JohnH4260

Has anyone done an aftermarket backup camera installation using the Mid Mity Engineering or NAV-TV kit?

kenstudios

Back up camera should be standard feature on S550.

JohnH4260

I believe the backup camera is only available in Premium III package (as of JAN 2008).

rays cl55

Buddy has the NavTV/back up cam unit. its not bad, but at the same time its not all that great. Probably cause it was a cheap cam, but I have the set up in other cars and worked out great.

NJS430

I purchased the VIM module from Midcity engineering. The module works perfectly and the cable work that came with it was impressive. All OEM connectors - no cutting or splicing and if you didn't know, you would think it was OEM. Based on my experience, I would suspect their back-up camera is equivalent to the OEM version.

Diesel Benz

The camera lens easily gets dirty, could this have been the issue? Also the OEM camera is not very good at night, did you test it at good daylight?

I guess this camera "only" shows the view, not the dynamic park assist lines? I'm not saying the product would be useless without those, just curious if someone had been able to implement a rear view camera with the assist feature.

trumpet1

This all reminds me that I need to clean my camera. I've been noticing it is becoming blurry I keep forgetting to do that.

ORK1

I wonder how reliable is this backup camera in winter conditions? Does it ever get stuck?

Diesel Benz

The display getting stuck at cold weather?

I guess you expect the camera at the rear turning away when not used. It does not do it (this is at least what I was expecting until I got a confirmation that mine is not faulty when it stays visible all the time). Cold weather is not an issue, dirt on the lens is. Perhaps they should introduce a washer like for head lamps

jbondox

I use a modified eclipse camera, same thing as the navtv premium camera, which is far superior than the factory camera, especially at night

ORK1

Yeah, that's what i thought too, that cam turns away when not used. I think i even read about that somewhere? Can't remember for sure..
Thanks.

XJ9

none of the aftermarket camera solutions have the park-assist feature (e.g. the moving lines). On the 07 MY S class there was a seperate module in the trunk that takes the video from the camera and adds in the lines and sends it off to the command HU. On the 08 MY its different: the command HU itself now draws the lines...

So if you have a 2008 with no camera, you can use an aftermarket camera and get your command reprogrammed to have park-assist. On the 2007 You need the factory camera and the factory park assist module as well as programing for the HU to recognize it.

Diesel Benz

Can you explain why you cannot use the MY 2008 approach for a 2007 car that would not have the rear view camera? Can't you update Comand SW to the same of a MY 2008 car, is the HW different?

XJ9

Theoretically there is really no reason why you couldnt use the 2008 SW on a 2007 car: the command HU unit hardware is the same. The reason why I say "Theoretically" is because I have never heard of a service procedure to do so but that may only be because the number of 221 chassis vehicles without any rear camera was limited. Ideally if you took your vehicle in for the telematics flash to make it like 2008 and then had it coded for park-assist it should work... or would the DAS machine see that it is a 2007 and expect the old seperate park assist module? Its difficult to say until someone tries it for the first time.

Diesel Benz

Thanks, this is something I assumed but always good to have an expert view. I have the camera but would have general interest on the topic, mainly considering the other 2008 SW enhancements.

tanktube67

there is a VIM MODULE on ebay

JohnH4260

Just spoke to the MidCity sales rep yesterday. This is the information he provided about the 2008 S550 backup camera. It will be available for sale late February/early March 2008.

Midcity Engineering
830 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622

tel: 312.421.1114
fax: 312.421.5498
email: sales@midcityengineering.com

2008 S550 Back up Camera approximately $849.00

At Mid City, we have been engineering and installing camera vision and proximity warning systems for over 10 years. We have installed these systems in every model Mercedes-Benz vehicle and have vast experience in designing customized solutions when the factory option is not available.

We design and install rear-vision camera kits that are factory-spec and integrate beautifully with your vehicle. We also build the interface modules that allow your factory screen to display a camera picture and on some models can even program your factory screen to display a rear camera view automatically. Please look in our Gallery for examples of the many camera installations that we have performed over the years.

doktorek

I have a $99 solution.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?Inv...ries-_-JK-119T

I have it on a few other cars. Camera has a 110 degree view. Its wonderful. Just hooking it up - you may be on your own but its as far the best camera we had. They also make them wireless. I have one - if you want it I can sell it to you for $250 with a small 3" screen. No wiring required front to back. Just power hookup.

JohnH4260

Here's another backup camera option, although more expensive than MidCity.

http://www.esotericsoundandperforman...=37&Itemid=113

JohnH4260

Just received this email from Esoteric, for those interested in a backup camera for the S550.

We just program the camera on in the vehicle using the Mercedes STAR computer, then add a camera to it. Usually runs $999.99 installed. I have a plug and play kit (interface and camera) for the DIY people that retails for $799.99 plus shipping. Requires you to know how to remove the trim panels for the trunk, trunk lid, the side moldings, and Command unit.

The camera is a 5 volt high resolution unit that fits in the factory opening

Hope that helps you out,
James Shields
Esoteric, Division of M1 Motors Inc.
28400 Lorain Rd.
North Olmsted, Oh 44070
440.716.2720
440.716.2714 fax
www.esotericsoundandperformance.com
www.ohiomb.com
www.clevelandporsche.com
esoteric@clevelandporsche.com

JohnH4260

Hello Jim,
Thank you for the information. Would you have a .PDF copy of the
installation instructions you could email to me. Thanks.

Reply Below.

Now what fun would that be? LOL, I will have to scan it in on Monday. I am
actually away from the dealership at the moment. But would you be doing it
yourself? I can pretty much walk you through it with some of the short cuts
that I know.

It isn't too bad, but I would expect to make it a weekend project though.

You will need for tools some panel removal tools which are hard plastic pry
tools that won't leave a mark on the material when you use them, a T25 torx
bit, a Phillips screw driver, a few picks, wire cutters, strippers (wire),
and some good quality electrical tape (3M super 33+) Also I would recommend
some super glue that you can find at a hobby store (2 part with a spray
accelerator) and some silicone adhesive/sealant to make life easier for you.

Monday afternoon I will print out the MB instructions to remove the command
system and the trunk panels.

Sincerely

James Shields
Esoteric, Division of M1 Motors Inc.
28400 Lorain Rd.
North Olmsted, Oh 44070
440.716.2720
440.716.2714 fax
www.esotericsoundandperformance.com
www.ohiomb.com
www.clevelandporsche.com
esoteric@clevelandporsche.com

LoveMyCaddy

did you ever get that PDF copy of the installation instructions ?