CarPlay up and running on my 2016 Tacoma

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for a notice. Nothing ever. I can't believe with such a demand they don't make a large quantity. If they wait too long, many will forgo and upgrade the head units instead.

I look on the beat-sonic website: https://www.beatsonicusa.com/

am I right???

 

Hello Everyone.

how do I know if I have the JBL unit without taking the HU out? Is 2017 TRD Sport DC. With the EE Entune premium audio.
I’m interested in that beat-sonic set up.

thanks.

 

is that a JBL unit? I want to get one but I don’t think mine is.

 

not jbl.

 

how do you like it? Does everything work including the OEM microphone and usb plug?

 

it says JBL in orange on the bottom of the head unit screen. No need to remove the head unit. Can’t miss it.

 

works well. uses the factory mic and USB port (requires an adapter).

 

Scanned through the options and see the additional adapter for use of factory USB.

Sounds like this is a bit better kit as it uses factory microphone, USB and is slightly cheaper.

 

Does anyone know if you can swap a JBL unit in place of a standard Entune?

 

Just installed the Beat-Sonic on Friday morning....here are my thoughts.

I emailed them about the stock as the website kept saying out of stock. I was emailed back and told they were in stock but were waiting for the Black Friday sale to be out on the website. I was offered to wait till Black Friday and order it then, or I could go ahead and purchase one that day. I opted for that day. It costed $508 shipped.

I emailed the info for my Tacoma (Radio ID and Manufacturer). I paid with Paypal.

Box was delivered very quick.

After unboxing and reading through the instructions, I was comfortable doing the install. I'm not a stranger to automotive electronics. Unpacking it, there was two boxes (Android/Apple box, and a Toyota converter box), HDMI cable, 3.5mm to RCA cable, USB extension cable (was not used), USB adapter, and a plug n play harness.

Probably took about an hour to put in as the instructions are not super clear on how it all goes together and where to mount the two boxes. There was a YouTube link in the instructions for reference. Video was an install in a ForeRunner, but gave me enough to get it done. Beat-Sonic took my radio info and went ahead and set the dip switch and volume settings for me (awesome!). I ended up putting the two boxes under the radio. I also cleaned up some of the wiring as it was not protected and just everywhere (Audio cable, power cable for Android/Apple box).

To use it, you will need to plug in your phone to the OEM USB port and then make sure your audio is set to AUX. Push the volume/power button twice and it will turn on the android/apple box. The video looks to use the back-up camera input, and the audio uses the AUX input. Video quality seems to be limited to the resolution on the screen by Toyota. So running Google maps seems a little blurry (even my wife thinks so). I made adjustments to the contrast and brightness for the backup camera to help clear the screen up, but it is still not HD quality. Also if you want to listen to Sirius or FM radio, then the audio on Google Maps is not there. So I just stream audio while using Android Auto.

Overall I think it is a great addition. Happy wife, happy life.

 

NO you cant. The JBL unit sends a command to the amp to change the volume, the standard has a built in amp that changes the volume. While the plugs are the same, you wont get sound switching the headunits without also switching the wire harness and amp.

 

Download the Sirius app and listen to it through CarPlay!