Back up camera to the nav screen DIY
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
Sorry folks but could you provide an update (as this thread is quite old).
Can any 12v camera mounted directly to the factory headhunit AUX port work ? And if so, do you lose the ability to connect to an idevice?
Can any 12v camera mounted directly to the factory headhunit AUX port work ? And if so, do you lose the ability to connect to an idevice?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 22
From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
So how does the ******* solution compare to https://www.amazon.com/Video-Interfa...6XJA04EYBY9N6J
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From: SOCAL
2004 E55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
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05 E55 AMG, E320 CDI, Turbo E46 M3,IS300 2JZGTE,VQ35 Turbo Maxima, Mercedes 300D
At that price, I would consider replacing the head unit with an Android one. Way more functionality! I have an Android and I have NTG 2.5 in my other car. Bang for buck go for the Android.
So how does the ******* solution compare to https://www.amazon.com/Video-Interfa...6XJA04EYBY9N6J
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 22
From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
Also, what are the advantages of an Avant 2 vs. any standard off the shelf, double DIN unit ?
I think the video interface for ~$200 w/ camera seems like a decent approach. Replacing the headunit + amp(s) will run more than $1k, but will give much better functionality (bluetooth, better NAV, etc.). Whether sound quality improves, I would imagine you would need to replace the speakers and spend considerably more for marginally better performance.
Thanks
Last edited by cij911; Jan 2, 2017 at 09:10 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 55
05 E55 AMG, E320 CDI, Turbo E46 M3,IS300 2JZGTE,VQ35 Turbo Maxima, Mercedes 300D
Well I guess it depends on what you want and what situation you're in. My head unit was on its way out. These are 10+ year old cars and that is to be expected. My head unit CD player was going and it would shut off occasionally.
Pros:
With the newer stuff I can install Android apps.
I can watch videos on the move without video in motion dongles
The unit was $350.
It was plug and play (for the most part). No new amp required.
Decent touch screen
Looks stock
Cons:
It has a couple of quirks. Hangs every now and again and need a pin to reset. Minor issue but annoying
It takes more than a minute to power on. But then most aftermarket ones that I have used take a long time too. I have used Pioneer ones ... Although it's been some time since I've bought one, perhaps newer ones are better?
The support from the companies that sell the unit is non-existent unless you install immediately and check the unit does not have issues. This is probably my biggest gripe. Mine had some issues that I managed to sort out on my own and with the help of forums.
So again depends on where you are at and what you want ... Personally, I'd think twice about investing $200 into a 10+ year old system. If you want to add iPod to it that's another $100+ possibly.
Good luck on the project!
Pros:
With the newer stuff I can install Android apps.
I can watch videos on the move without video in motion dongles
The unit was $350.
It was plug and play (for the most part). No new amp required.
Decent touch screen
Looks stock
Cons:
It has a couple of quirks. Hangs every now and again and need a pin to reset. Minor issue but annoying
It takes more than a minute to power on. But then most aftermarket ones that I have used take a long time too. I have used Pioneer ones ... Although it's been some time since I've bought one, perhaps newer ones are better?
The support from the companies that sell the unit is non-existent unless you install immediately and check the unit does not have issues. This is probably my biggest gripe. Mine had some issues that I managed to sort out on my own and with the help of forums.
So again depends on where you are at and what you want ... Personally, I'd think twice about investing $200 into a 10+ year old system. If you want to add iPod to it that's another $100+ possibly.
Good luck on the project!
The problem for me with units like the Avant 2 is they don't support XM / Sirius (well they can via cell).
Also, what are the advantages of an Avant 2 vs. any standard off the shelf, double DIN unit ?
I think the video interface for ~$200 w/ camera seems like a decent approach. Replacing the headunit + amp(s) will run more than $1k, but will give much better functionality (bluetooth, better NAV, etc.). Whether sound quality improves, I would imagine you would need to replace the speakers and spend considerably more for marginally better performance.
Thanks
Also, what are the advantages of an Avant 2 vs. any standard off the shelf, double DIN unit ?
I think the video interface for ~$200 w/ camera seems like a decent approach. Replacing the headunit + amp(s) will run more than $1k, but will give much better functionality (bluetooth, better NAV, etc.). Whether sound quality improves, I would imagine you would need to replace the speakers and spend considerably more for marginally better performance.
Thanks
