Naviks vs Beatsonic for GX460 Carplay (4 Viewers)

[thescreensavers]

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

Correct, you can get the "unlabeled" one for $300 on Amazon but less support. Hamilton Motorcar has good support so there may be some value in that and a longer warranty.

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.

This thread is not about screen replacements just the units that provide Android Auto/Carplay to the existing unit. Carlink sells both types

 

[Bang Bang]

Just my .02 ……….

I have had the Grom unit for a couple of years. It’s frustrating to say the least. Sometimes it will connect, sometimes it won’t. The reverse camera works about 20% of the time. It hasn’t done it in a while, but it has just quit working / disconnected while driving for no reason. I don’t daily the GX so I have just lived with this overpriced purchase. But, last year, I decided to give the Carlinklife a shot. I placed the order and 7 weeks later and many emails exchanged, they couldn’t tell me when it was going to ship. I cancelled the order and got my money back.

@WTITW , could you post a link to the one you got on Amazon that isn’t garbage?

 

[ShumbaTX1999]

The Hamilton is more in line with the Beatsonic. It's just a metal box that you run a couple of cables from your radio to and then back to the radio. It works with your current OEM screen and just allows you to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Carlinklife is what I would consider a whole new head unit, so to speak. It replaces your screen and redirects your air conditioning vents. It's a much more involved installation from what I can see. The Hamilton/Grom/Beatsonic all use your current screen and allow you to use Android Auto or CarPlay. I looked at all three, but it seemed like Hamilton was the less expensive and easiest to install, but my installation was a bit more complicated (as outlined in my write-up above). I have had zero issues with the Hamilton unit, but I have only a month or so on the clock, so I can't speak for how it will be over a long period. So far it has worked fairly well, other than a known issue of an echo when making a phone call.

Carlinklife unit:

Hamilton Unit:

Beatsonic Unit:

 

[scrappyslexus]

Many thanks. The Hamilton looks a lot easier to install. Does anyone else out there have anything they want to share?

 

[thescreensavers]

Many thanks. The Hamilton looks a lot easier to install. Does anyone else out there have anything they want to share?

If you order the Hamilton makes sure you ask that it comes with the "lime green harness" otherwise youll have to remove all the top trim and screen.

 

[r2m]

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.

Let us know what you go with.

 

[qdogg]

I bit the bullet and installed the Beatsonic last weekend. Install wasnt bad if you have done the MTS or other mods before. Took a bit of time figuring some things out as they have changed the main harness so the install doesn't line up completely with any of the YT videos from GXBOB or Beatsonic, so I had to go back and forth with the video and the manual figuring it out until i finally said f-it and just put all the connections where I could and buttoned it up. A little confusing initially with the pairing and had the setup screen come up a few times, but now all is good and works like a charm. Support from Beatsonic is second to none, they were answering my panic emails through the install on a Sunday afternoon, not gonna get that from many companies. Probably took an hour and a half but half of that was me sitting in panic mode not knowing how to connect the main harness. DFU problem.

 

[jeremy j]

I bit the bullet and installed the Beatsonic last weekend. Install wasnt bad if you have done the MTS or other mods before. Took a bit of time figuring some things out as they have changed the main harness so the install doesn't line up completely with any of the YT videos from GXBOB or Beatsonic, so I had to go back and forth with the video and the manual figuring it out until i finally said f-it and just put all the connections where I could and buttoned it up. A little confusing initially with the pairing and had the setup screen come up a few times, but now all is good and works like a charm. Support from Beatsonic is second to none, they were answering my panic emails through the install on a Sunday afternoon, not gonna get that from many companies. Probably took an hour and a half but half of that was me sitting in panic mode not knowing how to connect the main harness. DFU problem.

I installed one of these a month or so ago. Overall I am pleased with it. Took me a minute to understand how it was working (I didn't realize it is playing the audio exactly like the stock unit, just a different interface) so I was trying to pair the audio to the beatsonic. The wireless carplay is about 95% reliable so not ideal when it disconnects when you need navigation. Maybe moving my antenna will help but for now I'll just deal with it.

 

[phantum29]

Does the hamilton unit auto switch to the back-up cam? Is one harness better over the other, I wonder why they changed to a more challenging one if there's no benefit. I'm torn between beat-sonic and hamilton. Seems both are easy enough to switch back to factory to make climate control changes etc.

 

[thescreensavers]

Does the hamilton unit auto switch to the back-up cam? Is one harness better over the other, I wonder why they changed to a more challenging one if there's no benefit. I'm torn between beat-sonic and hamilton. Seems both are easy enough to switch back to factory to make climate control changes etc.

Yes to your first question, it also auto launches the interface when you start the car.

Im not sure if they changed to it or if it's older kit that they are getting rid of but I'd def ask for the lime green harness as then you do not need to take your whole dash apart. For me that was the selling point.

 

[MeefZah]

Yes to your first question, it also auto launches the interface when you start the car.

Im not sure if they changed to it or if it's older kit that they are getting rid of but I'd def ask for the lime green harness as then you do not need to take your whole dash apart. For me that was the selling point.

Are you saying with the lime green harness you just need to pull the lower console to access the wiring there, and nothing above the level of, basically, the shifter area? Nothing behind the head unit?

 

[thescreensavers]

Are you saying with the updated harness you just need to pull the lower console to access the wiring there, and nothing above the level of, basically, the shifter area?

You pull the lower console and the trim piece just above the console (4 bolts). Vs having to take the screen out which requires much more to come apart.

 

[century]

I’m looking for some feedback on the Hamilton device. How seamless/factory-like is it?

I have the Hamilton replacement screen version right now and while the screen is gorgeous the software and HVAC is a bit rough around the edges. Slow boot up, displays Hamilton’s logo at startup (for a really long time), slow connections, poorly performing auto-temp on the HVAC, partial HVAC controls, wireless CarPlay doesn’t auto connect and has a significant delay, the clock keeps randomly resetting… it’s just not factory quality.

My ideal version would something that boots up and loads just like stock except has a CarPlay button (or long press one of the existing). This wouldn’t even be a question if they sold a higher res replacement for the stock screen. I also prefer wired CarPlay if that makes a difference.

 

[thescreensavers]

I’m looking for some feedback on the Hamilton device. How seamless/factory-like is it?

I have the Hamilton replacement screen version right now and while the screen is gorgeous the software and HVAC is a bit rough around the edges. Slow boot up, displays Hamilton’s logo at startup (for a really long time), slow connections, poorly performing auto-temp on the HVAC, partial HVAC controls, wireless CarPlay doesn’t auto connect and has a significant delay, the clock keeps randomly resetting… it’s just not factory quality.

My ideal version would something that boots up and loads just like stock except has a CarPlay button (or long press one of the existing). This wouldn’t even be a question if they sold a higher res replacement for the stock screen. I also prefer wired CarPlay if that makes a difference.

Hamilton is the best there is, they have put effort to optimize for the GX. Contact Hamilton with your issues.

 

[ericm979]

My ideal version would something that boots up and loads just like stock except has a CarPlay button (or long press one of the existing). This wouldn’t even be a question if they sold a higher res replacement for the stock screen. I also prefer wired CarPlay if that makes a difference.

Doesn't Hamilton also have a Carplay only device that doesn't replace the screen or buttons, just adds Carplay to the existing unit?

 

[century]

Doesn't Hamilton also have a Carplay only device that doesn't replace the screen or buttons, just adds Carplay to the existing unit?

I’m pretty sure I’m going to downgrade to that version. Trade the fancy screen for better basic function.

 

[PoindAxster]

I just pulled the trigger on this one: Amazon.com: Linux Interface Box for Lexus GX 2014-2020 Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Fit for Original Car Radio Upgrade GPS Navigation : Electronics - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGL5Y1Z8

For $290 I figured it was worth it to take a chance. So far, the Amazon reviews aren't bad.

 

[r2m]

I just pulled the trigger on this one: Amazon.com: Linux Interface Box for Lexus GX 2014-2020 Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Fit for Original Car Radio Upgrade GPS Navigation : Electronics - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGL5Y1Z8

For $290 I figured it was worth it to take a chance. So far, the Amazon reviews aren't bad.

Keep us updated on how the install is AND operation!
After the install, please report back on what does and doesn't work for which type of phones and OS's.
Never been a fan of Linux, but that's because I'm too lazy to learn another OS and all my engineering software wouldn't work on it anyways.

 

[PoindAxster]

Keep us updated on how the install is AND operation!
After the install, please report back on what does and doesn't work for which type of phones and OS's.
Never been a fan of Linux, but that's because I'm too lazy to learn another OS and all my engineering software wouldn't work on it anyways.

Don't get caught-up on the Linux part. I don't know why they put that into the title of their product. To the end user, it just boots up in CarPlay after hitting the Home button twice.

 

[Seavs]

I just pulled the trigger on this one: Amazon.com: Linux Interface Box for Lexus GX 2014-2020 Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Fit for Original Car Radio Upgrade GPS Navigation : Electronics - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGL5Y1Z8

For $290 I figured it was worth it to take a chance. So far, the Amazon reviews aren't bad.

Very interested to see what your thoughts are on this product. I have the same one in a list of future GX purchases (and my mom has been interested in this for her GX as well).