Apple CarPlay

I just picked up a great android radio unit off Alibaba. My car is the base model but I saw quite a few options for premium nav that maintains all the functions of the joystick and steering wheel controls

beequick said:

I just picked up a great android radio unit off Alibaba. My car is the base model but I saw quite a few options for premium nav that maintains all the functions of the joystick and steering wheel controls

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Do you have a link you might be able to share?

GreenQueenSD said:

Do you have a link you might be able to share?

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Okay so from what I have been reading if you have the Navi on your CT then they make this little box that connects behind the dash and it will display CarPlay on the OEM screen. I’m not sure if it’s multi use joystick controls it or not. find specific details seems to be difficul.

I have no personal experience with it unfortunately. I don't have factory navigation. I was under the impression they give you a new "controller" for the center console, or somehow the factory one plugs into the new navi screen with a supplied harness. You'd have to ask the manufacture of these products. I believe I've seen it installed both ways. One with a replacement controller and one keeping your existing controller if you have a factory navigation screen on your dash.

Here's one video showing that you can keep your OEM controller while adding CarPlay/Android Auto to your CT200H. It's really all plug and play.

That looks pretty simple and I would get to keep all my OEM setup. However their system is quite expensive!

I just installed the GROM audio version in my CT200h. While the module is very expensive at like almost $700, it works great, install wasn't really that bad, and their support is really good.

Does anyone know if installing Apple Car Play will work with your reverse camera (factory installed)?

i2pm said:

Does anyone know if installing Apple Car Play will work with your reverse camera (factory installed)?

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Just to clarify, CarPlay/Android Auto has nothing to do with whether or not you are able to use your reverse cameras from your factory system. CarPlay is software integration that allows a user to link their phone to the radio in order to use some of the cell phone functions. What you're talking about is aftermarket radios in general. There's usually several kinds:

1. Big brand radio companies - Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, etc.

2. Lesser name brand Chinese companies (Android radios).

Both of these types of radios accomplish what you're looking for. On the Android radio I bought from AliExpress there was a factory style plug on the rear to allow me to relocate my backup camera. However, I didn't want that because my camera appears on my rear view mirror display. On other aftermarket radios, there's usually an RCA plug that allows for a reverse camera input.

So if you add the little Apple CarPlay box is your sound quality defined by the box or your original sound system?

GreenQueenSD said:

So if you add the little Apple CarPlay box is your sound quality defined by the box or your original sound system?

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It really depends on what part of the equipment is processing your audio. If the box you're adding replaces the original factory radio, then it most certainly will be processed through that. It's also worth mentioning that even if you replace the radio with something aftermarket you're still going through the Lexus crossovers in your wiring. Those crossovers by default are very limiting as far as audio quality is concerned. I ended up bypassing the crossovers completely now I have a full range channel.

I suspect the answer is yes, the audio will be going through the box you're describing. I can't comment on whether or not the quality will be changed for better or worse.

Thank you, that is honestly my biggest fear by adding a Chinese radio due to past experiences with other vehicles. I had a drastic sound quality loss when I changed out my Camry factory radio to a cheaper Apple CarPlay one and I ended up having to return it and buy a nicer Pioneer. I just don’t wanna have all that work done and it not be as good a quality as it is currently. Keen in mind I’m happy with how the factory sounds I just want the updated Apple Maps and to voice to text, those are literally the 2 features I’m considering the Apple CarPlay.

GreenQueenSD said:

Thank you, that is honestly my biggest fear by adding a Chinese radio due to past experiences with other vehicles. I had a drastic sound quality loss when I changed out my Camry factory radio to a cheaper Apple CarPlay one and I ended up having to return it and buy a nicer Pioneer. I just don’t wanna have all that work done and it not be as good a quality as it is currently. Keen in mind I’m happy with how the factory sounds I just want the updated Apple Maps and to voice to text, those are literally the 2 features I’m considering the Apple CarPlay.

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If you check the other threads on this forum. The radio I linked from AliExpress is #1. Mostly all of their sales have been from members here. I wouldn't worry about it. Even the seller has acknowledged the purchases from this forum.

If you need a Kenwood/Pioneer, I'm selling one that will pop right into your car without any dash modifications. I have brackets and all.

I have navigation so I am looking for the box most likely, I don’t want to add the radio on the lower radio panel. I like the stock look. Maybe at some point I will upgrade the dash Navi screen but for now I think my goal is just for the CarPlay option without changing anything cosmetically. I will browse the treads to try and find that link.

Thank you, y’all are always so helpful.

That would be annoying I think for me. Is the sound quality lower than the stock MP3 Bluetooth player?

For example the vidéo below,

it’s not the same system as mine, but to enjoy M.L audio quality I have to do the same process
If you select the Bluetooth source of the car, you'll have the OEM quality (Mark Levinson, Panasonic etc..). But you have to select BLTH source evry time you starts the car.
With my box, no probs with calls (Steering Wheel Control works fine), Sometimes i need to restart the BLTH connection (China product) .

For me and my ears, the audio box quality is normal... like a mp3 player, but lower than OEM(Lexus) especially M.L system 😍