Naviks vs Beatsonic for GX460 Carplay (3 Viewers)

[NorthwoodsGX]

I installed a similar unit back (link below) in June and so far I am happy with it. My only gripe is I tend to use FM radio around town, but it automatically pulls up android auto when I start the car so I can't see song or station information. Also, right now calls/music are routed through the android auto interface/aux source, but since I normally leave it on radio for the source I need to remember to change my source if I want to accept a call, I have also heard the call quality isn't great. I am going to see if I can make the bluetooth default to the cars system to avoid issues with call quality and answering. If you normally stream music, it would be a non-issue to leave it in aux source and your music/calls/map directions would all come through without issues, but I am fortunate enough to live within the broadcast range of some quality terrestrial radio, and I would rather not use Spotify constantly.

All-in-all I would say they are minor issues and the install was very easy. It is great having wireless android auto for $290! Time will tell if the unit lasts more than a few years but so far so good.

Amazon.com: AUTUVONE LVDS Wired/Wireless CarPlay Decoder Retrofit Kit for Lexus GX460 2014-2021, Support Wireless Android Auto, Upgrade Car Screen to Phone Mirror, Keep The Factory Screen and Control : Electronics

Amazon.com: AUTUVONE LVDS Wired/Wireless CarPlay Decoder Retrofit Kit for Lexus GX460 2014-2021, Support Wireless Android Auto, Upgrade Car Screen to Phone Mirror, Keep The Factory Screen and Control : Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[WTITW]

I bought this carplay screen unit about 6 months ago. It's about $150 and comes with 4 cameras. The cameras are kind of old school looking chunks, but they are much higher quality than the small AV cable based ones. My goal was a bit different, I have an off-road trailer that's not small and I wanted off road cameras for wheeling, so I went this route. I've been using it for 6 months daily and it's rock solid. It has a bright sharp screen about 50% larger thanmost of these (though it is a polarized screen so bad with polarized glasses).

It has 4 camera inputs and a dvr that can be set to security record. You could probably find smaller cameras if desired. I bought extension cables and routed three channels back to my hitch. I mounted one camera under my 'L' in the grill with a little help from my Dremel. I ran another long extension along my trailer roof to a camera I mounted on the back of the trailer. When I'm driving I can see the rear camera split screen so I know when someone is about to get brake checked. On the trail I can see a full 3-4 feet closer to the bumper in front with the camera vs. what I can see above the hood. I plan on adding the remaining two cameras to the front sides of my trailer to see around the corner when I'm backing while turning.

The caveat is that you have to figure out how to mount it. I have an touring rig so I've already bit the bullet and screwed Expedition Essentials mount to my dash (amazing, highly recommended). I used a ram ball mount that lined up with the mounting holes on the back and I used plenty of lock tight on the tiny screws. No issues after wheeling all summer. The umbilical is about 6' long so I routed that through the plastic ignition button cover but you could route it along the dash without drilling.

I know this is a bit more than most will want to do, but if you wish you could add the off-road camera system you never got from Toyota, this is a great option. The screen and the camera are MUCH higher quality than all the OEM stuff of this generation. The old school touchscreen on the gx is 800x600 I believe, so adding a Grom or other carplay through the circa 2008 oem screen seemed like an underwhelming upgrade to me. The way I went isn't as clean, but the resulting system really high quality and versatile.

 

[jeremy j]

I like it. I already have a beatsonic but I might try that unit and just take it out when I'm not on a trail. I would love to be able to see a little better on the trail.

 

[NorthwoodsGX]

I bought this carplay screen unit about 6 months ago. It's about $150 and comes with 4 cameras. The cameras are kind of old school looking chunks, but they are much higher quality than the small AV cable based ones. My goal was a bit different, I have an off-road trailer that's not small and I wanted off road cameras for wheeling, so I went this route. I've been using it for 6 months daily and it's rock solid. It has a bright sharp screen about 50% larger thanmost of these (though it is a polarized screen so bad with polarized glasses).

It has 4 camera inputs and a dvr that can be set to security record. You could probably find smaller cameras if desired. I bought extension cables and routed three channels back to my hitch. I mounted one camera under my 'L' in the grill with a little help from my Dremel. I ran another long extension along my trailer roof to a camera I mounted on the back of the trailer. When I'm driving I can see the rear camera split screen so I know when someone is about to get brake checked. On the trail I can see a full 3-4 feet closer to the bumper in front with the camera vs. what I can see above the hood. I plan on adding the remaining two cameras to the front sides of my trailer to see around the corner when I'm backing while turning.

The caveat is that you have to figure out how to mount it. I have an touring rig so I've already bit the bullet and screwed Expedition Essentials mount to my dash (amazing, highly recommended). I used a ram ball mount that lined up with the mounting holes on the back and I used plenty of lock tight on the tiny screws. No issues after wheeling all summer. The umbilical is about 6' long so I routed that through the plastic ignition button cover but you could route it along the dash without drilling.

I know this is a bit more than most will want to do, but if you wish you could add the off-road camera system you never got from Toyota, this is a great option. The screen and the camera are MUCH higher quality than all the OEM stuff of this generation. The old school touchscreen on the gx is 800x600 I believe, so adding a Grom or other carplay through the circa 2008 oem screen seemed like an underwhelming upgrade to me. The way I went isn't as clean, but the resulting system really high quality and versatile.



View attachment 3993063

View attachment 3993064

That seems like a really useful system especially for a trailer!

 

[NorthwoodsGX]

Not to derail the conversation too much, but I discovered last night that the combination of a cheap OBDII Bluetooth Dongle (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XKQQQW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title), and free download of the following car scanner app (https://www.carscanner.info/) allows me to pull up my Trans temps on screen so I don't need to order a Scangauge. It is definitely not the best UX, but I am able to set custom dashboards, AND I can access the app through Android Auto, so I don't need to have my phone out. Anyone that doesn't have Android Auto/CarPlay can still benefit from the functionality, they would just need to use their phone.

For reference this is what the readouts look like on my phone and AA screen. I can't get the torque converter lockup readout to function correctly, in the screenshot from my phone I was in demo mode so all those numbers are meaningless.

 

[PoindAxster]

Not to derail the conversation too much, but I discovered last night that the combination of a cheap OBDII Bluetooth Dongle (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XKQQQW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title), and free download of the following car scanner app (https://www.carscanner.info/) allows me to pull up my Trans temps on screen so I don't need to order a Scangauge. It is definitely not the best UX, but I am able to set custom dashboards, AND I can access the app through Android Auto, so I don't need to have my phone out. Anyone that doesn't have Android Auto/CarPlay can still benefit from the functionality, they would just need to use their phone.

For reference this is what the readouts look like on my phone and AA screen. I can't get the torque converter lockup readout to function correctly, in the screenshot from my phone I was in demo mode so all those numbers are meaningless.

....Great minds

I'm doing this exact same thing. Actually, one of the reasons for the CarPlay unit is to have better access to the Garmin Switch when I don't have my Garmin Tread with me. Went with the OBDMX+ (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFRFJG6) to ensure it would work with an app on my phone.

If all goes to plan, I can get the CarPlay and OBD stuff set up before the weekend. Will share results.

 

[NorthwoodsGX]

....Great minds

I'm doing this exact same thing. Actually, one of the reasons for the CarPlay unit is to have better access to the Garmin Switch when I don't have my Garmin Tread with me. Went with the OBDMX+ (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFRFJG6) to ensure it would work with an app on my phone.

If all goes to plan, I can get the CarPlay and OBD stuff set up before the weekend. Will share results.

I ordered the dongle originally to change the Trans fluid; the fact that it saved me from buying a Scangauge is just icing on the cake. I was also planning to try OBDMX+ since their app is a lot cleaner and they have actual brand recognition on forums, but for $24 I had to try the VEEPAK and the free app is fine. When they crap out I will probably upgrade. Good luck, and can't wait to hear how it turns out!

 

[WTITW]

I might try that unit and just take it out when I'm not on a trail.

The only issue with that approach is that this thing has a 6ft. umbilical. I wish they had made the cable removable, but it is fixed to the head unit. There area few others on Amazon that might solve for this.

 

[WTITW]

OBD Fusion has the best customization I believe. I used to use Car Scanner but ran out of patients with it's customization options. I built this to monitor trans temps while towing and crawling. It also has the ability to display through carlink but again, text based only, that's a Carplay limitation. I place this in a cradle next to my screen. I run Gaia or OnX on the carplay unit and monitor all the car systems on the phone. When I'm exploring this set up allows me to grab the phone and jump out to tag spots or take pictures.

CarPlay just got updated yesterday with iOS 26 and there are a lot of new features. Maybe Car Scanner or OBD Fusion will be able to build better interfaces with the updates. I'd love to have the ability to build something like this on the carplay unit.

 

[r2m]

I bought this carplay screen unit about 6 months ago. It's about $150 and comes with 4 cameras. The cameras are kind of old school looking chunks, but they are much higher quality than the small AV cable based ones. My goal was a bit different, I have an off-road trailer that's not small and I wanted off road cameras for wheeling, so I went this route. I've been using it for 6 months daily and it's rock solid. It has a bright sharp screen about 50% larger thanmost of these (though it is a polarized screen so bad with polarized glasses).

It has 4 camera inputs and a dvr that can be set to security record. You could probably find smaller cameras if desired. I bought extension cables and routed three channels back to my hitch. I mounted one camera under my 'L' in the grill with a little help from my Dremel. I ran another long extension along my trailer roof to a camera I mounted on the back of the trailer. When I'm driving I can see the rear camera split screen so I know when someone is about to get brake checked. On the trail I can see a full 3-4 feet closer to the bumper in front with the camera vs. what I can see above the hood. I plan on adding the remaining two cameras to the front sides of my trailer to see around the corner when I'm backing while turning.

The caveat is that you have to figure out how to mount it. I have an touring rig so I've already bit the bullet and screwed Expedition Essentials mount to my dash (amazing, highly recommended). I used a ram ball mount that lined up with the mounting holes on the back and I used plenty of lock tight on the tiny screws. No issues after wheeling all summer. The umbilical is about 6' long so I routed that through the plastic ignition button cover but you could route it along the dash without drilling.

I know this is a bit more than most will want to do, but if you wish you could add the off-road camera system you never got from Toyota, this is a great option. The screen and the camera are MUCH higher quality than all the OEM stuff of this generation. The old school touchscreen on the gx is 800x600 I believe, so adding a Grom or other carplay through the circa 2008 oem screen seemed like an underwhelming upgrade to me. The way I went isn't as clean, but the resulting system really high quality and versatile.



View attachment 3993063

View attachment 3993064

Too bad it can't also plug into the infotainment system too, to run phones and music.

 

[WTITW]

Too bad it can't also plug into the infotainment system too, to run phones and music.

It does! The phone connects to the OEM system via Bluetooth, and the CarPlay screen just acts as the "remote". All audio is routed through the stereo, and phone functions also work as intended. The only issue is that when you connect it to the phone system, then it uses the OEM phone connection, so Siri commands and the fidelity is so low on the ancient BT system in the GX that it screwws up voice to text a lot.

 

[century]

I have "downgraded" to the basic Hamilton unit from the Hamilton replacement screen. The replacement screen is gorgeous (and the stock screen a low res dog) but the user experience as a whole is significantly better using CarPlay on the OEM screen. It boils down to the CarPlay module being a much more polished experience. It feels like adding CarPlay to an OEM system because that is largely what it is. The interface is very responsive and runs invisibly in the background until you launch CarPlay/Android Auto. All other functions (climate control, cameras, etc.) are managed directly with the OEM system. The sound output to my ear is noticeably better on this unit; I attribute it to better audio handling/output on the devices themselves. Similar to how an iPod and a Zune might sound different playing the same files through 3.55mm audio jacks. The comparison should be fairly apples-to-apples playing flac files through wired CarPlay. The only big caveat is that a true a/b test was not possible as I had to swap units back and forth.

The replacement screen feels like an Android tablet mimicking your cars OEM system. That is what it is, so it makes sense, but it's very obvious during boot up and use that you are using an aftermarket replacement. It would be possible to flawlessly replace the OEM system but the software is just not polished enough yet. To put it bluntly there is a level of jank that is just not present in their basic module. The climate controls for instance are an android approximation of the OEM controls. They are not entirely the same however, missing features such as the windshield heater and rear controls. The HVAC controls are supposed to pop up on the screen any time you make an adjustment but mine would pop up every few seconds on their own. Hamilton was great about helping me update the software but then the temperature no longer displayed in integers (IE 72.0 vs 72). I'm fairly convinced there was a C to F conversion or temp sensor calibration issue too; my typical temperature had to be set 4-6 degrees warmed on the new system (I am the type to set an auto temp and only change it a couple times a year). It could also be that the vents are relocated but the end result was the same, I was setting my temp between 76-78 instead of 70-72. The reverse cameras also seem to be the same; close but not quite the same as stock. The avatar of the car in the bird's eye view for example had a weird perspective making it looked short and fat like a 2 door. None of this was a deal breaker but it was all pretty apparent you were using an aftermarket system. The install itself was slightly more difficult than the module alone but not difficult. Anyone who has replaced head units in the past should feel comfortable doing it. I found it easier than replacing the radio on most of my older vehicles. Now that I have done it a few times I could probably do the module in about 30 minutes and the screen replacement in an hour. I'd budget 1.5h and 3h for your first time respectively.

I would recommend the CarPlay module on the OEM screen for anyone wanting an OEM experience with no fuss or fiddling. This was a priority for me. Anyone who has a pre-22/23 model should have one of these. They are great, unobtrusive, making a huge impact to livability of the car, and are super easy to install.

The screen upgrades I would only recommend to people expressly interested in living with a "mod". A tinkerer if you will. It will be apparent every time you are driving that the centerpiece of your dash is a third party replacement. I have had many modified cars in the past but that is not the experience I want for my GX right now. It is not the equivalent of an OEM swap which is what I really wanted. It is possible to develop the software to the point where it is flawless but it is not currently there. I would absolutely revisit this in a year or two if the software continues to mature. My biggest recommendation if you replace the screen is to go into expecting to work with Hamilton (they are great) to dial in the updates etc. I would not expect it to be ready-to-go straight out of the box.

I would strongly recommend Hamilton as a company. If I were to re-buy either a module or screen replacement it would absolutely be from them opposed to a competitor. I think any price premium is worth it. Their wiring is extremely well done and high quality (I've experienced a ton of aftermarket stereo stuff in the past and this is amongst the best I've seen) as are the devices themselves. Additionally their customer service is amazing. I had responses after hours on weekends, clear email responses with useful and easy to follow instructions, and even a phone call. They also have ongoing software development.

 

[PoindAxster]

Thanks for the honest review @century. That isn't something I have seen on the Facebook groups, because they only discuss the immediate experience after installation. The difference in trim colors and the fact that it probably won't work with the Ohana dash mount have deterred me from going with the screen replacement. I know I will go nuts seeing two different trim colors every time I get in the car.

It also seemed like things were delayed on boot-up. OEM control systems (except for Ford, which are a little slower) are typically available to use within 3 seconds of starting the car. It looked like some of these screens took up to 15 seconds to boot. That doesn't sound like much when you're doing internet research, but it would drive me nuts in daily living.

Anyway, it is nice to feel justified in some of my own thoughts.

 

[century]

I was hoping to save some people a bit of hassle since there are very few videos of people actually using the system. Hamilton's feature overview is basically just a tour of CarPlay… I suspect we all know what CarPlay is!

You hit on a major point; I should have mentioned the delay in bootup in my review. Near-instant use of the system is a MAJOR benefit of primarily using the OEM system. Even if you have it set to show the OEM system during boot up (I did), the touch screen is unresponsive until Android is fully loaded. I did not time how long it took to be able to interact with the device but 15+ seconds sounds right. 30-60 for CarPlay to kick on. Wired wasn't any faster because it appears to have a priority preference for wireless. The OEM-screen module version allows you to interact with the screen as though it was complete stock, and wired CarPlay connects in maybe 5 seconds. It's quite smooth.

Thanks for the honest review @century. That isn't something I have seen on the Facebook groups, because they only discuss the immediate experience after installation. The difference in trim colors and the fact that it probably won't work with the Ohana dash mount have deterred me from going with the screen replacement. I know I will go nuts seeing two different trim colors every time I get in the car.

It also seemed like things were delayed on boot-up. OEM control systems (except for Ford, which are a little slower) are typically available to use within 3 seconds of starting the car. It looked like some of these screens took up to 15 seconds to boot. That doesn't sound like much when you're doing internet research, but it would drive me nuts in daily living.

Anyway, it is nice to feel justified in some of my own thoughts.

 

[suitcase]

I installed the Beatsonic CarPlay last weekend. I was looking at the Hamilton conversion kit, but couldn't justify the cost and after reading the review from @century I'm glad I stuck with the OEM screen. The install took a good part of the day. I had some trouble with the wireless connection. I emailed Beatsonic and they were quick to reply. I wish Beatsonic had included a cleaner option for the USB cable for the wired connection option. I popped out a blank accessory cover that was above the diff lock button to route the USB cable. I got a 3d print of a Toyota USB accessory coverplate, but the opening for the USB port on the coverplate is too small for the Beatsonic USB. Going to try and modify the model to make the opening bigger.

 

[jeremy j]

I installed the Beatsonic CarPlay last weekend. I was looking at the Hamilton conversion kit, but couldn't justify the cost and after reading the review from @century I'm glad I stuck with the OEM screen. The install took a good part of the day. I had some trouble with the wireless connection. I emailed Beatsonic and they were quick to reply. I wish Beatsonic had included a cleaner option for the USB cable for the wired connection option. I popped out a blank accessory cover that was above the diff lock button to route the USB cable. I got a 3d print of a Toyota USB accessory coverplate, but the opening for the USB port on the coverplate is too small for the Beatsonic USB. Going to try and modify the model to make the opening bigger.

I bought a usba “extension” that clicks in to that blank spot above the diff lock. It looks good but I do have CarPlay drop out sometimes. Not sure if it’s a bad connection. I made sure everything was secure but I need to take it back apart to check. I wish they had a usbc cable available too.

 

[suitcase]

I bought a USB port cover for Toyotas on Amazon. I wasn't too impressed with the quality. It came with a USB 2.0 cable, but the Beatsonic uses a 3.0 and seemed higher quality. Last thing I want is to have to rip out the dash to troubleshoot something. I thought about using just the port cover, but the Beatsonic USB head didn't fit. I ended up returning. I've been wanting to learn 3d printing/modeling so this will be a good project. So far I haven't had any issues with CarPlay dropping, but I haven't taken any long trips yet.