Installed the CHR550 today in the new '11 2500 (non-nav 430 RBZ). Initial goal was to install a front camera and to get the rear camera so I could turn it on on-demand instead of only when I'm in reverse. Of course, the camera is backordered.

Picked the 550 instead of the v4 because of the extra ipod control features - disappointed with the uconnect interface, and ipods are the only audio input source I use anywhere these days.

Went ahead and installed it anyway, since I was installing the running boards and a V1 hardwire kit w/ remote display.


During installation, buried in the instructions, I find that you have to re-power the backup camera if you want this feature:

"TURN ON FACTORY REVERSE CAMERA AT ANY TIME, EVEN IN DRIVE IF DESIRED"

In essence, this means running a new power lead from the lockpick box under the dash to the camera in the rear. That certianly wasn't clearly advertised for this "feature".
I looked at the install instructions for the mopar camera, hoping that the factory install used the same method of tying in to the reverse wire under the hood - but it doesn't. All of the wiring seemed to be buried in the main harnesses, not on it's own.

When I get the truck up on the lift, I'm going to see if I can find a sane place to tie in under the truck, since it can't be done (that I can see) under the dash or hood.

I tested this out, even though I dont have a front camera yet: "TURN ON A FRONT CAMERA AUTOMATICALLY BELOW 8MPH TO AID IN PARKING"

This DOES work (even without nav), though I haven't tried it above 8mph yet. Any time you're not in park or reverse, you get the front camera input. This was actually a bit disturbing sitting in the shop looking at a black screen when I was trying to test the ipod.... I may find it fairly intrusive in the long term, but I guess we'll see when I get the camera.


So now to the ipod interface provided by the lockpick:

Basically, this device feeds everything it does to the MyGIG via the "TV" input that a factory-installed satellite TV setup would use. (if you have that, it IS still available to use)

So "channel 1" on the TV is the lockpick version information.

"channel 2" is one of the two ipod interfaces (which supports the video out mode of latest gen ipods and iphones) - in this one, you control the ipod either via it's own interface or with the steering wheel controls. So basically the ipod video feed is a TV channel - no touchscreen interaction. The menu you see can -only- be controlled via the steering wheel controls, but once you're (painfully) switched to "now playing" at least you see album art, track info and position, etc. I found no way to adjust track ratings - but you can still control the ipod on it's own screen for that.

"channel 3" is the "ipod manual" mode - exactly the same as above, but without the video feed. You either see a black screen (if you switch away from the channel tuning display to the video display) or the channel tuning display. No on-screen (or other) control of the ipod - steering wheel or ipod built in controls only.


After these come some video inputs from the 4 possible video channels, then it's the lockpick configuration section.

You configure by selecting a "channel" (for example, "auto forward camera") then selecting the "configure option" channel to switch the state of the option from on to off, or visa versa. Not extremely intuitive, and their docu was very vague here, but eventually you get the hang of it. Interesting from a "that's one way to hack it" view point, but...very hacky.


A few other notes on the ipod control:

Because the "TV" section is used to listen to the ipod, there's a feature that won't work while you're using the lockpick ipod interface: You can configure one of the 4 video inputs to be displayed when you "double press" the power button - but this ONLY works when you're in a mode OTHER than TV. So if you're watching an input from the lockpick, including the ipod, you can't quick switch (to, say, the backup camera). You'll have to manually tune the TV to the camera input, instead (which also means the audio goes away).


When the truck (not the radio) is powered off, the ipod DOES pause appropriately. It does -not- play again, though, when the truck is powered back on. Even if the tv>ipod input is selected.

This means that, for example, when you turn the key on, boot the radio, start listening and -then- start the engine, the ipod will pause and not restart. You'll have to manually restart it (and as best I can tell, only via the ipod itself.) At least, it's that way with the diesel - every time you engage the starter, the stereo shuts off and has to reboot. Could be a diesel specific thing, dunno if the hemi does it.

Overall, it's nice to be able to use the ipod's native interface instead of the uconnect interface - and it IS faster to press "play" on the ipod than it is to wait for uconnect to re-connect and re-dowhateveritdoes-every-time-it-connects to the ipod, but it's still a pita. At least this way my skip counters and track rating system still works (using uconnect, you can't rate and skipping doesn't trigger a skip counter update). But it's a far cry from good.

Also note - the ipod cable for the lockpick is MASSIVELY thick. OTOH, the plug as latches AND it narrows down nicely to fit into tight cases.

The lockpick, as of this writing, was running version 2.0z.


Please lets not turn this into another lockpick vs navtv thread - as best I can tell, no one else offers a product that has additional ipod control (though navtv's site makes it hard to tell, imo) - and that's the primary reason I purchased the CHR550. (the only other reason would be for the 4 camera inputs instead of two).



Anyway, that's what I know after the first day. Hope it helps someone.

 

I installed the CHR550 a few weeks ago and I am not sure why you have to run another power wire to your reverse camera. I have turned it on manually during normal driving conditions, and I did not run any extra wires.

The one bug I have found is that When I am in Ipod Out mode, the steering wheel controls on the left side do not function as expected. I am able to scroll up and down menu’s, select a menu item, select a track, but when a song is playing i am unable to skip ahead to the next track. This does work though when I am in Ipod MNL mode, i get the ability to skip tracks during playback fine in both Ipod operation and Pandora operation. I have tried tapping the up and down, Holding center (select) button and tapping up/down, Holding up/down and tapping select button, Nothing. Does not function during song playback.

Have you found this as well?

 

Thanks for the posts...
I'm considering the CHR550 for my 2011 RAM RHB system with factory back-up Camera.

Have you found any of the software updates an improvement?

So the factory camera works without the extra 12V lead? Or no?

Thanks again for the info...

 

You only have to run a new power to rear, if you install a front camera as well.I got a double image on screen till I did.Connect new power just before tailgate but after factory splice.

 

So jumped in the truck today to head out to breakfast - hasn't been driven in a few weeks since it got back from the dealer for TSB repairs.

Clock was on, radio was off - not unexpected since my SO drove it last...

Pushed the button to turn it on after hooked up my ipod to the lockpick. Played for ~~3 seconds then died. black screen.

Powercycling and sitting had no effect while we were out.

No power to ipod, no power to my V1 (attached to the lockpick aux power output).


So after getting home, tear it down. Disconnect lockpick....and she boots back up. Sigh. So looks like it died. 1 year and 28 days later....

Guess it's time to hassle support and see what they say.

 

Got it working.

For some reason all the DIP switches were in the "up" position, instead of the correct config for my truck. Disconnect from truck, set all down, reset to correct, reconnect, and everything comes back up.

Now, the lockpick is secured under the console with zipties and hasn't moved, the wiring harness is secured where it couldn't touch them....so there's really no chance of accidental change......and no massive offroad bouncing...so htf did they get moved?!