Apple CarPlay

[BNEGXL]

Thanks wv1, good info.

[wv1]

Teyes are a very expensive FYT unit and lock you in to there expensive peripherals. There are many other FYT units (FYT is the manfacturer) on aliexpress that are far cheaper and do not lock there firmware so you can use cheaper addons such as TPMS's DVRs etc. Teyes Aus is only a reseller so better off buying directly from Aliexpress cheaper and same or better warranty support.

[BNEGXL]

Hi Drew,

2 years later and still working well, it has the limitations of a piggyback system, not as good as a full head unit swap but it does what it says.

limitations are,

It works well, does everything I expected, fantastic for dialing, calling from contacts, finding locations on the move.
Android Auto voice control is brilliant compared to the Toyota one, first go everytime.

The only issue I have is that I can't use FM radio and voice direction from the system, I can only have one or the other.

Either,
1/ internet radio and voice from system for GPS, messages etc. I have to select AUX to achieve this
or
2/ FM/AM and no system voice, voice control works, the system hears me I just have no system voice talking to me so I have to watch the screen for directions.

Cortez, who has/had the same system confirmed the above.

if I were doing it again I'd have a look at this head unit,

https://teyes.com.au/collections/toy...2din-2-din-dvd

[drew-8888]

the one you have included the link to is discussed in posts 3, 9 and 14 above.

also some people have purchased this same unit directly from,

https://kremersino.com/products/wire...-13-19-models/

Hey BNEGXL, how did that Kremersino AliExpress module work out for you? Looking at one for my MY18 VX.
cheers

[Wickstom]

I've just ordered one of these for my 2014 Prado altitude. Will be interesting to see how it works with rear dvd player. Mine didn't have the numbers on the bottom of the frame so the seller needed me to send some photos of the internals of the unit before confirming which one I needed. Pulling it all apart was suprisingly easy.

Seems to me like a much better solution than paying toyota for updated maps. I also think the other head units available are ugly!

Also looking to do this to our same model. Did you manage to keep the rear dvd player working?

[Zenithede]

Update:
I ordered from aliexpress and received the package in just over 2 weeks. Box contains no instructions, but the video posted on youtube is enough. Space is cramped with all the extra wiring looms. I actually stripped the mic cable accidentally but was able to get it working again.

Factory reverse camera still works (but you need to select "factory" option in settings). Rear DVD player still works. I can't get the wireless android auto to work, but I think that's an issue with my phone, not the unit. I will be installing the usb into the dash near the 4wd mode selector button, just waiting on a blanking plate with a usb in it.

[Zenithede]

I've just ordered one of these for my 2014 Prado altitude. Will be interesting to see how it works with rear dvd player. Mine didn't have the numbers on the bottom of the frame so the seller needed me to send some photos of the internals of the unit before confirming which one I needed. Pulling it all apart was suprisingly easy.

Seems to me like a much better solution than paying toyota for updated maps. I also think the other head units available are ugly!

[BNEGXL]

I am also looking into this, but don't want to change the factory unit. I saw on Toyota site (local dealer) they advertise an upgrade...not sure if complete new unit or just some or other conversion...sent and email and waiting for response. I also came across this one and it looks great....anyone tried or did this one?

https://www.ecvisionsound.com/collec...31852661702759

the one you have included the link to is discussed in posts 3, 9 and 14 above.

also some people have purchased this same unit directly from,

https://kremersino.com/products/wire...-13-19-models/

[[email protected]]

I am also looking into this, but don't want to change the factory unit. I saw on Toyota site (local dealer) they advertise an upgrade...not sure if complete new unit or just some or other conversion...sent and email and waiting for response. I also came across this one and it looks great....anyone tried or did this one?

https://www.ecvisionsound.com/collec...31852661702759

[Thor08]

I've fitted this to my 2019 Prado VX. Very easy to install. It works quite well. Only the audio sound isn't as good as the factory system. i.e. it looses some quality as it is processed through he CarPlay unit. I also experience the screen locking up on occasions. i.e. the touch screen become unresponsive. It means having to reboot the whole system. Which luckily can be done by holding the on/off button down till the system reboots and the Toyota logo shows on the screen. Would have been a showstopper if I had to pull over and turn the car off and back on.
With regards to the audio. I have found using some apps the sound is like out of a tiny speaker and with lots of treble. Also the Volume know does not work when using CarPlay system, you have to use the steering volume buttons. Additionally the phone handfree does not use the factory system and definitely sounds worse to the far end caller as the microphone provided does not work anywhere as well as the Toyota factory mic.
I have used the interface on and off, but have reverted to the Toyota main system for most of my driving. I still prefer apple maps / google maps but the other issue just don't make this as integrated as I would like.

[Tony76]

This is the post link https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...on-2018-kakadu

The forum member username is ducksnuts.

[jasonson]

another forum user has fitted it and reports that it works really well.

Can you identify who? I am interested but would like to talk to them about it some more.

[Cortez]

Hi Cortez,

Thanks for your note and clarification re the no work around, I actually pretty much use it as you do which is why I've not bothered looking much further into it.

I agree, very good for what it is, a lot more user friendly than the original.

Looks like this is it at a better price too,

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001240310971.html

I'm interested in your wireless charging as the USB connection doesn't supply much.

Do you have any info? photos?

Thanks,

Hey mate,

See this thread for details.

https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...e-charging-mod

I've done this mod to each of the 2 Prados I've had and it works a treat. I'd recommend getting a triple coil charger as it gives you a larger surface area for charging. I contemplated putting 2 triple coils side-by-side in the console but couldn't be bothered. Plus my wife and I both have the iPhone 12 so they wouldn't fit side by side in the console anyway.

Cheers

[BNEGXL]

Hi Cortez,

Thanks for your note and clarification re the no work around, I actually pretty much use it as you do which is why I've not bothered looking much further into it.

I agree, very good for what it is, a lot more user friendly than the original.

Looks like this is it at a better price too,

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001240310971.html

I'm interested in your wireless charging as the USB connection doesn't supply much.

Do you have any info? photos?

Thanks,

[Cortez]

I have this one in my 2019 GXL,

https://www.ecvisionsound.com/collec...31852661702759

It works well, does everything I expected, fantastic for dialing, calling from contacts, finding locations on the move.
Android Auto voice control is brilliant compared to the Toyota one, first go everytime.

The only issue I have is that I don't know how to use FM radio and voice direction from the system, I can only have one or the other.

Either,
1/ internet radio and voice from system for GPS, messages etc. I have to select AUX to achieve this
or
2/ FM/AM and no system voice, voice control works, the system hears me I just have no system voice talking to me so I have to watch the screen for directions

Not ideal and there's probably a work around, I just haven't found it.

Hey mate,

I've got the same exact module and I can confirm that there is no work around. The module is using the Aux input for all sound. So as soon as you move off that, you won't receive any sound from the Aux input. As you correctly note, the system will still be able to here you though.

Personally, I hate spoken navigation directions as they constantly cut through the podcasts that I listen to. I'm happy to have the navigation on screen only. I use internet radio most time but occasionally I'll switch the Prado factory unit to AM/FM if the phone is playing up.

It's definitely not a perfect solution but very, very good for what it is. I believe the current models that come with Carplay are wired only. Wireless Carplay isn't available yet. So the unit from EC Vision is definitely a step up on that front. Hopefully the Prados in a few years will have the wireless Carplay option as standard. I've also installed wireless charging coils in the tray under the AC so I'm completely wire-free.

Cheers