Reverse cameras are becoming a very popular option/feature on many vehicles these days. The U.S. government has been so convinced of their value in preventing injuries and deaths to the point that rearview cameras will soon become mandatory equipment on vehicles sold in that country sometime around 2018, though the timing has moved several times since the legislation was passed in Washington. As with most U.S.-mandated vehicle safety systems, you can expect vehicles sold in Canada will be similarly equipped.
But what about older vehicles? You might think that with all the hype and demand for a proven safety feature, there would be store shelves just full of various makes and models of camera systems that are affordable, easy to install and feature-laden. Sadly that’s not the case because while most top national retail stores carry a handful of these systems, they range in price from $135 to $350 before installation and taxes.
Some automakers offer kits as approved accessories, but usually require an existing large-screen radio display. In most cases, these kits are also more expensive. For example, Fiat Chrysler offers kits for some models that use the existing radio, costing about $420 plus tax and installation. Others, on the other hand, come with a new interior rear-view mirror with a built-in monitor for about $700. The venerable Consumer Reports magazine has yet to do a rating on rear-view camera systems.
Here are a few things to consider if you’re going this route.
First, there’s no such thing as a wireless rear-view camera system. Even those that don’t require a signal harness between the camera and the monitor require a power signal to the camera. This power source is the 12-volt feed to the vehicle’s reverse lights, so that when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the camera is activated and the monitor displays the image.
Monitors also require a power source but this is easily achieved with a dash or console-mounted power-point plug-in. Most kits recommend drilling a hole in the body metal near the rear licence plate to run the camera power or signal wire. If you’re leasing your current ride or you’re concerned about corrosion, you might want to think twice about puncturing the metal. A better alternative is to use the vehicle’s licence-lamp wiring access point.
Pyle’s PLCM7700 7-inch monitor with rearview licence plate camera.
Handout, Pyle
Many kits come with a camera that is mounted on a licence plate frame, taking the guesswork out of location and mounting angle. Check the fit before you buy because some of these frames can partially obscure the plate’s numbers and expiration label, risking a fine. Look for kits that have low-light or night-vision capability, or come with their own light and include adjustable guide lines – grid lines that appear on the monitor, letting you “see” the intended path of your vehicle. Good retailers will have their display models powered up on their shelves so you can check resolution and image sharpness.
Opt for kits that come with a monitor-equipped rearview mirror. The separate monitors take up valuable visual real estate on the windshield. Some GPS navigation system makers such as Garmin and Magellan offer kits that use their navigation displays as the monitor.
Few aftermarket kits have the quick monitor response time that factory units exhibit when moving the gear shifter to reverse. Some consumers have reported lag times of up to 20 seconds before the monitor displays an image, but the average seems to be less than 5 seconds.
If you’re not comfortable with diving into your vehicle’s wiring system for the installation, consider having a professional do the job. Most dealerships, independent shops and vehicle audio specialists can handle this task.
Don’t expect these kits to be lifetime units. Rearview cameras live in a very nasty environment and many buyers report camera failures less than two years out. Even factory units can suffer the same fate. This is why carmakers such as Hyundai, Lincoln and Volkswagen have opted for cameras protected by a cover that opens only when the unit is activated.
One maker, Pyle, offers a model that comes with a built-in Bluetooth cellphone connectivity system. We’ll have more on those must-have tech systems in the next column.
