Hi all,

I want to have a backup camera installed on my 911 and connected to my 110BT. But, I dont know the first thing about them.

Here is what I think I want: Built into a license plate frame (for ease of installation and no cutting), color, something that works well at night and one that has perspective lines. I believe perspective lines can be both for parking space lines and for distance. I would think the distance ones would be enough.

So, any thoughts, links to places that sell them or talk about them, opinions on what I should buy? And of course, why.

As always, thank you all in advance!

Steve

Well if you have to have the parking assist lines you need to go with one of the Pioneer cameras but they are very expensive. You can find quite a few cheap backup cams on ebay with parking assist but they are all cheap Chinese made cameras that will likely take a dump in six months. I have owned several of these cheap cameras from several ebay merchants and they all crapped out in less then six months. Most cameras found ebay also use a CMOS sensor which gives a less then ideal picture, especially at night. CCD cameras on the other hand are much better and more expensive. The all around best brand to go with is BOYO. They are CCD and can be had for around 100 dollars. They also make license plate cameras. Once again however, I would not buy one from ebay. www.sonicelectronix.com is where I bought my last BOYO, three years ago.

Well if you have to have the parking assist lines you need to go with one of the Pioneer cameras but they are very expensive. You can find quite a few cheap backup cams on ebay with parking assist but they are all cheap Chinese made cameras that will likely take a dump in six months. I have owned several of these cheap cameras from several ebay merchants and they all crapped out in less then six months. Most cameras found ebay also use a CMOS sensor which gives a less then ideal picture, especially at night. CCD cameras on the other hand are much better and more expensive. The all around best brand to go with is BOYO. They are CCD and can be had for around 100 dollars. They also make license plate cameras. Once again however, I would not buy one from ebay. http://www.sonicelectronix.com is where I bought my last BOYO, three years ago.

I suggest you read the Ebay camera tgread. The Ebay cameras do not die in 6 months. I have personally owned 20 of these cameras, and none failed.

I'd also look for a car specific camera. Generic cameras tend to have strange mounts. OEM cameras plug in and look like factory ones.

Night vision isn't really a requirement - as most of these have very good pictures - even at night (due to the illumination of you backup lights)...

I think PAC also makes a camera that is a license plate frame. I have one of those cylindrical key hole cameras that I have bought from ebay for like 50 bucks and have been using it for at least 5 years. It's also on 12V switched so its on all the time when the car is on.

just be aware that if you do get it from ebay, and it says its shipping from China, your going to have a hell of a time getting it replaced when it does take a dump, if you are even able to get it replaced under some type of warranty.

I was hoping this wouldn't be a thread about whether to buy a cheap Chinese camera from ebay or not...

Anyway, rest assured, that's not what I am looking for. I want it installed one time and to last for many, many years.

So, if I could find a license plate mounted, CCD high quality camera that does perspective lines, I'd be very happy. The perspective lines are a pretty cool feature, I believe...If not, someone talk me out of them. Or, talk me into them and direct me towards a product that has all the features mentioned above.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Steve

As far as I know the only cameras that have parking assist and are CCD is the Pioneer ND-BC20PA. But it does not fit in a license plate frame and runs about 280 dollars. Personally I don't think the parking assist lines are necessary. Think about it. You have made all throughout your adult life with a backup camera at all, do you really think you need those lines to be able to park? Check out the BOYO cameras and see if you think they fit your requirements.

I'm just going to compound on what was just stated. IF YOU HAVE A BACKUP CAM AND YOU THINK YOU CAN DRIVE IN REVERSE WITHOUT LOOKING BACK YOU ARE IN FOR A WORLD OF HURT . I myself was going to go with a boyo VCI-SRVCB ($300 + sh) but I got the Pioneer ND-BC1 for $100 from a local installer friend and never looked back (pun intended). Those lines are mostly for show or used once you are in the parking spot to judge distance.

I totally agree. Well put.