What are your thoughts on the Crown Focus Apple CarPlay? (1 Viewer)

[jl199986]

Got it working! I removed the CD player/ audio console and found the right plugs to attach. Crown Focus includes more cables than one needs for a 2020 HE. Seems like there are cables for aftermarket camera systems and maybe audio items like subwoofers that the 2020 system handles thru the stock main cables. I read the dip switch information to surmise that I wasn't going to need them then turned it all on before reattaching everything. They preset the dips for your situation.

A straightforward enough job in the end if I'd known what I was doing in the beginning.

Audio seems just fine- as good as stock if even a little better for the bluetooth audio via CarPlay. I placed the bluetooth/ wifi antenna just below the top speaker grille, but still a couple inches from the speaker.

A long press of the voice command button on the steering wheel swaps back and forth from the Crown Focus unit. It swaps to where you were last in that environment. Audio continues to play as well when you switch to the Toyota Maps or Sound control, etc. When you go to Audio it shows as AUX and you can change the course to FM /satellite just like normal.

Backup works with reverse just like normal.

Early moments, but seems nice and stable. Responsive enough to move back and forth.


I forgot to try climate button.

 

[EscapedTexan]

Could you let me know how goes the audio? I’m most interested in audio and if it has any freezing/issues that require restarts. I have read grom doesn’t sound the best or has a slight lower quality and then there is the numerous freezing issues report

Audio seems great, I think better than when using the stock BT I/f. No freezing issues, seems very responsive. I like the built in eq.

 

[poppe]

Got it working! I removed the CD player/ audio console and found the right plugs to attach. Crown Focus includes more cables than one needs for a 2020 HE. Seems like there are cables for aftermarket camera systems and maybe audio items like subwoofers that the 2020 system handles thru the stock main cables. I read the dip switch information to surmise that I wasn't going to need them then turned it all on before reattaching everything. They preset the dips for your situation.

A straightforward enough job in the end if I'd known what I was doing in the beginning.

Audio seems just fine- as good as stock if even a little better for the bluetooth audio via CarPlay. I placed the bluetooth/ wifi antenna just below the top speaker grille, but still a couple inches from the speaker.

A long press of the voice command button on the steering wheel swaps back and forth from the Crown Focus unit. It swaps to where you were last in that environment. Audio continues to play as well when you switch to the Toyota Maps or Sound control, etc. When you go to Audio it shows as AUX and you can change the course to FM /satellite just like normal.

Backup works with reverse just like normal.

Early moments, but seems nice and stable. Responsive enough to move back and forth.


I forgot to try climate button.

View attachment 3759174

View attachment 3759175

Do you know if it runs the phone call through the stock system or does it run through the crown focus?

 

[jl199986]

All the cameras work as they should. I have calls routed thru the Crown Focus Bluetooth receiver, which seems very stable. There’s a screen that allows you to choose the call bt routing actually. All the steering wheel buttons work appropriately.

Only button that doesn’t work is the climate button, but that does as soon as you swap back into factory mode. Which is quick enough.

Seems very stable.

Very happy with this Linux set up.

 

[Casual Cruiser]

Have you used the low speed parking cameras? And if so, do they automatically come up and then automatically go back to CarPlay when complete? Have you tried syncing two phones with the wireless CarPlay? And if you have, does it automatically try one and then the other, or does it only try to connect with the last connected phone? I’m assuming by your description that it will start the car back up in whatever version you were in before you shut the car off. If you were in CarPlay, when you shut the car off, start back up the CarPlay automatically or do you have to press the button to get CarPlay to come up?

 

[EscapedTexan]

Have you used the low speed parking cameras? And if so, do they automatically come up and then automatically go back to CarPlay when complete? Have you tried syncing two phones with the wireless CarPlay? And if you have, does it automatically try one and then the other, or does it only try to connect with the last connected phone? I’m assuming by your description that it will start the car back up in whatever version you were in before you shut the car off. If you were in CarPlay, when you shut the car off, start back up the CarPlay automatically or do you have to press the button to get CarPlay to come up?

To your first question, mine works the same with the low speed cameras as it did before the install. They come on screen when I come to a stop and it switches back to the CarPlay smoothly when I accelerate above the threshold. I cannot answer your second question as I’ve not tried that. Third, yes it comes back to the same ode you were in last, at least mine does.

 

[poppe]

To your first question, mine works the same with the low speed cameras as it did before the install. They come on screen when I come to a stop and it switches back to the CarPlay smoothly when I accelerate above the threshold. I cannot answer your second question as I’ve not tried that. Third, yes it comes back to the same ode you were in last, at least mine does.

Wow this is sounding super promising. Hope you'll do a week or two update for us. If there is no news that's good news to me.

 

[jl199986]

Same as Texan. I confirm both the backup and forward cameras come on normally. The backup automatically when you shift to reverse. The forward when you hit the dash button.

I’ve done a dozen phone calls now via CarPlay and very happy with that performance. I’m not sure why the call quality would have improved, but seems like it did.

System comes on where you left it.

Climate button doesn’t kick it out of CarPlay- have to switch to factory then climate for that. I’m in auto mode mostly so not really a bother. Still think Toyota should have given us a fan button though.

 

[jl199986]

Have not synced two phones. That’s seemed a hassle with our other cars at times so I may just avoid that tbh.

 

[pieguo]

Looks promising. How is that unit different from the alibaba unit ?
Looks like the same unit to me. Anybody tried to order directly from China to save the cost ?
Here is the unit:

2024 Wireless Smart Linux Carplay Interface For Lexus Av16lcsi Land Cruiser Lc200 2016-2021 Lexus Gx460 Android Auto Module - Buy Carplay Interface For Lexus Gx460 2014-2021 smart Linux Android Auto For Lc200 Carplay For Lexus Gx460 2021 for Lexus Gx

2024 Wireless Smart Linux Carplay Interface For Lexus Av16lcsi Land Cruiser Lc200 2016-2021 Lexus Gx460 Android Auto Module - Buy Carplay Interface For Lexus Gx460 2014-2021 smart Linux Android Auto For Lc200 Carplay For Lexus Gx460 2021 for Lexus Gx460 Android Auto Module For Lexus 2016-2018...

www.alibaba.com

 

[EscapedTexan]

Looks promising. How is that unit different from the alibaba unit ?
Looks like the same unit to me. Anybody tried to order directly from China to save the cost ?
Here is the unit:

2024 Wireless Smart Linux Carplay Interface For Lexus Av16lcsi Land Cruiser Lc200 2016-2021 Lexus Gx460 Android Auto Module - Buy Carplay Interface For Lexus Gx460 2014-2021 smart Linux Android Auto For Lc200 Carplay For Lexus Gx460 2021 for Lexus Gx

2024 Wireless Smart Linux Carplay Interface For Lexus Av16lcsi Land Cruiser Lc200 2016-2021 Lexus Gx460 Android Auto Module - Buy Carplay Interface For Lexus Gx460 2014-2021 smart Linux Android Auto For Lc200 Carplay For Lexus Gx460 2021 for Lexus Gx460 Android Auto Module For Lexus 2016-2018...

www.alibaba.com

It’s not the same manufacturer or model, it’s a Chinese unit that’s using the Linux OS. Might be more reliable than the android options, Idk, ymmv but tbh I’d rather pay 2x the $ from this Australian co. Just my $0.02.

 

[jl199986]

Looks like same/similar hardware & cables. The model confirmation & presetting of the dip switches & responsive service communication were worthwhile with Crown Focus- no regrets there.

For that price might be worth a shot, though. Min order 2 units.

 

[poppe]

Same as Texan. I confirm both the backup and forward cameras come on normally. The backup automatically when you shift to reverse. The forward when you hit the dash button.

I’ve done a dozen phone calls now via CarPlay and very happy with that performance. I’m not sure why the call quality would have improved, but seems like it did.

System comes on where you left it.

Climate button doesn’t kick it out of CarPlay- have to switch to factory then climate for that. I’m in auto mode mostly so not really a bother. Still think Toyota should have given us a fan button though.

Audio seems great, I think better than when using the stock BT I/f. No freezing issues, seems very responsive. I like the built in eq.

It's been about a month now. I wanted to check in on both of you and see how things were going? Are you still enjoy it? Have you had any hiccups?

 

[EscapedTexan]

It's been about a month now. I wanted to check in on both of you and see how things were going? Are you still enjoy it? Have you had any hiccups?

No issues for me

 

[jl199986]

No issues for me

Same. No issues. Very happy.

 

[LCGood]

I jumped in and ordered one last week. Tracking indicates it's already in North America, Canada to be precise. I believe it is waiting to get through customs. I can't wait to get it.

 

[poppe]

I jumped in and ordered one last week. Tracking indicates it's already in North America, Canada to be precise. I believe it is waiting to get through customs. I can't wait to get it.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

 

[jdha777]

@EscapedTexan @jl199986
1) have you any additional issues or annoyances since your last update?
2) can you change the default startup audio to Bluetooth rather than AUX?

 

[EscapedTexan]

@EscapedTexan @jl199986
1) have you any additional issues or annoyances since your last update?
2) can you change the default startup audio to Bluetooth rather than AUX?

1.) Not sure what issues you're referring to, sorry?
edit: Went back and read my messages and recalled the calibration issue. sorry, had forgotten about that. that may have been more of an "installer's error" than manufacturer, though

I did have a weird issue about 3 weeks ago where while driving and using Waze with the app running through the CrownFocus CarPlay, it kept 'blinking' on the LX screen. It would happen about every 30-seconds. Screen would flicker b/w normal-blank-normal within a fraction of a second. A slight annoyance, no impact to functionality. I reached out to CrownFocus, sending them a video and they responded within a few hrs. They recommended I flash both the System and the MCU, providing me with instructions to download the sw to a FAT32 USB drive. I haven't performed the flash b/c the problem just went away within the next day or so, I was traveling for work at the time and then we went into the holidays and I'd just forgotten all about it until this response. Since I don't have any noticeable issues in this or any other regard at the moment I'll leave it as-is and just have the procedure on hand if I need to flash it later.

2.) Have no idea, perhaps? TBH, I don't really pay much attention to the audio functions. I use the CarPlay integration for Waze and that's about it. I really don't listen to music anymore and if I am using the LX audio it's to listen to a podcast which it seems will default to whatever device I was last using on my iPhone, which is usually my AirPods. I swipe down on the iPhone and pick Car MultiMedia to have the audio redirect out the LX speakers.

 

[jl199986]

I have not really had any issues with the Crown Focus unit. It has rebooted a 4-5 times when driving along, but comes right back nice and quickly, don't know whether that's the unit or CarPlay really. I switch between it and the factory side for FM radio frequently and it switches well, I think that's unrelated to the reboots. I do need to pull it open again because I have a slight wire/ rattle vibration at 40-50 mph somewhere in there and I'm OCD about that.