KGBSPY

Anything new yet?!

Rogwp

I have tested it and I get a good picture. I have not yet taken the trunk liner off to install the camera, but I tested the camera and transmitter by connecting it to an add-a-circuit to fuse #71 and hanging the camera over the trunk sill.

I connected the receiver inside the glove box, using the 12v socket and the multi-media connecter with the 3.5mm jack and this small connector: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/271012166189?...#ht_673wt_1346. You must use the red rca socket NOT the yellow one.

I do not use my iPod in the car so this cable was unused.

I did not have to take out the head-unit or run cables inside the car.

Total cost about $50.00.

aussie e55

hi Rogwp
could u please post a link to camera u bought thanks

Rogwp

It's the one in the first post

aussie e55

thanks dumb me

100degrees

Any pics of the wireless quality?

Machine_Man

Don't think so yet.

I'm in the market for a 2013 C 300. If I buy it I'm definitely buying this and will let you know.

Currently it says only works up to 2011 model for some reason.

gwai_jai

Does anyone know if we need a Fakra A to RCA cable or a Fakra E to RCA cable?

i did a search already, some said A and some said E.

Note: trying to avoid Midcity because they are quite expensive at $21 for the cable and $22 for shipping to canada

xxnonamexx

Can't wait to see some DIY pics. The ebay description has a step by step but easier to see exactly how to do it.

aussie e55

me 2

JPetros2008

if someone can just walk me through everything i need to buy exactly and can give me some insight on how to install this, i'd be more than happy to make a diy. unfortunately, i've never done something like this before and have no idea what i'm doing so it may go terribly lol.

i know i need to buy the camera off of ebay.

do i also need to buy this rca female to 3.5 mm cable? http://www.ebay.com/itm/271012166189...84.m1423.l2649

is there anything else at all that i need to buy? after i buy everything, i can then work on how to actually install it.

JPetros2008

also, what is this fakra cable people are talking about? does anyone have a link to one?

gwai_jai

Check the DIY thread in the stickies guys....theres a couple great ones in there

Rogwp

All that you need is already on the forum, there may be some differences due to model year, but here is a summary of my install on a 2010 C300. Sorry no photos, I had to finish before the rain started again.

Part 1: enable the camera thru the engineering menu:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...der-200-a.html
(Thanks to White64)
Do not turn video aux off.

If you want the back up lines to show:
you have to hold down END,1,# untill the menu pops up, go to 7. HW Settings ------> 7.7 HU Parameter ------>(25) SRVC Guide line then select w204, then turn off the car and remove the key for a while then turn it back on.
(Thanks to Hzkasbarian.)

Part 2: I installed the receiver in the glove box as outlined in my post #27 above. You may need to buy a 12 volt plug to connect the power using the outlet in the glove box. (See first photo below)

Part 3: The fun part
Remove the trunk liner and the outside metal bar above the license plate. Use the instructions from White64 (same thread as engineering menu).
I also referred to this thread from the C63 guys:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ghts-09-a.html . It's worth printing out the ijdm instructions referred to in this post.

Take out the right side license plate bulb holder (the bulb itself just twists out of the holder), and replace with the reversing camera. My camera had the black cable going through the fitting where the bulb is inserted, so I had to un-screw the camera holder and feed the cable to one side. Do not install the camera at this stage, the exterior trunk trim will not go over the camera if you install the camera first. Have the camera and license plate lamp hanging from the hole through the trunk by the cables and feed the trim over it. Then you can lift the trim up and reinstall. (See second photo of original license plate lamp - you can see that the top (black part) is the same as the camera fitting)

Part 4: Final connection.
The instructions say to use the reversing light cable to connect to camera transmitter. I used fuse #71 but the camera picture broke up the second day, and I had to change to the reversing light circuit. (See a copy of Rick Hunter's photo below).

I adhered the transmitter to the right-side trunk lid arm using velco strips and ran the cable behind the arm and side trunk liner to the rear fuses.
(See 4th photo)

Part 5: General hints.
1. Remove the license/number plate and the backing plate - you need room to remove and fit the exterior trunk trim.
2. The easiest way to remove the trunk liner fasteners is to gently pull the lining from behind them and they will pop out. I tried the correct tool and ended up breaking one fastener ($2.00 each to replace).
3. Put lots of tape on the body around the exterior trunk trim or you might scratch the paint.
4. The 2010 model has a blank plate with strong clips as part of the trim that covers the license plate lamps and that needs to be released from inside the trunk (it's to the right of the right-side lamp, near one of the yellow plugs. I used a small plastic putty knife to ease the trim off. It took quite a while, it only moved little by little.

The reversing screen image is o.k not as good as the first day. With the change of circuit it flickers a bit. I may upgrade the camera to a CCD and go back to the Add-a-Circuit on fuse #71. (See 5th photo)

Sorry for the long post, it is worth doing and all will become clear as you do it. Did I mention that it cost less than $50.00? See final photo for finished installation.

AnotherBenz

Hi, thank you for detail info.

But does it work on audio20 the regular screen?

Thanks again

JPetros2008

great gonna order the stuff tonight and give it a shot whenever the camera comes in...do you know how long it took to get once you ordered it?

Rogwp

About 3 weeks for the camera, but I had to wait for the Jack to RCA connector to arrive as I did not order it at the same time.

JPetros2008

last questions for now i promise:

do you have any pictures of step #4? or i guess do you have a link or something of what a "add a circuit" is and where we would install it?

also, is there something we have to plug directly into the head unit or something? i've seen pictures of people plugging stuff into the back of a silver box, but i don't know where that is or how they got to it and i didn't see any directions posted...

xxnonamexx

Is this install for the wired camera that you mentioned under $200? I think the wireless camera has a different install.

Do you need to remove entire radio to plug in the reciever?

MTLMB

How exactly is this done? how do you connect it using the "add a circuit"?

Rogwp

The wireless units work really well - get thru the car with no problems. However it is a cheap CMOS camera, and the contrast and definition are not great, but acceptable.

Rogwp

Here are photos of the Add-a-Circuit; however the CMOS camera does not like to be on all the time the circuit is live, in fact the picture went off the second day, so use power from the reversing light. I will edit my post above:

Rogwp

The installation process is the same for both cameras as far as removing the trunk trim and lining and connecting the power. You can ignore the rest. I did not remove the radio because I have a video feed into the glove box. My 2010 came with this cable kit:

JPetros2008

thanks a lot man. i ordered all the stuff and it should be here by valentines day. i sent the link of this thread to my friend who understood all of it apparently so i'll get him to help me with the install as soon as i get it. he recommended i go with the wired install though, but i already ordered the wireless camera so i'm not sure what to do. is there any benefit to the wired camera vs this wireless one?

Rogwp

The wired version requires a lot more work which is why I went with this one

With the wired camera you have to feed a long cable from the trunk lid through the car interior and terminate at the Head Unit (with a FAKRA connector).