Tesla Style Stereo Research - Landcruiser 2008-15

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Have you guys actually used CarPlay? I'm extremely unimpressed with it. Apple maps?! Get real! It'll be more interesting when Apple supposedly opens it up with the next version of iOS. I would wait until that actually happens before getting excited.
 
Do proper research before buying any unit. I have been talking with some sellers to find a unit that works for 2016+ LC. I turned out both the 13.6 and 12.1 version will not work with US version. It may be because of JBL sound or something else. Many pictures show one built in but it is shown on more strip down version (based on how odometer cluster looks like). BTW I am talking to companies on Alibaba.com.
 
OK I gave up and went with this option...

iPad Mini ez installation

rGVEXh0.jpg
 
OK I gave up and went with this option...

iPad Mini ez installation

rGVEXh0.jpg

So you remove the tablet every time you want to adjust the climate or you have the separate climate controls below. Most of us, this would be a non-starter due to needing access to the OEM controls on a very regular basis.
 
SuperAudio units are a no-go for us in the US of A. Superaudio unit is not compatible with JBL equipped 200’s/ U.S. spec 200’s (otherwise known as VX trim to the rest of the world) as there is a specific audio controller for those modules that won’t communicate with our head unit. They are designed around base and mid level trim (Panasonic audio) trucks (known to the rest of the world as EXR and GXR).
 
Wonder if they'll ever add support for XM satellite radio. I asked via email, but I can't imagine why this isn't a feature. Most aftermarket have support for external tuners.
 
I suppose these setups keep the compatibility of the rear entertainment system too?
 
I’m pretty curious about this thread. I want the big Tesla style screen with Apple CarPlay. I had CarPlay on an alpine unit in my 80 series and it was awesome.... anybody have any luck with a 200 yet?
 
So you remove the tablet every time you want to adjust the climate or you have the separate climate controls below. Most of us, this would be a non-starter due to needing access to the OEM controls on a very regular basis.
It folds up, only need to do if I want to use the rear backup cam or make any other adjustments which is not all the time... as for the AC I use the full auto so hardware buttons are enough for me...
 
I hadn’t looked for a while. Two new options
Russia unicar m $615 2008-2012 ― Car smart factory
Grom vline2 $600 Select Lexus Toyota 2006-2009 VLine VL2 Infotainment System Upgrade Video Interface

I’m looking for Lexus LX570 2009 options. These are very year and model specific.

The grom has a looooong thread over at club Lexus, it is approaching stable. Not much additional info on the unicar, but it’s the first I’ve ever seen on a Lexus with Navi, which provides hope if nothing else.
 
Sorry for my absence from the thread I started - I still have the intent to follow
through and there is an added bonus to have waited. Earlier it was a 4K transfer case on my Mercedes GL320 CDI which was bad enough until I took 20ft fall off of scaffolding to which I am still recouperating. On a more positive the Smarty-Trend unit that I had planned to purchase after all my research has a new upgraded model The new model has an upgraded chip, memory and operating system. I was also surprised to see they have added a Apple Car Play module on the page that the LC modes are listed. I am very excited to place my order next week. Need the last of my Birthday money on Nov 16


Toyota Land Cruiser 200 2008-2015 High and Low End (Tesla style) Android Car Stereo Navigation In-Dash Head Unit


Toyota Land Cruiser 200 2008-2015 Android In-Dash Car Stereo DVD... - SMARTY Trend™ Company


They still the older model so I will be reaching out to them if they have had and experience with differences in the upgrade.
 
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Sorry for my absence from the thread I started - I still have the intent to follow
through and there is an added bonus to have waited. Earlier it was a 4K transfer case on my Mercedes GL320 CDI which was bad enough until I took 20ft fall off of scaffolding to which I am still recouperating. On a more positive the Smarty-Trend unit that I had planned to purchase after all my research has a new upgraded model The new model has an upgraded chip, memory and operating system. I was also surprised to see they have added a Apple Car Play module on the page that the LC modes are listed. I am very excited to place my order next week. Need the last of my Birthday money on Nov 16


Toyota Land Cruiser 200 2008-2015 High and Low End (Tesla style) Android Car Stereo Navigation In-Dash Head Unit


Toyota Land Cruiser 200 2008-2015 Android In-Dash Car Stereo DVD... - SMARTY Trend™ Company


They still the older model so I will be reaching out to them if they have had and experience with differences in the upgrade.

Keep us updated on how it goes... looking for a solution for my 2019 LC200.
 
Do you guys know of any installers in Charlotte that would take on something like this. I have a feeling i would figure this out, but not in an acceptable amount of time [measured by kids/wife].
 
Do you guys know of any installers in Charlotte that would take on something like this. I have a feeling i would figure this out, but not in an acceptable amount of time [measured by kids/wife].

I am in Charlotte as well and currently trying to locate a shop that is willing to tackle the project on my’19. I will keep you posted on what I come up with.
Do you guys know of any installers in Charlotte that would take on something like this. I have a feeling i would figure this out, but not in an acceptable amount of time [measured by kids/wife].

I am also in Charlotte and currently working on finding a quality shop that can tackle this on my ‘19LC.
 
I am in Charlotte as well and currently trying to locate a shop that is willing to tackle the project on my’19. I will keep you posted on what I come up with.


I am also in Charlotte and currently working on finding a quality shop that can tackle this on my ‘19LC.


I have the same problem in Little
Rock Arkansas. We have never really had a decent installer. I have tried on two different occasions over the past 10 years just to get some basic things done with just poor results. There is just knowone around here that cares about the work they do. I think cars have gotten so safisticated with there infotainment systems custom audio is a dieing art. That is why I will be doing my own.
 
So I contacted Smarty Trends with quilestions about there new models. They are called ultra vertical and touted to be more ergonomic to use. They directed me to this page on there aight and as fate would have it all models of the Landcruiser are included in the new ultra vertical model with an updated chip and operating system. SMARTY Trend Evolution - New Ultra-Vertical Screens! - Info-blog, news and video reviews about Android In-Dash Car Head Units

Take a look and see what you all think. I will be placing my order this week and doing an unboxing for everyone. Don’t expect the full produced unboxings like you see on YouTube who try to make a living out of it. I will be purchasing a appleplay dongle/ canbus reader and a parking brake bypass. The only thing I think will be an issue will be the rear DVD. But that is another animal to tackle late in the game.
 
Let us know how it goes. There's a whole list of things I'd like to see and I suspect XM, rear DVD, windshield de-icer, and some other features will all be lacking unfortunately. Still it might be "good enough" for most uses.

Tesla Style Stereo Research - Landcruiser 2008-15

The one thing that concerns me from SMARTY's website is that it says Android cold-boot takes 20-25 seconds. Is that on every engine start? If so that means you need to sit there 20+ seconds before the backup camera will work...
 
I followed lead of @jefo13 and use an iPad on my ’17 dash. My iPad Pro 11 fits nicely, sticks to the dash with it’s magnetic cover, and looks reasonably OEM. The stuff it covers I don’t use regularly, so like @Markuson, I usually turn off the OEM screen. If I need the cameras or a function controlled on the screen, it’s a simple matter to flip up the iPad onto the top of the dash. This way I maintain the factory warranty with no mods, I have big screen Google maps for navigation, access to all the other apps on the iPad as needed, and don’t have to deal with the useless Toyota Entune. I tether the iPad to my unlimited data iPhone via a wifi hotspot and connect the iPad to the car’s audio system via Bluetooth for streaming services like Pandora. The new iPad Pro has a remarkably non-glare screen and does a great job of adjusting to ambient light, including day/night shift. My LC is not my daily driver, so I use this setup only on trips, where it works really well for my purposes.

Console 1.webp


Console 2.webp
 
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