My 2015 LX570 Hamilton Install (2 Viewers)

[ras0ne]

Pulled the trigger on the Hamilton Apple Car Play And Android Auto Kit.

Links:
Hamilton Apple Car Play And Android Auto For 2012-215 LX570
Hamilton Overview Video
Hamilton Install Video

It finally arrived and I'm starting this thread to post my install and experiences with it.

First off is an unboxing video!



I plan on posting mostly videos and maybe some pics if people request specific things.

Once the unit is installed I'll give it some thorough testing and post my findings.

Feel free to ask questions and I'll try to post some replies.

 

[prharper]

Subscribed. Been on the fence about getting this unit, look forward to your install and feedback.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I didn't know about this. Looking forward to hearing more. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SCCThree]

Looking forward to this. Thanks.

 

[OregonLC]

Wasn't aware. Hoping the product plays nice in your truck. Looking forward to the feedback.

FWIW, the 'Filter' menu on the left of the page didn't show the 16+ LX 570. Only when I first selected the 2016 MY did it show.

 

[ras0ne]

Here's a picture of the diagram included with this kit.

 

[OregonLC]

I watched the 16+ vid and perhaps I missed it, but did not see where they landed the Reverse wire. Perhaps it's not needed for this installation. Will be interested to see how it goes for you.

Really like their detailed vid as well as the placement in the trans tunnel, saving glove box space. Honestly, it's a great reference for anyone needing to get access regardless of whether installing a Hamilton. And not sure of the side difference, but it looks smaller than than say a Grom unit?

 

[jl199986]

Looks identical to the Crown Focus unit as well. Same box, same instructions.

 

[ras0ne]

Installed the Hamilton unit today!

Here's a little time lapse video with some commentary.

Full overview\review to come by the end of the week!

 

[jl199986]

Good stuff. A lot of work to do the video as well as the install. Thanks!

 

[ras0ne]

I planned on putting out a video on Friday with a full demo or review.

So far the unit seems to work pretty well.

The only issue I'm having is call quality.

When call people they tell me there is a lot of feedback and echoing, which is a deal breaker for me.

I have sent Hamilton customer support inquiring about improving call quality, so hopefully they get back with me with some sort of resolution before I make my video.

 

[OregonLC]

If you go back to the native screen can it revert back to bluetooth calling through the factory system? Or does Carplay retain control regardless of display mode?

 

[prharper]

I planned on putting out a video on Friday with a full demo or review.

So far the unit seems to work pretty well.

The only issue I'm having is call quality.

When call people they tell me there is a lot of feedback and echoing, which is a deal breaker for me.

I have sent Hamilton customer support inquiring about improving call quality, so hopefully they get back with me with some sort of resolution before I make my video.

I know there is another Hamilton thread or two on this forum, not sure if others experienced this.

I ended up ordering this edit > (for 2016+ LC) unit on Sunday w 10 % off coupon, free express shipping - item shipped Monday AM and it arrived today w free express shipping. Good service. Based what their web site claims, you should expect to hear from them soon.

Will try and install mine this weekend along with a Gamiviti dash panel accessory mount thing while I'm in there - run some additional wiring.

 

[ras0ne]

If you go back to the native screen can it revert back to bluetooth calling through the factory system? Or does Carplay retain control regardless of display mode?

Well...

Per Hamilton, you're supposed to turn off bluetooth on the factory system and use the bluetooth connection of their unit.

The CarPlay features seem to work pretty well with that wireless connection.

At that point the only reason to go back to the factory OS is for climate control and for sound\radio...I'll cover that on my video.

I also tired using it wired to the unit and all I seem to get is charging as the CayPlay doesn't seem to use the wired connection or the unit doesn't seem to recognize it.

 

[ras0ne]

Gamiviti

I know there is another Hamilton thread or two on this forum, not sure if others experienced this.

I ended up ordering this unit on Sunday w 10 % off coupon, free express shipping - item shipped Monday AM and it arrived today w free express shipping. Good service. Based what their web site claims, you should expect to hear from them soon.

Will try and install mine this weekend along with a Gamiviti dash panel accessory mount thing while I'm in there - run some additional wiring.

I tried reading the other posts, but it's hard to search for them.

That and the ones I have seen don't really go into the weeds or not deep enough for me.

It's more like...installed it...works...thumbs up.

 

[rlynch356]

I had hope for the Hamilton, but it looks like the same as the Alibaba units and well has the same instructions, so pretty much assuming it is... Not that that's a bad thing they are all probably made in china but integration is the key and why I haven't bothered with an aftermarket solution yet.
Hamilton is based in Raleigh from their site, but still if it's not solid, no point for me.

 

[ras0ne]

I had hope for the Hamilton, but it looks like the same as the Alibaba units and well has the same instructions, so pretty much assuming it is... Not that that's a bad thing they are all probably made in china but integration is the key and why I haven't bothered with an aftermarket solution yet.
Hamilton is based in Raleigh from their site, but still if it's not solid, no point for me.

We'll see what they say.

The Hamilton plugs into all the factory connections and seems to use a newer version of bluetooth, so I find it hard to believe that if it were using the factory units microphone, that it would affect the quality of the call.

I will say that I don't experience it on my end.

It has been what people have told me when I call them and they say it's quite unbearable.

Typically echoing has to do with the mic\speaker interfering with each other maybe there's a setting or something I can tweak.

 

[ras0ne]

Update:

Hamilton sent a "fix" action, which was to connect the phone to both OEM headunit and Hamilton kit bluetooth channels.

Here's what I'm seeing:

Calls on factory unit alone: Call is fine, no feedback, no echo

Calls on Hamilton unit alone: medium to low feedback, bad echo

Calls connected to OEM and Hamilton unit: Low feedback, low to medium echo

I set everything back to factory and now I'm having issues getting CarPlay to even work.



The double connection method was def not optimal...if not for the calling, it seemed the unit had to navigate what connection to use for calling or other audio.

So a call would sound fine, then switch to some source and get quiet.

I found some other settings on the Hamilton unit that I wanted to try, but since I can't get car play to work again I'm waiting on a reply from Hamilton to continue.

 

[OregonLC]

Did Hamilton discuss the option of taking the OEM microphone out of play and using this:

 

[ras0ne]

Did Hamilton discuss the option of taking the OEM microphone out of play and using this:

View attachment 3848530

They haven't

In the menu, there's an option to use an ext mic...I just don't have one

Just odd that calls are fine with the factory BT connection, but not with the Hamilton unit

I can't even get CarPlay to work again at the moment, so I can't test anything