I've done this install using an OEM camera bought from the forum shop,wasnt too bad,the worst bit was the cutting of the hole in the tailgate.
Third Brake Light with Reversing Camera
- Thread starter goldeneye243
- Start date
Standard vw, high line,
Our adapter we supplied already has the reverse feed, so all you need to do is run all the cameras cable down to the front. Plug the camera av cable in and join the red and black camera cables to the red and black on the back of the Kenwood. Switch it on in settings, job done
If you have the standard Highline head unit then you need a interface plus the camera
Perfect, thanks!
How much buddy?
£399.00 interface and Pioneer camera
Worth considering if you want to upgrade the head unit at some point - If you do I don't think that there is much point spending money on the OEM camera and interface when other cameras are better and cheaper.
If you like the head unit and just want a reversing camera then that is different. I personally wanted android auto so changed the head unit...
I agree
I asked the installer that was doing some work on my van to put the reversing camera in and it is flaky to say the least. From what I can gather they have tapped in to the reversing wire circuit for power which is 9v. I guess that the advantage is that the camera is only turned on when reverse is selected.
If it was connected to the red and black wires of the stereo, it would presumably be powered on permanently - Would that affect the lifetime?
They suggested a switched relay would be the answer, and I have seen reference to that in the forum. Does anyone know how much that costs in parts?
Not sure how to proceed as it stands...
If it was connected to the red and black wires of the stereo, it would presumably be powered on permanently - Would that affect the lifetime?
They suggested a switched relay would be the answer, and I have seen reference to that in the forum. Does anyone know how much that costs in parts?
Not sure how to proceed as it stands...
I\we never connect them to the reverse feed as most cameras are affected by the bulb failure system resulting in image interference
To do it correctly, ie power and ground to the headunits switch and ground, results in you having the headunit to display the image when reverse is selected and be able to view what’s behind you when driving, ideal for trailers etc..
the reverse control is done by Can not from the reverse light
Camera are designed to be powered up whilst driving..
I run a Garmin BC30 wireless camera displayed on a Garmin Satnav as there was no way I was going to pay 1K+ for a head unit upgrade.
The power supply for the camera is connected to the reversing light feed.
No issues and a pretty good image with an additional LED floodlight for night use.
The power supply for the camera is connected to the reversing light feed.
No issues and a pretty good image with an additional LED floodlight for night use.
Thanks Absoult5 - I'm sure I can get it sorted 
Has anyone taken a tailgate brake light reversing camera Like this one in the link and swapped out the camera for a higher quality one?
I'm looking for a brake light mounted camera solution as i will likely be using the van with a tow ball mounted bike rack or small trailer which would obscure a camera mounted in the normal place.
The linked unit doesn't appear to have the camera mounting integrated with the light unit like others i have seen which has got me wondering if a combined solution my be the best of both worlds.
I'll be hooking it into an Alpine halo 9 head unit which will hopefully mean i am not restricted on what aftermarket camera i go for.
I'm looking for a brake light mounted camera solution as i will likely be using the van with a tow ball mounted bike rack or small trailer which would obscure a camera mounted in the normal place.
The linked unit doesn't appear to have the camera mounting integrated with the light unit like others i have seen which has got me wondering if a combined solution my be the best of both worlds.
I'll be hooking it into an Alpine halo 9 head unit which will hopefully mean i am not restricted on what aftermarket camera i go for.
I looked at those but the camera wire doesn't come out the back of the light unit and the plugs are usually quite large so you have to drill a big hole in the van to get the camera wire inside. Didn't fancy that. I've got the autovox pro5 and the camera plug is small enough to drill the actual lens itself so you can feed the wire through the brake light unit then I mounted the camera on the lens.
Sticks out a bit more than the one in the link you gave but if you've got a spoiler it would be less noticeable and being up high it gives a more realistic view in the rear view mirror display but I can't quite angle it down enough to see the rear bumper for reversing. If you were fitting a camera just for reversing then that wouldn't be an issue for you.
The problem I imagine with swapping out the camera in the link you provided is the drilling and tapping required to mount the new camera. The screws are teeny like those found on spectacle hinges. Maybe you could glue it in if you're happy using it at a fixed angle?
Sticks out a bit more than the one in the link you gave but if you've got a spoiler it would be less noticeable and being up high it gives a more realistic view in the rear view mirror display but I can't quite angle it down enough to see the rear bumper for reversing. If you were fitting a camera just for reversing then that wouldn't be an issue for you.
The problem I imagine with swapping out the camera in the link you provided is the drilling and tapping required to mount the new camera. The screws are teeny like those found on spectacle hinges. Maybe you could glue it in if you're happy using it at a fixed angle?
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