In-stock items ship same-day from our Raleigh, NC facility if order is placed before 2:00 p.m. ET.
Make your 2016-2018 Subaru Forester feel like a new car. Packed with powerful functionality plus wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Top-end touchscreen replacement for your outdated Subaru original radio.
- The Hamilton Conversion Kit fully supports all original radio models and trim versions for the 2016-2018 Subaru Forester.
- Completely supports the original Harman Kardon® premium amplifier and upgraded audio package, if equipped.
- Meets and exceeds all original radio specifications for quality sound output.
- Supports your original backup camera and steering wheel controls.
- Zero impact to your optional EyeSight® driver assist technology, if equipped.
Made with DIYers in mind. Complete installation video on YouTube, and talented NC-based tech support here to help.
- This device is completely plug-n-play, meaning there is no splicing or modifications to the original harness required.
- It supports every factory radio version for the 2016-2018 Subaru Forester, whether made by Fujitsu or Clarion. The wiring harness and all the configuration details are identical.
- We have a full installation video on our YouTube channel.
- We have numerous talented NC-based technicians who are fellow car-lovers only a phone call away at (919) 858-2890 Monday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturdays 10am-3pom.
Uses your original microphone, steering wheel controls, and backup camera.
- Don't compromise on call quality. The Hamilton engineers designed this device to preserve your original microphone for strong call quality.
- This device also works seamlessly with your original steering wheel controls and backup camera.
Power Hamilton OS allows for extra features outside of CarPlay or Android Auto.
- When not using CarPlay or Android Auto, the Hamilton underlying operating system is a powerful platform that lets you load apps directly onto the device outside of CarPlay or Android Auto.
- Through the Hamilton OS, you can access features that may not be available in CarPlay or Android Auto.
- The device has 4G SIM support for T-Mobile and other USA SIM carriers (See product Specs for more discussion on SIM cards).
- Outside of CarPlay/Android Auto, you will have FM (non-HD) and AM radio. This device does not support native XM radio. You can use the Sirius XM app in CarPlay/Android Auto. It also does not support playback via DACs/MP3 devices, although the harness does contain AUX L and R inputs for custom setups.
- Supports 5-channel audio amps or optical cable input amplifiers (more details coming soon on Help Center for aftermarket audio options).
Premium Warranty: "The Hamilton Guarantee." Tech support in NC
- We back our devices with a 3-year limited warranty, called "The Hamilton Guarantee." Full warranty details are available in our Terms of Service.
- Our NC-based tech support offers phone support and ticket responses to make sure you get all the help you need.
CarPlay Overview and Setup
Really a fantastic upgrade to my Forester. Not very difficult to install either, following the video. Boots up fast and commects to my phone quickly as well. The screen feels bigger than I anticipated, and is very bright.
If I had to nitpick, the install video did not mention any of the differences in doing the install using the 6.2" screen Forester vs the 7" which they did in the video. The 6.2" one has mechanical AC dials, which I was unaware of and which kept the old unit from being pulled out. Just a minor confusion point.
The support from the sales team from start to finish was excellent and seeing that I’m from the uk I was given a curtesy call just to go over a few things.
Super easy install it went in very easy and with the help of the install video made it a pleasure to do. The quality is really impressive which makes it feel oem.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Great
Overall, I like it. The factory touchscreen stopped registering touches, so it was time to either replace it with another stock headunit or upgrade. I went with the upgrade. Here are some thoughts after a couple hundred miles and six hours with the new Hamilton headunit:
1. I wish it had a volume dial. The new headunit is a little slow to respond to volume changes.
2. Music sounds better. Maybe it's because the new headunit has an equalizer and/or better amp?
3. I wish it had wired CarPlay. Sometimes the bluetooth Carplay "drops", although it comes back quickly. Also, if I shared the car with someone, I could see the new headunit having trouble deciding which phone to connect, and a wired connection would solve that issue.
4. There are a lot of wires that need to be put behind the new headunit. Hamilton does a good job of labeling them, but there are wires that are unused (both Hamilton wires and Subaru wires). I sent tech support some pictures and they were able to help me figure out which wires needed to be plugged in and which ones would remain unplugged.
5. I wish the video covered re-installation of the telematics unit (a separate "brick" mounted under the factory radio.
6. The tabs to release the Enter and hazard switches are underneath; I spent a few minutes trying to find a tab to push on the top of the switches.
7. The screen on the new headunit is big, about 9”. The backup camera looks great now.
8. You’ll need to know how big your factory screen is when you are connecting the wire for the rearview camera. Measure diagonally across your factory screen.
9. One time the headunit was on, but CarPlay screen was black. I could play music from my phone, so I know it was connected, but the screen wouldn't show anything. I fixed it by restarting car.
Very clear instructions. Neatly packaged and quick shipping. Most of all it fit as expected.
Pretty freaking amazing. We had some trouble with getting the backup camera to register initially which was confusing but we ended up just checking all the cords, re- attaching and taping it and it worked. My life keeps saying it’s like we have a new car. Highly recommend
Amazing upgrade! I had initially bought the upgrade kit for my 2016 Forester XT and discovered that kit was not compatible with the factory radio (Clarion). Hamilton's customer service is outstanding and went above and beyond by sending me the conversion kit instead. Installation was straightforward and took a little over an hour to complete. Steering wheel buttons and back up camera remain functional and microphone works even better than before. Though I miss the physical knobs, the new screen is great - carplay connects quickly and the screen is bright and very responsive. I would highly recommend this conversion kit to anyone!
I installed this in my wife's Subaru forester a few weeks ago and so far she's extremely happy with it. The video was clear and precise which made the installation smooth. Just wish they made one for my 2009 Dodge Ram