Has anyone installed a back-up camera on their Cabrio?

Thanks.

 

the beeping sensors are good enough for me.. its such a small car i cant imagine ever needing back-up cameras.. i mean whats the point? i can parallel park it in 10 secs flat- the beeping does help but even w/o them i'd be fine- wut they should install is front beeping sensors-you sometimes can underestimate/overestimate how small the bonnet is

 

Several of us have installed the OEM rear camera on our cabrios: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=53297

No, a backup camera is not "needed", but it's an enhancement that makes the MINI cabrio a better car. I think that anybody who drives a cabrio with a rear camera would appreciate that it adds good practical value, even if they could get along fine without it.

Here are two examples where the camera makes my life easier. Imagine you're in a parking stall between 2 SUVs that block your view and you need to back out into a busy parking lot. Sure, you can carefully and safely back out, but it's much better when you can view the entire scene behind the car. I parallel park into some very tight spaces in San Francisco. Using the rear camera, I am doing it with greater precision than with any other car I've owned, despite the limited rear visibility of the cabrio. This is the first time I've owned a car with a rear camera, and I like it so much that I'd seriously consider it for all of my future cars, when it is an available feature.

 

I have the rear camera installed from the Pioneer Avic-N2 system. I get a good view not only of the back from a good angle to the right and left which tends to help with the blind spots. I can operate the camera while going forward so I can keep an eye on traffic. And hey! It's a cool view sometimes.

When backing out between parked cars/trucks/suvs/whatever it has been a god-send.

Call

 

Here are photos of the OEM version, which integrates with the Navigation system. Photos are from TheOfficeMaven, mikeythemini, and me. The camera is integrated into the boot handle, and not visible unless you look underneath the handle. The OEM camera is really optimized for parking and not intended as a substitute for the mirrors. Note that there is a good view of the edge of the bumper, which lets you safely back up very close to an object (less than an inch). In my parallel parking, I do sometimes have to take advantage every available inch for manuevering.

 

Now, I know that you can order this kit from the UK and install yourself - but this installation appears to be a few degrees past my comfort zone for DIY. I have heard that it is also available as OEM in Canada - does anyone know whether I can take a drive up to Toronto or Montreal and have it fitted out by a MINI dealer in the Great White North ????

Bill

 

Call
In the spring I will probably be installing the Pioneer AVIC-N3. In the catolog for Pioneer the rearview camera appears to go outside the car. Is that how yours is done? Would it be possible to install inside of the rear hatch? Thanks Steve

 

It should be possible to have it done in Canada. It is available and last year coopersport.ca looked up the parts for me, which came to $1355 CAD or about $1200 USD. Anything MINI costs more in Canada. The price shipped from the UK is around $700.

The alternative is to purchase from the UK and have someone install it. NAM member Edge posted that he is purchasing from the UK and has arranged for his regular MINI dealer to install it. Any good audio installer should also be able to handle it, because the required skills are all the same -- routing wires behind interior trim and making connections. The instructions are very clear for an installer to follow (a few differences for the cabrio, as noted in the other thread).

 

Yep - and I've received the backup camera and interface box... but Mikey is having a hard time getting the front camera... I sure hope he is able to get one for me! I'm not going to get it all installed until after everything is received (and even then, probably not until early next year, due to cashflow concerns).

 

You should install it just under the boot lip just right of the tag. No real need to try to install inside the car...it is weather-proof...you get a better view from just past the left and right rear fenders.

KK

 

It's not as nice as the factory option, but I was at Costco and ran across this (not sure how well it works) aftermarket wireless rear-camera set-up for cars. The camera component tapes into the power of the rear taillights (from reading the instructions), and screws with the two top license plate screws. The 'screen' is a small screen about 3" x 2". It plugs into the cigarette lighter. it communicates with the rear camera wirelessly.

I haven't tried it, nor did I think to check the price, but it seemed like an interesting gadget. Not as nice as the factory set-up, but at least an alternative to consider :-)