hi
Need to buy reverse camera for 2003 Camry. Our car is in excellent cond however we feel lack of reverse camera as a key missing piece for safety. So thought we try something and if doesnt works nicely then probably upgrade car.
Any recommendations - ok to spend up to $350
Thank you. Just checked there seem to be few options.
Amy idea if the ones in reversing mirror are ok or shud buy one with separate LCD
I don’t recommend the in mirror type. We have one at work and I find that I need to refocus my eyes on the image or the reflection - which is gettinf harder as my eyes age! When it is on a screen in the dash there is no need to refocus also the screen in dash tends to be bigger and clearer.
I have the mirror one and i think it is great tbh!
Also are eBay ones good quality? Reason being if our expr is not great we will be up to $$$ to upgrade car
Camry drivers just back out and don't check behind that's why no camera.
Plenty of car audio places will fit a camera for a few hundred dollars
ok to spend up to $350
A couple of factors to consider that will affect what you will get for your money:
Does your car already have an LCD screen that allows AV input? Ideally, you already have a display unit in the dashboard. Otherwise the quality and fit of the display will be a big portion of the cost.
Will you be installing the camera (and possibly the LCD display) yourself? Labour costs could be up to a third of your budget.
Do you mind the aesthetics? There might be a big screen that sits in the middle of your dashboard or windscreen that's used 1% of the time - all other times, it'll be blank and probably "just in the way" of either yours or your passenger's movements or forward-view through the windscreen.
Me personally, I always try not to rely on these things because not every car has it and I wouldn't want to become reliant on it. Same goes for blindspot mirrors.
Installing a screen where it blocks forward vision would be illegal (and silly).
I’ve installed a couple of double din stereo units with reverse camera. It isn’t hard, but you need to know what you are doing. In dash look is a lot better imo.
Edit: quick google shows that the Camry should accept a double din unit quite well and be in a decent position as a reverse monitor.
Installing a screen where it blocks forward vision would be illegal (and silly).
I was referring to the ones with a suction cup. It's not necessarily illegal since it'll be no different to a phone holder with a suction cup for the windscreen or a navigation device that's mounted onto the windscreen.
Nevertheless, any obstructions on the windscreen is never good.
Camry should accept a double din unit quite well
Yeh, the Camry installation would be very straightforward. Literally just removing the surrounding and four screws to take the whole unit out.
I was referring to the ones with a suction cup. It's not necessarily illegal since it'll be no different to a phone holder with a suction cup for the windscreen or a navigation device that's mounted onto the windscreen.
I think, even those are illegal, as are air fresheners that swing from the mirror. Anything that reduces or impedes visibility from the original design of the vehicle. If you are going to suction cup your phone or gps to the windscreen, put it somewhere where you do not obstruct any vision of the road.
thanks mate.
The double din unit comes with display and reverse camera?
Any recommendations?
I bought cheap all in one units from Ebay. They aren’t ideal, not very user freindly and have had some bugs. I’ll forgo some of the extra unused feature on the next one I get and get a brand name unit for a better radio and being better interface.
It's a Camry, just back out and worry about anything else later.
Its for Wifey as she feels unsafe given poor visibility at the rear :)
Much cheaper than upgrading to a better car.
Wifey as she feels unsafe given poor visibility at the rear :)
Lucky man.
Turning your head around and looking what's behind you is really not as complex as people make it out to be.
Some people forget to look.
True, but adding a camera to see where you can’t (low behind the car) can only help.
Couldn't agree more. Especially when you have toddler who can walk and living in a house, and you need to reverse out to a driveway.
Or when it's raining and dark, i personally find that combination of weather is extremely difficult to see what's at your back, i can hardly see anything from the rear view mirrors or turning head…
They aren't infallible though, you still need to train yourself to look at the screen.
Our car with camera and sensors I still managed to back into a trolley. Watching the mirrors to reverse into a parking space at the shopping centre, beepers were going nuts, but I assumed because of the kerb and tree behind. Saw nothing in the mirrors, heard a crunch and then looked in the camera screen to see what looked like prison bars.
Turning your head around
Turning ones head around to see through the rear window is the best way to lose visual of the sides.
Moving objects are much easier to miss with the narrow view.
And looking at a screen in front of you doesn’t lose side visuals?
Seriously if you need a reversing camera to stay safe, I question whether or not you should have a license.
And looking at a screen in front of you doesn’t lose side visuals?
One should never rely on reversing cameras to substitute proper driving skills when reversing.
What wrong with the side mirrors ? They're perfect for seeing what's coming from behind.
Has anyone used Goaudio or their system? GPS with wired reverse camera incl installation costs $600. Bit over the top for me but can consider if i get some good feedback.
System is aftermarket. 170 degree reverse camera.
I installed a back up camera with rear view mirror dash cam combo from china. I wired it to the reverse light and works very well. I understand your wife's perspective since I drive a Camry too and parking into a tight spot is a lot harder when I'm worried that I'll hit another car. Having a reverse camera saves me so much time and worry. The back camera required me to drill 2 small holes between the number plate lights. Overall an easy install. remember to use electrical tape and cover up all exposed wiring.
Can you pls send me link to the one you got or name of it - assuming you are happy with it
Sorry, I bought mine physically while visiting China, it's called Shinco (don't think it's a well known brand). It was 700 RMB including 32gb SD card after bargining = approx $120. I don't recommend it as a proper dash cam because it's designed for RHD cars, so in AUS, the camera points at the wrong angle (when attached to your rear view mirror) and only sees the left half of the windshield, but it's better than nothing. It still works very well after 1 and a half years. the screws on the back camera is rusted but still holds tight.
Ok thanks
If the reversing camera sounds too complicated to install neatly, you could always consider parking sensors. I had a set on my old car and I was surprised at how reliable they were.
Also, with sensors, you don't need to take your eyes off the mirrors. I just had a reverse camera installed in my current car (no sensors) but I still look out of my mirrors as a habit so it's not getting a lot of use.
there are wireless reverse camera kits on ebay that should be easy to setup and will cost a fraction of your budget