as.thompson

Does anyone have experience with adding an after-market backup video system to the CL500 Command unit (2006)? I like my car (have had it since new) but would like the added safety of a backup video.

tusabes

If you want to show the picture on your dash screen the best way is to buy the custom fit Chinese android head units

see here
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-w215/628129-head-unit-question.html

as.thompson

After a lot of research I determined that my best option is to have my Command unit modified by Nav-TV in Florida. My unit was sent today. I'll report the results when I get it reinstalled.

tusabes

Sounds good will look forward to fhe review

are you just adding rear view camera or any other modification ?

RonCL55

Yes, I would like to know too for my 2005 CL 55.

Ron

as.thompson

I'm only doing the backup video; no other mods. I already have a hook up in my glove box for an iPod.

Here is a link to the company that does the modification. My local installer says that they have done several with this company, all with excellent results and no issues.

<https://navtv.com/products/NTV-MOD022/mb-video-radio-modification.html>

I'll post a follow up after the mod is completed.

as.thompson

After several weeks of research, I went with a Command system modification by Nav-TV in Florida. I had to have the Command control head removed and shipped to their facility for internal electronic modification. It took two weeks with shipping both ways across the continent.

Then I had the installer provide a small camera (with IR illumination for night operation) mounted just above the license plate.

Routing the camera wire from the camera through the car to the Command unit was a tedious 7 hour job for the installer who had done several of these before and was familiar with the car. But the final result is excellent: it looks like a factory display.

Cost was $900 (including shipping) + $70 tax for the Command unit mod; $200 +$16 tax for the camera; $650 labor for a total of $1836.

Here are some pictures:

Command unit removed.


Installation in progress.


Installation in the trunk.


Camera installed.


Nighttime video.


Daytime video.

RonCL55

That is incredible result. It looks a lot like the system that is in my wife’s Porsche. However, that sounds like an incredible amount of work to do it as well. You would think that you might be able to get some wireless camera option rather than having to go through the hassle of the running of the wire from the camera to their head unit.

Nice detailed post. Thanks very much

as.thompson

Ron, I explored the wireless camera and found that people using them had mixed results. Interference, cut outs, etc. I suppose that I could have tried a wireless camera first and then gone to the wired one if it didn't work well. But I decided to go all in with the wired version.

BTW the video on the Command screen looks much better that it appears in the photos on line. I didn't send high definition photos because of the size of the files.