GROM TOYNB3 Bluetooth AUX Car Adapter Kit, Compatible with Android iPhone Smartphones, Compatible with Select stereos in Toyota Scion Lexus 2003-2012

After trying out a unit from another brand and had BT compatibility problems, I decide to try the GROM-BT3 unit to connect my Android phone to my stock 05 Toyota Prius radio.General comments:I purchased the GROM Audio to stream music, enhance the usability of my phone GPS audio by running it through the car radio, and have BT phone capabilities.The sound quality is excellent going through the BT connection as well as using the AUX jack (requires an optional cord). This includes both music streaming as well as the phone connection (on both ends of the call).One of the issues with the unit from the other brand was that even with my phone volume all the way up, I still had to turn my radio volume up to get to my preferred listening level. This becomes a problem when I switch the music from my phone over to FM on my radio, the volume increase is way too loud. With the GROM, I can set the volume so that the final volume with the GROM unit is level with the FM volume so that when I transition I don’t get a giant sound blast.GROM offers as an option a Y cable that adds on USB charging and AUX jack capabilities. The cable is proprietary and only available from GROM. The good news is GROM didn’t jack the price up. It is about $10. This cable is not needed if you only want to stream via BT. The USB on the GROM is only for charging and it puts out up to 1.5 Amps. You could very well use a charger that plugs in to the car’s 12v outlet. Audio streaming through BT is just fine, not sure why you would need the AUX input unless you want to connect a device that don’t have BT.GROM sells various kits on Amazon that includes various combinations of their optional accessories and most kits also include dash trim removal tools. I just needed the Y USB AUX cable and with a Prius I did not need the trim removal tools to access the radio so I decided to just by the GROM units and the cable separately.Connecting all the cords and getting it going is very easy. Just plug in all the cords per instructions, then pair up your BT and you are ready to go. I suspect the level of difficulty of the actual installation of the unit would depend on the make and model of your car. For the Toyota Prius, it was very simple.GROM allows you to use the steering wheel buttons to access your phone, i.e. changing songs, pickup and hang up phone calls, etc.Once installed, each time you start your car the GROM unit will connect to your phone. This takes just a few seconds. On my phone it then automatically starts my music player.Toyota Prius specific comments:I have a 05 Prius with the base model radio; it does not have Navi nor the JBL sound. My phone is the Samsung S6 Edge. With this combination, everything is working well. The reason I say this is the other brand that I installed before the GROM had a compatibility issue. The unit did not always sync up with my phone.My Prius didn’t need any trim removal or other special tools for the install. Most of the dash trim panels just pull off. Tools you will need are: 10mm socket with an extension and a Phillip’s screw driver.The GROM unit itself can be installed inside the dash on top of the radio – just us some double sided tape. For me, I decided to install the unit in bottom glove compartment. As a side note, after I installed the unit I noticed that the top glove compartment has a punch out in the back, that may be a good place to install the GROM also. The harness between the radio and the GROM is just long enough for installation into the glove compartment. The connectors on the harness both just plugs in – make sure it is plugged in properly. The radio end of the harness has two plugs but for my Prius I only needed to plug one into the back of the radio.USB and AUX Y cable – I decided to run this cable from the glove compartment where the main unit is to the small empty compartment directly under the radio. I chose this spot because the compartment was the logical place to be able to store the cables without them dangling into the car. I did this by running the cable inside the dash to the back of the compartment where I drilled a hole big enough to push the cables through. I am not a big fan of drilling holes in my car but you can’t really see this hole since it is in the back of the compartment underneath the radio. No other holes were need for my install.Microphone – The cord for the microphone is fairly long and allows you to install the microphone almost anywhere around windshield area and the dash. For me, I felt the most natural position to talk on the phone is for the microphone to be slightly on the right of the steering wheel ( as opposed to the window column where many people like to install it. – see the pic I uploaded). It so happens that there is a slight gap between the vent trim piece and the display screen that allowed me to run the microphone cord through. The unit comes with a piece of double sided tape that I used to mount the microphone on to the trim piece just above the vent on the right of the steering wheel. With this location all but about an inch of the microphone cord is exposed. I also did not need to drill any holes.

Overall, I'm pleased with this unit. It functions well streaming music through my car stereo. Music streaming sound quality and consistancy please me. However, my integrated smartphone apps including maps/gps turn by turn voice instructions are sporadic. Initial Bluetooth connectivity took some time that required me to go.to the website for help. Also, depending on how I use my bluetooth phone with other bluetooth units in my home will effect how my phone reconnects to my GROMCAR bluetooth. I did have to reset the GROM by essentially reinstalling the GROM unit in the car. Overall a fine product 4 of 5 stars. The mic and usb charging cable work well also. Be careful that the usb/mic cable interface does not unplug from the unit once installed or you'll be opening your dash again.

I installed this in an is250, it went well and it works perfectly. Call quality with the included mic is good, music quality is as good as aux (may even be better depending on the car) and connecting to it is super easy. When you turn your car on, your phone automatically pairs in less than 5 seconds. No annoying beeping or voice, no garbage, just straightforward easy use. The price can be off putting but it's such a good solution it's absolutely worth it. Integrates with the steering wheel controls to allow the buttons to change music too.

Have had for 6 months now.It was easy to install and started out just fine. Recently, after only moderate use, the aux cord became warn and stopped working and the Bluetooth cuts on and off while listening to music. It's not really use able anymore.

Installed in a 2005 Lexus LS430. Much easier to install than anticpated ... just get a trim removal tool and take your time.Routing the mic cable is the only PITA ... but it's not that hard. Ran mine under the dash, then up the driver door weatherstripping, then the mic is tucked in to the top of the A pillar trim. Apparently sound quality on the other end is superb. I usually prefer the conventional placement above the rear view mirror, but it's not ideal on an LS430 as (i) you have a little visor above the mirror [which btw is hella useful!], and (ii) the headliner is bonded to the roof in such a way that there is no good way to tuck the mic cable into the front.Sound quality is excellent, and if you get the USB adapter, you can charge your phone wirelessly [I used a magnetic wireless base]. A very useful, clean installation that retains full use of the steering wheel buttons.It's a somewhat tight fit with most of the long USB cable living in the dash, but that's good because it holds everything from ratting around.Our other car (4Runner) has one of those USA-Spec TOY45 units, and while they do both work, the USA-Spec is quite a bit more finicky and sometimes stops working until you reboot the car. Both have identical audio quality ... very good indeed. The Grom unit seems a bit more bulletproof; it just works with no dramas. I also noticed that with the Grom unit, the line level is the same as your other audio sources; on the TOY45 the Bluetooth stream is noticeably quieter even with the phone's volume turned up.

For years I had an iPod connected to my Lexus LS430 via another brand that was wired (not bluetooth). iPod died so I needed a way to play music from my Samsung S22 (3,000 songs on it). The GROM unit has a much better sound...fuller/richer/deeper base...and is bluetooth. The added wireless benefit is a huge +. Voice activated calling works very well. Couldn't be happier.

This device is very easy to connect your phone to Bluetooth. This device is so good it made my speakers sound 1000x better it sounds like I have a whole surround sound system in my car now!! Thank you for this great device