Since another great thread on this topic is closed to further comment due to some apparent threadjacking by a supplier, I thought I'd try here ...

Lockpick looks like it will allow me to easilly use MyGig to its full functionality, and like many others on this forum I'm very interested.

I need help in regard to finding the best options for a backukp camera, and I need some advice about whether I'll be able to do the install myself (I'm only moderately handy).

Similarly, if I'm going to buy the Lockpick system, I want a microphone that will work with MyGig ... anybody found any sources or options that we can discuss here?

Is there anywhere in the mid-Atlantic where I can go have all of this installed? (Lockpick looks like a simple install, but I don't want to start a mess I can't fix, and if I'm going to do this, I want the camera and microphone as well ...)

Any comments and thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Well, since my parts are ordered but yet to be installed all I can tell you is the "plan".

First, let me say that I enlisted the aid of my Technical Director at my company to do the work, I am not probably savey enough to do this my self.

1 - Use Lockpick to enable all the features
2 - Install a mic in a TrailMax overhead console and fabricate a wiring harness and plug
3 - Install a Voyager Keyhole camera in the rear (location TBD)

I'll let you know how it goes.
Dave

 

I just finished installing my reverse camera a few minutes ago. The install wasn't hard at all. I actually started this project two days ago and got as far as connecting the camera to the lockpick and running the wires to the back of the jeep. I've been driving around with the camera connected but laying on the floor in the cargo area. Today I finished running the wires through the tail gate and finally got the camera mounted. I got the camera from the same company that sells the lockpick. It actually fit perfectly in a pre-drilled hole in the middle of my spare tire carrier(Expedition One).

Anyway, it really wasn't difficult to install any of it. Pretty much plug and play. I would suggest doing it yourself.

As for a mic, I heard that mopar was possibly going to sell just the mic out of their uconnect kit. That's what I'm hoping for anyway. If I could only find a source for the connector that plugs into the back of the mygig - it would be easy to just make one.

 

I can't think of anyone that is more squeemish than me about opening up my dash board and trying to install the LockPick.... but I did it and it was a piece of cake! If you take your time, go slowly and deliberately, you will find it to be so easy, you will laugh at yourself for being concerned about it in the first place.

The Lockpick is almost useless without a microphone. Chrysler is supposed to be coming out with an option soon. Some folks have tried to build their own, but sourcing the connector for the back of the MyGig is the challenge. In addition, the mic will have to be/or should be, a noise cancelling device, so a straight mic won't cut it.

PM me and I'll give you some additional thoughts on the mic that solved my problem.

 

I forgot to mention the camera...

The camera that LockPick sells is expensive IMO at $129. It doesn't have lights, so it won't be very helpful at night. There are a lot of cheaper and even better solutions out there. I'm not sure if it will work, but I bought three backup cameras on eBay that are "Night Vision" with LED's built in, fully waterproof... and you can't beat the price. I paid about 1 penny US for each one, with shipping costs for all three equally about $70. I won't need them all, so when I get them, if they are good, I'll be happy to sell you one for a few bucks ($25?). Or you can go to ebay and try and get your own for a penny plus shipping. Here is the link to one of the cameras. The seller has a ton of them available.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310024651951

As far as installing the camera, the only challenge is mounting it properly. Running the cable underneath the carpets back to the MyGig is brainless, and it is a simple RF stereo style plug into the MM cable you should buy with the LockPick.

 

What about running the power? I can see video is a simple RCA plug, but I haven't done car electronics work before. Educate me!

 

Ditto!

Here are a couple of cameras that looked interesting:
http://www.mobilevideo4less.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MV&Product_Code =RVC4700IR
http://www.pinecomputer.com/sh420tvliveb.html

 

It seems like the microphone is going to be the hard part ...

 

I just installed my lockpic last night; it is a nice piece of hardware. As far as power goes, the harness includes two power leads and a ground; one constant power lead, and one acc power lead...

Although I still need to source a mic; there are plenty of other features that I find useful in the mean time!

 

There is a positive and negative lead on the lockpick harness that needs to be connected to the camera. When you shift to reverse or activate the camera manually power is sent to the camera via this harness.