where would be an ideal spot to mount a rear view camera with no cables showing? and i would want to be able to see the bumper too..was thinking the license plate, but that wouldn't let me see the bumper. i would love to have it where the inspire spoiler has it. thanks

 

and if anyone could recommend a good camera that would be great.. was thinking of getting one off ebay

 

i have one hooked up to my jvc navi. its under the bumper right above the license plate and to be honest its hard to see anything at night because its right under the license plate bulb. i couldn't think of anywhere else to put it though so i "frosted" the inside of the bulb cover with translucent tape and changed the OE bulb to a blue LED and that helped with the nighttime glare a bit

 

my rear view cam is built in the liscence plate holder. It works good, but i would think you want it higher so you can get a better angle when backing up. I would say mount as high as possible for the best view.

 

For the time being, mine is mounted just to the left of the license plate. It's a temporary thing, what I plan to do it pull off the bumper and see if there is anyway to relocate the light bulb. Move it over a few inches and then possibly add another bulb on the other side to keep it symetrical (sp?), then put the camera in the middle. Just a thought, but I haven't had time to look to see if it's even possible. I thought about buying the Inspire spoiler from a member (there was one for sale some time ago) but I am not really crazy about the way that it looks. And the one that he had didn't have the cutout for the camera...I didn't want to pay over $500 for a spoiler that I am gonna have to cut up.

 

i used the holes that secure the license plate light itself. thats if your camera has the correct mount. it came out really nice and no glare. and no overhang from the bumper itself. if i remember ill post pics.

 

I have mine mounted in the center of my rear spoiler mount

 

Personally if you have to have this mod I'd try and get an Inspire spoiler, otherwise it seems kind of pointless.

Besides, rear-view cameras are for women, not men...

 

I had mine in the middle of my license plate when I had it. You could see good, but not really judge distances that well because there was no part of the car in the camera's range. You get used to it after a while and can judge pretty good how far away you are from things. I used to back into my carport and get within inches of the wall every time without hitting it.

 

Here how I did my Rear View Camera
I put it under license plate mounted light.

 

Have you come to this conclusion after your extensive years behind the wheel?

 

Absolutely. If you can't safely get your car into a parking spot, or out of one without the assistance of a camera that isn't all that reliable then you're no better than the soccer mom trying to park an Excursion for 10 minutes.

 

You have a lot to learn. The camera doesn't allow you to park when you couldn't park before, it's an enhancer. Allowing you to see something that is physically impossible without.

After your first accident, I'm going to suggest you should be stripped of you licenses and given a bus pass. That would only be fair right?

Oh to be 17 and foolish again...

 

^^^ and mad at the world....

i did mine for shits and giggles really - my indash had the input so why not.

i use it when i back into a spot that has bushes and mess sticking out that could scratch the bumper

 

Yeah, next we'll be hearing that GPS is for people who cannot read maps and only bad drivers use GPS. Real drivers don't need it, they know where they are, where they're going and street names in advance of a trip. Because real drivers know everything... then we'll have a 17 year old kid telling us they know the solution to our next world problem... lets solve world peace and AIDS.

 

Just because you're an old fart doesn't mean you know everything. Remember when cars didn't have rear view cameras? They are a convenience and not needed at all.

 

I think this is the first time I'm going to quote myself...
FYI at one time they didnt have mirrors either, or brake lights, or seat belts, turn signals, GPS, disc brakes, ABS, heated seats, A/C, and so on. So really, what's your point?

 

The point being, those are all safety regulated things, minus the GPS, which like you assumed I think of as a waste. Sure, you could say the rear view camera was for safety, the safety of other peoples cars as you incompetently meander in and out of a parking spot...

Personally, I view GPS and rear view camera's as gimmicky things, something that's cool to have in your car and show your friends, but serves no value as far as safety is concerned.

 

Many things serve little safety value. However on a large vehicle, with the soccer mom you despise, one could say a back up camera is a safety device. Since she's a soccer mom she's obviously going to be backing up in areas kids are. Which, as you know are hard to see even looking right out the back of your window. A 4 year old that runs away from mom would be very hard to see.

I'm not saying that it's for everyone, nor is it required. But if it saved 1 life I'd say it was worth having for those that want it. If it was an option on my next car, I'd get it. We should have got it on the RL but didn't want the other options it came with.

As for GPS, I find it very useful to drive anywhere and be able to find my way to my address and miss traffic. The cost of about $99 to add GPS to my PDA has saved me at least twice that in recovered time - so far this month. These are simply tools, not required by everyone but some would required it.

FedEx/UPS installed reverse cameras to help drivers back up more effectively and reduce damage to private property and their trucks. Likely not just a gimmick.

Don't be so quick to generalize. Many of these soccer moms you so dislike were once professional women who had families. They aren't stupid or necessarily bad drivers. Just wait until the day you have more on your mind and see how you juggle life. It's more complicated then you could imagine.

Personally, I don't think 17 year old kids should be allowed to drive - at least not like they are now, we need to stagger things out. Statistically you're the worst bunch of drivers. 5000 of you die/year because you dont know how to drive and/or are to cockying for your own good. You kill others with your bad decision making and inexperience. But there are a lot more statistics to support my reasoning then your sexist opinion on women who take their kids to soccer. Men cause more accidents then women. Insurance companies know it, my wife is added to my policy for nothing and is about 70% of the cost for her own policy.

I shared some of your ignorant views of things in my late teens, life, living and circumstances caused me to review my narrow minded views. My wife is a better drive then me. Never in an accident she was at fault for and drives the speed limit all the time.

Wow, I wonder what it's going to be like when we have kids that need to drive our cars....

 

 

Like Taffeta said, a lot of those are safety features that are REQUIRED BY LAW to be on the vehicle. It's not really that hard to park a car. Like I said earlier, they are more of a convenience than anything.. to help you and not depend on them to get your car to go where you need it to go. I'm not saying I have a problem with them, I had one on my car a while back before it died on me (cheap one from eBay) and it was useful but I didn't really use it at all.

 

i have a small one on my ar just under the bumper when my car gets painted ill cut hole for it but im not sure where i have pics of the location on cardomain, my username is audiovibe-mike

 

A lot of those features I mentioned were initially options you could buy only on luxury cars. Then they became standard features. So I mixed it up with legal and options.

You're right, it's not needed, just like day time running lights. Do daytime lights reduce accidents, yes, by about 11% during the day. Since these camera's are so new there are no results on their safety merits. BTW I'm not saying it should be considered a safety option, but they could easily become one if the results show they're effective. Only time will tell.

I'm really not one way or the other on them, I just couldn't stand that kids sexist and ignorant comment towards women.

 

The only thing it allows you to do safer is park.

 

this thread has been seriously high jacked...... but i gotta run my mouth.

i completely back you rob..

its funny how this useless camera is just a waste of time and is for women who cant drive the tank they use to transport the crib midgets to and from certain locations... its so useless that companies are making $$$ off the production of these useless devices and it has been picked up by certain car companies as a "safety" feature. hmmmmmm maybe im the dumbass here.
the world is flat still right guys?

as technology advances, more and more things become a norm in everyday life and guess what the good old camera has. as the mirror and all the other standard equipment that is now either an add on or a requirement for manufacturer's.

we all have our opinions and such but you are fighting a useless battle.... if a camera is useful or not.... take your useless babble back to school where your guidance counselors will act as if they care to make you feel better about yourself and it wont effect your self esteem. im sure if mommy and daddy were to bump up the old allowance that you would have your nifty back up camera and sing a different tune, instead your saving fow yo "siiisssstem" because that makes you feel important to your classmates. people like you piss me off and get their ass twisted up and handed to them in real life when it beats your door down.

safety or BS who cares... there here and they're obviously not going anywhere and im sure that the next car that is "earned" by you waste of space that is given to you - im sure you wont say daddy! it has a back up camera and that is for women and they have coooties...

 

I think rear view camera is there just to be there ( Just another added modded to my list)
The rear view camera has been on my TL for over 2 year now an I can say I never really use it.
It's cool to have on 99 model car some upgrade stuff an try to keep up with NEW car

 

Companies put them on and make money off them because people like them and and are willing to pay to use them for their convenience. Don't be so quick to judge by age, you have no idea what his story is and how much he paid for his car. There are many hard working younger guys/gals out there that aren't handed everything like you are implying.

 

For someone so sure of my how I was raised and assuming that, being 17, I lack a proper education and respect (in reference to my "siiisssstem") you clearly have a few screws loose yourself.. Remember, always capitalize your I's and use an apostrophe where appropriate. It would be one thing if I used common internet lingo and acted retarded online, however I try and use my education at this point in life to its fullest, and quite frankly am offended that people who are my elders lack a similar mindset.

Did I come in here acting like a mentally challenged gang-banger? No. If you're going to "diss" me because of my age, at least try and do it eloquently. I'd also like to add, I don't get an allowance, I work for my money and spend it as I wish.

 

why dont your re-read your post because you have left out "WORDS" before you bash me for not using spellcheck. and im sure you went and took a loan for your car... can you even watch an R rated movie yet? let alone drive after 9.

this has been blown way outta the water and is becoming a huge pissing match. "i" respect your opinion - that back up camera's are not important to you - next time you need to word your post a little different and you wont get so much negetive feedback. you jumping to the conclusion that they are for women wont help your situation, and rob was trying to point out why some do not feel the same as you. who cares if its for show or safety.

im now going to give myself more respect and discontinue this argument with a minor... you run along now and have a great day, maybe somone else will listen

 

What's wrong with taking out a loan? 17 year olds CAN get into R rated movies despite what you keep telling yourself.. From an older Eminem song.. "Three little kids in the front row [of the theater], yelling "Go!" with their 17 year old uncle."

What is your deal with him being younger? It's as if you weren't young once yourself. He has contributed more to this forum that you ever will with your incoherent banter.

 

there is nothing wrong with taking a loan- at 17 i dont believe you can is what i was saying. showing that you learn your life lessons from eminem songs, truelly shows who im actually dealing with. im sure that you jumped outta bed to see if somone has replied to this thread because you wanna get your last word in wich then makes you feel as if you did something with your day.... get a life. hey i have an idea you two can send each other pm's telling one another how much care for them.

i have no problem with anyone being young and wanting nice cars and wanting to express there opinion in certain areas of this forum, but like i said you cant jump someones ass and say that something that they are interested in is BS. and being proud of spending countless hours on a computer typing your little heart out is not anything to jump up and down about. its actually sad to be honest.

i will also discontinue this useless argument with you as well. and i will not respond to either one of your immature posts anymore - send them to your little buddy-

 

NOW back to the subject at hand.....

i have a pioneer back up cam and have only had 1 minor problem with it that was fixed very easly (wire became corroded in the pin connector)

we carry audiovox cams and im a little mixed on my opinion with their units. they have a pretty high failure rating to me. i have replaced 3 units for one guy in a two month span. i have one sitting on the counter now to prolly be used as a replacment. (maybe just a fluke)

i personally havent had many chances to see any units from ebay though i have installed other brands and have yet to hear feedback from them so my guess is that they are doing fine.

a camera is a camera so brand loyalty isnt probally a huge factor in my opinion. just install them correctly and you shouldnt have a problem