Retro fit a Reverse Camera?

[victorwhisky]

Having had a car with a reverse camera for last 5 years (RX330), I am both very pleased and somewhat disappointed with the R36 reverse camera.

1 - I reversed into a car park today, the beepers were going beserk and it looked in the camera like I was about to have imminent impact with a flat wall... When I got out, I was still a considerable distance out. While this is definately my error, the angle of the camera gives a little parralex error as it looks over the rear bumper. I will adjust myself accordingly (only had the car one day...), however is more difficut to judge when compared to the Lexus, which you can position less then 10mm with total comfort. Of course, that said, it is my fault, not the cars.

2 - I was most impressed with the guide lines for predicting your path, based on steering inputs. As I did not have the opportunity to sit in, let alone drive an R36 until I picked mine up this week, I had no idea that it had these functions. Simply put, they are very cool. This leads me onto #3.

3 - Sometimes I select reverse and the guide lines are not there... This is only ever after I have opened the tail gate. It seems I have to slam it shut, else these lines disappear. This shakes the number plate holder and not a process I am used to doing (slamming doors). Anyone else have this issue??? Again, I compare to the wifes Lexus with the auto-tail gate and the auto catch if you choose to close manually. This is the one time that I do have a faint regret of not ticking the auto tailgate box on the option sheet.

My overall opinion, though, is if you can afford to ad it to the option list, it is certainly not one that will cause buyers remorse. I think, kids or not (we all have neighbours), it is an invaluable safety option.

[Maverick]

I'll back up the safety angle. We placed 650mm soft bright orange traffic cones less than a metre behind cars in a child centre car park AFTER the drivers got into their cars. (Like a child walking behind the car). Weren't popular but we proved our point. Over 70% of the drivers backed over the cones.

NRMA Reversing visibility index tables show minimum distances 3.5 metres to 12.5 metres behind small cars. (5 to 6 metres for a Polo)

http://www.nrma.com.au/keeping-safe-...y-tables.shtml

The Golf which was recently removed from their list (no idea why) was around 10-11m so pretty poor and was way down the list.

The RVC is worth every cent, you only have to save yourself from one accident and it doesn't matter if it's a child, pet, drunk or bollard to get your money back.

And as G-Rig pointed out in the dark they are great, the visibility that I get in the dark now is great. It'll almost be completely dark out the rear window yet with the RVC you can see everything.

Here's a few photos of nighttime operation, I couldn't take a photo through the glass because it's too dark (tinted windows don't help here either) so there are no shots like that.

These photos taken with the tail lights off (head light switch on 0) and really shows how much the camera picks up for a tiny amount of illumination.

Photo 1 – Reverse – Brake, Photo 2 – Brake, Photo 3 – No illumination from car







More photos and higher resolution ones can be viewed here - Volkswagen Golf Mark VI Rear View Camera (RVC) In Operation

As for fitment I have more info here - Installing a Golf Mark VI Rear View Camera (RVC) into a Golf Mark V but here are some pictures and I'll do a guide up soon for the Mark VI (easier install) and maybe the Passat if SwallowTail does his!

[bennobee]

3 - Sometimes I select reverse and the guide lines are not there... This is only ever after I have opened the tail gate. It seems I have to slam it shut, else these lines disappear. This shakes the number plate holder and not a process I am used to doing (slamming doors). Anyone else have this issue??? Again, I compare to the wifes Lexus with the auto-tail gate and the auto catch if you choose to close manually. This is the one time that I do have a faint regret of not ticking the auto tailgate box on the option sheet.

My overall opinion, though, is if you can afford to ad it to the option list, it is certainly not one that will cause buyers remorse. I think, kids or not (we all have neighbours), it is an invaluable safety option.

I love my RVC in the wagon. Makes it well worth the price of entry. I understand and agree with everyone who talks about kids and other objects that could potentially be there it great for piece of mind.

As for your problem I cant say I have seen that before in my 9 months of ownership...... I do have the autoboot closer though and it does slam the boot nicely. Maybe take it back to the dealership and ask them to look at it.