hcoronado

So I am contemplating buying a backup camera for my C class and wanted to know your thoughts and location mounting points. Pictures if you have any.

Thanks,

Harold

MIKESV8

Yea do a double din aftermarket headunit with one.

phister

+1 aftermarket hu and most place by license plate by license plate light.

mskembo

+2 That's the best way to go, I'm about to tackle that one myself.

hcoronado

I just upgraded my little Avic D3 to a Z120bt and decided that a backup camera is a most have.

i thought about the lic frame by BOYO but i am still reading other users ratings on that type of camera

let me know how it goes with the installation and take pictures of the end result.

mskembo

Will do, for now I'm just trying to figure out the best place to put it, and which camera is going to give me the best bang for my bucks. Another tricky little thing is the auto-switch on backup. I want it to automatically sense that I'm putting the car in reverse, and turn the camera on. Otherwise it will be useless.

phister

You'll have to tap the signal wire onto the reverse signal line to set it up that way but that's how its usually done.

mskembo

Yeah, but that doesn't work really well for our cars. Another way you can do it is run a wire all the way back to the tail lights, and tap into the +12v on the backup light. That works with any brand of car. Of course that also means running another wire the length of my car (remember how fun that was), and I'm feeling lazy. But my biggest issue is what camera to get, I'm in research mode on that question.

phister

That or you can probably tap the shifter console to the reverse one or run it to the fuse box.

mskembo

I like the way you think. However after using my melon a little more I realized that I'm going to have to run the RCA all the way back to the HU from the trunk anyway, so I might as well tap the taillight... On a side note, that would be a great time to install the S Classe taillights!

phister

Yup yup

hcoronado

I tap on to the tail light and everything works. everytime i put my car in reverse the svcreen goes blank with the caution display. now just need the camera and run positive and ground alone with the RCA input

mskembo

Cool, that's good to hear. So the camera setup is going to go really easily then.

anonymousmoose

I was so close to buying a Lexus if the dealer didn't screw me around and I walked out. This car had the reverse camera but not the parking sensors. I had it for 24 hours. I liked the camera but if I had the choice between sensors vs camera, sensors. Both would be good, but a bit overkill and there are better ways to spend money.

I'm usually pretty good at reverse parking so maybe thats why I like the sensors, as a backup in case I do get a bit too close.

I say dont do it unless theres nothing else to spend the money on or you dont have reverse sensors.

MIKESV8

+1 that's how you do it.we sell license plate back up cameras and they're all metal with night vision and water proof.if anyone wants one, mbworld special, $95

NOCSUCOW

If you tap the wire for the reverse light, would that throw a code like having LEDs with no built in resistor?

MIKESV8

No.it's "sharing" power.

hcoronado

you only tap on the tail light to send a signal to the HU to tell it that you are in reverse gear. you still need to run an RCA cable and a positive cable to the front of where the HU is located. The ground is easy.

Michael,

what brand is that you guys carry at your store? i am interested in one.

Silver C

All has been mentioned above. One thing I'm wondering though, can you install two cameras and show up properly on the display?

hcoronado

if your HU accepts multiple AV sources yes but you can only use one at a time.

MIKESV8

it's our own brand, CedarsLink. sorry for the crappy picture, but it's the silver one in the pic.

OneOfaKindTrini

Put it the trunk keyhole.

hcoronado

whats your address? i am going to have to come over and see that camera.

MIKESV8

Yea I'm here everyday except sunday this week. Come by! 16910 E.14th street san leandro CA. 94578

acr2001

Search.

Here is a bit of info on my camera install: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post3486998

I think I posted another thread somewhere here with more info.

In order to make it look factory like that I had to cut out a chunk of metal behind the camera and box it in. I added a G class head unit (same as the stock unit, except it accepts the camera feed and automatically switches it on).