My "new" (same part number) radio / head unit / control unit works like a champ, but does have slightly different programming than my original (good and bad)...

My old unit had the iPod interface built in, and I'd added a Bluetooth device (Bovee 1000) to allow streaming audio. The new one doesn't have an "aux" function, so I can't use the iPod / adapter. What's the minimum I'd need to program this functionality?

The "more fun question" is about rearview cameras. My 2011 GLK didn't come with a rearview camera option, but with the new radio, I get the "parking lines" display when I put the car in reverse. Therefore, I'm guessing (betting, hoping?) that all I need to do is add a camera to get the rearview camera function working (or more accurately, to add an image to the already working rearview system).

My questions:
1) What kind of connector is that on the back of the head / control unit for the radio? I'm an old radio / electronics guy so I'm sure I could cobble something together, but assume someone out there has an adapter cable to go from the RCA-spec connector used by almost every car camera on earth, and the oddball connector on the back of my head unit.
2) Has anyone ever tried a wireless camera install? It does look like about 95% of the effort of installing a camera would be routing the video cable from the hatch (just above the license plate) to the dash.
3) Barring the wireless option, has anyone tried one of the no-name ~$20 Chinese cameras? I've been impressed with the cameras in other "cheap devices". Not saying they're artist-grade, but really for a rearview camera, it's not going to be difficult to get to "good enough".

And of course, I'd be doing a video on the installation one way or another. ;-)

 

I think I answered my own question about the camera connector. Apparently it's a Fakra Z connector (who knew?). FWIW, here's a link to a (cheap) Chinese rearview camera that includes the RCA to Facra Z connector adapter (took a while to find that one)...

I'm still thinking that I might use a wireless "link" between the camera and head / control unit to avoid having to route a video cable through the entire vehicle...

 

I've installed the camera you linked in your other post and it's about on par with any other backup camera I've used.

Running the wiring isn't all that difficult, it can tuck up into the weather stripping for the most part and if you are comfortable with taking the passenger seat out it's an easy shot for the b pillar through the gap in the carpet and up to the center console. The worst part of the install is routing the wiring through the hatch weatherproof connector which you'll need to do regardless.

My phone camera sucks, but here's a picture of the backup cam to give you an idea.

 

Thanks! OTOH, "easy" coming from a guy who has done what YOU did to a GLK makes me worry about your frame of reference! ;-)

And yeah, I was thinking that I might be making the job more difficult trying to use an RF link. The one in my motorhome is wireless, and is fairly hit-and-miss. OTOH, it's about 3x as far between the transmitter and receiver as it would be in my GLK.

I think I'll get that el cheapo camera on the way in any event. I'm in no hurry (plenty of projects to keep me busy until it gets here).