Hamilton CarPlay and Android Premium Kit

[hskb]

Last December, I bought the

2016-2021 Lexus LX Hamilton Premium Conversion Kit for CarPlay/Android​

with the anticipate of getting the lx570 someday.
well, this Friday is that someday, i am getting a 2019 LX570 with Luxury package + ML audio and some other bell and whistles.
Soon will need to install the Hamilton LCD,

For those who already installed it, are there anything that i need to be aware off?
Please share some insights.

I've done similar installation before (Kenwood head unit to my LX470, GROME vline on my LS460s), so hopefully this time it goes smoothly
thanks everyone.

 

[mjhenk]

Last December, I bought the

2016-2021 Lexus LX Hamilton Premium Conversion Kit for CarPlay/Android​

with the anticipate of getting the lx570 someday.
well, this Friday is that someday, i am getting a 2019 LX570 with Luxury package + ML audio and some other bell and whistles.
Soon will need to install the Hamilton LCD,

For those who already installed it, are there anything that i need to be aware off?
Please share some insights.

I've done similar installation before (Kenwood head unit to my LX470, GROME vline on my LS460s), so hopefully this time it goes smoothly
thanks everyone.

Congrats. I put a deposit down on a 2016 LX today and anticipate delivery early next week. I purchased the Hamilton touchscreen unit about an hour ago. Came here looking for install info as well. Looks like we're on this journey together!

 

[Sandroad]

There is a lot on Mud about that, both LC and LX. I’ve done some searches because I’m interested myself. I used google and the search term Hamilton CarPlay 200 Land cruiser ih8mud

Bunches of hits with lots of info.

 

[open country]

I installed it in my 2016 and like it. I bought it second hand and discounted, was always hesitant to buy at their list price. It happened to be the "premium" version, although I don't utilize it and wouldn't really recommend it over the base unit unless you wanted to use some native apps to their unit from a tethered data source. All I wanted was reliable wireless CarPlay which it does well. Audio quality is fine, it utilizes the stock aux input to play sound from your carplay media source, so is capped at whatever audio rate USB 2.0 can handle.

My only gripe is that even though the wireless connection is reliable, on startup it can take about 20-25 seconds to fully boot Carplay which is a pain with impatient kids in the back or if you like to set a nav destination before setting off. One tip is after install, you have to find somewhere buried in the menus to establish "auto connect". Otherwise you have to manually connect to bluetooth each time.

 

[hskb]

The main reason i go with it is that i want a touch screen with carplay - this will make the LX or any old Lexus modern.
I think i won't like the mouse thingy.
Hamilton sounds like a good company with lot of positive reviews on their products and customer services.

 

[terdrocket]

I installed the conversion kit last month. Just follow the install video and get the latest instructions off of the website. Call them with any issues. The Hamilton people are very helpful.
The only issue I had was regarding the initial bluetooth call connection. I found that I had to follow the instructions for the Hamilton bluetooth connection, but I only could stream audio. I had to break with the instructions and go back into the Lexus system and reconnect the bluetooth connection for phone calls.
It all works seamlessly now.
Waze does a great job of stretching across the wide screen.
Also, having touch is a great option to only using the Lexus crack pad

 

[beachbumin]

I have a Hamilton unit on my 08 and just installed another on my 17 es. Watch the install videos and call them with any questions. They are a great group and easy to work with.

 

[LX57013]

Last December, I bought the

2016-2021 Lexus LX Hamilton Premium Conversion Kit for CarPlay/Android​

with the anticipate of getting the lx570 someday.
well, this Friday is that someday, i am getting a 2019 LX570 with Luxury package + ML audio and some other bell and whistles.
Soon will need to install the Hamilton LCD,

For those who already installed it, are there anything that i need to be aware off?
Please share some insights.

I've done similar installation before (Kenwood head unit to my LX470, GROME vline on my LS460s), so hopefully this time it goes smoothly
thanks everyone.

HSKB-

I’m in the middle of the installation of a Hamilton unit for my ‘13 LX570. Installation is really easy, tutorials on the website are helpful. I bought a Merge Screens unit prior to this which was fraught with tech issues that China based support could not conquer.

The guys at Hamilton are very willing to help. I have mine about 80% of the way solved. There are some small hang ups on how the unit communicates coming from differing audio modes, ( AM/FM BT USB) while using CarPlay. It’s useful right now but I’m trying to get it to perfect.

I’ll report on where I am in the coming days. Your installation may be way smoother considering a later model year range. At this point I wouldn’t hesitate to try it. They have a 30 day policy on installation.

 

[HighRanch]

I have a Hamilton unit on my 08 and just installed another on my 17 es. Watch the install videos and call them with any questions. They are a great group and easy to work with.

Are you seeing much difference in how the Hamilton works on your 08 vs 17? Just wondering how modern either is in comparison to newer cars with the wireless CarPlay from the factory.

 

[CaptFett]

I installed the touch screen, Bluetooth connected version on my '17. Great upgrade.
One challenge that doesn't seem to have a solution is if you want to switch from one persons phone to another persons - there isn't way I have found. I set it up so both my wife and I auto connect. If we both get in the car, there is no way to prioritize or change who connects.

Has anyone found a solution?

 

[nimitz]

I don’t have this specific model, but what if you turn off CarPlay on the one you don’t want to use? Even momentarily should be enough right?

 

[open country]

Even OEMs have trouble with Bluetooth priority and switching with multiple devices in range. My Hamilton seems to always prioritize my phone which was paired first, and switches well when you initiate through the iPhone Bluetooth menu, but there is not a way I know of to set a priority within the unit. I have a cheap Chinese Carplay unit in our Sequoia and having two registered devices in the car trips it up all the time.

 

[Ruski]

I'm looking at the Hamilton for my '17 LC, so far in reading this thread I'm very likely going to considering purchasing it. Question I have: How does it interface with the the "climate" button on the control unit under the screen when you are in Carplay mode? Will it knock you out of Carplay or do you have to manually back out of Carplay, adjust the climate setting, then pop back into carplay?

 

[open country]

I'm looking at the Hamilton for my '17 LC, so far in reading this thread I'm very likely going to considering purchasing it. Question I have: How does it interface with the the "climate" button on the control unit under the screen when you are in Carplay mode? Will it knock you out of Carplay or do you have to manually back out of Carplay, adjust the climate setting, then pop back into carplay?

If you hit the Climate button, you leave Carplay. From any screen in the OEM system, you hold "home" for 3 seconds to return to Carplay.

It's not a problem for me as I use "auto" temp settings 99% of the time and have the physical controls below the screen to where I can keep Carplay running.

 

[teejnut]

HSKB-

I’m in the middle of the installation of a Hamilton unit for my ‘13 LX570. Installation is really easy, tutorials on the website are helpful. I bought a Merge Screens unit prior to this which was fraught with tech issues that China based support could not conquer.

The guys at Hamilton are very willing to help. I have mine about 80% of the way solved. There are some small hang ups on how the unit communicates coming from differing audio modes, ( AM/FM BT USB) while using CarPlay. It’s useful right now but I’m trying to get it to perfect.

I’ll report on where I am in the coming days. Your installation may be way smoother considering a later model year range. At this point I wouldn’t hesitate to try it. They have a 30 day policy on installation.

How have you liked the Hamilton unit on your 2013 LX570?

 

[slipkid13]

I have had the Hamilton unit in my 2013 LX for about 6 months now and no complaints, great upgrade and def. worth the price. Easy to instal, just follow the video, easy to setup (I use Android Auto, no video, still easy) had to make some volume settings to balance out media and call volume but so far no issues. It's a good unit and great support, if you call they answer in North Carolina and answer emails almost immediately.

 

[Dan Higgins]

I installed the Hamilton in my 2021 LC about 5 months ago. I love it! Having CarPlay (and more importantly all the CarPlay apps) is awesome. Of course, the screen is not the largest to the brightest/most contrast. But it works well enough. I use Google Maps, Waze, Gaia and Trails Offroad. I use both Apple Music and Spotify. The "mode" I use most often is the CarPlay "split screen" mode where you can have the map software on the left side and the right side split between the nav directions window and the "music" window. You can even use CarPlay "widgets" but sliding right and see the weather for the current location.

The one hassle I last month I began having a number of reboots of the Hamilton unit. Seemingly random. A 2-5 times per day. But if I was in more remote areas it didn't happen. Ends up it was an issue with the wifi connection setup. I had to change the setting in the wifi menu (System Menu ... ) to a different number. Apparently it was getting confused with competing wifi systems. The Hamilton support team diagnosed the problem and gave me instructions on how to fix it. Also, just to be sure that everything was "baseline" they had me install the latest firmware. The firmware on my unit was from last Spring. An easy process if you know now to download ZIP files. I use a Mac and was able to easily download from the links Hamilton support sent me and copy the files to a USB-A thumb drive. Hamilton also included a couple of videos on 1) how to download the files to your computer and copy them to the thumb drive and 2) how to do the install using the USB cable included with the Hamilton unit (which I placed just inside the passenger side trim panel which is very easy to remove and replace. All good now.

I have had an issue with the sound from my media being considerably louder than the sound from a phone call. Then I saw a post on MUD about how to go into the Hamilton's System settings to Sound then to Volume to get to a screen that allows you to set the volume level for a number of different sound sources.