I put in a new radio last year. It's a Kenwood DNX891HD, 7" screen with Garmin nav. It has a provision to hookup a front or rear backup camera.

So after much research I bought a camera on amazon.
It can be mounted on a vertical or horizontal surface. Very good quality. I wasn't interested in buying one of those $20 Chinese camera's on ebay and hope it lasts a year. Also looked at the license plate frame models but decided to go with a permanent mount. Finding a good location for the camera and getting one that fits took some research.

The hardest part of the installation was get the cable from the left rear panel by the taillight to the passenger door floor area. The rest was fairly easy.

I'm very happy with the quality of the picture. Did I really need it? Probably not but it does help backing into tight area's.
I have some photos but I'm not sure how to add them here.



Wireman

 

Cool!

 

Are you doing anything for theft deterrent other than the factory alarm system? I'm looking doing something like for in my Sierra but I'm concerned that's it's just going to make it an attractive break in target.

 

Click the link in my Sig. Or search"how to post pictures".

 

I'm not really worried about theft. I only have the factory alarm. I'm retired, the car is garaged most of the time and it's not sitting outside much at night. Most people wouldn't think I would have a $1K stereo in it. It's a pretty low key car, not like a Vette or other high dollar vehicle. Hope these pics came through.

Thanks DONBREW. Couldn't have done it without your help.



Wireman

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That turned out really nice.

 

does the camera give you the guide lines or is that generated by the head unit?

 

Very cool, nice pictures of your good work!

 

Thanks for the photos! Nice work!

You have an advantage. I am frequently in places where even leaving small change in the car could cause a broken window. When we travel the truck may sit for hours on end at a lonely trail head while we are hiking.

The unsavory are not afraid to put their eyes up to the windows looking for valuables, so the notion of being "low key" doesn't really mean much to a thief.

 

The guidelines are with the camera. You have the option of not having them by cutting a looped wire in the harness, I prefer having them for now but that could change later. I have that part of the harness behind the plastic panel at the top of the rear window which is easy to access if needed.

As I mentioned before the camera can be mounted either on a vertical or horizontal surface. The camera orientation will change depending on how it is mounted. I had to cut another looped wired to flip the image. So the camera comes wired as if you mounted it on a horizontal lip. Mine is on the vertical panel.

This is a important issue to check when buying a camera. Some were not mountable on a vertical area. Most are designed to mount on a horizontal panel. Something to beware of.

I know in this day and age we are at the mercy of low life's. I guess those problems aren't going to stop me from doing what I want to do. Everyday is a crapshoot. Just taking my chances like everyone else.

Wireman