check this out. don't know why they don't offer tthis in the states

CLICK HERE

The engineering is done, the parts are made, the demand is there. Why wouldn't Honda sell these as accessories in North America??? They could still include them as standard equipment in later model years. The only thing that I can think of is that some group of American Honda lawyers got together and decided that if the camera got blocked out by snow or dirt, that the driver would then sue Honda when they backed into something. Perhaps they feel that the current litigious climate in the U.S. isn't worth the risk??? Other companies may be getting different legal advice when it comes to this issue or are willing to take the risk.

what do the front cameras do? Are they in the corners and used for like parking? Don't censors do the same thing then if that is what the cameras in the front are for?

From the graphics, I would guess that the front side-mounted cameras are for sticking your nose out from something blocking your view and then having a look to see if traffic is coming. They could also be used as an aid in parking to see how close the nose is to various obstructions.

I believe the front cameras are offered in Japan because of teh way the roads are setup making it very hard to see around the cameras.

As far as the litigation in the U.S. for the rear camera, they wouldn't offer it on the MDX then would they...? My guess is the rear view camera will be in the 06 model.

Good point vik. I'm just at a loss to think of why they didn't put the rear view camera in the 05 RL if they already have the design in place.

I think it's Honda's night vision system.

THey probably just wanted to save it to add to another model year.

AcuraRLBlue is actually probably very correct, I forgot about that.... it could be the night vision system.

The TSX in japan (honda accord there) has the cameras on the front bumpers.

IS NOT. The night vision system is totally diferent. on the front/rear view camera, the video feed is shown on the navi screen, while the night vision is shown on another LCD located just above the guages on the dash board. the screen is able to hide when not in used.

Look where the cameras are located

Now thats cool. I like the screen popping up out of the dash. It would seem to make sense to use the same screen for the left and right cameras so you don't have to look so far away.

I wonder why they didn't make it like the american HUD systems ala GM.

Perhaps it's offered in the MDX because back up systems, whether video or sensor, have been available for some time now in minivans and other upscale vehicles, but no one has yet to offer front cameras.

The front camera would be awesome for racing, if you can record the video feed. You can record while doing those awesome maneuvers around cars going 120pmh+

Please no flame I live in germany and I'm allow to go 200mph+ thus my car will never make it there.

There is NO WAY your car stock can go 200+ MPH, even in Germany.

did you read????

thus my car will never make it there

Can the camera be retro-fitted in RL? I have a contact in Japan so I can import, but will it work?

Don't see why not....guess the hardest part would be connecting the system to the navigation system (LCD screen)..... I wonder if there are extra data ports located on the backside of the DVD system in the trunk....wouldn't put it past Honda.