the years in Jeeps, Mustangs, Sequoias, Camrys.....but I am considering just getting it done so I don't waste a Saturday and its warrantied so wouldnt have to waste another if a cable becomes disconnected......value judgement more than anything else, install was quoted around $400. Certainly could use that somewhere else as well there are plenty more mods out there and I have been looking to get a new awning! Thanks for the tip on Hamilton I will check out their site and videos.

 

[scrappyslexus]

Has anyone installed the unit from carlinklife?

 

[thescreensavers]

Has anyone installed the unit from carlinklife?

It's the same as Hamilton Motorcar unit.

 

[WTITW]

Im just going to add an amazon carplay screen to mine so I can add extra cameras. Way cheaper, change it in the future, higher quality touchscreens than factory and won’t put my ability to control the factory system at risk like some android based integrated solutions. That also allows me to have separate screens for entertainment and hvac control. I put one in my wife’s 3rd gen and it convinced me its worth ordering three from Amazon to get one I liked that wasn’t garbage.

 

[scrappyslexus]

So Hamilton motor and car link life are the same? You have had no issues with it?

 

[WTITW]

Hamilton motor and car link life are the same

No, Hamilton is more like Grom. There are more carlinklife style ones coming to market though. Half price, but still, Im not putting android in charge of my hvac controls. Everyone that installed the “Tesla style” radios ended up with a lot of complaints.

 

[scrappyslexus]

So folks which one to get?
Hamilton/carlinklife or beatsonic? Does it make a difference? I plan on keeping factory unit