has anyone seen/done a nice job implementing a backup camera into a cabrio? I see the OEM Camera goes into the hardtop in the handle of the door - and looks like it wouldn't work on the cabrio, since our button is right there.

I have the factory nav, and the coax input for the camera all ready, just need to pick a camera and install/wire it up.

thanks
Eric

 

I and several others have installed the OEM camera on a cabrio, and it works great. The rear handle on a cabrio is exactly the same as for a hardtop, and the OEM camera fits the same way. See this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=53297

However, it sounds like you already installed a video input (presumably aftermarket) for your Nav. For a camera system, personally I would go all-OEM or all-aftermarket. The OEM camera is plug-and-play only with the OEM video input box. You'd have to splice in to integrate with aftermarket, and the camera itself is quite expensive (3x aftermarket). If the cost is acceptable and you are handy with electrical connections, the OEM camera does integrate perfectly and inconspicuously into the handle.

 

I believe i have the tvonnav product. It has two inputs, one coax for a video signal, which is activated by a switch, and another coax input which is activated when 12v is applied to two leads (i.e. you wire these leads to the reverse light, and when you're in reverse, bam, your camera is on the screen)

So what i'm looking for is a reasonably easy to mount, waterproof, 12v powered, coax (rca style) camera. Is the oem one like this? Is it a fortune?

thanks!

edit: http://motoringfile.com/pictures/monitor4_large.jpg - i don't get it. It looks like the unit will completely block the button for opening the trunk - unless that little bump on the right side is the new button itself?
also - $600 for just the camera?! am i looking in the wrong places?

 

You can't beat the clean look of the oem one, but if you're going to get an aftermarket, I suggest the Power Acoustik CCD-4XS ($114). Here's my install thread for my R56 MC.

Cheaper models stink. I've been through three others before I got this one. IMHO, this one is compact and has excellent picture wide-angle and quality for the price. The generous cables include a RCA as well as headphone-jack type output with even a separate power lead if you want a dedicated switch in addition to reverse light activation.

 

Well, there was a reason I made a point of warning about the price . The OEM system (camera + video box) was over $700 a few years ago, shipped from the UK. It was already expensive back then, and in the meantime aftermarket camera prices have dropped dramatically to make the difference even greater.

Yes, the bump on the right is a new switch. The camera + switch is a single unit that replaces the original switch with rubber cover. The harness at the other end is made to plug into the OEM video box (not with RCA connector), so you'd have to splice in a new connector. Whatever camera you decide on, it'll be a wonderful mod for the cabrio.

 

There is a cheaper route if you do not want to use the OEM camera. Here is my write-up on adding a backup camera to my BMW E38 (740iL): http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/516841

Notice that I used a license plate frame camera. The one mentioned in the article is of very high quality (metal frame, etc.). Yes, you can find cheaper, but just remember that the BMW/MINI OEM video module (to display the image on NAV screen) installtion kit only sends 6 volts to the camera. Any camera that you select MUST be able to function with only 6 volts applied. The BOYO cameras do. The link gives part numbers, etc.

My total cost including camera was about $450.00 (with my 20% tax free dealer discount).

 

Here is a link (note to viewers of archived post...link will probably not work, just search VTL200 on Ebay) to the BOYO camera on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/BOYO-VTL200-LICE...QQcmdZViewItem

 

I really appreciate your post. And I downloaded all your YouTube videos. I liked the grocery run, the ten minute video. And liked the one where you were playing tag with the other MINI, I thought you had an S the way you hauled ***. Cool the way you switched between the rear and front view cameras.

I am going to put some rear cameras on my MINI and my neighbor's Sentra. She just whacked a nice Lexus while backing up because she can't drive for sheet. Fortunately, the Lexus convertible's marks cleaned up so there was no damage. I am going to use your How To and get the camera you recommend.

Sidenote: your MINI start-up procedure video is a crackup. I think you do more than I used to do in my Cessna 172, well almost it seems.

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=lacning74