Thinking about a backup camera

[Dirt Rider Dan]

I am thinking about having a backup camera installed and I do not know what is all involved. I have a young daughter and we have plenty of kids in the neighborhood not to mention my 5' 3" wife trying to back up. We have not ordered our Titan yet but do I need to purchase a certain package to allow for a camera? For instance, the DVD NAV package.

Any ballpark prices on something like this?


Any info would be helpfull.

[donmecca]

I had one installed when I got my DVD w/ three monitors. The front 7" TFT Color monitor is installed on the passenger visor and the back-up camera is wired to it. The camera is made by Eiger ($98.50) and has excellant wide angle range, color and clarity. However, judging distance is tricky and I still use my mirrors to make sure I don't hit anything close.
The wiring is under the truck, through the firewall and to the fuse-box. I had mine wired so the camera comes on only when in reverse, otherwise it is off. It is possible to wire it so it can be active no matter what gear you are in by selecting one of the two monitor modes on the remote control, Screen-01 or Screen-02. I use screen setting 02 for the DVD. The cmaera is about 1/1/2 inches wide by 1-1/4" tall and is mounted on top of my hitch but under the protection of the bumper step at the license plate.
My only gripe is that it is not 100 watertight, the installer recommended that I keep the lens cap cover over the lens when not in use, which can be a pain. If the camera is submerged in a flooded street or boatramp, or gets an excessive amount of water in it from a direct hit by the waterhose or carwash the warranty is voided.
There was another model which was 100% waterproof but it required drilling into the bumper, surface mounting off center with a screwdown bezel on the backisde.
Overall I'm glad I have it, especially when I'm at the mall, grocery store and a park. Just be sure to always check your mirrors for periphery and distance.

[Silver SErfer]

I had one installed as a part of the new audio system that I just finished (pictures pending). I have a 7" Alpine DVD head unit that the camera runs to. It comes on automatically in reverse. It is screwed into the bottom of the bumper slightly off center, and above the hitch. I had them put it there because when I put a drawbar in, I will be able to see the ball so I can back it under a trailer on my own. The wiring for it runs along the factory wiring harness, and into the cab via a factory grommet behind the rear seats in the back wall of the cab on the pass. side. I will post pics of the complete install later.

[Geoff]

I had one installed put in the plastic of the tailgate opposite the keyhole so now I have two symmetric holes in the plastic piece (also there is no metal behind that section so the install was not too bad. Like others I have it wired to my Alpine head unit and it can be turned on manually or it comes on automatically in reverese. The camera is water tight, has great varied light capability (works fine at night with backup lights) and good color.

Oh, the installer had to put a relay in to control the automatic on as there was enough fluctuation in the reverse circuit that the Alpine head unit was momentarily turning the camera on when the turn signal was activated. So now the reverse circuit powers a relay with in turn signals the head unit.

We have lots of kids in our neighborhood also and just really wanted piece of mind that it was clear behind when backing up.

Geoff

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by Dirt Rider Dan

I am thinking about having a backup camera installed and I do not know what is all involved. I have a young daughter and we have plenty of kids in the neighborhood not to mention my 5' 3" wife trying to back up. We have not ordered our Titan yet but do I need to purchase a certain package to allow for a camera? For instance, the DVD NAV package.

Any ballpark prices on something like this?


Any info would be helpfull.

My understanding is that you need a source switcher (pretty expensive) to hook a camera for display on the stock NAV screen. IMHO you are better off going with the cheapest possible Nissan radio, with the concept of going aftermarket for all audio/video/NAV.

Check this thread:

DVD on Front Navigation Display

[Silver SErfer]

Originally Posted by Geoff

Oh, the installer had to put a relay in to control the automatic on as there was enough fluctuation in the reverse circuit that the Alpine head unit was momentarily turning the camera on when the turn signal was activated. So now the reverse circuit powers a relay with in turn signals the head unit.Geoff

I'd be interested to hear more about the relay setup. I too have noticed that the turn signals are enough to fool it into thinking that I am going into reverse, causing the display to switch for a half-second or so. Is there any way that you could get some more detailed info about how the installer set that up? A wiring diagram maybe

-Chris

[Dirt Rider Dan]

It sounds like most of you did it yourself. I love the satisfaction of doing something myself but I just had a friend who installed his own backup lights and a couple months after he had a small fire behind his rear bumper (chevy) so I am a little nervous.

What can I expect to pay for someone to install it for me?

I don't have my truck yet but I am trying to plan every detail before I buy. I am looking at the LE.

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by Silver SErfer

I'd be interested to hear more about the relay setup. I too have noticed that the turn signals are enough to fool it into thinking that I am going into reverse, causing the display to switch for a half-second or so. Is there any way that you could get some more detailed info about how the installer set that up? A wiring diagram maybe

-Chris

I will look into it. My understanding is that it is just the positive on the reverse lights run to a relay (instead of the head unit) and this switches a 12 volt source (cig lighter outlet, etc.) to the head unit. So the minor voltage changes do not trip the relay and the head unit sees a clean 0 or 12 volts on the reverse line. I will see if there is more to it.

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by Dirt Rider Dan

It sounds like most of you did it yourself. I love the satisfaction of doing something myself but I just had a friend who installed his own backup lights and a couple months after he had a small fire behind his rear bumper (chevy) so I am a little nervous.

What can I expect to pay for someone to install it for me?

I don't have my truck yet but I am trying to plan every detail before I buy. I am looking at the LE.

I paid $200 for the camera install. It actually took them about 2.5 hours to get the tailgate install just right and relay set up done (once we noted the turn signal issue). I have done tons of stereo installs, but these days I am just too busy and know too little about the nuances of the alpine nav system, camera hook ups, etc.

Oh, almost forgot, they installed an AC inverter (or would that be a DC inverter?) that I had in the center console and added aux AV jacks as part of the $200 so maybe $100 to $150 was for the camera. Note, these guys also did my entire system so I am not sure what the price would have been for just the camera.

[donmecca]

My camera is an Eiger, $95.00, the install was part of the overall package but the labor was intense under the truck running the wires properly. I would say about 2.5 hrs. at $25 to 35 per hr. is fair.