I'm looking at getting a rear facing camera that I can link to my HU

I forget who but I'm sure I seen somebody on here had one they drill their boot lid and had a small camera fitted by the plate lights, Any ideas who it was?

 

Is it possible to use the rear view cameras as a dash cam so to speak? Maybe something with a hard drive in the boot?

 

Basically I want something that records whilst I'm on the move but when reverse is selected it automatically comes up on the HU.

Eddie-NL was the person you're thinking about.

Makes sense it was Eddie, Is there anything he hasn't done yet

 

Thanks.

If you're talking about a reversing camera, I fitted one a while back using these parts...

 

https://www.kufatec.co.uk/shop/en/volkswagen/multivan-transporter/t5-until-2009/rear-view-camera-universal-interface-audi-vw3

 

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

 

I went for a boot handle replacement which meant a straight swap, no cutting involved, and a really OEM look

 

Not the cheapest setup but certainly worth the investment (as I know Mike Holroyd will confirm).

 

 

As for using it as a dash cam, ummm..???

Thanks for that, I certainly won't be doing it on the cheap.

 

When I say dash cam I basically mean a rear facing camera that records footage whilst I'm driving, Just like a forward facing dash cam.

If you're talking about a reversing camera, I fitted one a while back using these parts...

 

https://www.kufatec.co.uk/shop/en/volkswagen/multivan-transporter/t5-until-2009/rear-view-camera-universal-interface-audi-vw3

 

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

 

I went for a boot handle replacement which meant a straight swap, no cutting involved, and a really OEM look

 

Not the cheapest setup but certainly worth the investment (as I know Mike Holroyd will confirm).

 

 

As for using it as a dash cam, ummm..???

I like the idea of the boot handle from Shop Media, just need to find someone who would be able to fit it, then I could order. 

I like the idea of the boot handle from Shop Media, just need to find someone who would be able to fit it, then I could order. 

 

The beauty of the handle cam is it's a direct replacement for the OEM handle.

Once the trims are off it's just 2 nuts and the wiring connector. Genuinely couldn't be simpler

The beauty of the handle cam is it's a direct replacement for the OEM handle.

Once the trims are off it's just 2 nuts and the wiring connector. Genuinely couldn't be simpler

Now you've got me interested! Are you saying that the existing wiring connector (for boot release) is all that's required for the camera to plug into? The picture on the website you linked to for the camera has a mass of cable attached so I assumed that this needs running through the car to somewhere near the headunit, Is my assumption incorrect or is it necessary to do that as well? Sorry if I'm being thick.....

Now you've got me interested! Are you saying that the existing wiring connector (for boot release) is all that's required for the camera to plug into? The picture on the website you linked to for the camera has a mass of cable attached so I assumed that this needs running through the car to somewhere near the headunit, Is my assumption incorrect or is it necessary to do that as well? Sorry if I'm being thick.....

 

No, you're not being thick, but there's a little more to it than just that 1 cable to plug in.

 

The camera replaces the boot handle (as said) but you also need the interface connected to the head unit. The picture shows various cables for different vehicles, so maybe slightly confusing. Don't worry though, full instructions are included with the kit.

It's case of taking your time and routing the cables.

 

If you're not 100% with it then I'm sure there's someone in your neck of the woods that could help out.

No, you're not being thick, but there's a little more to it than just that 1 cable to plug in.

 

The camera replaces the boot handle (as said) but you also need the interface connected to the head unit. The picture shows various cables for different vehicles, so maybe slightly confusing. Don't worry though, full instructions are included with the kit.

It's case of taking your time and routing the cables.

 

If you're not 100% with it then I'm sure there's someone in your neck of the woods that could help out.

Thanks Prof for the explanation. I'm pretty OK with cabling and so on, being an ex-computer hardware engineer, just more a case of being a lazy git.

To view camera screen, whilst facing forwards, is an accident waiting to happen, with some old dear pushing her trolley or a car driving past at right angles..cccrraashh!!!

I understand some old folk having stiffing neck muscles as they get older, and find it impossible to look over each shoulder in turn, whilst reversing their car.

Perhaps flashing reversing lights or audible sound ( for those pedestrians not deaf) would be more beneficial, that your on the move in reverse..?

Edited 1 April, 201610 yr by giandougl

r.e. mike

 

i am looking at fitting a camera to my car,i've read a few threads on here and have decided to take your advice and fit the exact same kit you have.

is it all plug and play and does it need wiring into the plug that you wire the footwell lights etc?

i have vagcom and when i activate it on there will it be on the same screen as the ops?

thanks for your help

Exactly -- the little electrical plug socket on the original boot handle is identical on the camera handle, so the same wiring for the opening side of the installation. Like for like. There are extra wires on the camera bit that need routing into the car and to the head unit, but the boot handle wiring does not change at all.

 

As far as viewing a forward facing screen, when you have one fitted, you don't just reverse blindly whilst looking forward. They are used for "fine tuning" your distance that you can safely reverse up to an obstruction. The field of view is not a substitute for proper all round observation before and during the bulk of the reversing manoeuvre but is also very useful to see if there is anything low down behind the car that you cannot see from the drivers seat by looking backwards.

 

I reverse up to a set of metal gates in my drive, and need to get VERY close to those gates to allow the other car to get round me. My camera allows me to do just that -- check all round and look for next door's kids on my drive (where they shouldn't be, and are constantly told by their parents and us), then use the camera to finish and judge the final stopping place -- and with the camera that is within 3mm of the gate. No dramas -- the constant beep from the reverse sensors starts WAY before I stop near the gates!

 

Mike

 

I agree using your outside mirrors to reverse up your drive, with parking sensors to fine tune close proximity. 

I do similar on my own turf, it's the open spaces i.e.: supermarket car-parks etc.

The vehicle has almost unlimited blind spots and increased when the driver is only facing forwards.

No, it's not plug and play.

 

Connections for the unit are positive and negative feed for the camera, which I have taken from the boot light, on the video interface there are can+ and can- wires that tap into the canbus wires behind the radio, and also power and negative here as well. The interface plugs into the back of the Columbus, then you need to go into the can gateway installation list in address 19 can gateway with VCDS and activate Back up camera (I'm away from the car without any access to scans, but it;s either 6C or 6E from memory).

 

Hardest part is getting the cables up through the tailgate to the corrugated rubber tube, getting them though the tube into the car, and routing them to to the front.

 

Mike

 

thanks for that,

ill have a crack after ive installed my footwell lights

Audible reverse warnings are not legal on vehicles under a certain weight -- I can't remember whether that is 3,5 or 7.5 tonnes on the UK. Certainly not legal on cars..

 

RV (C&U) Regs, 99 (3). Only on bus/goods vehicles >2000Kg.

Thanks Clive, couldn't remember what the actual weight was.

 

I remember a neighbour when I was in Preston getting a ticket for having a reverse bleeper on his Capri!

 

Mike

No probs Mike. C&U regs are very confusing even for people used to them.

 

BTW, that ticket jobby wasn't me

Sorry for the bump. I'm looking at getting the camera soon but unsure if I need the interface also?

My head unit is the Kenwood DNX521DAB which is compatible with rear view cameras. How can I be certain?

I've recently bought a Pumpkin Android head unit and will be soon working in the same boot handle camera as you guys have used. 

 

Any advice on getting the wire through the gator from the lid into the car? I've had a quick look and it seems stiff. I was thinking of getting a hairdryer on it to soften it up first. 

 

Links YouTube videos would be great if anyone has them too. 

2 hours ago, DIESELind said:

Any advice on getting the wire through the gator from the lid into the car?

 

I took it off at both ends and then used a coat hanger to get the wire through. Pretty easy

That's great. Do I need to twist it or will it just pop out with a flathead screwdriver?

If I remember correctly, the rubber section just pulled off the plastic clips on each end.

 

It'll be come more obvious once you have the boot trim off and can see both sides of the boot lid end.

I've run the wires through the boot gator and into the car which wasn't too difficult. 

 

I've just got to run the cable through the headlining and into the head unit now. 

 

Probably an hour or two job by the time I run the external mic that I need to connect up too.