Anyone know where I can get a good deal on a backup camera for an 06 RL?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...spagenameZWD1V


I actually called the guys at lynwood acura and asked them what the lowest price they were willing to sell it to me for. I can't remember I got it for but it was cheaper then the ebay price. Not by much but 10 or 20 bucks is better then nothing.

The install was something else. Not bad but different.

Robert

 

thanks, that is the lowest price I have seen.

 

Did anyone ever figure out how to add a camera to an '05???

 

I don't think anyone has figured out how to add the backup camera to the 05 RL due to the fact 06 camera was not ment for the 05. One caution for anyone installing it on a 06 is when you read the instrcution ( I had to download the pdf from the internet) watch the pin out diagram. I reversed it and ended up taking it to the local stereo shop to reverse the pins. If you do mess the pins up don't try to take it out yourself. I jacked the pins and they ended up cut the cable and soldering the wires for me.

 

Where did you find the install diagram on the net?

 

Send me an e-mail at ciscoanimator@yahoo.com. I don't recall were I found it but if you send me an e-mail, I'll reply with the PDF file.

 

Robert - I assume the kit had everything you needed for the complete install ... (?)

I know a lot of people on the TL forum have bought a camera from ebay and a device called TVNavandGO (or something like that), which is a kit including cables and switchbox, to hook up a cam.

I note, too, that the picture they have on the ebay site isn't an RL screen, even though the caption says '06 RL.
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Mike,

just as long as it has the attachment kit. The ebay link show includes attachment. The camera is really just the camera. It's the attachment kit that has all the hardware. Granted the drill bits you need are not included. If I recall there's about 3 different bits. The instructions are in metric and the hardware store are in standard or vice versa. You can get pretty close if you don't have the bits. One thing that was hard to come by was the hole saw since it's a difficult thing to find one that small. I winged it with a drill bit, but believe the hole saw would have cut cleaner. The instructions aren't in the box but I have the PDF. If you would like it I would be more than happy to send it via e-mail. In all the quality isn't as great as my wife's Lexus but it's okay. The only complaint I usually have is when it's super bright outside. I don't know if it's because of the Nav screen contrast setting or the fact the Nav screen doesn't have a longer top hood to shield the sunlight. Could be a combination.

Robert

 

Thanks for the link. I hadn't really considered a backup camera but with that high rear end on the RL, it would really be useful.

 

Guys, let me ask you this:

I admit I'm not an electronics whiz, but it seems like all this needs is the following:

- Camera (available for about $50 on ebay ... many have bought them for TL's)

- Splice into backup light hot wire to signal when in reverse

- "Y" connector to split input between camera feed and Nav feed

- Relay to switch between camera feed (triggered by backup lights) and Nav


When you put the car in Reverse, the current to the backup light would trigger the relay, which would switch the input to the monitor from the Nav to the camera. When you go to Drive, the relay switches input back to the Nav.

Now, that doesn't sound either complicated or expensive. Maybe I'm naive, but I don't see why this should cost anywhere NEAR 500 bucks. The relay is maybe $10, the splitter (for the Y-connection) may have to be fabricated, but couldn't cost over $25, and a little bit of 18ga wire is nothing.

I guess I don't see why someone couldn't make this up for less than $100. I admit I'm not up to it because I wouldn't know what kind of relay to get nor what kind of cables, etc. you'd need. But I think I may make a visit to a stereo shop when I get a chance and see if they don't have some ideas. This doesn't look like rocket science.
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I went with the dealer-installed backup camera option on my RL. I'm sure I paid through the nose, but I felt the time to buy it was when the car was being bought rather than afterwards. It's easier to justify and absorb the cost at purchase than to bring it in later. I've got kids, and we have a backup camera on our minivan, too, so it made sense.

It was really the only option missing when comparing the car to the GS, ES, and M35's that we drove. The benefit is that it is covered under Acura's accessory warranty.

The camera goes in the very center between the rear license plate lights. This is where the trunk lever is. The trunk release becomes a rubber coated button just to the right of the right-side license plate light. They drill a hole to put the switch in and the rubber dimple covers it up. The installation looks factory, even though the new trunk button is a little cheesy. But the trunk stills opens with the remote or a simple touch.

I hope the cars that come equipped with the camera in 2007 have a better arrangement. It'll be interesting to see how they do it.

The only problem is that with all the NAV startup activities, the camera doesn't always come into view the moment you put it into reverse.

Rob144

 

I understand your decision, Rob, but the dealer told me the camera would be about $1200 installed. No way is it worth that much to me, especially given that there are good aftermarket kits available for 300 bucks installed.

I've had them on two different cars now, though, and it's something you really miss. In my TL, for example, I almost without fail glance down at the monitor when I put the car in reverse ... expecting to see what's behind me. Habits are hard to break.

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Your dealer must really suck... my dealer put it in for the cost of the part, same with the iPod link....

I agree, $1200 is insane, but $499 was fine, when I could roll it into the lease.

 

$1200 sounds like way too much, so I can understand not wanting to go there. I think my camera, installed, was about $700 or so. The Acura site lists the camera as $495 + Installation.

Perhaps you can find a more reasonable dealer to do the install, or try again later (it helps to get to know a service manager and figure out when your dealer or a nearby competitor might offer coupon discounts on parts). Skip the salesman and work through the service writer.

Rob144

Rob144

 

Hey Mike, that sounds promising. Let us know how that works out. For $100 more we can get the a-spec suspension, so it definetely seems acura is charging alot for this option vs there other options.

 

I did mine last year as I purchased my RL for $500 with the install included.
The part has some markup in it, and its 1.5 of labor time.

 

I've been considering buying one for my new 06 RL, but have also read some negative posts about the display quality. What do owner's think of them?

 

I can't believe I ever lived without one....

 

It is not HD, but it works well. It does what it is suppose to do. I can see clearly behind, day or night.

 

My guess is that they'll do it like they do on the MDX's, the camera is offset to the right of the hatch (trunk) release.



I think the display is pretty clear and bright, even at night.

 

Has anyone seen the 2007 setup yet? If they come up with a better camera kit and trunk release switch arrangement, perhaps it's worth waiting to see if it will fit the 06.