A few questions:

 

Is the FL octavia the same handle as the pre fl?

Do I need pal or NTSC (think I read somewhere I needed NTSC)

If I fit the rear view camera can I still add OPS parking sensors later (columbus)?

There is a setting in the Columbus or parking module coding (can't remember which) that allows the ops and camera to function together.

Not sure about your other question. This is the one I have had my eye on for a while. Not sure if its PAL or NSTC but it looks the part and I know others have fitted it successfully.

http://shop.mediaexponent.com/epages/GPL.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/01042009-135970/Products/MX-REAR-VIEW-CAMERA-SKODA/SubProducts/MX-REAR-VIEW-CAMERA-SKODA-0023

Cheers adamal, I am basing the pal ntsc thing on a single post from here. May not be factual.

I've just got this cheap boot lock camera and started fitting it:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Trunk-Handle-Camera-for-Skoda-Octavia-Fabia-Auto-Reverse-Rearview-Backup-Cam/181778313454?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D30773%26meid%3D710efd7906ea4a08ac0ef2418b4841be%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D181744984851

 

It looks identical to the Media Exponent one but it's around half the price. It's a good physical fit and the lock release works fine, though I had to change the 2 pin wiring plug in the boot as the pins are a different pitch and shape - I used half a plug from an old floppy disc power supply.  I also needed to make a spacer for inside the boot as the two nuts wouldn't compress the rubber seal enough.  However, both jobs took less than 30 minutes.

 

I haven't had time to run the wiring to my Audiosources AS-620 head unit yet.

Yet again I have took a chance and ordered one with mk3 octavia fitment ($16) and I am thinking of ordering the Tiguan cable setup as that is around £17, I believe you can get functioning camera without active guidance lines (which I can live without) but as the boot camera comes with a standard phono style jack and the Tiguan kit comes with a 4 pin square block it may need modification. As ever making life harder than it needs to be to save a bit  (yet not inconsiderable) of money

This place near me supplied all my stereo fitting stuff and have this one

 

http://incartec.co.uk/Pages/Product.aspx?P=4711

 

Tempted to give it a shot

Yet again I have took a chance and ordered one with mk3 octavia fitment ($16) and I am thinking of ordering the Tiguan cable setup as that is around £17, I believe you can get functioning camera without active guidance lines (which I can live without) but as the boot camera comes with a standard phono style jack and the Tiguan kit comes with a 4 pin square block it may need modification. As ever making life harder than it needs to be to save a bit (yet not inconsiderable) of money

Sorry to say... But you won't be able to fit that handle in the old hole. It is to big and you need to cut the hole at least 20mm.

I don't mind that, better than having to build a fill template which I was planning on

Good news, the camera arrived and it fits the boot hole perfectly with no modification required to the aperture already there, Bad news is the pins in the camera are slightly to big for the plug from the car meaning a little adaptation is required. Also the larger height of the camera means the metal retaining plate is about 2mm too short to adequately clamp the camera in place. An old car mat and some scissors sorted it until I can make a proper gasket. Boot release is bodged for now until I solder the connectors. Not bad for $16, potential cheapskate win! It is a CCD camera but until my Tiguan cables arrive no idea of either image quality or whether it even works.

 

 

 

I've just got this cheap boot lock camera and started fitting it:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Trunk-Handle-Camera-for-Skoda-Octavia-Fabia-Auto-Reverse-Rearview-Backup-Cam/181778313454?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D30773%26meid%3D710efd7906ea4a08ac0ef2418b4841be%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D181744984851

 

It looks identical to the Media Exponent one but it's around half the price. It's a good physical fit and the lock release works fine, though I had to change the 2 pin wiring plug in the boot as the pins are a different pitch and shape - I used half a plug from an old floppy disc power supply.  I also needed to make a spacer for inside the boot as the two nuts wouldn't compress the rubber seal enough.  However, both jobs took less than 30 minutes.

 

I haven't had time to run the wiring to my Audiosources AS-620 head unit yet.

 

 

Good news, the camera arrived and it fits the boot hole perfectly with no modification required to the aperture already there, Bad news is the pins in the camera are slightly to big for the plug from the car meaning a little adaptation is required. Also the larger height of the camera means the metal retaining plate is about 2mm too short to adequately clamp the camera in place. An old car mat and some scissors sorted it until I can make a proper gasket. Boot release is bodged for now until I solder the connectors. Not bad for $16, potential cheapskate win! It is a CCD camera but until my Tiguan cables arrive no idea of either image quality or whether it even works.

 

Based on Nikonite's experience I reckon he has exactly the same camera as the one I bought, but cheaper still!  I finished running the wiring to the head unit and it works perfectly.

I fitted the MediaExponent part with no issues at all - the metal bracket & the wiring fitted without modification.  However, it took me a very long time to get the cables through the flexi tube between the tailgate and the body (I was fitting a Blackvue rear screen camera at the same time, and the L-shaped connector on the cable for this made it difficult).  I'm connecting mine to a DNX525DAB, but I've got jobs in the house to take care of before I can give any more time to running wires through the interior of my car, so it may be a while before I can try them out.

Any more news on this Nikonite? Tempted to try it myself

Still waiting for the tiguan cable from China, will post as soon as it arrives.

I've just got this cheap boot lock camera and started fitting it:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Trunk-Handle-Camera-for-Skoda-Octavia-Fabia-Auto-Reverse-Rearview-Backup-Cam/181778313454?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D30773%26meid%3D710efd7906ea4a08ac0ef2418b4841be%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D181744984851

 

It looks identical to the Media Exponent one but it's around half the price. It's a good physical fit and the lock release works fine, though I had to change the 2 pin wiring plug in the boot as the pins are a different pitch and shape - I used half a plug from an old floppy disc power supply.  I also needed to make a spacer for inside the boot as the two nuts wouldn't compress the rubber seal enough.  However, both jobs took less than 30 minutes.

 

I haven't had time to run the wiring to my Audiosources AS-620 head unit yet.

 

The Media Exponent one is CCD not CMOS as well.

Still waiting for the tiguan cable from China, will post as soon as it arrives.

 

Did it ever arrive?

Yes its here but the connector is different, having my lounge plastered at the moment so a bit up the wall. I think I may be better just getting the rgb converter box,there is one in china for £37

I have a more cheapo idea for a reversing camera as I only have a Stream headunit and cannot afford a Columbus.

 

Watch this space