Hntr*Z
Member
- Messages
- 7
- Location
- Lubbock, Texas
Would you post some pics of your instal? specifically the usb port. I have had this in mind but can't find anyone that will do it.
Thanks,
Hunter
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Bluetooth, navigation, back-up camera, oh my!
- Thread starter skeptic
- Start date
Would you post some pics of your instal? specifically the usb port. I have had this in mind but can't find anyone that will do it.
Thanks,
Hunter
Here are a couple pics along with some comments about my setup.
USB connection is below the TC2 button, the one with a cable in it. I'm not sure why it's not centered, maybe something in the way? Doesn't bother me, but it seems odd they'd go to the trouble to make it a nice clean install and not center it unless they couldn't easily do it. The rocker switch between the first two cig lighter plugs is to turn on/off the video lockout when not in park. I know, I need new cig lighter caps - all 3 are broken.
Here is where they ran the mic for bluetooth phone. Doesn't give that 100% stock look, but to use the built-in Onstar equipment I'd have had to buy an extra onstar to bluetooth adapter, lose onstar, and not had phone capabilities built into the head unit. As it is, I still have onstar capability if I ever wanted to use it and this setup works great. When I get a call, it's nice to see on the screen who is calling. I can also play music from the phone through the stereo using bluetooth instead of mirrorlink.
Overall I'm happy with it. I've learned since the install that in addition to MirrorLink there is also MHL. Different connection, different tech, and for the AppRadio3 the MHL use more expensive cables (plus a special adapter for my Galaxy S3). They also use different apps. I don't know which is better and overall I'm happy with the MirrorLink setup, but if I had to do it over I'd really spend some time learning the differences.
I don't have a photo of my backup camera. It's fairly small and unobtrusive bullet style, sticking out above the license plate and installed on the drivers side of the license plate light. Picture quality is ok, but the stock backup camera on my H3T was noticeably better. Having the green/yellow/red distance markers on the screen is nice. I don't care what anyone says, having a backup camera in a Truck or SUV is really nice and worth the money.
The downsides are really in the applications. To use MirrorLink from a Galaxy S3 with the AppRadio 3 you are pretty much stuck with the DriveLink app. Very limited app support, basic phone support, music is limited to music on your phone plus a couple Internet Radio apps I've never heard of and don't have installed, plus only a couple Nav apps - Google Maps is supported but Waze is not. Beyond that, the stock DriveLink app doesn't work with the latest phone update Verizon shoved onto my phone. Fortunately the guy where I bought this from also has a Galaxy S3 and sent me a link to a modified DriveLink that not only works on my phone but also lets you run any app you want (a bit clunky to get from the default supported apps out to your phone and even then not everything works). There is hope in the form of ARLiberator, an app specifically for AppRadio units. It does't work with the AppRadio 3 yet, but they are working on it. To put things in perspective, the official DriveLink app has a 1.5 star rating on Google Play, and the ARLiberator is rated at 4.1 stars.
USB connection is below the TC2 button, the one with a cable in it. I'm not sure why it's not centered, maybe something in the way? Doesn't bother me, but it seems odd they'd go to the trouble to make it a nice clean install and not center it unless they couldn't easily do it. The rocker switch between the first two cig lighter plugs is to turn on/off the video lockout when not in park. I know, I need new cig lighter caps - all 3 are broken.
Here is where they ran the mic for bluetooth phone. Doesn't give that 100% stock look, but to use the built-in Onstar equipment I'd have had to buy an extra onstar to bluetooth adapter, lose onstar, and not had phone capabilities built into the head unit. As it is, I still have onstar capability if I ever wanted to use it and this setup works great. When I get a call, it's nice to see on the screen who is calling. I can also play music from the phone through the stereo using bluetooth instead of mirrorlink.
Overall I'm happy with it. I've learned since the install that in addition to MirrorLink there is also MHL. Different connection, different tech, and for the AppRadio3 the MHL use more expensive cables (plus a special adapter for my Galaxy S3). They also use different apps. I don't know which is better and overall I'm happy with the MirrorLink setup, but if I had to do it over I'd really spend some time learning the differences.
I don't have a photo of my backup camera. It's fairly small and unobtrusive bullet style, sticking out above the license plate and installed on the drivers side of the license plate light. Picture quality is ok, but the stock backup camera on my H3T was noticeably better. Having the green/yellow/red distance markers on the screen is nice. I don't care what anyone says, having a backup camera in a Truck or SUV is really nice and worth the money.
The downsides are really in the applications. To use MirrorLink from a Galaxy S3 with the AppRadio 3 you are pretty much stuck with the DriveLink app. Very limited app support, basic phone support, music is limited to music on your phone plus a couple Internet Radio apps I've never heard of and don't have installed, plus only a couple Nav apps - Google Maps is supported but Waze is not. Beyond that, the stock DriveLink app doesn't work with the latest phone update Verizon shoved onto my phone. Fortunately the guy where I bought this from also has a Galaxy S3 and sent me a link to a modified DriveLink that not only works on my phone but also lets you run any app you want (a bit clunky to get from the default supported apps out to your phone and even then not everything works). There is hope in the form of ARLiberator, an app specifically for AppRadio units. It does't work with the AppRadio 3 yet, but they are working on it. To put things in perspective, the official DriveLink app has a 1.5 star rating on Google Play, and the ARLiberator is rated at 4.1 stars.
Hntr*Z
Member
- Messages
- 7
- Location
- Lubbock, Texas
Sweet thanks!
LuxHummerTwins
Probationary Member
- Messages
- 3
- Location
- United States
I know this is an older post but I just joined the forum tonight and already found useful information in this thread, specifically that the Onstar mic would NOT do double duty with the phone feature of the new radio. I guess I'll search out some junk yards for a GM Onstar mic and adapt it for my use.