Upgrading headunit

[DriftMissle]

Hey guys,

I have the base 2011 (non-GPS) headunit, and I'm thinking about upgrading to the GPS headunit (since there is no aftermarket. Please prove me wrong otherwise!). The main reason to upgrade is to have A2DP bluetooth streaming. Anyway, does anyone have a clue what is required? I reached out to a couple local dealers, and were not very helpful in the slightest. I did, however, found on eBay that I'd need to upgrade/buy three things: the headunit, the new display, and the center control console.

Honestly, it is a bit steep to upgrade to the factory GPS HU just for A2DP BT streaming. Aftermarket would be ideal, but it doesn't exist for us ):.

Thanks!

DM

[Frog]

My advice is don’t do it unless you get a 2014 or newer most of the older head units don’t do Bluetooth streaming that well.

[satown210]

It will cost you way more for a unit that may not work or work well. Most of the time, he wiring harnesses are different, body control modules are different, etc.

I would look into Grom. They are just now releasing a line of interfaces for Infiniti without navigation. It basically gives you a tablet built into the car. You get google maps, audio streaming, etc. It utilizes the factory controls and screen. It is pricey though. Around $600. I saw they have a discount right now of something like $450 or so.

I have been following them waiting for a sale to get one of their units for my nav equipped M

[cliffyk]

eBay can be your friend in this quest...

[DriftMissle]

Thanks for the input guys.

Satown, which GROM module were you looking at? I remember looking at GROM last year, and finding two products they made. One was a module but it was only compatible for the Y50's, G's, Z's, etc. I tried tracing the HU wirings for the Y50 and Y51 AND went as far as the G sedans to see if it is compatible with GROMs unit. I don't remember having any success however. The other product was the GROM wirelinq cable (particularly USB-C for my Pixel XL phone). Apparently it's a no-go.

[satown210]

Grom has a line out called the VLINE. They just upgraded to VLINE2 which is the same but more RAM. They just released a version for non-nav Infiniti.

i just looked, the new one for non-nav equipped cars is not compatible with the M. I'd email them and find out if they are working on it. Sometimes they are looking for testers and you can get a system real cheap if you test it and give them feedback.

[Dark_Knight]

I was a tester for the VLine unit when they came out with it for the LS460. It was a pretty bad experience as it didn't work with my vehicle because I didn't have the self-parking feature. Others on ClubLexus have had decent results with the VLine 2 but it seems overpriced. There are a couple of threads over on ClubLexus about it.

[satown210]

I agree it is overpriced but there is only one other company I found that was doing something similar. They seemed to be real shady and very vague on the system capabilities. I can't remember who they are. They boast about being a US based and US built product. Yet all their website was in very broken english.....

[DriftMissle]

GROM got back to me, and the 2011 non-nav HU is incompatible with their products.

For those who are interested in an alternative solution: Last year I tried the iSimple Transit Blu that allows Bluetooth and phone calls. However, controls are limited to the device connected.

The product has two ways to connect to our stereo: 3.5mm aux or overriding the FM/AM antenna. Since our cars aren't equipped with the aux I reluctantly tried the FM/AM antenna and it was, as I expected, underwhelming. It was radio quality - better than the cheapo FM transmitters though. But it's obvious the quality was lacking.

[Ilya]

GROM got back to me, and the 2011 non-nav HU is incompatible with their products.

For those who are interested in an alternative solution: Last year I tried the iSimple Transit Blu that allows Bluetooth and phone calls. However, controls are limited to the device connected.

The product has two ways to connect to our stereo: 3.5mm aux or overriding the FM/AM antenna. Since our cars aren't equipped with the aux I reluctantly tried the FM/AM antenna and it was, as I expected, underwhelming. It was radio quality - better than the cheapo FM transmitters though. But it's obvious the quality was lacking.

Was the NAV HU compatible? I don't like GROM (I tried their original product in the Y50 group and it was SERIOUSLY HOT GARBAGE) but I'd be willing to give them another try if I could get Waze on my screen. I looked at their site and VLINE wasn't available...

[Dark_Knight]

GROM got back to me, and the 2011 non-nav HU is incompatible with their products.

For those who are interested in an alternative solution: Last year I tried the iSimple Transit Blu that allows Bluetooth and phone calls. However, controls are limited to the device connected.

The product has two ways to connect to our stereo: 3.5mm aux or overriding the FM/AM antenna. Since our cars aren't equipped with the aux I reluctantly tried the FM/AM antenna and it was, as I expected, underwhelming. It was radio quality - better than the cheapo FM transmitters though. But it's obvious the quality was lacking.

Was the NAV HU compatible? I don't like GROM (I tried their original product in the Y50 group and it was SERIOUSLY HOT GARBAGE) but I'd be willing to give them another try if I could get Waze on my screen. I looked at their site and VLINE wasn't available...

They have the VLine 2 available for our cars. Try this link:

https://gromaudio.com/store/vline/selec ... ystem.html

[Ilya]

Was the NAV HU compatible? I don't like GROM (I tried their original product in the Y50 group and it was SERIOUSLY HOT GARBAGE) but I'd be willing to give them another try if I could get Waze on my screen. I looked at their site and VLINE wasn't available...

They have the VLine 2 available for our cars. Try this link:

https://gromaudio.com/store/vline/selec ... ystem.html

Thanks. I didn't see that link. I may have to pull the trigger on this as my XMas gift for this year. Jury would be out if Grom has anything good because I tried their iPod/AUX device like 5 years ago and it was the biggest waste of $120 ever.

[Dark_Knight]

FYI, I got an e-mail today from GROM about the non-nav VLine 2 being available for pre-order for $465.99 for our cars if anyone is interested. I can forward the e-mail if anyone wants it.

[DriftMissle]

Good luck Ilya! At least some good came out of this thread haha. Although, I've always heard mixed things about GROM.
Another note. I just browsed the compatibility page and they specify only the Q70.. Does the both the M and Q have different HUs?

Dark_Knight, I'm surprised GROM didn't say anything about that in my email yesterday...

[Yoda's Master]

Good luck Ilya! At least some good came out of this thread haha. Although, I've always heard mixed things about GROM.
Another note. I just browsed the compatibility page and they specify only the Q70.. Does the both the M and Q have different HUs?

Dark_Knight, I'm surprised GROM didn't say anything about that in my email yesterday...

parts.infinitiusa shows different HU and displays for the M and Q

[EdBwoy]

For the price of the other alternatives brought up, maybe someone can be bold enough and do what a Y50 member has done in the link below. It's an added aftermarket head unit, retaining the factory screen AND all OEM functionality.

aftermarket-double-din-radio-in-y50-fab ... l#p6782202

[DriftMissle]

Thanks EdBwoy for the link!!

I reached out to @rookie55 last month (maybe two), and the takeaway was that he did replace his factor HU with an aftermarket leaving most harnesses unused. This is for y50 and he hasn't had a problem. I think it may disable many functions on the y51 such as climate control because HVAC is connected through factory HU for example. Many of the infotainment harnesses feed through our factory HU. I'd double check the AV manual though; it's been some time since I've reviewed it.

I recall shorting the ACC fuse, and I was unable to access my climate controls.