Question: Which reverse cameras do y'all like and why?

[ChiefG]

This question should have been posted in the Electronics forum since it's not a DIY. Maybe the mod can move it to the correct venue.

I bought the JVC KV-CM20, which is the same unit as the Kenwood CMOS-210. Mostly because I installed a JVC head unit. This cam/head unit do not have guide lines.

In retrospect, I can't recommend this cam. It's expensive and lacks guide lines. I would have preferred one with guide lines.

It has a "universal" bracket, which doesn't look factory-like, but can't be seen unless you're down at camera level. The benefit of this is that you can adjust the aim of the camera.

[nalc]

I have a Metra Third Eye (Want to say it's called a TE-LPC but I'm not 100% sure, it was $35)

My only major complaint is the field of view. I've driven a lot of new cars with factory backup cameras (Ford has the best ones IMO), and they seem to be angled just below level, with a nice FOV, so you can see stuff way behind you. My camera FOV ends about 10 feet behind the car, so you've got to drive with the mirror and just use the cam for finding parking lines or checking distance to a curb - unless you're at a crawl, it doesn't see far enough for you to do any steering with.

It gets the job done, though.

IMO I'd consider something adjustable. Doesn't look as nice, but you could tilt it a bit further up and get a better field of view.

[schmearcampain]

Originally Posted by Danklvr

i use a 14$ 170 degree CCD camera from amazon, works great, nice clear sharp image, waterproof... better resolution than the CMOS cameras..

How do you hook it up to your screen?

[Danklvr]

I used the beatsonic harness adapter, only because I wanted a factory install, but the connections can easily be made without the beatsonic BCUS3 backup camera adapter harness.

[schmearcampain]

Where do you guys get the harness to connect the camera to the head unit? is there a part number I should look for?

[norcal_brz]

Originally Posted by Danklvr

i use a 14$ 170 degree CCD camera from amazon, works great, nice clear sharp image, waterproof... better resolution than the CMOS cameras..

Link to which one you bought?

[Danklvr]

Originally Posted by schmearcampain

Where do you guys get the harness to connect the camera to the head unit? is there a part number I should look for?

FR-S Verified part #, BRZ I'm not positive.. if the hu harness are the same / pin outs the same, the camera adapter will work.
search for other threads and im sure someone has a post on if it will work or not.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Beat-Sonic-BCUS3-Back-up-Interface-BeSpoke/dp/B00BLSYDX0"]Beat-Sonic BCUS3 Back-up Camera Interface for BeSpoke Radio + Other Toyota Head Units : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]

The BCus2 is the older version of this adapter. it is identical to the BCus3, but the wire lead for the reverse trigger is shorter from what i've read and will need to be extended if you purchase the older part#.

you can find slightly cheaper elsewhere but not by too much... or make your own, there are a few diy's

[Danklvr]

Originally Posted by norcal_brz

Link to which one you bought?

this is the one i have, but sadly the price has gone up a little bit.
still is a great camera, clear crisp images, wide view angle, no fogging after many washes..
i secured with 3m double sided tape, and ran the wires behind the trunk logo garnish plate and into the trunk grommet. by preferance, mine is mounted dead center of the trunk though, not off to the drivers side but you could 3m this guy anywhere.

NOTE - this camera has its own built in range lines. i haven't found a way to disable them. if anyone has same camera and has figured it out, please advise me.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Updated-Esky-EC170-08-Waterproof-High-definition/dp/B005Q65JHM/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1393382640&sr= 1-4&keywords=rear+view+camera+ccd"]Amazon.com: [Newly Updated] Esky EC170-08 100% Waterproof Vehicle Car Rear View Backup Camera High-definition CCD 170 Degree Viewing Angle - Rearview Camera: Automotive[/ame]

im sure a quick ebay search would find a better price..

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by Danklvr

this is the one i have, but sadly the price has gone up a little bit.
still is a great camera, clear crisp images, wide view angle, no fogging after many washes..
i secured with 3m double sided tape, and ran the wires behind the trunk logo garnish plate and into the trunk grommet. by preferance, mine is mounted dead center of the trunk though, not off to the drivers side but you could 3m this guy anywhere.

NOTE - this camera has its own built in range lines. i haven't found a way to disable them. if anyone has same camera and has figured it out, please advise me.

Amazon.com: [Newly Updated] Esky EC170-08 100% Waterproof Vehicle Car Rear View Backup Camera High-definition CCD 170 Degree Viewing Angle - Rearview Camera: Automotive

im sure a quick ebay search would find a better price..

Necro bump but do you still have this camera? If so would you mind snaooing a pic showing the grid lines? Wondering if they line up okay on our cars or if I should get the non-gridline version

[Danklvr]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Necro bump but do you still have this camera? If so would you mind snaooing a pic showing the grid lines? Wondering if they line up okay on our cars or if I should get the non-gridline version

I don't have that camera anymore, i have since replaced with a smaller more flush style, but to answer your question, i found the gridlines on the camera "OK"..
Its a generic camera... Its got great image clarity for the price, but generic nonetheless.

As the camera is adjustable on the vertical axis, once you aim the camera, the range lines are "kinda" indicative of about a meter per section depending on how high you aim it, but they don't line up perfectly with the tire track, but are pretty close but just a little too narrow..

Am currently using a camera similar to this one, which has the option to disable/enable grid lines.. image quality and gridline spacing are same as the Esky CCD camera, IMHO.

https://www.amazon.com/CAIRUTE%C2%AE...reverse+camera