Backup camera. Anyone seen any improvement?
 

I know that there's been multiple threads on the poor backup camera on the X5. The most recent is here

I've had my E70 X5 for just over a year and the only problem is the light in passenger side visor flickering! BMW will fix that. Have really been pleasantly suprised by the quality of this SAV!

I decided to have BMW service review the backup camera. I told them it was blurry. They said that it might be fixed by software update. I'm taking the X5 in next week.

Just wondered if ANYONE had ever seen improvement in picture quality after taking it in for service? Also, what do the service advisors say when you complain about it?

Maybe we should take this to BMW to get them to do something about it? Not sure how we would do that apart from all of us, that have it, complaining about it. Haven't seen the BMW rep on this forum for a while now.

I agree we need to raise more of an issue with this. The years of complaining here (and we know that's the right term) has not done anything for us. When I took delivery, I asked my SA about it but he said no it should be fine, but of course we were indoors with good lighting. They don't admit to any problem whether they know it or not. If we raise enough of a red flag with this, maybe they will start recalling. I don't know if a software update can fix hardware issues. Just look at the poor resolution. This seems like a poor camera issue much like if you were to buy a $10 webcam as opposed to a $100 one.

What are our options? Petition to BMWNA with our signatures? Pointing them to every one of these threads?

Does anyone know if the camera works any better in newer models (X5, X6)?

Just to think of it, I have not complained to my SA about it but I will on my next service visit.

I agree, maybe we should all complaint as a group and see if we get any type of response.

As much as I have learned to live with the poor camera quality for over a year now, the fact still remains that we all paid a lot of money to drive a BMW and it's irritating to find out that my neighbors Honda Odyssey has a better camera resolution.

my wife has Honda Odyssey and the backup camera resolution and picture quality is way better than what I see in my X.

I am in favor of a petition. What is the best way to do it using the tools of this forum? I suggest we all put our last names and the last 5 numbers of our VIN and send it to BMW. Ideas? :popcorn:

i'm inn....

That would be interesting to know. Especially in the X6's --- with the rear visibility that they have, they need the backup camera even more...

my X5 will be delivered in February 2009 with the backup camera.
I also had one on my testdrive X5. I must say that the camera worked ok during the day (have not tested in darkness) but not as good as on my brother's Q7. Based on all the comments that I've read here, I'm considering installing an auxiliary 55w beam next to the retractable trailer hitch to improve night visibility.
This should be a pretty straightforward installation and I hope to be able to make it a discrete installation.:dunno:
Can this work?

i think that would look really really bad....