Nightvision Front Camera Retrofit?
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
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From: Earth
2012 W212 | 2016 W205
Nightvision Front Camera Retrofit?
I just purchased a S350 06 model however it doesn't have the Front Nightvision camera option ( i thought they all had it, nevermind!)
Is it possible to retrofit it. I doubt it's that hard to retrofit, I believe all i would need is the camera, wiring loom and have the computer recoded at a dealer.
Could somebody point me in the right direction.
Is it possible to retrofit it. I doubt it's that hard to retrofit, I believe all i would need is the camera, wiring loom and have the computer recoded at a dealer.
Could somebody point me in the right direction.
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223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
I have not looked at the parts costs, I doubt it can be done properly at $3000 (parts) but one should really check the real cost. This car would most likely need a new windshield too.
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From: Earth
2012 W212 | 2016 W205
Would it be possible to just purchase a night vision camera and mount it behind the front grill and then purchase a new light panel and get the computer recoded?
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223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
To be OEM equivalent, you would need new headligths with IR emitters (replacing your high halogen high beams by the way).
I guess I got your "light panel" point, yes you need the switch to turn the camera on. Of course you would need version coding but I don't consider that a bid deal.
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From: Ohio
'10 S550 4Matic, '06 BMW M5
Go with the folks who say it's nearly useless. I tend to agree with them, though I've never had it myself. It's useless to me because I don't drive much at night, and I live in a densely populated area, so animal incursions are less likely. I'll take my chances with regular old headlamps, HID of course.
Your situation might be different. If it's crucial, just get a car that has it instead of going to the trouble of monkeying with yours.
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From: Atlanta
05 CL65 AMG, 07 Ferrari F430, 03 Range Rover HSE
We do have nightvision retrofits. They serve many many purposes, including animal (or human) avoidance. The one we have is far superior to the factory Ratheon unit. Ours is by FLiR, and it is the same the military and police use. Very uncanny to be able to turn your lights off (we don't recommend this, we just did it during a video and testing) and you can see even further down the road than with headlights ever made possible. Incredible unit, but not too cheap. They are military grade and nearly indestructible. They do mount behind the grill regular grill (no new grill needed)
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
I've also found that when you have it on, you spend so much time looking at the dash that you don't actually think about driving. Its like driving on a video game, and its awkward to get your actual vision from a tiny screen as opposed to out the glass.
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From: Atlanta
05 CL65 AMG, 07 Ferrari F430, 03 Range Rover HSE
Can be true....as a pilot, you are actually trained to trust your instruments... so it was a little strange, but I got used to it quickly.
I use it for wildlife and coplife at night. I can see them hiding beside the road WAY before my headlights can see them...lol
I use it for wildlife and coplife at night. I can see them hiding beside the road WAY before my headlights can see them...lol
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From: Houston
2010 S550 W221
2010 s550 night vision
I believe, s550 is equipt with night vision camera on the windshield but there is no switch next to headlight *** (what gives?) If this is an option, can purchase that switch and install it as i assume all the wiring is there too. Thoughts/suggestions?
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w221
We do have nightvision retrofits. They serve many many purposes, including animal (or human) avoidance. The one we have is far superior to the factory Ratheon unit. Ours is by FLiR, and it is the same the military and police use. Very uncanny to be able to turn your lights off (we don't recommend this, we just did it during a video and testing) and you can see even further down the road than with headlights ever made possible. Incredible unit, but not too cheap. They are military grade and nearly indestructible. They do mount behind the grill regular grill (no new grill needed)
can u help me with nivi retrofit?
i have some question ofc not for free
+48883935995 can u text me on my whatsapp
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Never mentioned in all the responses is the fact that there are different headlight units that correspond with night vision. A conversion would include new headlight units in addition to the camera. The switch, whatever needs to be done to the instrument cluster, on, and on.
Your basic headlight performance is then degraded when these headlights are installed. My GL with just halogen lighting and +100 H7 bulbs gives better high beam performance than my CL with night vision.
Besides, and as previously noted, night vision is much more distraction than useful tool. It should only be viewed in short glances.
Your basic headlight performance is then degraded when these headlights are installed. My GL with just halogen lighting and +100 H7 bulbs gives better high beam performance than my CL with night vision.
Besides, and as previously noted, night vision is much more distraction than useful tool. It should only be viewed in short glances.
Last edited by lkchris; Jan 3, 2021 at 07:40 PM.
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From: Toronto & California
2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2016 C300 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC (Totaled), 2006 E350 (Sold)
Possible, but very expensive
Just off the top of my head, you'll need at least:
New Switch to the left of the steering wheel
Headlights (IR is via headlights)
WIndshield
Coding
Camera itself
Not worth the retrofit IMO
Just off the top of my head, you'll need at least:
New Switch to the left of the steering wheel
Headlights (IR is via headlights)
WIndshield
Coding
Camera itself
Not worth the retrofit IMO
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W221 S Class
I'm considering moving the night view camera to the rear windscreen (or installing another camera ) By doing this, I can have a permanent rear view camera in the dash with data overlaid. No need to hack the electronics, just reroute and extend the cable. I think this will be more useful than night view . Night view is a feature that I found to be desirable, but not one I that use.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 545
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From: Toronto & California
2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2016 C300 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC (Totaled), 2006 E350 (Sold)
I'm considering moving the night view camera to the rear windscreen (or installing another camera ) By doing this, I can have a permanent rear view camera in the dash with data overlaid. No need to hack the electronics, just reroute and extend the cable. I think this will be more useful than night view . Night view is a feature that I found to be desirable, but not one I that use.
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W221 S Class
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CLK55 W209, CL63 W216
Indeed. It's a 10 pin LVDS cable that's a specific length. You'll pick up a ton of noise if you dramatically change the length of the cable and/or extend it incorrectly. Camera also only works in dark conditions and is zoomed in. It's useless as a backup camera.
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W221 S Class
Night View image with car on a lit forecourt with IR and headlights blacked out.
Last edited by Kwarior; Jan 12, 2021 at 05:48 PM.
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2010 S550 4Matic
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S500
the last thing any one sensible wants is to reduce night vison by more than 50% to add a gimmick you'll never use
its impossible without a passenger to get any safe use from this toy... but its fitment means you do lose the inner high beam lights the car desperately needs
its impossible without a passenger to get any safe use from this toy... but its fitment means you do lose the inner high beam lights the car desperately needs
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From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
My 2008 S550 has the night vision thing, and where I live there are often people walking at the side of the road at night wearing all black. Dunno why, maybe they all have a death wish. I don't drive much at night, but when i do, I notice this thing does help to see those fools better. I keep my eyes on the road, but if a person shows up on the screen I notice them. I do think it is crazy to try to make a non-equipped car have this, rather than to simply just buy a car that came with it from the factory.
