So, you need to tap the factory microphone wires and then connect them to a different port on the Grom unit. Why this design? To be honest, it looks a bit sloppy, why not have the wires connect through the existing connector? If others can do it, so can you.

As for the aftermarket microphones, I see your point, but I believe most people would not want to deal with routing external wires and a new microphone. Plus, it just looks horrible, IMHO.

 

For 2007-2009 vehicles, yes you need to tap the wire to connect to the factory mic in those vehicles, or use aftermarket. This is the way the factory stereo system is wired, and the factory mic is connected. For 2004-2006 you can integrate to the factory microphone without the tapping as we can send the signal through the video cable. For 2010 and newer you can also integrate with the factory microphone without using the retention wire.

It is a matter of a personal preperence. In addition, the microphone we supply as a part of LEX5LSVL2 package (for 2007-2009 Lexus LS) is tiny, and most of the time you will not see it unless you really know where to look. But the user can have an option to integrate to the factory via the retention wire as well.

 

Using Hamilton the OEM microphone sounds great. I didn't have to make any adjustments but there are a couple settings to fine tune the microphone gain, etc. using Hamilton. With Hamilton the microphone in my '07 is plug and play.