Hamilton Motor Company head unit?

So...who's happy who's not?

They told me there is no SiriusXM built into the head units. Can use the apps. Not a big deal as we can put SiriusXM in the wife's car and I can use the app from that account, but what about sound quality? Will my existing Alpine amp plug right into this as well as long as it's the correct harness for the stock unit?

Reading the delay complaint above bothers me too. I would be very annoyed by that every time I wanted to switch between apps or songs..etc.

 

I’m installing my 2012 screen replacement unit next week and I’ll let you know how it goes. I know party mode won’t work, XM I can do from the phone app. I need to find a way to hardwire party mode switch, as tailgate speakers (upgraded) sound way better than any speaker in the rear doors. The slowness may be a deal breaker for me and I wish I would have done more research and called NC support to find out about XM+party mode lack before buying.

 

Any updates on your satisfaction?

 

I ended up going with the Dasaita Android 13. Ability to have wired and wireless Android Auto. No lag. We'll see, but so far the sound is great paired with my amp and sub.

 

Yes, install of $599 unit went well on the 4Runner, except minimum volume setting was too high and the increments were extreme; so I had to set the gain volume within the android OS settings of the unit. There is definitely some tweaking to do in the settings, such as equalizer and other nuances, to get it to sound right. The factory backup camera really is low quality for such a big screen, but that’s to be expected. I’m only bummed because I missed out on applying the promo coupon. I had applied it to the “smoky brakelights“ as a separate order, but they are now discontinued.

 

I think you may like the Dasaita better. Didn't really have to mess with any settings out of the box. Plus it can hook up to your factory USB and aux port to have wired android auto.

Sound quality really impressed me. Thought all my speakers were blown from my amp, but it was really just a frequency issue. The DTS audio settings make it sound better than ever. The screen the the camera isn't that bad either.

If you're happy with your purchase that's what matters. For me having a wired option was important. Also, no lag wired or wireless.

My only gripe is phantom knob location syndrome. I reach blindly for the knob and hit the screen and mess everything up while driving. I need to get used to the knobs being a little lower.

 

Anyone know if the 2014-2019 Toyota 4Runner Hamilton Conversion Kit for CarPlay® and Android Auto™ will work the the Anytime front/rear camera kit? I already have one of those installed and would like to keep it

 

you should reach out to them and ask, but it looks like on the Hamilton I just got for my 2021 you can display the back up cam and auxiliary cam at any time

 

how's your dasaita working out for you? mine got really buggy and started restarting and just not working randomly after having it a couple years.

 

Thanks, their AI said something about as long as the plug-ins were type something (whatever factory cables are) then it should still work. I sent them a message through their website as well because I don't trust AI to give correct answers.

I like the original factory look and would like to keep the front/rear camera i installed. Would like to have android auto though and have been thinking of upgrading. This looks like a good option and may get some better sound quality as well, although I can live with stock. Wife just got a highlander hybrid and I drove it today, using android auto. That larger factory screen design is growing on me. I didn't like the large placement in the new 4runner that was loaned to me but I think this would be a good choice for my 4runner

 

Their AI chat bot is hilarious.

"Let me know what you need. You can ask for stuff like documentation"

Give me a link to any and all documentation for the 2021 rrunner

"I dont know how to respond to this"

All their documentation just goes to some videos whoch are super, super high level.

I finally found a wiring diagram and its rhe worst wiring diagram ive ever seen.

Not to say its not a cool.head unit. I like the big screen.....just seems like if you want answers you need to talk to them and they close down 6pm Eastern time.

Looks like theres only 1 RCA out for aftermarket stereos so you'd better have equipment to adjust everything. I have an email ojt to them asking if this is the case.

 

Watching their YouTube video now, they talk specifically about wiring for front camera so I'm gonna pull the trigger. Not crazy how there are two bundles of wires in single harness to cover 2009-2019. Looks like a lot. I may take out the stuff I don't need from that giant bundle (if possible)

 

All honesty it's worked out really well. The sound quality is great and you're able to retain the factory USB and steering wheel controls,

It has randomly reset 2 or 3 times, and now and again I'll do a hard reset if it's acting sluggish, but it's few and far between that there are any issues. Definitely can live with the quirks.

Has an optional TPMS accessory connection you can buy. Either the units themselves or just a deal that you can screw to each valve and let the headunit identify it. I sent my wife the wrong link for Christmas and got the entire valve stems. So now I've got them listed on eBay and marketplace.

Biggest thing to get used to was now you push down on the steering wheel control to advance the track, but that's how it is on all rentals I've had.

Also zero lag with wireless connection.

In short.... I'm happy with it and glad I upgraded. Very glad I didn't get the Hamilton.

 

I got confused at first. Just identify the bundle that isn't yours and throw it 10 feet away.

They do have positive and negative for aftermarket cams which is pretty cool. Real thin aluminum wire though. Probably more than fine. Im just cranky...

 

Bad news - they emailed me today and said their kit doesn't support that feature (anytime front/rear) at this time but they are looking into it and wanted a video of how the system works.

It should arrive on Wednesday so I'll probably hook it up and see what happens. If it doesn't work, then I assume it could be fixed with a software update since it's supposed to have all of the factory hardware plugs (which is all that's needed). My guess is the switch may not put it on the screen "anytime" I want to see it. We'll see. Luckily i have experience with systems testing so maybe they will work with me on testing a solution.

 

I just installed the premium head unit. Happy to answer any questions

 

I'm thinking of doing a full product review of this HU. Not something I do and not something I thought I would ever do for anything. But I think I'm going to because the company fascinates me.


I'm not surprised they would get back to you saying they do not support any time camera. But here's a short video of the car in drive with any time camera. Go ahead and send them this.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Ptrq_oH8aeY?feature=share


Here's how to get to it and me shifting gears. I don't have a front camera plugged in so I can't say how you would switch between but there's certainly plugs for a front camera so you "should" be able to. and in this view it calls out "Rear Camera."
https://youtu.be/cLezhQ_rIAg

 

@FN2187 maybe I spoke to soon. I was just messing around......

I found someone on reddit with an older model head unit who got it working by installing an app. I tried that and could just get the rear cam. Can't figure out how to get the front cam.

Someone posted on their forums a while back about this on a Tacoma and they took it to a phone call.

I talked to them today about getting into their settings which is behind a password - they said they don't let people access because people could break the head unit but I'm hoping it's in there. I'm going to post on their forums and call them tomorrow.

 

What model is that?

 

Sound quality seems fine. I have not messed with the built in equalizer - which is comical. There's like 30 points. You need to scroll a lot to get to it all. Makes it a little inconvenient.

There's only 2 channels of RCA out for aftermarket amps so you cant fade. There is an RCA sub out.

I'm on JL Audio amps...

No real delay on the screen I got (for a 2021). No issue there.

 

Thanks for the info. If you find out anything, let me know. I'll do the same as I talk to them and try to work it out

 

It works.

In the menu settings below, you can go to your rear cam any time with the camera view app top right.

You can use your front cam with the "Aux" app bottom left.


The nice gentleman I just spoke with said there's going to be a firmware update soon which will make this much smoother and easier.

What I didn't immediately see is - my camera comes in black and white and I needed to select the video feed format to make it "good." My camera is 720P HDR Kenwood so probably not a common feed. I did not see if this is fixable in the current firmware for the "Aux" front cam feed.

 

2017 4trd pro head with the Hamilton premium

 

Oh sweet, thanks for the update. I have a feeling my front/rear switch will be a bust with the new system but at least it appears they can be used. They said the cameras will show on the screen (probably the process you just showed) but they also said they haven't had a chance to test it with the Anytime switch. Looks like I'll be the guinea pig

 

Head unit came this morning and I installed this afternoon. To my giddy delight, the Anytime switch works just like it did with the OEM head unit. I just left the Anytime wiring harness in place on the OEM truck wiring and plugged them into the new Hamilton wiring harness. The camera quality is atrocious but that's because of the cameras. I thought maybe the larger, nicer screen would make them look better but they appear pixelated. I haven't played around with any setting yet - just hooked everything up, connected Android Auto, tested hazard lights (button is sticking, will have to work on that), tested radio, made a call to test mic, then tested the Anytime switch.

Took forever to boot but maybe that was just the first time? I'll know when I take my daughter to soccer shortly.

 

Yeah all these android based units take forever to boot first time. They boot fast after that because like a laptop they're just asleep, or even just idle and come right up. I had to sign into my google account to download apps to the Hamilton. I got a new device sign-in notification which said the Hamilton is a Google Pixel 3 XL. I don't know if it uses a a board from that or what. Curious if it will drain the battery while "off" if you let your car sit a while. My Dasaita would drain my battery.

Interestingly yeah noticed the hazard is weird. I'll do a partial push and it will activate the hazards even though it's not pushed down. Or I'll try to turn the hazard off and the lights go off but the button is still stuck down.

Great news on the anytime switch!!!! They emailed me back reiterating they will have a new firmware for front cam's but I was eyeing cheap amazing switches.

My upgraded camera look really good on the screen. You can adjust camera lines by putting it in reverse then hitting the gear icon on the bottom left. I was able to get adaptive lines from some settings somewhere and now I have two sets of lines.

 

I have a 2017 Off-Road. I have had the Hamilton Premium for about a year now. Works like a champ (Apple). Boots/connects to my Iphone
in about 15 seconds. When I did the install, I had some glitch somewhere.... I talked with tech support at Hamilton - they worked with me for 2 days
and figured things out (settings between the phone and HU). Been happy with it.

 

Apparently I still had the screen protector on when I tested, which made it look worse. This isn't great but they aren't upgraded cameras. Probably better than the OEM unit.



I'll see how the battery holds up. Since I WFH it will sometimes sit a full week without being cranked, although with soccer started for my daughter again, it will get started at least twice a week.

I love the head unit but need to adjust the equalizer. I tried all the pre-programmed options but didn't like any. For reference, I had the OEM (non-JBL) bass set to +2, mid to +3, and treble to +4. If anyone ran similar settings and has an option they'd like to share, I'm all ears. Otherwise I'll just play with each one next time I have a chance.

Now I've got to figure out if I'm gonna get rid of the OEM head unit or keep it just in case. If I do get rid of it, I'll let it go with the dash mount and accessories (RAM phone mount and an ipad size mount). Maybe someone wants a dash mount but doesn't want to drill their nice OEM unit

 

@FN2187

Keep the OEM unit in storage. If you want it back its thousands from the dealership.

I got the larger screen which has the world's biggest EQ which is an app. It's with the apps. But then in one of the multiple settings section I found one for audio which had more simple adjustments like treble and bass. Kinda weird. Good luck. For EQ's I normally throw each bar all the way up and down to get a sense of what it does and then try to zero in what's best. Most EQ's are like 13 points or sometimes 7. This one is like 50. It's insane.

 

Ok, I'll play around and see if I can find a simpler one. The EQ I was in tonight had probably 20+ different balance settings.