Does anyone know where i can buy a rearview camera that i could preferably attach above my license plate? I was going to hook it up to my vga screen. Anyone know about this?

Edit: Oh yea, does anyone know of any mini cameras i can use that have night vision as well?

 

I live in upstate SC and there is an audio store here where I can get black and white for about $80 and color for $130. Let me know, I go to ATL quite often.

 

check on ebay, they sell alot of mini color cam for about 80 bux

 

What you are trying to setup sounds interesting. Keep us posted on your status.

 

do a search on this subject. A few guys who had pre-orders did this or were planning to do it last year. I remember one in particular, but I do not remember his name here on the forums. he had a DB Z, though.

 

Skiddazle has a rear-camera on his DB Z. It's mounted behind the rear license plate, with a small peep hole for the camera. He also has it wired to his car so that when he puts the car into reverse it automatically switches the display on his screen to the rear camera. Very slick!

 

Aw damn, that's cool!!!

I want to do that!

 

It's a good idea to get a camera that can take the vibration and is waterproof.

I've considered installing one myself as it is an easy add to my Alpine Navigation/Monitor system. It is set up to do the auto screen switch when in reverse that aggie300zx mentioned.

My hesitation is in finding a good location in the rear that is not obvious and gets a good angle of view. If you mount it flush with the license plate, it is angled up.

 

Below is a picture of my rearview camera that is mounted through the license plate. I was a little concerned about the hole through the plastic, but then realized that that area will never be seen, as for all intents and purposes, you will always have a license plate on the car. I had a concern about the mounting of the camera in the license plate, but I have had four cop cars behind me and have never been pulled over! It's strange, but when people look at the back of the car and know there's a camera there, they very rarely can find it! I have quite a few mods, but it is by far the one item that most people get excited about.

As far as the camera, it's a Sony weatherproof/shockproof camera made for outdoor applications with very good resolution. I paid ~$175 but I do not remember the model number. The one thing that really bothers me is that when I bought it, Alpine advertised that their TME-760 monitor had a reversing function (as in to reverse the image) for the camera, so I bought a "regular" camera instead of a "reversing" camera (which was the same price). They have since changed their description after this was pointed out to them. BTW, it does have a wire that allows you to hook it up to your reverse light. Here's a picture of it mounted. Someday I want to find a building with mirrors on the outside, back the car up to it and take a picture of the screen!

 

Thanks for the info. Looks like a clean install. Good to know about the reversing problem with the TME-M760—I had no idea.

Did you have any problems with the angle of the camera and your view to the rear?

 

The big brand cameras are overpriced, and they are made by someone else anyway.


There's one main place most people buy cams, they sell the rear view mirrors with a screen built in, they also have cams with nightvision, LEDs, etc. BUT I CAN'T think of the link! Will post if I do.

Here's some places that sell cams if you're DIY type:

http://www.digitalww.com/
http://www.supercircuits.com/
http://www.partsexpress.com/

I'd probably just buy a farenheit for a few bucks more though:
http://www.etronics.com/listproducts...tid=382&store=

For info, these forums are good:
http://www.mp3car.com/

 

No. I don't know if you can see, but the camera is tilted at a very very slight angle pointing down by maybe 5 degrees so essentially it's just about flush with the license plate. It was mounted initially with a commercial grade epoxy, but unfortunately with the heat from the exhaust that "melted" a little and caused it to move slightly. It was re-attached with some other commercial compound (?) that has not moved an inch in ~3 months (BTW the camera is about the size of a tube of lipstick). My only problem is that occasionally it gets a little moisture between the lens and the lens screw-on lens cover (usually when I wash it and I forget to not spray it directly with the hose for a while) but that goes away pretty quick. Eventually I plan on getting a reversing image camera and make sure it is completely sealed.

 

It appears that you know a lot more than I do as far as these cameras are concerned, but I was under the impression that Sony built it since it said "Manufactured by Sony" on it. As far as Fahrenheit goes though, I would maybe think twice about that, as I believe their name is not held in the highest regard. Maybe someday Carl Zeiss will make one and then I'll be all set.

As far as why I bought this model, I made my decission based on quality, how durable it was (I'm in New England and had to be concerned with freezing temps), resolution and low light (lux)conditions. If I recall, retail on this camera was ~$300, but I found it for ~$175 from some guys in Texas.

 

yeah, skidazzle was one (that I didnt think about at the time, thanks!)... but there was someone else with a DB also who had a rearview cam.

Ah well...anyone2u has given us great pics of his

 

BTW, I found Skidazzle's thread on his rear view camera. After I saw this post I thought I would be going a different route and not use the license plate, but it really is the only place we could realistically find to install it.

BTW, thanks for the compliment!

 

One last question. Did you have to remove the bumper or could you install the camera in the existing space behind the license plate?

 

I have one in my 350Z, it is mounted exactly the same as Anyone2U's install from the pic a couple posts above. I bought my camera off of Ebay--it was $70 + shipping for a good quality color NTSC, 400 line, weatherproof, sealed, stick camera. I have it mounted in my license plate, and sticking through the hole in the rear bumper, located behind the license plate, and the wires are fed through the rubber grommet in the rear hatch. The camera part of the install was simple, and basically involved running power and a video cable from my TV tuner module (under the passengers seat), to the rear bumper. This Pioneer tv tuner module has been modified to monitor the reverse gear and look for a 12v signal, and when 12v is detected on its monitor line, it switches the rear view camera on, and automatically switches the navi screen to backup camera mode. When the reverse gear is disabled or any other gear is used, the navi system functions like normal, where you can select tv, PS2, or factory navigation modes.

By the way, the rear bumper did not need to be removed...the only modification necessary was to make the cutout in the bumper about 1/2" larger to make room for the stick camera. The rubber grommet exits the hatch in a location pretty close to the cutout in the rear bumper. Feel free to ask any other questions, if you have any...

 

I went browsing on the Japan site and they have a rear-view camera made for the JDM version. Ask some of the Vendors on this site, they may be able to have it ordered. Though I don't know how it would be able to integrate on our cars unless you install a toggle switch like the DVD VIDEO systems.