Android and Car Play in a 2008 Lexus LS 600h? Grom Vline VL2 Long-Term Review

[@willieboykin8975]

I'm really shocked about how little of a choice there is for the LS 460 when it comes to infotainment. I haven't really heard or seen any reviews that give the Grom VLine anything but the "I bought it because it's the only thing available" vibe. Well for the money they are asking and the obvious limitations and a processor from the stone age, I won't be buying it, because I know I'd end up smashing it with a sledge hammer because of its nearly inoperable condition right out of the box. I mean Grom is charging you nearly $700 for something that is nearly functionally dead when it ships. That's just outrageous to me. Notwithstanding all that this video was very well done and explained for me, why it's a solid No for me.

[@Zackois]

You deserve the Oscar of KZbin for information and reviews!

[@IkeVMAX4]

Now I only need an LS600 hL

[@roverM30ds]

I have the grom v line 2 installed on my 2012 INFINITI M30d for 2 years now. It's wonderful, with over the air updates every few months. It enabled me to install a 360 degree parking camera system 👍

[@bobbycrayton1208]

how did you install the 360 camera and what products did you buy?

[@kimariunrulyanimal]

Yes Information on the 360 parking camera please

[@businessashusual]

You’re making me think very hard about how much I really care about having CarPlay in my Camry. Thanks!

[@williammays3262]

Just for info I have the same model LS600h. There is a neat place just below the glove box that you can access above the passenger’s feet that is held up with 3 clips that are easy to release. The space in there is perfect for the Grom line. Easy to access and not in either of the glove box or console . Looks nice and neat and no one can see the Grom line installation

[@KETTINGAFK]

Hello Swiss Car Guy, I have a '07 LS460 and i'm enjoying it already 7 years. I was looking for an update for my navigation because i can't find a update DVD for Europe(Germany). So maybe an upgrade to carplay. So nice to see that you give a very good consumers review/advice. I'm definitely not installing this product. Keep up the posting about LS600H I like it. It's funny that these Lexus cars are totally going under the radar and are extremely rare on the European roads. Also when I show up for the TUV inspection people are looking at it like what is this. Also funny when I have people driving with me in the Lexus, most people are overwhelmed by the ride quality. Before I had a '95 LS400 when I was living in Florida. It was the best car I ever had. Al the best.👍

[@robertczimmerman3774]

Lexus LS is way rarer than a Ferrari or McLaren in Europe. So, you have an exotic car. LS is my favorite car, hope I can get a good used one soon in Romania, but here are only 5-7 models in the whole country.

[@supersurfer1]

Since you have owned yours 7 years can you report any problems especially suspension issues. I am very keen to get a LS600h but seeing too many issues with suspension tames my excitement

[@KETTINGAFK]

@@supersurfer1 Hi, nothing. It has over 250.000KM now. I think it has also to do with your style of driving. I always avoid potholes and I'm a slow driver on city roads. Autobahn I drive it mostly not faster than 220 km/u. If it fails you can replace them by normal shocks. I know some people who did that to cut cost. Results .. I never drove them with normal shocks, so I don't know the end-results. And you can also rebuild them. I never listen to what people say. If I had listen to other people I would not been were I'm now in my life. Just buy a nice one (dealer maintained or with service history) and just enjoy the ride. Every time you dive another kind of car and you step into the LS again, oohh you understand why you bought an LS. Quality remains even after the high purchase has already been forgotten.

[@supersurfer1]

@@KETTINGAFK Thanks for the prompt reply. I’ve had BMWs last 20 years and never had any issues and yet people say they are most unreliable. I will keep looking at the LS however im going for the 2013 model. Good ones are not easy to find here in UK.

[@Overqualified1]

Going to get this for my LS460. ALSO, going to get that sweater. Very nice.

[@Mr7saef]

Great video. Very informative and rich in experience. Big thanks from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦🤌🏼

[@matauboy]

Here in NZ we have a Japanese import so everything is in Japanese. Being cheap we rely on our phones for navigation and Google translate for everything else. After owning the car for two years we pretty much know what everything means and can impress our friends with our knowledge of Kanji script.

[@hurstbear]

Thank you for your observations regarding this vline. Appreciate your time in helping us.

[@redcaban]

If you want to have something better than original 2008 system in your Lexus LS 600h (L), you don't have much options. 1. You can upgrade navigation (maps) from manufacture (around $ 800.00 USD) but only up to year 2014. 2. Some company in Ukraine (still working, not affected by war) figured out how to replace original hard drive with more modern Lexus system and maps of your choice (2018-2021 depend on which maps you need). Cost of hard drive 500-700 depends on maps + delivery. It's already included all activation software and codes. 3. VLine 2. Well, not perfect, but it's all we have. Installed on my 2008 Lexus LS 600h L. I have current maps, I have music apps and BT music from phone, I have Netflix, Hulu, Plex, live TV (Spectrum). Sometimes using iPhone Carplay, sometimes some apps doesn't work at all. We do not live in perfect world. Considering the rareness of the car, thank you Grom for your Vline 2.

[@Israel-xd5bt]

yes, in Ukraine, they do it very well, as in modern cars, when I was in Ukraine, I used their service

[@f0nko203]

Hello Mario! Ofc I’m here (Adam) 🙂. Sooo right now I’m sure I won’t buy the Vline 😂 like you said it’s too old. About the screen mirroring on back seats I make this: For now I made this: RCA (from back seats) -> HDMI Adapter -> Apple HDMI adapter -> IPhone and it’s work well but it’s a lot of cables and have to use the back seats pilot. The bad thinks is that it’s disconnected when I lost internet.

[@kimariunrulyanimal]

Lol.. BRILLIANT, great video, you're very entertaining, i just ordered my v line for my Lexus 2010

[@DumbledoreMcCracken]

Thank you for a relaxing Sunday video

[@drewdunk]

Thank you for the very informative video. I own an LS600hL that I absolutely love. It is my 4th Lexus and by far the best car I have ever owned. I got all the bells and whistles on it, upgraded chrome wheels, and just about every other option available. Lately, I have considered upgrading to a newer car simply so I can connect my android phone to my Mark Levinson system and get Spotify streaming and Google Maps. It's a very difficult decision as there are so many options (i.e. FM demodulators, 3rd party bluetooth connections which are really FM demodulators), using the AUX input, etc.) I was considering getting the Grom VLine VL2 system as it looked like a great way to update my system. At the end of your video, you said that although you love the Vline VL2, if you had it to do over again, you would consider a different solution primarily due to the VL2's old Android version and how the hardware was too obsolete and insecure - especially for the price. I looked at your list of other possible solutions that replace the OEM screen. I reviewed quite a few of them, but none of them were perfect. I was concerned how they might affect the fantastic Mark Levinson audio system I have. It is a fantastic system where all the components are very well balanced with a great sound. Your video was extremely helpful as it showed how the ML system was not affected, but I was concerned about the outdated interface and especially about the Android version not supporting newer apps. As I continued to search for a solution, I found that the Grom Vline VL2 just released a new VLine VL2 with Android Version 12 on June 25th. It looks like this Android 12 upgrade will provide support for the latest apps that might not be available for the old Android version 8.1 such as USB audio, LTE modems, separate video out for rear seat displays (HDMI OUT) and a more polished Android UI. I am ordering this new Grom VLine VL2 and take one for the team. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks again for taking the time to make such an informative video for us all to consider. Great job!

[@swisscarguy]

I bought thr upgrade. Haven't:t had time to install it yet. But a video is coming eventually.

[@3omab]

Can you tell me how your upgrade is so far?

[@swisscarguy]

Still pretty much the same as I described in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYfFn4Ool8yGoZo It works ok. Maybe a little bit less stable.

[@grabsme]

Just purchased a 2008 ls600H L, unfortunately not an executive but still amazing. I am ordering a grom v line right now

[@mechanicalintentions5431]

Did you get it installed? I am on the edge of buying, but trying to justify the cost.

[@P90Camper]

Great video! Thanks for the info.

[@olivert1289]

Another great video, Mario. I haven't yet seen a video of yours I didn't like or finish watching. If you're taking suggestions for future videos, I'd like to request a "driving around" in the Lexus rant or just discussion of life in Switzerland for an average person who enjoys cars, speed cameras and motorway toll aside. Maybe compared to Italy, since you have experience with/in both countries?

[@batman.._]

I'm surprised about the resistive touchscreen, the 98+ LS400 equipped with Navigation screen use capacitive touchscreen

[@ronvien1153]

Great video with lots of technical detail. Nice work

[@pr19580]

Thanks Mario, I had considered the Vline for my LS600h but was put off by the bad reviews. My 2019 LS500h does not have Android auto and Lexus tell me there is no upgrade available for it - only for the 2018 model!

[@cezar8416]

I bought one a week ago, I installed it, it always freezes, it doesn't work properly. Money thrown away.

[@swisscarguy]

Man, that sucks! How can a top of the line car from 2019 not offer something so common? I think, I have driven a 2019 Peugeot 108 (cheapest & smallest rental car available) that had Android Auto and Car Play.

[@pr19580]

@@swisscarguy Yes, I was not happy when I found out! While the built-in audio system is good, the sat nav is rubbish.

[@PokemonGo-vj8tl]

I contacted GROM and they said they will be issuing a release in a month to upgrade to Android 12

[@cutliss]

@@PokemonGo-vj8tl did they update it? Is it better now?

[@xbandosx1]

Could you do a review on a Mustang GT or Mach 1 10 speed auto. I would really like some input from a Swiss person not just for the car but for the modifications that we could do on those cars or other cars in Switzerland. I live in Lausanne and a Mustang offers a lot of things that I want from a car, but I would want to do some modifications because european cars are a bit restricted compared to US spec cars. I would like to keep the car naturally aspirated. Also I like the fact that you are one of those people that actually prefer the automatic and you have been buying some american cars recently so you are the perfect person to review a car like that.

[@ericmutnan6358]

I put the Grom in my wife's 2020 GX 460 because she wanted car play. I can't really recommend it for 700 bucks. Installation was easy enough, but we never were able to get wireless car play to work consistently. Vline customer service gave us a few tips then pretty much ghosted us, which is the main reason why I can't recommend it. For the Grom to work properly, your phone needs to be completely disassociated with the Lexus radio, or else they fight over the phone during phone calls. If wireless carplay worked this would be fine, but since it only works wired, the phone has ZERO connectivity if not plugged in. No phone calls or anything. I originally had an iphone 12 and now have a 14 pro and same thing. Maybe it works better with Android Auto? Also, for some odd reason my wife sounds like she's underwater when I call her now, which I don't understand since the Grom uses the OEM microphone. I did try plugging in an external microphone and not much changed. This thing is pretty much an overpriced android computer with OEM connectors.

[@swisscarguy]

Didn't manage to get wireless Android Auto to work at all. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@gromaudio]

Hi, GROM is here :) You should be able to do the wireless CarPlay and phone calls just fine if you are on the latest firmware. You might want to reset the connections as we show it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zqq6cmyrfcSji6c and then repair and reconnect again As for the microphone, you need to adjust the microphone gain, as shown here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXWmdIeDlriIg5Y

[@ericmutnan6358]

@@gromaudio Thanks, the Vline firmware update did allow my wifes phone to connect wirelessly. We will see how it works long term. Your customer service is still very lacking. For 700 bucks I shouldn't have to complain on poor Marios video to get a response.

[@gromaudio]

@@ericmutnan6358 our technical team responds to the support requests within 24 hours, M-F. If you do not see the response in the inbox, check spam folder. Glad to hear you were able to get the wireless connectivity for CarPlay.

[@kimariunrulyanimal]

It is overpriced, but I'll give them credit within business hours times, they've got back to me pretty fast, I feel like if they did more automatic over the air updates and up to date tech updates the vline would be wayyyy better, I still give it a 8 out of 10 because about 85% of the time it works great..lol. when it's working I love it ​@@ericmutnan6358

[@danielhanna160]

Hi Mario, I have the GROM vLine vl2 in my 2008 LS460 and I love it also. I noticed you are able to scroll across the screen. How did you enable that? I seem to only have single touch inputs work?

[@ronbeton1999]

I'm also curious about that!

[@swisscarguy]

Sorry for the late reply. What do you mean by scrolling across the screen? You just tap and drag. No multi touch needed for that. It's not as dignified as with a capacitive screen since you have to keep a bit of pressure on the screen.

[@starzlegendz3445]

How do you like the vline overall? I want to install the vline2 in my 2007 lexus Ls460

[@T0tenkampf]

Do you have any experience with the Tesla style infotainment systems with the 13" vertical screen? They are pricey but I would rather spend 300 USD more and get Android 13 plus other modern functions. I would love a LS460 model but a red flag is that there are several companies selling identical looking systems which sounds like the Chinese tactic of swapping company names to avoid customer service issues.

[@SaadhAltaf]

Can you explain how you wired the on/off switch to reset the unit?

[@swisscarguy]

Just cut the power wire to the Vline and connected the switch in-between. It's a rocker switch, so it's either on or off.

[@fauchergunner]

Hi Grom Vline VL2 Android 12 update is available for download at a cost . Have you had an opportunity to update and use?. Kind Regards

[@swisscarguy]

They delayed it to tomorrow. I have already ordered it and will probably make an update video once I installed it.

[@fauchergunner]

@@swisscarguy Thank you

[@ppeyer]

Danke für die vielen Informationen!

Great video!!! Hi Mario, I wanted to know how you did to configure "Macrodroid" because I tried everything and it doesn't work. Do you have any tips?

[@swisscarguy]

Triggers: - Bluetooth Device Connected (the LS's built-in hands free phone) Actions: - Enable HotSpot - Wait 5 seconds - Screen On - Wait 31 seconds - Screen On - Wait 31 seconds - Screen on I don't remember exactly why I did all these 'screen on's, but I seem to remember that in order for the Vline to properly connect to the phone, the phone's screen must be on in that moment. My phone automatically turns the screen off after 30 seconds of inactivity, therefore the 'wait 31 seconds' step does nothing else than ensure that when the screen goes off, it turns right back on so that it stays on for about one minute. This combination works pretty much perfectly. I even use the exact same macro for my Trans-Am's Android radio.

[@swisscarguy]

And of course, the macro to turn the Hotspot off: Triggers: - BT Device Disconnected (the LS's BT) Actions: - Disable HotSpot

@@swisscarguy Hi Mario, Thank you very much for your help. I will try what you said. Have a good weekend.

[@amjedal-suleimani2217]

Is there any solution for rear display ? I want to stream Netflix, KZbin and movies... I have 600hl 2013 I still didn't change the oem infontimant system but I hear I cant get full screen for the front display with vLine which Also sucks is there a chinese vLine ? I dont want to replace my screen just install android in it..

[@faustini69]

I'm looking at getting an LS600hl Does this unit display video on the rear screen? And can it be controlled using the remote control ?

[@robertdobson6951]

How do I set up microdroad to turn on my hotspot when I turn on my car

[@kimariunrulyanimal]

Do you know if there's a way to do a spilt screen type thing on the vline ?? For example a split screen with Waze and KZbin, I believe I notice you have a split screen around the 4min mark of this video but maybe I'm wrong

[@swisscarguy]

I think that was added in Android 10. The Vline still runs 8.1. I also doubt whether it's powerful enough to run 2 apps on screen contemporarily.

[@ivanpogor3745]

Hi can you please make a video about insurance price on lexus LS 600h thank you have a nice day 🎉

[@PokemonGo-vj8tl]

Groms support say there is an update to android 11 next month.

[@T0tenkampf]

I just looked and they are still selling 8.1 in new units...did you get 11?

[@TheN4UM4N]

@@T0tenkampfThey will release it thru OTA update on June 25, 2024. You have to pay for it and enter in your serial number and you can get it. It costs $24.95 for early pricing and then $34.95 for regular pricing after June 30th.

[@chrisali2173]

Very useful thank you.

[@f0nko203]

Guys, do u know any better solution than Grom or BT adapter/module?

[@stoplying2267]

Will this work if you original hard drive is died??

[@nyc863]

does it use the lexus oem microphones? I find the weakness of aftermarket is they usually have their own mic and it is often poor at noise reduction or echo cancellation. Sorry if that is mentioned I have not listened to the whole video yet

[@swisscarguy]

Yes, phone calls use the car's original bluetooth an mic

[@danilovich1292]

@@swisscarguy And for speaking with the OK Google voice assistant or the Vline integrated one??

[@swisscarguy]

@@danilovich1292 That's what you get the additional mic for that I put into the ashtray. Works fine.

[@cj910]

If you install this device in a LS600h... does it also effects the rear TV? Or is there any possibility to update the 3 Pin Connector to HDMI or to run KZbin in the rear?

[@swisscarguy]

The rear is not affected. I tried several ways, but I have not found a way to output video to the rear screen.

[@rkan2]

I kind of want to make such for my C5/B5 Audi :P

[@Alessandroale74]

Ma sei per caso italiano ? Vivi in Svizzera ?

[@swisscarguy]

Doppia cittadinanza. Sono entrambe.

[@rockflock4698]

I put a tesla style screen in my Ls460L

[@T0tenkampf]

which brand? I am curious about these as they seem more modern but concerned about build quality since they are expensive.

[@rockflock4698]

@@T0tenkampf I used Phoenix Automotive. I had it installed by a professional. Never had a problem

[@serow6]

I've heard mixed reviews on using Phoenix Automotive. It is an upgrade over the GROM but very complex since this replaces so many functions on your LS460. Would love to see a video from you on how you made this work. Some folks have said Phoenix can be slow on support...

[@rockflock4698]

@serow6 never had a problem with mine. I had it professionally installed

[@roofcamper3473]

Never spend close to $700 on this....$100 would be a fair price