Rear view camera …based on replacement number plate light..

[B21]

About to start tearing the Yellow Peril apart…not that fussed on reversing cameras but..since the car will be in pieces bits pretty trivial to patch this into the MMI car play box..

Anyone used this sucker on an E89 or other?

https://incartec.co.uk/product/BMW-1-6-X5-Z4-series-reverse-view-camera-CA-BMW01

A few variants around..wonder how you get the other number plate light match in colour and intensity..?

 

[Silverstar]

Not fitted one myself but knowing something about car LEDS I can predict that you will have issues matching both colour temperature and intensity to the original lights. Most likely this one is 6000K, if the original lights were normal you could try a few different LED bulbs to try and get the same intensity and tone but the originals are LED from BMW so that isn’t a possibility. Also the price to the ones in the link seems high, I don’t see these to be much more than £20. If you really want a camera you will be better off installing a stand alone bumper mounted one.

 

[B21]

Yes I could see the issue…I may still go ahead and try it ..for the price …I could assemble a few LEDs…I saw several cheaper but I chose that one for the discussion as there was more detail on it..

At the end of the day I don’t drive in the dark very often..

 

[Pondrew]

At the end of the day I don’t drive in the dark very often..

I would have thought you always drive in the dark at the end of the day. That's when it gets dark. oke: :rofl:

 

[smorris_12]

I would have thought you always drive in the dark at the end of the day. That's when it gets dark. oke: :rofl:

Not at midsummer in northern Finland!

 

[Pondrew]

Not at midsummer in northern Finland!

Nobody likes a smart arse! :lol: oke: oke:

 

[Marcoose]

Have you gents looked into wireless cameras ?

https://lookitcam.com/

This one has so-so reviews on Amazon. But something similar ?

 

[AnubisZed]

I fitted one if those originally.....
The reversing light hole is off centre.
The reversing light hole is off square to the car.
So with both of those it won't give you a true indication of where you are.

I then replaced it with a number plate surround camera, this was central and square. A much better idea.

But I've now replaced that with one that sticks to the bumper and hangs over the number plate...
https://amzn.eu/d/4Gzwo50

All of them are not really what you want mainly due to being too low down. And all reversing cameras get dirty in the slightest of rain so become useless.

 

[B21]

I fitted one if those originally.....
The reversing light hole is off centre.
The reversing light hole is off square to the car.
So with both of those it won't give you a true indication of where you are.

I then replaced it with a number plate surround camera, this was central and square. A much better idea.

But I've now replaced that with one that sticks to the bumper and hangs over the number plate...
https://amzn.eu/d/4Gzwo50

All of them are not really what you want mainly due to being too low down. And all reversing cameras get dirty in the slightest of rain so become useless.

Ah well since I use my Zed in all weathers that looks like a no…thanks for saving me money, time and aggravation! :tumbleweed: :rofl:

 

[Chippie]

I don’t know if one’s available for the e89, but my son got one for his golf that replaces the VW boot handle

 

[Chippie]

Here’s a link for one on a 6 series
https://youtu.be/qU7TJPZ2Tp4

 

[B21]

I don’t know if one’s available for the e89, but my son got one for his golf that replaces the VW boot handle

I think the spray issue got me..the E89 seems to get a lot of crap across its bottom..maybe its turbulence induced (at warp speed)? :tumbleweed:

At least the PDC seem pretty reliable irrespective of the amount of crap on them..

Just have to pay attention to the graphic rather than just listening to the angry beeps..

 

[Silverstar]

I don’t know if one’s available for the e89, but my son got one for his golf that replaces the VW boot handle

I've had the same installed in my Golf Estate and it works well except the video resolution is crap. Unfortunately they don't do this type for the E89. FWIW I think the E89 does well with just the pictogram on the idrive with the standard PDC, I don't miss not having a camera on this car. What I am contemplating though is getting some blind spot monitoring sensors but dread at the work involved.

 

[The.Analyst]

I tried one of the rear view camera add ons, as others said the lens gets covered in road dirt or spray

As you get close to an object the camera cannot see the outer edges of the bumper

I managed to reverse into a bollard that way