Rear view cam setups?

[m5james]

Originally Posted by fullmetaljacket

Bought the camera through ebay -

BMW 3 5 X5 X6 Series E46 Car Rear View Camera: eBay Motors (item 150472998891 end time Oct-26-10 00:21:08 PDT)

and installed it myself. Took me a day to run the wires through the tailgate and ceiling but it's all worth it. Now I'm confident when I back up. I have kids running around the house all the time.

Here's how it looks...







Hope this helps. Cheers!

How well does it work at night? I've seen other ones for about half and up to that price range that have night vision, but I want sure if it is even necessary. I already watch for kids, I want it more for backing up to the hitch.

The problem I see using that over is that I've already got LED's in my license plate now, so they're probably not going to match.

[xnsf]

here's mine, it's to the left of the A in AutoWest

[mrBrigante]

xnsf, how did you wire??

[edco]

Papa..If you plan on utilizing the OEM Nav screen and if you have not bought the necessary module..I have an extra one you can buy "cheap"..basically all you need is a relay, a camera (I bought one that is mounted on my lower license plate as I found it to offer the best view), and some splicing. If interested, let me know.

BTW, I bought one and then my son bought me one and we used the one he bought. Mine is brand new in the box and includes a switch if you want to use an aux input ie a video ipod.

ED (also in New Jersey btw)

[xnsf]

Originally Posted by mrBrigante

xnsf, how did you wire??

Here's a pic of the actual splice from tailgate/reverse light



My setup isn't very OEM-stealth looking though. Since the reverse light and the camera on separate doors, I ran the wires the easiest way I could do. The wire runs along the crevice of the tailgate and the removable panel, then travels up the D pillar behind the rubber weatherstripping. It hops from the D pillar to the liftgate and runs down between the interior panel the door on the side to the camera at the base.

[m5james]

Are you using the same on Fullmetaljacket linked too, and what's with the green fading along the bottom of the image? I also like how his shows distance lines in the image, yours doesn't, so I think I may have answered my own question.

[xnsf]

Originally Posted by m5james

Are you using the same on Fullmetaljacket linked too, and what's with the green fading along the bottom of the image? I also like how his shows distance lines in the image, yours doesn't, so I think I may have answered my own question.

It's actually the "bumblebee" camera from europeanautosource.com. This was from a while ago, so I didn't have many choices .

And I added the green shaded part using a piece of tape and green sharpie on the camera lens

[m5james]

I see, your own homemade "getting too close guage"...fair enough. I've written another ebay seller about one he has that doesn't incorporate replacing the license plate lights since I don't want them to be mismatched and throwing a different light pattern and color on each side just to accomplish this. I've never needed a backup camera before, definately don't need one now, but I've got the option, so if the price is right and it doesn't change anything, then I guess I'm in.

[fullmetaljacket]

I'll try to take a picture tonight and show you how the nightvision is (if there is even any).

Regarding the license plate lights, my camera has a white LED light hence I was forced to get a white LED light for the other side as well. They are both white but the other one is brighter than the one on the camera. I can live with that though

[chas3]

Try to open the case and add some thin yellow plastic sheet or yellow paper to dim it out