Alternative to the GROM Vline Android Interface

Forum for Infiniti M37, M56 M35h Hybrid and Q70 owners.
mcowher
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:56 pm
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x

Post

Hey all,

I'm looking at these 2 item directly from China via AliExpress.com as a cheaper alternative to the GROM Vline unit.

They run about $475 shipped:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Android ... 27923.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lsailt- ... 39986.html

Still researching options and will report back.


User avatar
Ilya
Moderator
Posts: 9800
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:20 pm
Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
Location: Charlotte, NC
Contact:

Post

These were mentioned in another thread but so far no one has pulled the trigger. Let us know how it goes.

Yoda's Master
Posts: 439
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 11:26 pm
Car: 2012 M56
2009 370z
Location: Rock in the middle of nowhere

Post

good luck. i don't trust that site for high dollar amount purchases. plus that thing is only android 6.0

satown210
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 2:10 am
Car: 2012 Infiniti M37
2005 Nissan Xterra Off Road

Post

I'm more interested in the one that is an entire screen replacement and gives you a 10in screen.

David__Allen
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:42 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37xS - Current
2000 BMW 328i - SOLD
2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe - SOLD
2008 Lexus IS250 - SOLD
2003 Lexus IS300 - SOLD
Location: Chicago, IL

Post

satown210 wrote:
Mon Apr 22, 2019 4:20 pm
I'm more interested in the one that is an entire screen replacement and gives you a 10in screen.
Agreed. Maybe some day when I have ~$700 burning a hole in my pocket, I’ll pull the trigger.

I had a similar Chinese android head unit in my E46 that was designed to be oem-esque, and while it was far more capable than anything the car came with, it lacked in a few aspects. And as petty as this sounds, the broken English throughout the various menus and settings made it feel cheap. The display was also barely visible in any amount of sunlight, although I’d expect these to be better.

All of that being said the 10” one for this car is compelling (but risky).

mcowher
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:56 pm
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x

Post

David__Allen wrote:
Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:10 pm
satown210 wrote:
Mon Apr 22, 2019 4:20 pm
I'm more interested in the one that is an entire screen replacement and gives you a 10in screen.
Agreed. Maybe some day when I have ~$700 burning a hole in my pocket, I’ll pull the trigger.

I had a similar Chinese android head unit in my E46 that was designed to be oem-esque, and while it was far more capable than anything the car came with, it lacked in a few aspects. And as petty as this sounds, the broken English throughout the various menus and settings made it feel cheap. The display was also barely visible in any amount of sunlight, although I’d expect these to be better.

All of that being said the 10” one for this car is compelling (but risky).
Are you guys referring to this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-25-Tesla-St ... 3429140397

Unfortunately, it only has 1GB of RAM, which in my experience is not enough for an Android Head Unit. I had a 1GB unit for my Smart car and it was super slow.

The VLINE and LSAILT units have 3GB and 2GB of RAM, respectively.

Brian35XR
Posts: 133
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:12 am
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x
2006 Infiniti M35x
2004 Infiniti G35 - Sold

Post

mcowher wrote:
Wed Apr 24, 2019 11:42 am
David__Allen wrote:
Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:10 pm


Agreed. Maybe some day when I have ~$700 burning a hole in my pocket, I’ll pull the trigger.

I had a similar Chinese android head unit in my E46 that was designed to be oem-esque, and while it was far more capable than anything the car came with, it lacked in a few aspects. And as petty as this sounds, the broken English throughout the various menus and settings made it feel cheap. The display was also barely visible in any amount of sunlight, although I’d expect these to be better.

All of that being said the 10” one for this car is compelling (but risky).
Are you guys referring to this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-25-Tesla-St ... 3429140397

Unfortunately, it only has 1GB of RAM, which in my experience is not enough for an Android Head Unit. I had a 1GB unit for my Smart car and it was super slow.

The VLINE and LSAILT units have 3GB and 2GB of RAM, respectively.
That specific ebay posting is for a 1gb version, but all of the Chinese "Tesla" android units come with a 1.6ghz PX3 chip which can support up to 2GB ram max. The VLine V2 comes with a 1.8ghz PX5 chip which can support up to 4GB ram I believe.

If you go on Alibaba these are for sale everywhere and you can choose different configurations between 1+32, 2+64, etc..

Every single one of these units are essentially running the same android version but with an custom overlay controlled by a "customer.xml" in the root system folder which controls the car's specific options/controls. I was this close to purchasing one but the chinese seller needed to know if it should be "HI" or "LO" equipment which does set different car specific settings in the backend. You can change these files if you root it.

I went with the VLine instead which is coming in tomorrow. I have no doubt these chinese units will control the basic HVAC system, but how could it possibly tap into all of the M37 specific features like forest air? Will it really allow me to set Breeze mode? Or control the Ratio of inside/outside air? Will it let me set the sensitivity of the Eco pedal? Not only that but my friend bought one of his G37 and the max brightness of the screen is atrocious as indicated above. They are improving very rapidly though and I would be excited to see how well it integrated if someone else on this forum purchased one first :rotfl

mcowher
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:56 pm
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37x

Post

I am seriously considering buying directly from LSAILT. I am in touch with one of their representatives and may be able to save some money compared to the AliExpress by buying directly from them with Paypal. Will keep everyone posted.

satown210
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 2:10 am
Car: 2012 Infiniti M37
2005 Nissan Xterra Off Road

Post

I was in contact but with the language barrier we were going no where. I was worried that if I didn't like the unit, I'd be stuck with it.

satown210
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 2:10 am
Car: 2012 Infiniti M37
2005 Nissan Xterra Off Road

Post

anyone try one yet?

User avatar
Ilya
Moderator
Posts: 9800
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:20 pm
Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
Location: Charlotte, NC
Contact:

Post

Isn't there a guy on the FB group selling similar units stateside? Charles something or other?

jeaosos
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2020 6:17 am
Car: Infiniti Q70L

Post

Don't buy it, it's not stable(worst than grom) and really bad sound quality.
And what's the FB group?

Brian35XR
Posts: 133
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:12 am
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x
2006 Infiniti M35x
2004 Infiniti G35 - Sold

Post

Did you install it jeaosos? Any issues controlling the HVAC? Any pics?

jeaosos
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2020 6:17 am
Car: Infiniti Q70L

Post

Brian35XR wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 9:26 am
Did you install it jeaosos? Any issues controlling the HVAC? Any pics?
No, but my friends instead it and finally throw them away.


Return to “Infiniti M37, M56, M35h Hybrid and Q70 Forum”