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We’ve been using our i7 recently for highway trips in summer, and with winter coming, we’ll be switching back to the GLS for towing and longer distance.
I really learned to like the Augmented Reality in the BMW, which my GLS doesn’t have. Am thinking of retrofitting the Dashcam and Augmented Reality functionality which I assume are based on the same hardware (adding camera under the cabin rear-mirror).
My question: 1. Has anyone done this before? 2. Where did you buy the hardware from and what is the installation procedure? I can get the software coded by @EleBest to enable it once installed, but am mostly curious about the camera, cables and installation process.
We’ve been using our i7 recently for highway trips in summer, and with winter coming, we’ll be switching back to the GLS for towing and longer distance.
I really learned to like the Augmented Reality in the BMW, which my GLS doesn’t have. Am thinking of retrofitting the Dashcam and Augmented Reality functionality which I assume are based on the same hardware (adding camera under the cabin rear-mirror).
My question: 1. Has anyone done this before? 2. Where did you buy the hardware from and what is the installation procedure? I can get the software coded by @EleBest to enable it once installed, but am mostly curious about the camera, cables and installation process.
I have a GLE63 and a S580. Both have the HUD and augmented reality. The S580 AR (since you posted in the W223 forum) is very different from the W167 in the display in the HUD. I do not know what it is like in the BMW. It does not do anything close to the S model AR in the HUD. To me in the W167 it is quite "underwhelming" on the HUD without the arrows floating across the windsheild directing you and then the dash screen map gets blanked over by the AR. I was shocked how different AR is between the two models of vehicles. I love it in the W223. I turned it off in the W167
Honestly I would just install an aftermarket dashcam. I had one up until the S580 and the aftermarket camera has better features and records in better resolution, it records out the rear also. I haven't had it installed in the S580 just because whats built in is good enough, but if I'm going to install something I would go aftermarket.
Honestly I would just install an aftermarket dashcam. I had one up until the S580 and the aftermarket camera has better features and records in better resolution, it records out the rear also. I haven't had it installed in the S580 just because whats built in is good enough, but if I'm going to install something I would go aftermarket.
I do have a 3rd party dashcam already installed. I want the OEM dashcam camera just because it is the only way to enable Augmented Reality. So in other words, I am adding the dashcam just to make augmented reality (AR) work, with I found AR to be very useful in cities and roads we've never been to, as usual, during our trips. I have Carplay + OEM maps coded to work at the same time on both screens independently and simultaneously for road trip, and now adding AR to all of this will be next level convenience. I will still be using my current 4-channel dashcam for recording even if I get the OEM mbenz dashcam.
I do have a 3rd party dashcam already installed. I want the OEM dashcam camera just because it is the only way to enable Augmented Reality. So in other words, I am adding the dashcam just to make augmented reality (AR) work, with I found AR to be very useful in cities and roads we've never been to, as usual, during our trips. I have Carplay + OEM maps coded to work at the same time on both screens independently and simultaneously for road trip, and now adding AR to all of this will be next level convenience. I will still be using my current 4-channel dashcam for recording even if I get the OEM mbenz dashcam.
I have a GLE63 and a S580. Both have the HUD and augmented reality. The S580 AR (since you posted in the W223 forum) is very different from the W167 in the display in the HUD. I do not know what it is like in the BMW. It does not do anything close to the S model AR in the HUD. To me in the W167 it is quite "underwhelming" on the HUD without the arrows floating across the windsheild directing you and then the dash screen map gets blanked over by the AR. I was shocked how different AR is between the two models of vehicles. I love it in the W223. I turned it off in the W167
I do have the high-end MBUX in my GLS, so that allows me to put the Mbenz maps in FULL screen view in the cluster screen, or the infotainment at the same time, or whichever I want... So, the Augmented Reality once added will NOT block the maps because i always setup my cluster screen to full map view. I think I know what to expect out of this setup.
BMW works similar to your W223 (I guess?) and has 3D looking arrows in the HUD too. The only exception I think is that I can keep Augmented Reality on all the time on the cluster as a Night Vision camera, or let it dynamically turn on just before turns, and I can also move it to the infotainment screen.
My plan for the GLS during road trips is to set the Cluster screen to original Mbenz Navigation full map view, infotainment to Apple Maps, and then let the car show Augmented Reality in the infotainment just before turns and so on...
For what it is worth, my 2024 GLS450 has the "augmented reality" feature which uses the forward facing camera already built into the car. The "dash cam" requires no new hardware, but is a one-time "digital extra" that MB charges $200-$300 to activate - it uses the same camera, but records images continuously.. Not sure if your Nav doesn't have the augmented reality if the camera may already be installed or not - maybe check the parking camera views and see if there is a forward facing one? If so, maybe there's a SW patch/upgrade that will enable the function in your car.
For what it is worth, my 2024 GLS450 has the "augmented reality" feature which uses the forward facing camera already built into the car. The "dash cam" requires no new hardware, but is a one-time "digital extra" that MB charges $200-$300 to activate - it uses the same camera, but records images continuously.. Not sure if your Nav doesn't have the augmented reality if the camera may already be installed or not - maybe check the parking camera views and see if there is a forward facing one? If so, maybe there's a SW patch/upgrade that will enable the function in your car.
This is not true. Looks like you never noticed the Augmented Reality camera in the windshield. Open the AR, and try to cover the camera on the bumper (the AR would still work). AR has a separate hardware/camera on the windshield right behind the camera (it’s very hard to see).
AR camera is on top of the Windscreen, just behind in the interior mirror like photo below:
If your car has no such camera, the hole is blocked by a pc of plastic, then your car can install AR camera and get
1. Augmented Reality Navigation
2. Dashcam
Optional coding:
1. Extra AR button to toggle on/off the AR camera
2. Dashcam auto restart when car is on
Retrofit kit including:
1. Camera
2. Holder
3. Wiring
Retrofit kit condition:
1. MBUX high from elebest (for example: people did full screen CarPlay can do this upgrade)
or
2. MBUX high from factory
If you need parts + coding or coding only service, feel free to contact us: @ https://wa.me/6597335000 by whatsapp.
AR camera is on top of the Windscreen, just behind in the interior mirror like photo below:
If your car has no such camera, the hole is blocked by a pc of plastic, then your car can install AR camera and get
1. Augmented Reality Navigation
2. Dashcam
Optional coding:
1. Extra AR button to toggle on/off the AR camera
2. Dashcam auto restart when car is on
Retrofit kit including:
1. Camera
2. Holder
3. Wiring
Retrofit kit condition:
1. MBUX high from elebest (for example: people did full screen CarPlay can do this upgrade)
or
2. MBUX high from factory
If you need parts + coding or coding only service, feel free to contact us: @ https://wa.me/6597335000 by whatsapp.
Great!! This looks like a simple setup. I checked the backside of my rear mirror and similar to the photo you shared (there is a hole for a camera but it’s covered).
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Or:
