My 2015 LX570 Hamilton Install (3 Viewers)

[OregonLC]

Sounds like the factory system has built-in filtering to remove whatever is causing the echo and when the OE mic is piped directly to the Hamilton that attenuation layer is missing. That's why I'm wondering if you have the Hamilton use it's discrete microphone that it might remedy the quality issue.

That said, the 16+ hands free is really very good and I too wouldn't be game for downgrading my phone quality. I spend a good deal of time on the phone when on the road and agree that would be a deal killer as would have that portion of my drive be sans CarPlay. Both need to function at 100% for it to be a viable solution.

I've not researched this with Grom Audio. Do they have a similar hands free quality problem or is this unique to Hamilton?

 

[ras0ne]

Sounds like the factory system has built-in filtering to remove whatever is causing the echo and when the OE mic is piped directly to the Hamilton that attenuation layer is missing. That's why I'm wondering if you have the Hamilton use it's discrete microphone that it might remedy the quality issue.

That said, the 16+ hands free is really very good and I too wouldn't be game for downgrading my phone quality. I spend a good deal of time on the phone when on the road and agree that would be a deal killer as would have that portion of my drive be sans CarPlay. Both need to function at 100% for it to be a viable solution.

I've not researched this with Grom Audio. Do they have a similar hands free quality problem or is this unique to Hamilton?

I think you're spot on

Digging through the underlying OS of the unit I did find an audio section and there seems to be a "Call Echo Cancellation" section

I was able to get the CarPlay working again...after a bunch of resets I rebooted my phone and that seemed to get the CarPlay back on track

Looking over the Hamilton site there's no manuals for the underlying "Car Home" system, so I don't really know what all the settings are

I guess it'll be trial and error

 

[ras0ne]

Here's my one week in video, it's a little a little lengthy, enjoy!

 

[mschop]

I just installed mine but it looks like they gave me a different box with a different ui. Everything seems to work great but I'm also running into the echo problem where people on the other side will hear themselves.

Anyone else figure out a solution for the other interface? Here's what mine looks like and I don't see a "echo cancellation"

 

[OregonLC]

@ras0ne thanks for the vids, very helpful. Glad to see that you got the phone echo problem sorted. My guess is that tone was used to measure the delay between sound emission and microphone pickup with the 46 being the delay in milliseconds. The capability is there, just not fully documented.

Since the hard buttons don't offer as many options as the screen, does it pop up any type of HVAC sub menu or do you have to switch back to OEM mode to get into the HVAC menu?

 

[RTaylor]

I currently use my AirPods for better call quality than the factory Bluetooth. How is the interaction with this CarPlay unit when another Bluetooth connection is being used, like AirPods?

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

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.

Knowing what you know now, would you buy this again? Would you opt for a different platform (Grom, other)?

 

[mschop]

I just installed mine but it looks like they gave me a different box with a different ui. Everything seems to work great but I'm also running into the echo problem where people on the other side will hear themselves.

Anyone else figure out a solution for the other interface? Here's what mine looks like and I don't see a "echo cancellation"

View attachment 3850581

View attachment 3850582

Support got back to me and we got to a quick solution.

Instead of using the Hamilton unit Bluetooth connection, we used the oem Bluetooth. Everything else works great after that. If you have this unit and are having trouble, here's how to fix:

Go to the Settings page.
Then go to the advanced settings. It will be password protected. Password is 8868.
Under CarPlay, switch to phone.

That should fix everything. I tested with my wife and call quality was back to original. Meanwhile all the other functionality like CarPlay works as normal. Not sure why this isn't the default.

 

[ras0ne]

I just installed mine but it looks like they gave me a different box with a different ui. Everything seems to work great but I'm also running into the echo problem where people on the other side will hear themselves.

Anyone else figure out a solution for the other interface? Here's what mine looks like and I don't see a "echo cancellation"

View attachment 3850581

View attachment 3850582

The noise cancellation on my unit was under Settings > Audio

It seems like you have two settings to choose from.

I wish they would provide the link to the OEM manual or something that digs into these settings.

 

[ras0ne]

@ras0ne thanks for the vids, very helpful. Glad to see that you got the phone echo problem sorted. My guess is that tone was used to measure the delay between sound emission and microphone pickup with the 46 being the delay in milliseconds. The capability is there, just not fully documented.

Since the hard buttons don't offer as many options as the screen, does it pop up any type of HVAC sub menu or do you have to switch back to OEM mode to get into the HVAC menu?

You have to switch back to the OEM UI to do the HVAC controls

 

[ras0ne]

I currently use my AirPods for better call quality than the factory Bluetooth. How is the interaction with this CarPlay unit when another Bluetooth connection is being used, like AirPods?

I'll have to test.

I'm going to assume that the CarPlay channel takes priority when in use.

What would you like me to test? Being on a call and seeing if Maps is still working?

 

[ras0ne]

Support got back to me and we got to a quick solution.

Instead of using the Hamilton unit Bluetooth connection, we used the oem Bluetooth. Everything else works great after that. If you have this unit and are having trouble, here's how to fix:

Go to the Settings page.
Then go to the advanced settings. It will be password protected. Password is 8868.
Under CarPlay, switch to phone.

That should fix everything. I tested with my wife and call quality was back to original. Meanwhile all the other functionality like CarPlay works as normal. Not sure why this isn't the default.

It seems as if your unit has a different UI\OS I'm guessing because you have an updated 200 series (2016+)

They provided me the same "fix" and even though it was better, it wasn't better than the original connection.

Running the noise cancelation did fix it for me though or at least got it to 99%.

 

[lx200inAR]

After watching @ras0ne video. The biggest difference I see between this and the GROM Vline2 is that Grom attempts to automate the switching between the android device and the OEM system. Where he was saying that the top row of buttons doesn't work with the Hamilton, in the GROM hitting those buttons will automatically flip the system back to OEM so you can make changes to those menu options.

I think both options have merit, so not saying one is better than the other, but just pointing out the difference.

 

[ras0ne]

After watching @ras0ne video. The biggest difference I see between this and the GROM Vline2 is that Grom attempts to automate the switching between the android device and the OEM system. Where he was saying that the top row of buttons doesn't work with the Hamilton, in the GROM hitting those buttons will automatically flip the system back to OEM so you can make changes to those menu options.

I think both options have merit, so not saying one is better than the other, but just pointing out the difference.

If I had the loot, I would buy all the systems and do the same thing

 

[shoes22]

You gave me the confidence to do this in my Sequoia!

 

[ras0ne]

You gave me the confidence to do this in my Sequoia!

Go for it!


I will say...taking the panels off my LX570 was pretty painless.

 

[shoes22]

Go for it!


I will say...taking the panels off my LX570 was pretty painless.

I’ve actually got all the parts, just need time!

 

[prharper]

Thanks for posting the video and review.

I ordered the 2016+ LC version (it arrived in 2 days, quick turnaround) . Received order but it did not include the speaker. (I read/saw something that if you want alerts + music that you have to add an aux speaker to support 2 audio channels). I contacted Hamilton support and they said they would send me the speaker.

A few days went by and no update. Called Hamilton, talked to the team in NC. Was advised that I would need a different unit that supported the speaker. They happily agreed to send me a new order. I asked what's the difference between the two and was told they are equally just as good but this one has a different operating system/version. Got the new order today (2 day turnaround). Had too many other domestic projects going on and NO time to install it.

My plan tomorrow is to install this new one. Test it out. Verify the difference between what OP has and this one.
I still have the other unit as well so that gives me another option if this one doesn't meet my needs.

 

[OregonLC]

It makes sense, I get that now when Waze is trying to alert but I’m playing the radio. A native speaker for CarPlay app alerts would solve that. Though you’d think there’d be a singular OS with a software switch.

 

[lx200inAR]

That seems weird. The Vline2 or any other CarPlay equipped vehicle I’ve ever used could play alerts over the audio, all handled at the phone I assume.

Are we talking about playing audio not sourced from the phone but then still getting alerts through CarPlay that are sourced from the phone? The Vline can’t do that at all, so could be the reason why it would be different between the two.