Front parking camera fitted to AMIiii using factory controls
Discussion
Yesterday was a fruitful one spent at Aston Installations in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. They are the undisputed experts in all things electrical and systems on VH platform Aston Martins, including the original Vanquish, onwards. If dealers use and trust them to equip customer cars with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, I was thought they'd be ideal to look behind the waterfall dash in my late model V12 Vantage AMR (2018). They've probably taken more consoles apart on VH cars apart than much of the dealer network combined.
I only visited to try to sort a very occasional rattle that happens behind the central air vents on a very particular road surface. It wasn't a surprise that rattle fixes are not covered by the Timeless warranty. But whilst there, they convinced me of their front camera addition. Like many later VH Astons, mine already has a reversing camera, and being a AMIiii system (which had CarPlay as standard from factory, as with most 2017-2018 VH models) I didn't realise that a front camera was actually catered for in the factory system. It was news to me that the 2017-2018 Vanquish Zagatos had discreet front cameras, at least as an option. Also, using the AMIiii system, Aston Installations is able to tap into this connectivity, meaning that there's no absolute requirement for any additional hidden buttons. I didn't want to add a control button in the centre console - I definitely don't want to change or damage the interior on this unique car.
I arrived before 9:30am and as soon as the car was in the building, three guys pounced. You can immediately tell this family run business (two father-and-sons heading the engineering and installation) have repeated the process of taking a VH Vantage apart many times. To the extent that all work was wrapped by around midday! It was a brilliant service.
The camera fitted is a Kenwood component. I only know that due to the manual provided, not that you need one. But I thought it would be of interest to record a couple of videos showing the two cameras in operation.
https://youtube.com/shorts/plARtwYACiE
https://youtube.com/shorts/GCKTvh5zz8A
If you have an easier Aston Martin AMI system, they can completely upgrade it with not only cameras, but higher resolution screens, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, etc. They also provide and fit the popular front light condensation active venting kits, which operate based on engine temperate. That may be added to mine later in the year.
Everyone there (including the smallest dog I have ever seen) know their stuff, are very friendly and chatty, plus have a unique set of skills and experience that will ensure VH platform owners will be able to keep their cars running for decades as things will inevitably require attention. But I never realised how many other aspects of the car they can work on, sometime in collaboration with partner companies. Something that may be of interest to others was the prototype Cobra bucket seat that they had fitted to their own Vantage. It is similar in appearance to the Carbon lightweight seat option from factory, but remains motorised (forward/aft and tilt). I'll pass on that, as I want to keep the side airbags.
One neat little thing they did kindly was to fit some 3D printed caps to cover up the unsightly windscreen wiper nuts. Nice touch.
I wasn't paid or incentivised to say this, but I truly believe they deserve a loud shout-out!
I only visited to try to sort a very occasional rattle that happens behind the central air vents on a very particular road surface. It wasn't a surprise that rattle fixes are not covered by the Timeless warranty. But whilst there, they convinced me of their front camera addition. Like many later VH Astons, mine already has a reversing camera, and being a AMIiii system (which had CarPlay as standard from factory, as with most 2017-2018 VH models) I didn't realise that a front camera was actually catered for in the factory system. It was news to me that the 2017-2018 Vanquish Zagatos had discreet front cameras, at least as an option. Also, using the AMIiii system, Aston Installations is able to tap into this connectivity, meaning that there's no absolute requirement for any additional hidden buttons. I didn't want to add a control button in the centre console - I definitely don't want to change or damage the interior on this unique car.
I arrived before 9:30am and as soon as the car was in the building, three guys pounced. You can immediately tell this family run business (two father-and-sons heading the engineering and installation) have repeated the process of taking a VH Vantage apart many times. To the extent that all work was wrapped by around midday! It was a brilliant service.
The camera fitted is a Kenwood component. I only know that due to the manual provided, not that you need one. But I thought it would be of interest to record a couple of videos showing the two cameras in operation.
https://youtube.com/shorts/plARtwYACiE
https://youtube.com/shorts/GCKTvh5zz8A
If you have an easier Aston Martin AMI system, they can completely upgrade it with not only cameras, but higher resolution screens, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, etc. They also provide and fit the popular front light condensation active venting kits, which operate based on engine temperate. That may be added to mine later in the year.
Everyone there (including the smallest dog I have ever seen) know their stuff, are very friendly and chatty, plus have a unique set of skills and experience that will ensure VH platform owners will be able to keep their cars running for decades as things will inevitably require attention. But I never realised how many other aspects of the car they can work on, sometime in collaboration with partner companies. Something that may be of interest to others was the prototype Cobra bucket seat that they had fitted to their own Vantage. It is similar in appearance to the Carbon lightweight seat option from factory, but remains motorised (forward/aft and tilt). I'll pass on that, as I want to keep the side airbags.
One neat little thing they did kindly was to fit some 3D printed caps to cover up the unsightly windscreen wiper nuts. Nice touch.
I wasn't paid or incentivised to say this, but I truly believe they deserve a loud shout-out!
Agree. They put CarPlay plus front & rear cameras in my DBS 3 years ago. When I turned up James asked me if I’d like the new hi res screen upgrade they’d just perfected and since they’d quoted for the installation without the screen upgrade they’d do it for the original price.
I hope they go from strength to strength, they deserve it.
I hope they go from strength to strength, they deserve it.
Caslad said:
Agree. They put CarPlay plus front & rear cameras in my DBS 3 years ago. When I turned up James asked me if I’d like the new hi res screen upgrade they’d just perfected and since they’d quoted for the installation without the screen upgrade they’d do it for the original price.
I hope they go from strength to strength, they deserve it.
That is generous! I must admit, I don't think I could use Apple CarPlay on the original screen. Apple is assuming a higher res, for sure.I hope they go from strength to strength, they deserve it.
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