Updated: 12/26/23
We have been chatting about this product on a separate thread and it was suggested to create its own for reference...
Amazon Link
Manufacturer Link
Smaller Mount for minimalist look
No doubt that a fully integrated OEM looking thing is the best. But for $300-$200 this was a great second option.
I used to have my iPad over the screen, really nice setup but I needed to flip the iPad every time to back up and every once in a while the magnetic charger would need to be changed out. Also, I paid $10 a month for iPad service. Lastly the phone calls were always sketchy when using The iPad to communicate. Lastly on sunny days, the iPad would overheat or just dim to the point I couldn’t see. For all these reasons I was exploring the option to install beatsonic’s CarPlay solution, but I was staring at about $1,000 installed. Then I saw the Road Top unit a few months ago and started thinking about it…
Pros:
- price ($300) EDIT: Often sub $200 on Amazon
- wide screen/low profile (10 icons) - which is better than OEM setup, 8 icons
- comes with tons of accessories including backup camera - I did not use but I am open to ideas of how to take advantage of extra camera
- Audio continues to be routed to Land Cruiser through your phone's bluetooth, as you do before getting this unite. Just connect phone to RoadTop (either cable or bluetooth) to enable wireless CarPlay. (Need to change setting in Equalizer section on RoadTop to indicate audio handled by the vehicle)
- wireless CarPlay is more reliable than the one in my ‘22 Ford Edge
- all OEM media controls work
- uses vehicle microphone for Calls
- boot logo is customizable to Toyota logo
- airplay mirroring/android screen mirroring - work OK, can be cumbersome, but I never use it.
- when using Apple Maps, you can search by typing - not forced to use Siri, even while in motion.
- full use of OEM screen & CarPlay simultaneously, especially helpful offloading with front camera on and mounting with OnX
Cons:
- you have to conceal the wire for maximum OEM look (con vs a CarPlay retrofit module, not vs iPad setup since I had a cable for that)
The following are no longer an issue:
- you loose access to Toyota Entune apps (I never used)
- OEM phone answer and hang up button don't work - just use the CarPlay Screen
- no auto-brightness - Road top did mention to me that their next version will include
- display settings adjustment screen does not include an image so it takes some menu flipping to get contrast and saturation right
I like the look quite frankly, it looks like many of the new cars nowadays including LX600 which has dual screens with an overlayed widescreen on the dash. I did buy a separate mount on Amazon for allow a little for downward angle which let me rest the screen further down...
I routed the cable behind the dash and by the speaker grill. I also used dual-sided tape to adhere the unit to the dash and eliminate any rattle from movement.
We have been chatting about this product on a separate thread and it was suggested to create its own for reference...
Amazon Link
Manufacturer Link
Smaller Mount for minimalist look
No doubt that a fully integrated OEM looking thing is the best. But for $300-$200 this was a great second option.
I used to have my iPad over the screen, really nice setup but I needed to flip the iPad every time to back up and every once in a while the magnetic charger would need to be changed out. Also, I paid $10 a month for iPad service. Lastly the phone calls were always sketchy when using The iPad to communicate. Lastly on sunny days, the iPad would overheat or just dim to the point I couldn’t see. For all these reasons I was exploring the option to install beatsonic’s CarPlay solution, but I was staring at about $1,000 installed. Then I saw the Road Top unit a few months ago and started thinking about it…
Pros:
- price ($300) EDIT: Often sub $200 on Amazon
- wide screen/low profile (10 icons) - which is better than OEM setup, 8 icons
- comes with tons of accessories including backup camera - I did not use but I am open to ideas of how to take advantage of extra camera
- Audio continues to be routed to Land Cruiser through your phone's bluetooth, as you do before getting this unite. Just connect phone to RoadTop (either cable or bluetooth) to enable wireless CarPlay. (Need to change setting in Equalizer section on RoadTop to indicate audio handled by the vehicle)
- wireless CarPlay is more reliable than the one in my ‘22 Ford Edge
- all OEM media controls work
- uses vehicle microphone for Calls
- boot logo is customizable to Toyota logo
- airplay mirroring/android screen mirroring - work OK, can be cumbersome, but I never use it.
- when using Apple Maps, you can search by typing - not forced to use Siri, even while in motion.
- full use of OEM screen & CarPlay simultaneously, especially helpful offloading with front camera on and mounting with OnX
Cons:
- you have to conceal the wire for maximum OEM look (con vs a CarPlay retrofit module, not vs iPad setup since I had a cable for that)
The following are no longer an issue:
- you loose access to Toyota Entune apps (I never used)
- OEM phone answer and hang up button don't work - just use the CarPlay Screen
- no auto-brightness - Road top did mention to me that their next version will include
- display settings adjustment screen does not include an image so it takes some menu flipping to get contrast and saturation right
I like the look quite frankly, it looks like many of the new cars nowadays including LX600 which has dual screens with an overlayed widescreen on the dash. I did buy a separate mount on Amazon for allow a little for downward angle which let me rest the screen further down...
I routed the cable behind the dash and by the speaker grill. I also used dual-sided tape to adhere the unit to the dash and eliminate any rattle from movement.
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