What backup camera or just camera do you use

[wbmech767]

My wife wants a backup camera for her 328 so that got me thinking what about the z it could use one too so just wondering what everyone else used

[BimmerBreaker]

???

Where would the screen even go

[Mr Bingley]

The screen would be your phone. Wireless backup cameras are available now. They typically mount as a license plate frame and send a signal to your phone via bluetooth or wifi. I haven't found one though that inspires me to actually buy it. Backup cameras are pretty gimmicky to begin with, and no one camera yet contains all the features I want:

• automatic instant on when shifted into reverse
• clear picture with lines
• Portrait or landscape orientation depending on how I orient my phone
• no delay

Most systems require that you fire up an app to get a picture, and don't have a sensor that wires into the backup lights to tell it when you're in reverse. Most reviews indicate either a time lag picture, or unacceptable wait times for the system to boot. I put a lot of research into this over the last month looking for a fun Christmas present, and my report is that they are not yet ready for prime time. Same with heads up displays. Worth keeping an eye on though as they are bound to catch up in a generation or two--they're close now. Prices range from $30.00 to $500.00 with no appreciable difference between them.

[ntinkle]

Thanks for the report, Ralph! I hadn't thought of the option to tie the camera to a reverse light that would kick on the feed to activate the phone. That really would make it practical. My phone is generally propped up in front of the gear shift, and would make a perfect display.

[wbmech767]

Thanks for all the input I think it would be cool to have a backup camera and remove the windshield mounted mirror and be able to see (that thing is a large blind spot) oh well

[danomite]

???

Where would the screen even go

Uhhh...in the dash? I have a rare single DIN JVC unit, with a high resolution screen...it has full Navi, DVD, Cam, etc functions...It was a special gift from a friend who worked for JVC back in the day. It's incredible, and I've had it for about 9 years now. It still blows people's minds when they see it.

[BimmerBreaker]

Uhhh...in the dash? I have a rare single DIN JVC unit, with a high resolution screen...it has full Navi, DVD, Cam, etc functions...It was a special gift from a friend who worked for JVC back in the day. It's incredible, and I've had it for about 9 years now. It still blows people's minds when they see it.

What about us plebians who don't have cool rare head units?

[danomite]

What about us plebians who don't have cool rare head units?

Hahaha....fear not, my friend...there is a solution for everything!

[Harvey Mushman]

What about us plebians who don't have cool rare head units?

I think we're just supposed to turn our heads

[Wertles]

I have used the Garmin system in a few cars. It is powered by the backup light. Mounts to the license plate. When you shift into reverse, the signal gets sent to your compatible Garmin GPS screen. Easy to set up. Very little delay. The picture is quite clear. The only downside is that you must use the supplied GPS power cord because it has the antenna built into it. You can’t use the hardwired Garmin cord. I had to hide a 12V outlet under the dash and then run the cord from there to make everything look tidy. Don’t try and just cut off the plug and run the two wires into a hot and neutral. Things get expensive at that point. Don’t ask how I know.

[MarketMaster]

I might have a solution soon. Waiting for something to arrive to test before I can make a claim.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[LannVouivre]

I drop the top if I really need to be able to see. My rear window is in pretty bad shape.

[Vintage42]

... My phone is generally propped up in front of the gear shift, and would make a perfect display.

ProClip makes a good holder for a phone.

ProClip Angled Mount High	853031
ProClip Adjustable Holder - iPhone	511428

[danomite]

ProClip makes a good holder for a phone.

ProClip Angled Mount High	853031
ProClip Adjustable Holder - iPhone	511428

While I do find these to be useful, I usually recommend against them...unless they're being used solely for reverse-cam or music. Using these types of low-mounted phone clips for navi is a recipe for disaster...it's why they invented the ones that mount to your dash or windshield/window, and keep the phone in your line of sight (or horizontal periphery).

[Imbeamin]

I am interested in this too

[kornfeld]

Another option is to get one of the systems with the rear-view camera display in the mirror. Hopefully this link works:

https://www.amazon.com/slp/rearview-...fjzmxv6a2y36pq

I haven't tried one of these, but have been considering it for a while now.

[BimmerLance]

i have a 2012 bmw 328i and and 2014 X3. I purchased this BMW Backup Camera from Bam Auto Safety, but the only ones they have are wired cameras that connect to the factory screen. My son has been looking for one that connects to his phone since he doesn't have a screen in his older M3 but we haven't found any good ones. :-/

[z3forlife]

The drawback of the wifi/Bluetooth cameras is lag time. My buddy's wife got him a hard wired one that is mounted to the rear view. He gets forward video driving forward and rear cam in reverse it has a sd card for recording too. I don't think it's the one from the info commercials but I'll have to ask

[s8ilver]

Don’t try and just cut off the plug and run the two wires into a hot and neutral. Things get expensive at that point. Don’t ask how I know.

Been there. I installed a TPMS system and found out after I hardwired (per manufacturers instructions) that the antenna was built in to the bit I cut off. Same solution, hardwired 12v cig adapter behind dash.