lh713

It has been noted in the GL class and S class forums that the 360-degree backup cameras operate poorly at night. I can represent that in contrast to a backup camera I had on a 2013 Escalade, my GL63 and S class backup cameras are not useful at night, even after having turned the brightness setting up to maximum. It has been suggested in other Mercedes forums that a software upgrade may be available to fix the backup camera problem, but when talking to the lead technician at my local Mercedes dealership, he reports that although he receives telematics upgrades weekly from Mercedes, they come with little explanation of the issues that they are supposed to address. He said that he would be happy to install an upgrade if I can identify the upgrade with a technical service bulletin number or other identification. Has anyone has any success with such an upgrade, and, if so, could you please supply the information needed to identify the upgrade?

j2nh

I'd also be interested, coming from an Audi I was surprised at how dark the image was on the screen, almost to the point of being useless. I have very few complaints about my GL63, this being the principle one.

Airedale

Have you tried putting on your rear fog lights for extra illumination?

lh713

I believe that as long as the aperture of the rear camera lens is large enough, then the computer controlling the camera should be able to adjust to allow in more light. It would be akin to changing the ISO to a higher number on a digital SLR camera. Mercedes does not typically skimp on the quality of its components, so I believe the camera lens and its software are probably capable of adjustment. In direct response to your question, I have not tried the rear fog light, but will do so. Thanks.

smayshusband

Rear fog light is also useless. I've tried everything. As far as I know no updates available for this issue yet.

Festertester

Good to know...probably get aftermarket high lumens output reverse LED lamps ...we have a GX, and the reverse lights practically light up the road while using reverse camera ...

lh713

In the other GL forum, the following Service Bulletin was identified as an update for the 360-degree cameras to improve lighting: #LI54.65-P-059114. It calls for recalibration of the cameras incident to the upgrade, but was noted to cause a marked improvement.

lh713

I can now happily report that the dealer installed the 360 degree camera update available for the GL63, and it has produced a world of difference in the quality of the night vision on the backup camera.

cyberorth

Did you reference this #?

cyberorth

I am normally against posting copyrighted material that MB charges for, but in this case it is a safety issue.

I paid for a day of startek subscription and found the document that we should all hand to the SA for this issue. I am sure you are all familiar with the SA's pretending they have no clue of what we the owners talk about. I have already visited twice asking for this and got fed a bunch of BS.

So here's my gift:
LI54.65-P-059114_Ver_5.pdf

lh713

Cyberorth: I do not know if there was a particular service bulletin addressing the issue for the GL63, I only know that the shop forman looked for Comand updates (including the 360 degree cameras) on his server linked to Mercedes Germany, and included in a grid of Mercedes models was the update for the GL. As I said, it makes a big difference. I hope this helps.

cyclrder

The command update made a huge difference for my 2015 too.

When I mentioned the posted specific update for the camera calibration that people had been talking about on the forum (using whatever reference number that had been listed), the dealer said that I'd didn't apply to my car...

Now maybe the command update included a calibration fix with it and has superseded the mentioned calibration fix?

marsh1

Same answer from my dealer about my 2013 GL63. Based on my experience with them probably BS.

brianz426

Thank you Cyberorth for the pdf. I'm going to the dealer on Wednesday to get this updated.