I find the backup lights on my new GL 63 to be only 25% the brightness of my 13 SL63 and /or my wife's new GLK. So dull that I can't discern the edge of the driveway from the lawn (and Bell power box)

Backup lights are in the hatch and the manual says non serviceable --also no bulb improvement available--drat

Considering some low profile led's mounted under bumper and connected to fog light circuit to eliminate the disconnect of the hatch panel and long wire run

Any solutions?

Thnx

JP

 

No doubt, it provides some very poor lighting. It is actually an issue that I have not seen listed with regard to pumping up the brightness. The only reference to this that I can recall is that when using the backup camera, there is not enough light or the camera is unable to adjust to the dim lighting. So, the camera has been blamed, but the light might actually be an easier fix.

 

I agree, it's way too dim on my 2014 GL550. My Lexus had very bright ones which made it easy to back up using the camera.

 

Also agree……very poor lighting.

 

this has been discussed many times, yes its useless. the end

 

If you have a front camera, you realize that even with headlights illuminating the field, the picture is not that great. Better than the rear, but not even close to rear camera in x164. I would guess that a software update will do the fix.
Cookstar, I'm not giving up!

 

I have a 2014 GL and have asked about how utterly useless the 360 degree camera display becomes at night. Ironically, I was given a 2014 GLK as a loaner and its backup camera operation at night is almost as clear as daylight.
Perhaps I can install/hide some LED backup lights under the rear bumper cover/apron area and wire them off the trailer hitch wiring.

 

Basic feature. Seeing when I back up in a big SUV. How did they not test this. This should be fixed as a recall before it ends up causing accidents. Like I said before, a cheap minivan I rented had a superb backup camera and plenty of lighting. Oh well. When I see the list of misses on this vehicle they could have all been eliminated with good user testing. I question who they used for tests. Or, did they?

In the 2013 GL:
Crappy backup lights
Intelligent Headlamps that don't start working until 35mph
2nd Row Head Restraints that suck if you have automatic system
Parktronic that never finds a spot
and other annoyances that should not be on a 80k or more vehicle.

Still, a fine SUV. But, this stuff all adds up and puts a stain on what could have been exceptional.

 

For me:

backup lights…… major!
headlights…….minor annoyance
2nd row head restraints ….. what were they thinking?
Parktronic…….. useless! (even when it finds a spot, I can do a faster, better job!) do love the 360 cam however which I could not get unless ordering the parktronic.

 

I think it's basically a more expensive GL in 2014 with all the features of a 2010, and some other features that you might expect in 2014, but just plain don't work.

I bought the 2014 to replace the 2010. A little bit nicer in the cabin, but not as nice outside. The ride and handling are about the same, but the steering is a little less "real" (electric assist instead of hydraulic) and things like the lane departure are just horrid and annoying. The cameras are useless unless it's broad daylight. The seats aren't as nice as the 2010 "sport contour" and Distronic cruise is about the same. I think for the same money, the new S550 shows how the GL550 just is not a finished job. I think the GLK 350 shows how the GL550 at literally twice (!) the price is not a finished job. But it's the right size and has the space and the safety. I'm getting over 20mpg from over 400hp and never want for comfort or performance, plus it has low range, but sadly that doesn't have traction control (what were they thinking?) so I have to stay in high range for the "terrain response" stuff that Ford pilfered off BMW from the Range Rover before all those brands went their separate ways and Benz came along and copied the idea (like many other marques.)
In simple terms, the team that built the 2013 were not as good as the team that built the 2010 and not by half because the 2010 model year team were starting from scratch and they wrote the book on quality, features and functionality in a full size luxury SUV.

 

I would not compare a 2014 S550 to a 2013 GL you can compare a 2013 GL to a 2013 S-class.

 

They'e both 2014 model year vehicles and the development lead time on the S Class must be in terms of say 3 to 5 years, so both vehicle updates were on the same drawing boards and subject to all the same engineering work. I'm not asking for the full size family SUV product to equal the flagship, but the 2013 GL was an update that brought the GL up to the equivalent of the 2010 cabin design of most MB models. I remember getting a loaner E class in 2012 and thinking "this would be nice" and here it is, only for 2014, the sedans have stepped ahead and the SUVs get the hand-me-downs.

All that said, I was choosing between a GL550, GL63 and 2014 Range Rover. The GL550 was a slam dunk win and I'm enjoying the car. The Range Rover needs another year of quality improvements and some OEM parts in the car (like their instrument display) needs to be totally redone.) So even though I've had some quality issues with the GL already (sunroof drain is a known factory defect in some GL's and ML's, backup camera display processor failed) the whole car is rock solid, tight and quiet, and the paint, fit and finish are all top shelf. For a car built in the USA, the "real" USA auto makers should be ashamed of the poor effort they're putting into cars like the new Corvette Stingray.

Back to the backup light, I found some narrow LED backup light assemblies that I think can be hidden discretely in/under the rear bumper and tap into the backup light off the trailer hitch. It won't be night and day, but it's something. The dealer has agreed to look into a fix. If there's enough customers complaining, I'd like to think MB will do something to reprogram the display or provide some sort of contrast/brightness adjustment for the driver.

 

Question is - is it possible to add more LED lights to SHOW THE CAMERA (and to us - when we decide to turn our head around) what the heck is going on behind the vehicle.


The camera is simply not programmed or designed for low lighting, cause on my LS460, the rearview camera was dynamite with the reverse lights.

 

Does anyone have the rear view camera without "Surround View"? I'm wondering if this low light issue is a problem if you forgo the surround view feature. My 09 X164 has a great backup camera in low light situations. I'm not sure I would want to give that up for a surround view camera that doesn't work so well in low light which is when I need it the most.

 

The backup lights were changed on the new gen GL….. the older model had better backup lights.

 

Gotcha, so it is a lighting problem not a camera problem.

 

Yes….the lighting IS the major issue at night….some folks don't think the 360 cam system daytime quality is as "vibrant" as the single cam system was in the previous generation…. I think its a matter of contrast and "sharpness" that may have been sacrificed in order to make all the cams compatible with each other and produce a common overhead shot….that said, what it does (provide a 360 overhead view) is fantastic and makes maneuvering the beast very easy in tight situations.

 

How do you figure?!
The 360 fron view is not that great with the headlights lighting up the scene in front of the car. It is absolutely the camera and only partially due to the back up lights. Can you improve the lights? Of course, but that is a back door solution. I think they need to eventually come up with the sw upgrade to fix this.

IMO You can't compare the simple single camera with unprocessed image of the x164 with the 360 camera with fully processed image and deduct that the lighting is the problem.

 

My point was….to have the quality that existed in the x164 cam system ( single cam ) you would have to provide the same quality in the side cams and the front cam in order to produce a composite view of equal quality. MB obviously decided to sacrifice that level of "quality" for the overall advantage of a 360 system ( cost was a factor I'm sure )….which, when introduced, won accolades from the mags as being the "best 360" out there. As I said…. having had two previous GL's with backup cams, and numerous other vehicles with backup cams…..I STILL would prefer this 360 system over all of them in terms of what it allows me to do with the vehicle ( daytime…nighttime is crap!) Since the image is acceptable, if not stunning in daylight…. I am assuming better lights in the back would help tremendously. SW upgrade probably will not do the trick…..higher quality cams, yes….but that's a cost factor.

 

The funny thing is all cameras have lighting next to them, even the side cameras use the lighting under the mirrors (puddle lamps). So it's not because of the lack of lighting, I see it as a result of lack of effort.

 

Blittle, you know I respect your opinion and don't mean to argue. My point is for you to compare your x164 rear camera view at night with only the front view of the x166 cam at night. With the headlights illuminating the scene of x166, the x164 rear has a better brighter picture still. Therefore even if you theoretically change the back up lights to be as bright as the headlights, x164 had brighter pictures.

These cameras are cheap. Just think of lesser cars that will certainly not put anything other than the cheapest products in their manufacturing have brighter pictures.

 

This is enough for me to tell people that ask about my GL63 to not consider a GL. The factory tint is so dark that you have absolutely no view out the back at night. Just no excuse

 

Yes….I believe you are correct. Still…..i would take the advantages of the 360 view over the clarity of the previous system. My 2011 rear cam was the best of any i ever owned….very clear and sharp……BUTTT, frankly….I'm old school "mirror guy" when backing up and never really gave it much "look"….so, when the 360 appeared, I said "now that's amazing!"….overlooked the degradation of quality because I found myself actually benefiting from what the 360 overhead shot is giving me! (daytime…night is useless ) lastly….cameras or not…..the backup lights on the x166 are horrible! Matters not whether you are trying to use the cam or simply look in the mirrors……there is virtually NO light!

 

No doubt about the 360. I enjoy utilizing it very much. It's a great tool during the day.

 

Are there any fixes for the poor back up camera. My infiniti illuminates the darkest night to be clear as day for safety. This is really a failure. Any solution would be appreciated.
thanks,
terry