VW replica badge style reverse camera

[Rolls]

Is the lighting for the tailgate camera LED or halogen?

[Vdubboys81]

Now available (currently through special order) is the exciting replica reverse camera option below:



This unit works exactly the same as the OEM unit i.e. the camera pokes out when reverse gear is selected, and retracts when you select another gear. It also includes the necessary relay switch so all you need to do is connect it to a 12v power source, the easiest being the rear wiper. There is one wire which allows the wiper to return to park position even when power is removed, this would do fine for the permanent 12V supply for the camera unit, there is a discussion of this in this thread:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f97/after-market-reversing-camera-32109-2.html

Note that this unit is a replica designed to be fitted to aftermarket units so it uses RCA for the camera signal - therefore it does NOT fit RCD or RNS 510. Maybe there is a converter out there that can convert the signal back to what the OEM units use, which I believe is RGB with a 12-pin (or was it 26-pin? something ridiculous for a camera input) cable, but you would have to look and make sure.

There is a good guide for installing the OEM RVC here:

OEM backup camera installation on mk6 VW Golf

With the replica camera there are no extra niggles with wiring looms as for the OEM! see below:



1. Grommet / plug for drain hose
2. drain hose
3. boot release switch
4. red wire - connect to permanent 12V
5. blue wire - connect to positive on reverse light
6. RCA input cable for camera signal
7. reverse camera hidden under badge!

Besides the removal & installation of the VW emblem, the installation of this camera is identical to any other aftermarket reverse camera, which is to say, much easier than OEM.

Specs for the camera:



This is a fair bit better than the array of reverse cam cheapies available on eBay. The camera is also shockproof and waterproof.

The unit comes with a one year warranty, the technician assures me that it is high quality and while I don't know how it compares with OEM, I have to say that if they wanted to cut corners, they can do a lot cheaper for a China manufactured product.

The price for these units will be $290 shipped Australia wide.

Hi there again thanks for the advise about the Pioneer Sat Nav. We are working on trying to get a refund and go with another option. As we have the rear camera now, we'd love to have one integrated into the VW badge, however the badge is how we open the rear hatch. My question is will it continue to operate as the handle to open the hatch, or will that part of the mechanism be defunct and only work as a camera?

Thanks again
Josh

[DkN]

Hi there again thanks for the advise about the Pioneer Sat Nav. We are working on trying to get a refund and go with another option. As we have the rear camera now, we'd love to have one integrated into the VW badge, however the badge is how we open the rear hatch. My question is will it continue to operate as the handle to open the hatch, or will that part of the mechanism be defunct and only work as a camera?

Thanks again
Josh

The whole hatch mechanism is replicated, this is also how the camera will operate - it is hidden under the badge, and when you reverse the badge will lift slightly, not enough to open the hatch but enough for the camera to poke out. Exact same operation as OEM.

Is the lighting for the tailgate camera LED or halogen?

The tailgate camera has no light, if you are talking about the Tiguan / Touareg boot handle type camera. It replaces the boot release handle, which has never had light. The licence plate light type camera does have light and it is LED.

[LunchboxVRS]

I have to double check if the Tiguan can run the tailgate handle type camera, which replaces the tailgate handle on Sportwagons and some Touaregs - this camera will actually sit pretty much in the centre of the car due to the placing of the handle. Better yet you could probably tell me directly, do you have a handle under your badge in the hatch door like this?

How to install OEM backup camera on mk5 mk6 VW Golf or VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI JSW

If so then you're in luck. Otherwise, the licence plate light type camera is $35.

edit: a quick Google suggests that you probably don't have that handle since your boot looks like the Golf...

For the licence plate type camera, you would need to tap the reverse light wire for a relay and connect the 12V power to an ACC supply, the wiper one or a cigarette lighter in the boot would probably be easiest. Otherwise, if you don't mind playing with fuses, you can wire it along with the video input cable up to the fusebox and tap your power from there.

I think the tailgate handle type camera includes a relay, I have to confirm details on wiring. Essentially this is an OEM replica too, it is how the OEM RVC option works for the Sportwagons and normally cost ~$250 which is rather silly.

There is indeed a dedicated RCA input for the camera signal, it is labelled "CAM IN" and the cable is green.

No coding is required, the camera simply sends the image signal to the ANS, and the ANS overlays the image with the reverse path, which it reads via steering wheel info in the CANBUS. I don't know why VW didn't do this to begin with, why they wanted to hard-code reverse path capabilities and have "dumb" and interactive cameras is beyond me...

Hi there again thanks for the advise about the Pioneer Sat Nav. We are working on trying to get a refund and go with another option. As we have the rear camera now, we'd love to have one integrated into the VW badge, however the badge is how we open the rear hatch. My question is will it continue to operate as the handle to open the hatch, or will that part of the mechanism be defunct and only work as a camera?

Thanks again
Josh

The OEM pop out camera is wired in such a way that when the camera switches on it cuts power to the latch so it can't open when the camera pops out.

[DkN]

The OEM pop out camera is wired in such a way that when the camera switches on it cuts power to the latch so it can't open when the camera pops out.

That probably makes more sense. Either way though, the replica badge camera replicates the item mechanism.

[Hillbilly]

Will this fit into a 6R Polo
Thanks

[The_Hawk]

Will this fit into a 6R Polo
Thanks

Having a look at the pics I would say no, not in its stock form, but yes with the adaptor plate that one of our members came up with.


On a side note, i wouldnt call this much simpler than the OEM install since you still have to run the signal cable to the front for the head unit anyway (which is most of the battle ). The wiring for the OEM is otherwise only permanent power, ground and sense, much the same as this one.

...of course it's waaaaaay cheaper and looks exactly the same. Since I have the RNS I'm boned, but if I could I'd be using the replica

[Hillbilly]

Having a look at the pics I would say no, not in its stock form, but yes with the adaptor plate that one of our members came up with.


On a side note, i wouldnt call this much simpler than the OEM install since you still have to run the signal cable to the front for the head unit anyway (which is most of the battle ). The wiring for the OEM is otherwise only permanent power, ground and sense, much the same as this one.

...of course it's waaaaaay cheaper and looks exactly the same. Since I have the RNS I'm boned, but if I could I'd be using the replica

Iw as thinking of buying a camera for the Polo as wife wants one We only have the cheap radio so would have to update that as well so how would it fit with an RCD510 if I got that.
Otherwise I could buy a smnall screen and feed it into that.

[DkN]

Will this fit into a 6R Polo
Thanks

Short answer is yes if you spend the time / effort. See this thread:

Reverse camera for the 6R & RNS510?

On a side note, i wouldnt call this much simpler than the OEM install since you still have to run the signal cable to the front for the head unit anyway (which is most of the battle ). The wiring for the OEM is otherwise only permanent power, ground and sense, much the same as this one.

...of course it's waaaaaay cheaper and looks exactly the same. Since I have the RNS I'm boned, but if I could I'd be using the replica

That's true, although from installing my Valeo taillights I would say the hardest part is getting the wire from inside the boot to the reverse light signal, which is on the boot lid. At least with the new ANS unit coming out this part can be skipped because there will be a reverse signal port from the back of the unit, so you don't have to touch the reverse light

[The_Hawk]

so you don't have to touch the reverse light

True. I need to remember that I did mine in a Golf (Cabrio) so the reverse light is in the lid and right next to the badge