Has anyone noticed the backup camera points almost straight at the ground? I have a long driveway, and my wife's Honda Odyssey offers a nice panorama of the entire driveway, sidewalk and street as I backup. My E550 shows me about the 5-10 feet of concrete immediately behind me - I would say a good 20% of the screen is bumper alone! Has anyone had this issue - or had success with adjusting the camera/angle?

Thanks!

 

no issue here........

 

same as above, no issue at all. Good view of all thats required.

 

I'd even add the small amount of side to side vision as well is helpful.....
funny thing is.....from what I can tell no one wants to warn you if you're about to back into them......LOL........guess it's the star! hehe.......

 

no issue for me either. I mostly use the backup camera to line up the bumber over the curb I'm approaching. When they're in alignment, I've got an inch or so still behind me.

NOW, if I had one for the front bumper (like my side-view camera on the Lexus RX450h passenger mirror) maybe I wouldn't have scraped it like I have all too many times ...

 

Compared to others I've seen, the M-B angle is pretty limited. It will show what's behind, but if not real careful you will hit it by the time you realize it is there. On side view, you've hit by the time you've seen it if a moving vehicle.

 

I went to Hawaii and rented a Ford Flex and the backup camera was awesome. My 75K Mercedes backup camera SUCKS comparatively. I could actually see 20-30 ft behind me and it had backup lines. I think it is because they use a fisheye type lens on the Mercedes W212. When I got back home I backed out of the garage and really couldn't make out anything past 5-10 ft. I wish I could change it out. Anyone know of any other cameras that I could swap it out with? The Mercedes E550 looks great, has lots of power, but they should let Leica handle their optics and Pioneer handle their phone functions. (My kids aftermarket car stereo with bluetooth phone option works better than mine functionally) She says call XXX, it says, call XXX yes or no. That is it. I have to say, call name, call xxx, 1, yes. 4 steps compared to 2. Should be easier.

 

You could swap it for MY 2011 camera. They changed it for the 2011 to have less fisheye effect. But as far as I have observed, it gives one a sufficient view of what's behind but I use it mainly to see how close my bumper is to a wall or curb.

 

E-class gives you a shorter view because you have rear view mirrors that work. The camera is not meant to be an alternative to using the rear view mirrors. Its for close objects. Please use your rear and side view mirror in addition to the camera when going in reverse in ANY vehicle. I agree that we should have directional lines.OMG I know what you mean... Sometimes it feels like an interrogation. Have you tried entering an address by voice yet? Now that is a PIA. I hope MB fixes this SOON!

 

Do we sense a Ford Flex in your future? Just think, you will have an awesome rear view camera and a about $40K in your pocket. Get the "Woody Version".

 

LOL: off topic, but I drove an S type during my visit to Hawaii.......I'd NEVER buy one of those things.....but a different Jaguar: yes..........

 

there may be a way to adjust the angle of the lens, the 2006 Infiniti M45 I had could do it from the secret options menu. I forgot how to access it on the W212 but do a search on the forum.

I wish the benz had the lines that moved when you turned the wheel while reversing. I think there may be a way to turn them on. Anyone know how?

 

We had another family go with us and the Flex was all they had to be able to accomodate 7 people. I tested Fords electronics though and thought that was ok, but didn't like the touch screen. It kinda got goobered up with all the lotion fingers touching it) The bluetooth audio kept dropping off (my E550 P2 doesn't have this). I really didn't test the telephone (I wish that I did). The backup camera was great, I used my mirrors too, but I COULD have backed that flex all around the island with the type of perception that it gave me. The lines helped a lot also.
I just think that MB should give me a camera that I could actually use other than knowing i'm 1 foot away from SOMETHING? Let me put it this way. With the Flex, I could back in straight (no problem) With my MB, I can't tell if im coming in at an angle or what. (TESTED)
MB 2010 E550 P2 4matic backup camera=epic fail
as my daughter would say.
MB

 

In my quest to find out whether the new direct injection engines will be in the 2012 W212s, I was told that the 2012s will add the lines to the reverse camera screen.

- Voy

 

unless i'm driving, then i could put a schoolbus in the blind spot on the driver's side.

 

I don't think the 'blind' spots are that bad......if you can turn your head.....you can see.....

not complicated........

 

what?!??! drive and pay attnetion to my surroundings by actually moving my body... That's just asking for too much

I guess im just not used to it yet, my Tahoe had mirrors on it so big i could alomost see around the whole truck

 

Man, you guys think the blind spots are bad in this car, try driving a new Camaro, or CLS, or Chevy Malibu.

 

The camera on my 2011 is not as good as it was on my 2010 ML or 2010 S. It doesn't have the guide lines either! They changed it and sounds like they plan to change it back. Not sure why they did this, the old cameras worked very well. Maybe different supplier?

 

Probably, and/or cost cutting.

This is my first car with a backup camera, so I guess until I get used to one with a better camera, I'm not so spoiled, so I absolutely love the thing. It completely replaces a rear parking sensor for me.

 

lol

 

ditto............

 

Me too. Maybe I will have to pick up a Ford Flex just to drive in reverse.

 

haha, that reminds me of a funny scene in the last season of 24 where
dude is driving a car (genesis) in reverse and totally killing it....all while using the rearview cam.....lol......I guess it could be done.......hehe


(tried to find it on youtube, but did not)