Talk me out of a Grom V-line Carplay unit... (4 Viewers)

[jiggletits]

Or ... talk me into it.

For a 2003 Navigation model, there aren't many options and NONE of them are good. Grom seems the best for what I want. Yeah, the resolution sucks, I get it... Whatever. All I want is the functionality of Carplay and to keep the factory buttons everywhere. Low res is a fine trade-off to not deal with more s***ty Chinese hardware and mis-matched plastic like on other options.

Is there an alternative I am not seeing? I don't like the "Tesla" screen. Removing factory buttons in place of that just seems like a terrible 5 year plan. And this other Chinese unit (Teyes?) that popped up doesn't look any better. Cost on one vs the other isn't an issue. I bought a cheap GX so I could get a little loose with mods and not break the bank.

So other than crappy resolution, what are the drawbacks to the Grom? Anyone have a used model for sale?

 

[MrTorgue]

Or ... talk me into it.

For a 2003 Navigation model, there aren't many options and NONE of them are good. Grom seems the best for what I want. Yeah, the resolution sucks, I get it... Whatever. All I want is the functionality of Carplay and to keep the factory buttons everywhere. Low res is a fine trade-off to not deal with more s***ty Chinese hardware and mis-matched plastic like on other options.

Is there an alternative I am not seeing? I don't like the "Tesla" screen. Removing factory buttons in place of that just seems like a terrible 5 year plan. And this other Chinese unit (Teyes?) that popped up doesn't look any better. Cost on one vs the other isn't an issue. I bought a cheap GX so I could get a little loose with mods and not break the bank.

So other than crappy resolution, what are the drawbacks to the Grom? Anyone have a used model for sale?

Wireless carplay connectivity is pretty porous, bluetooth can occasionally disconnect for a brief moment and lastly these units just don’t like heat. I’ve noticed a significant difference in performance and connectivity between the summer and the current lower temps we’ve got right now in Texas. You’re better off trying to find a device to connect to the AUX that allows you to use carplay outside of the radio head unit.

 

[Rednexus]

I don't get the Telsa/PX6 hate....mine is going fine. It was in the GX when I bought it. It rarely has issues of any kind, other than asking me to confirm the home app more often than it should. Zero Android Auto connectivity issues, on multiple phones. It works better than the OEM unit in my Mazda.

It's also been used in below zero to +100F heat too. The backup camera resolution is good, sound quality is good, and I've had no issues with the integrated HVAC controls. It also works awesome for running Backcountry GPS Navigator when off-roading outside of cell service and still getting a great GPS mapping program.

 

[saucebox]

I'm happy with the Grom—it does occasionally act up, but a hard reset fixes that. Maybe 3 times a year? I've had no issues with heat in the last couple of years, same with cold. Should be very similar in Denver. IDK if the GX had a factory backup camera in 2003 (the LX did not, so it's a manual, somewhat tedious process to use an aftermarket one).

If this one dies, another will be on the way from Grom immediately. No way I'd ever consider going back to a no-CarPlay experience. And it's too damn sunny here to install a huge screen/sun reflector IMO, but the real estate & resolution would certainly be a nice upgrade.

 

[jiggletits]

I don't get the Telsa/PX6 hate....mine is going fine. It was in the GX when I bought it. It rarely has issues of any kind, other than asking me to confirm the home app more often than it should. Zero Android Auto connectivity issues, on multiple phones. It works better than the OEM unit in my Mazda.

It's also been used in below zero to +100F heat too. The backup camera resolution is good, sound quality is good, and I've had no issues with the integrated HVAC controls. It also works awesome for running Backcountry GPS Navigator when off-roading outside of cell service and still getting a great GPS mapping program.

You don't have to get it, and I don't have to like it . The beauty of opinions we all get our own! I also wouldn't own an Android if someone paid me to use it.

So back the original question..

Is there an option I am missing? "Tesla" screen is OUT.

 

[jiggletits]

Wireless carplay connectivity is pretty porous, bluetooth can occasionally disconnect for a brief moment and lastly these units just don’t like heat. I’ve noticed a significant difference in performance and connectivity between the summer and the current lower temps we’ve got right now in Texas. You’re better off trying to find a device to connect to the AUX that allows you to use carplay outside of the radio head unit.

I should note too that I prefer wired Carplay over bluetooth. I use airpods when I get calls while driving and don't want another device trying to connect. How well does it work when physically connected? Even with the grainy resolution, having Apple Maps on the nav screen would be nice.

Good to know on the cold temps issue.

 

[jiggletits]

I'm happy with the Grom—it does occasionally act up, but a hard reset fixes that. Maybe 3 times a year? I've had no issues with heat in the last couple of years, same with cold. Should be very similar in Denver. IDK if the GX had a factory backup camera in 2003 (the LX did not, so it's a manual, somewhat tedious process to use an aftermarket one).

If this one dies, another will be on the way from Grom immediately. No way I'd ever consider going back to a no-CarPlay experience. And it's too damn sunny here to install a huge screen/sun reflector IMO, but the real estate & resolution would certainly be a nice upgrade.

That's a great point on the screen.. All the Chinese stuff I have seen has HORRIBLE glare. Even the Pioneer NEX8400whatever in my 06 has terrible glare. Keeping that factory screen is sounding better and better.

 

[rommelrommel]

That's a great point on the screen.. All the Chinese stuff I have seen has HORRIBLE glare. Even the Pioneer NEX8400whatever in my 06 has terrible glare. Keeping that factory screen is sounding better and better.

Someone in the Sergei facebook group cuts anti-glare screens for these and apparently they work pretty well. The Teyes CC3 which is pretty new is getting good reviews and claims to have a QLED screen which may perform better.

 

[Rednexus]

You don't have to get it, and I don't have to like it . The beauty of opinions we all get our own! I also wouldn't own an Android if someone paid me to use it.

So back the original question..

Is there an option I am missing? "Tesla" screen is OUT.

You asked to be "talked out of a Grom V-line". I am trying to do that by letting you know there are other options out there that provide a bigger screen and other advantages .

 

[jiggletits]

You asked to be "talked out of a Grom V-line". I am trying to do that by letting you know there are other options out there that provide a bigger screen and other advantages .

LOL in that case, thank you!

 

[MrTorgue]

I should note too that I prefer wired Carplay over bluetooth. I use airpods when I get calls while driving and don't want another device trying to connect. How well does it work when physically connected? Even with the grainy resolution, having Apple Maps on the nav screen would be nice.

Good to know on the cold temps issue.

Haven’t used wired carplay yet. Strange that you cannot simply just plug it in to change from wireless to wired. You have to remove the wireless connection first. I’d rather not have to do that because who knows if I’ll never get that to work again.

That's a great point on the screen.. All the Chinese stuff I have seen has HORRIBLE glare. Even the Pioneer NEX8400whatever in my 06 has terrible glare. Keeping that factory screen is sounding better and better.

The PX6 we have had the worst glare on planet earth It’s absolutely abhorrent. Absolutely avoid ANY unit with a glossy screen. This is what originally sold me on the grom was my ability to use the factory screen which is pretty anti-glare.

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[MrTorgue]

Just to add, I do mean the factory screen is very good at not having glare.

I wish I had a pic of the 470, just the 460’s screen.

 

[jiggletits]

Grom has been ordered. Thank you Mr Torgue.

 

[MrTorgue]

Grom has been ordered. Thank you Mr Torgue.

Overall I’m happy enough with it. I just had to have carplay. Hope you have good luck with it!

 

[jiggletits]

Overall I’m happy enough with it. I just had to have carplay. Hope you have good luck with it!

Thanks. Yeah, it was the screen glare that was the decision maker!

 

[maddtv]

That's a great point on the screen.. All the Chinese stuff I have seen has HORRIBLE glare. Even the Pioneer NEX8400whatever in my 06 has terrible glare. Keeping that factory screen is sounding better and better.

@jiggletits I'm very interested in your Pioneer set up that you have in your 2006 GX. I also have a 2006 Lexus gx 470 with Nav. I had the Tesla radio, it was very buggy so I took it out. Can you please elaborate on your Pioneer installation? I'd like to do something similar. Thanks.

 

[jiggletits]

@jiggletits I'm very interested in your Pioneer set up that you have in your 2006 GX. I also have a 2006 Lexus gx 470 with Nav. I had the Tesla radio, it was very buggy so I took it out. Can you please elaborate on your Pioneer installation? I'd like to do something similar. Thanks.

It was in the vehicle when I got it, itls a non-nav 2006 model. Standard double-din stereo install. I wouldn’t buy the Pioneer again, honestly. The Chinese SJoybring unit is better IMO.

 

[jiggletits]

Just put this thing it. It's trash, but that was expected. OEM non-glare screen and touchscreen is still better than anything else out there.

One issue; the Grom image does not line up. It's like 1/16" to the left. There is a blue line on the right hand side. Lexus screens still work fine, so I know I did not knock something loose.

I gutted the CD changer and velcro'd the Grom unit inside the case for ease of access.

 

[trexoffroad]

Doesn’t look too bad to me but then I am not an audiophile.
When you say trash, do you mean the functionality is trash? Or just that the resolution isn’t what you want? Or something else?

 

[jiggletits]

Doesn’t look too bad to me but then I am not an audiophile.
When you say trash, do you mean the functionality is trash? Or just that the resolution isn’t what you want? Or something else?

It’s cheap Chinese trash through and through but is still an upgrade on the outdated GX stereo interface.

Nowhere did sound quality come into play, but it sounded ‘meh’ before and after installing.

Functionality is trash, resolution is trash, build and components are trash trash trash. Exactly what I was expecting. Still better than not having carplay at all. Still better than a glaring, hideous Tesla screen. Still would buy this trash again even for $700.