After Market Reversing camera

[DieselTig]

I have ordered my Tiguan with the standard RCD310 and I know a lot of you guys have the big screens included in your Tiguans which have the reversing camera connected to it. I decided to spend my $3500 on a home entertainment system instead and get a $300 reversing camera only for the reason of seeing if there is anyone behind me while I am revesing. So only for safety reasons.
Are there any of you that have a camera like this and whether you have gone for wireless or hard wired?

[Arctra]

Yeah, I've gone the same route as you. I didn't spend $300 on it though. I got my stuff from Deal Extreme.

Initially I tried this wired one and attached it near the boot handle using one of the screws that holds the number plate light in. Problem was then running the wire around the inside of the cabin to the front and to the 12V boot socked to power it. Also, it was useless in the dark. Cost US$35 (free shipping).

So I decided on an infrared wireless option which is a colour camera in daylight, and black and white using the IR at night/low light. This was a much better solution IMO as I mounted it on the number plate, then ran the wire under the boot cover to the jack compartment. The wireless transmitter sits in there and the power then connects to the boot 12V socket. Pretty clean and tidy. The receiver is in the 12V connector at the front. The only gripe I have with the receiver is that it has a 2.5mm jack for the video output, and I couldn't find a 2.5mm female to RCA adapter. In the end I cut the jack off and connected the 2 wires to an RCA plug from Jaycar. The 2.4GHz wireless system works perfectly fine in the Tig and only on very odd occasions do I notice interference (I run with the rear camera always on). Works well at night too, so for US$49 I think it's great value.

Up front I got a 3.5" LCD screen which comes in a nice fold-down form factor. Cost a wallet busting US$52 which i thought was decent. I'm struggling with positioning it though. Initially I had it in the middle of the dash depression, but the wires going down to the 12V socket were unsightly. At the moment I have the wires running under the dash and up the right hand side near the door, and the screen is sitting on the right near the windscreen air vent. Still not ideal, but I'll work something out.

Hope this helps you out though.

[DieselTig]

Yeah, I've gone the same route as you. I didn't spend $300 on it though. I got my stuff from Deal Extreme.

Initially I tried this wired one and attached it near the boot handle using one of the screws that holds the number plate light in. Problem was then running the wire around the inside of the cabin to the front and to the 12V boot socked to power it. Also, it was useless in the dark. Cost US$35 (free shipping).

So I decided on an infrared wireless option which is a colour camera in daylight, and black and white using the IR at night/low light. This was a much better solution IMO as I mounted it on the number plate, then ran the wire under the boot cover to the jack compartment. The wireless transmitter sits in there and the power then connects to the boot 12V socket. Pretty clean and tidy. The receiver is in the 12V connector at the front. The only gripe I have with the receiver is that it has a 2.5mm jack for the video output, and I couldn't find a 2.5mm female to RCA adapter. In the end I cut the jack off and connected the 2 wires to an RCA plug from Jaycar. The 2.4GHz wireless system works perfectly fine in the Tig and only on very odd occasions do I notice interference (I run with the rear camera always on). Works well at night too, so for US$49 I think it's great value.

Up front I got a 3.5" LCD screen which comes in a nice fold-down form factor. Cost a wallet busting US$52 which i thought was decent. I'm struggling with positioning it though. Initially I had it in the middle of the dash depression, but the wires going down to the 12V socket were unsightly. At the moment I have the wires running under the dash and up the right hand side near the door, and the screen is sitting on the right near the windscreen air vent. Still not ideal, but I'll work something out.

Hope this helps you out though.

Thanks Arctra. I would go for wireless, easier to install. I found a few at DSE, namely Swan and Gator. The only issue I have is the exposed screen which can be an attraction for thieves. Just a small inconvenience in removing it regularly especially places of high exposure.

[Brisben]

I got a wireless gator one, 299 bucks and 3.5" screen.

Had it three months, still sits in the box under my desk at work

[DieselTig]

I got a wireless gator one, 299 bucks and 3.5" screen.

Had it three months, still sits in the box under my desk at work

Are you trying to say stay away from Gator?

[Arctra]

Yeah, I looked at the Gator ones at DSE but was far from impressed with them. That's why I went the Deal Extreme route. Cheaper, less risk of throwing money away, and better than eBay coz there are no delivery charges.

The screen I got folds away nicely so it isn't very obvious if that's a concern:


I forgot to mention too, that the screen overlays grid type markings to help you judge distance up to 3m, but you cannot calibrate it at all so have to set your camera up properly to approximate what's shown on screen. Or just do what I do and ignore it

[Brisben]

Are you trying to say stay away from Gator?

No not at all, I am just saying maybe I wasted my money as I don't really need it.

[DieselTig]

Yeah, I looked at the Gator ones at DSE but was far from impressed with them. That's why I went the Deal Extreme route. Cheaper, less risk of throwing money away, and better than eBay coz there are no delivery charges.

The screen I got folds away nicely so it isn't very obvious if that's a concern:


I forgot to mention too, that the screen overlays grid type markings to help you judge distance up to 3m, but you cannot calibrate it at all so have to set your camera up properly to approximate what's shown on screen. Or just do what I do and ignore it

Thanks Arctra. Good point about expense, it doesnt hurt as much when you throw away $50 instead of $300. I guess they all do the same job, you would normally pay for the name. All these gadgets are made in China these days and cost next to nothing to produce.
I like the idea of the folding screen, it eliminates the visual issue.
I will be ordering from Deal Extreme.

[Sanman]

I'm got a camera free with my $800 Waywell 6050 replacement stereo (Actually an AVC9000-1 from Rob at Auspack) but the camera died. I've ordered a better one from OskarAmerica (Joe) which is a Passat one that replaces a licence plate lamp, US$54 wired US$64 for a better (night vision) CCD and an additional US$58 for the wireless version. Shipping US$28.


I intend to use one of the existing fakra connectors in the tailgate to bring the video signal up to the radio, but am waiting on the camera to prove this out.
Constant 12v and earth are available on the rear wiper connector about 30cm away from the camera, so I'm hoping for a painless installation

[DieselTig]

I'm got a camera free with my $800 Waywell 6050 replacement stereo (Actually an AVC9000-1 from Rob at Auspack) but the camera died. I've ordered a better one from OskarAmerica (Joe) which is a Passat one that replaces a licence plate lamp, $54 wired $64 for a better (night vision) CCD and an additional $58 for the wireless version. I'lll attach photos when I figure out how

Thanks Sanman, I am curious to see the photos when available.