2011 135 Backup Camera?

[zx10guy]

If you give them your email address, I think you get a 10% off coupon code. So the retrofit kit is more like $630.

[CMT206]

I am currently looking around for a non-idrive/screen solution for my 1.

Considering this license plate mount option currently.

Primary connection is through wifi though so that might limi usability of a phone for other things (assuming it can't bypass the Pearl for normal cell use).

https://pearlauto.com/rearvision

[zx10guy]

Interesting solution. The plate/camera system runs on batteries which are recharged via solar. Not sure if I like that. The other piece is the car adapter plugs into the OBD II connector. Not sure if I like that either.

Might be better off swapping the entire head unit out. I did a double DIN stereo replacement on my MIL's car to have a back up camera installed. Wired the reverse trigger to the rear backup lights to get the reverse camera video to kick on.

[CMT206]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Interesting solution. The plate/camera system runs on batteries which are recharged via solar. Not sure if I like that. The other piece is the car adapter plugs into the OBD II connector. Not sure if I like that either.

Might be better off swapping the entire head unit out. I did a double DIN stereo replacement on my MIL's car to have a back up camera installed. Wired the reverse trigger to the rear backup lights to get the reverse camera video to kick on.

yeah good point, at that $$ it is almost worth a custom head unit. I had a CarPlay one a while back that was okay (and had an option to have a backup cam installed) but they are just so unappealing in my opinion looks-wise. I just really like the clean look of the "base" stereo system with no idrive/nav.

[JimD]

I keep a Garmin on the dash because I prefer it to phone GPS. So I added the Garmin backup camera to it. My garmin is in a custom mount on the left of the gauges. The backup camera has a fish eye lens but it is otherwise nice. It comes on when I shift to reverse. I've been using it for a year or so now. For someone without idrive who likes Garmins, this is a good solution. My current nuvi is a 2497 which has voice control and bluetooth. It also shows gas stations and hotels along your route. It is now obsolete but you can get a 5 inch screen unit for not much over $100 which will do this. Backup camera is about $130. So for less than $250 you have a good GPS and a backup camera.

[merlinbk]

Originally Posted by JimD

I keep a Garmin on the dash because I prefer it to phone GPS. So I added the Garmin backup camera to it. My garmin is in a custom mount on the left of the gauges. The backup camera has a fish eye lens but it is otherwise nice. It comes on when I shift to reverse. I've been using it for a year or so now. For someone without idrive who likes Garmins, this is a good solution. My current nuvi is a 2497 which has voice control and bluetooth. It also shows gas stations and hotels along your route. It is now obsolete but you can get a 5 inch screen unit for not much over $100 which will do this. Backup camera is about $130. So for less than $250 you have a good GPS and a backup camera.

Which custom mount do you have? I'm looking for a clean way to mount the garmin in the car.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

Wait...this car is TINY with excellent rearward visibility...why on earth would you need a backup cam?

(unless you have some sort of neck ailment that prevents you from turning your head enough to look behind you - that's the only reason I can imagine)

I'm not flaming the OP, just wondering why you would need one on such a small car.

With the top up, on the convertible, rearward viability is not so great!

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

With the top up, on the convertible, rearward viability is not so great!

Not so great is putting it lightly, it sux.

[1N4ttro]

I ended up finding a decent "El Cheapo" solution that works well without breaking the performance upgrade budget. The only thing I am not feeling much is that the license plate base is a little thicker than I imagined it but overall not bad for $150. Look-It LI-850W.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

Not so great is putting it lightly, it sux.

I added convex mirrors to my mirrors. Made a big difference.

[romnation]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

I ended up finding a decent "El Cheapo" solution that works well without the breaking the performance upgrade budget. The only thing I am not feeling much is that the license plate base is a little thicker than I imagined it but overall not bad for $150. Look-It LI-850W.

Can you link me to all of the parts you are using for this? Would love to do this myself. What are you using for wifi to the phone?

[champignon]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

I added convex mirrors to my mirrors. Made a big difference.

Got any pictures or product links?

Thanks.

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by romnation

Can you link me to all of the parts you are using for this? Would love to do this myself. What are you using for wifi to the phone?

Everything is all in one and no wiring, drilling or extra parts needed. This is basically just a license plate base with a 4yrs lithium battery, BT&WiFi transmitters and camera attached on top. Fitment for our cars is excellent because our car's plate holder sits right up against the top of trunk lid plate section hiding the fact that the camera is part of the license plate base and not installed on the car. The only drawback to this system is that you have to manually trigger it with a small remote that activates camera and phone with one click. Remote is small and can be installed almost anywhere in the car. I am still playing around on where to install the remote for good but for now button it is out of sight on the rectangular section in the driver door's side pocket.

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by champignon

Got any pictures or product links?

Thanks.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/look-it...?skuId=6046300

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/look-it...?skuId=6046300

That looks extremely simple and easy to use. Does the rear view look as good in your car as it does in the video in your link? If so I will probably place an order.

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by Esteban

That looks extremely simple and easy to use. Does the rear view look as good in your car as it does in the video in your link? If so I will probably place an order.

BT (Android) quality is not as good as the video but well enough for the job. I think (i)devices use WiFi to pair and the quality is better like the video. Try it, the process is so simple that if this system is not for you just take it off and bring it back. I will try to get a screen shot from phone and share it some time this weekend.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

BT (Android) quality is not as good as the video but well enough for the job. I think (i)devices use WiFi to pair and the quality is better like the video. Try it, the process is so simple that if this system is not for you just take it off and bring it back. I will try to get a screen shot from phone and share it some time this weekend.

Thinking of getting one for myself and my daughter and son. Wife already has a backup camera.

Interested in seeing your screenshot.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by champignon

Got any pictures or product links?

Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I thought they would be ugly, but they blend nicely, and are adjustable. They work fantastic and are easy to get used to.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I thought they would be ugly, but they blend nicely, and are adjustable. They work fantastic and are easy to get used to.

Thanks, Jim.

The visibility when backing up in these convertibles is really really bad. It gives me the shakes every time I have to back up in a busy parking lot or similar space, when I have the top up. I'll order a set of these since they are cheap enough that nothing is lost if they don't work.

Thanks again!

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by champignon

Thanks, Jim.

The visibility when backing up in these convertibles is really really bad. It gives me the shakes every time I have to back up in a busy parking lot or similar space, when I have the top up. I'll order a set of these since they are cheap enough that nothing is lost if they don't work.

Thanks again!

They also work great on the freeway to see cars in the blind spot, which is huge on the convertible with the top up.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

Everything is all in one and no wiring, drilling or extra parts needed. This is basically just a license plate base with a 4yrs lithium battery, BT&WiFi transmitters and camera attached on top. Fitment for our cars is excellent because our car's plate holder sits right up against the top of trunk lid plate section hiding the fact that the camera is part of the license plate base and not installed on the car. The only drawback to this system is that you have to manually trigger it with a small remote that activates camera and phone with one click. Remote is small and can be installed almost anywhere in the car. I am still playing around on where to install the remote for good but for now button it is out of sight on the rectangular section in the driver door's side pocket.

Looking on their website, it appears you can set up a reverse trigger so you don't have to manually switch to the backup camera.

[Tuxedo]

I just ordered a look-it and give my review next weekend-ish