My rear view camera

[samneil2000]

I did this back in the summer and didn't take pictures of the process, but took a few this morning. Just thought I'd share. I believe the kit my wife got off ebay was about 150 bucks. Not bad I don't think.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/CIMG6132.JPG
This pic shows how the screen hangs on top of the factory mirror. It's held on by two tie wraps and also has tabs on top and bottom to help locate it properly.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/CIMG6134.JPG

This pic shows the camera in the stock location. It's hardly noticeable.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/CIMG6136.JPG

[Marlin]

Nice, very similar to mine, I ran two cameras, one point down, the other as my rear view. How did you fit anything in that OEMspot. I couldn't even fit tools in there...maybe I missed something, that was almost two years ago.

[vt_maverick]

Marlin - take a look here:

JDM VX Halfmoon Install (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fhomepage3.nifty.com%2Fvehi%2Fshoppi ng5%2Fshopping5.htm&sl=ja&tl=en)

Looks like a decent amount of room in there, obviously Isuzu (and other members) fit a camera in there. Was the one you got off eBay too big?

[Marlin]

Marlin - take a look here:

JDM VX Halfmoon Install (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fhomepage3.nifty.com%2Fvehi%2Fshoppi ng5%2Fshopping5.htm&sl=ja&tl=en)

Looks like a decent amount of room in there, obviously Isuzu (and other members) fit a camera in there. Was the one you got off eBay too big?

I couldn't figure out to get it off, of course that was one of my first projects, and a moot point now that I have the spare on the door:)

[samneil2000]

The half moon was easy to remove. Once I got it off, I made the hole and attached the camera hardware. Then I put the moon back in place and put the camera in. No problem.

[Marlin]

Was it just clipped on? I don't remember seeing any screws or anything?

[RallyDude]

Maybe it's just the pic, but it looks huge. Is it a distraction to drive with?

[RallyDude]

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/6138/ppuser/456
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/6137/ppuser/456

I won't take credit for this as the PO did it (Medman). You lose the airducts, but it eliminates the need for the rearview mirror. It displays the backup camera, (or DVD), and I really like the extra windshield space, and the mirror was pretty much useless anyway.

[vt_maverick]

So do you just leave the backup camera on all the time while driving? I assume the monitor has an audio display and maybe even nav/DVD, do you have to switch back and forth or do you have some kind of PIP capability?

Btw, how does the CF wrap on the dash match the door panels? I keep seeing those kits advertised on eBay but I'm a little concerned about having clashing trim.

[RallyDude]

To be honest, I haven't played with it enough to give you an accurate answer. I do know that I like not having the rear view mirror in the way. I've also got to check into aiming the camera, as it displays too much of the ground just directly behind the car, rather than aimed to show a reasonable distance. Usually those center vents are the only ones for air to reach the rear seats, so it may be more uncomfortable for rear seat occupants during temperature extremes.

When I was looking at pictures of my vehicle before I bought it, I thought I wouldn't care for the CF dash. While it is considerably lighter than the door panels, it looks much better in person as opposed to pictures. I like it.

[vt_maverick]

Usually those center vents are the only ones for air to reach the rear seats, so it may be more uncomfortable for rear seat occupants during temperature extremes.

I wonder how do-able it would be to extend those air vent ducts under the center console and mount them on the back of the center console (where the rear ashtray is)? Seems like a very cool (no pun intended) mod.

[samneil2000]

Maybe it's just the pic, but it looks huge. Is it a distraction to drive with?

The mirror/display I have is quite large. If you look at the side detail pic you can see how the support bar is angled more or less parallel with the windshield. All I did was push it straight up as far as it would swing. The top of the display almost touches the headliner. The bottom of it is probably about the same location as the stock mirror. I've gotten used to it being there so it's not a big deal to me. I see under it just fine.

As far as functionality, I actually just leave the display turned off most of the time. If I'm manuvering in a tight parking lot or my driveway or backing up to my trailer I'll turn it on with the remote, but normally I can see enough through the reflection and the two side mirrors that it doesn't bother me.

There is a second input that I've been tempted to use for a portable DVD player or maybe even an in-dash non display unit, but there's no logic in doing that right now... In other words, I don't have money to blow on silly stuff at the moment or I would have already done it. :bgwb:

[samneil2000]

Was it just clipped on? I don't remember seeing any screws or anything?

There are two sheet metal tabs that slide behind some platic ummm, tower thingys that are part of the half moon. That Japanese site shows it pretty well a page or two in to the CF half moon replacement. Once those two tabs are pulled, the only thing holding it is two-sided tape. Peel and stick.

[LittleBeast]

So for everyone that has done the rear view camera install what would be a good option for the VX stock camera position? Thanks :-)

[Scott Harness]

I bought a license plate frame that has a camera in it.

[VXorado]

So for everyone that has done the rear view camera install what would be a good option for the VX stock camera position? Thanks :-)

Spend the extra $$ on a CCD camera, the clarity is much better... and a square assembly will fit the best in the OEM location.

[LittleBeast]

Spend the extra $$ on a CCD camera, the clarity is much better... and a square assembly will fit the best in the OEM location.

So um I had to research CCD and CMOS and found this:
http://www.teledynedalsa.com/corp/markets/ccd_vs_cmos.aspx

These are the cameras I was looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CTKYB4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A7XHMWMCZ9EID

http://www.amazon.com/XO-Vision-HTC35-Weatherproof-NightVision/dp/tech-data/B001P3PSR6/ref=de_a_smtd

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Acoustik-CCD-4XS-Extra-Camera/dp/B001581NSY/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1316998712&sr=8-16

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035M3IAY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=AYLIJOC9LXAKK

Thoughts?

[VXorado]

In my experience, the CMOS cameras will look really faded out in certain light conditions which had me adjusting the screen brightness constantly. I ended up turning the camera off permanently because it only was usable half the time. You could try one since they're cheap but you'll probably have issues at some point.

Personally I would go with something more like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Rear-View-Camera-Infra-reds-Trailers/dp/B002L87KAM/ref=pd_cp_e_2
this one might be too big (didn't check) but it has the leds for IR night vision.

I don't even have a ccd yet because of the cost but I will be buying this kit and fiberglassing the screen in the lower dash. I'll use the second camera as a front trail camera... or something :winkgray:.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11526595&search=backup+camera&Mo=3&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=backup+camera&Ntt=backup+camera&No=2&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

[samneil2000]

LB, my camera looks a lot like this one you listed: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kNXqKxSbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

It had a sleeve around end that came off, and a screw on clamp that went behind the sleeve with a raised lip on the lense end of the camera. I took the little plastic panel out of the half-moon and drilled it out with a hole saw. I lucked up and had one the perfect size. Then I slathered on some clear silicone and inserted the sleeve. I pulled the wires through the sleeve and then the camera. Then screwed the clamp on the back. I haven't messed with it since then.
The one thing I will say is at the angle it is at, you can only see right behind the VX. If a car is behind me at a reasonable distance I'll never see their bumper. I fish eye lense or a different angle might help that. I just use it for backing up so I don't really care. It is handy for backing up to a trailer though.