Backup Camera

[ynkskikass]

I was wondering if anyone has purchased and installed the OEM camera from Toyota? I think it is a good spot to mount a camera and just wondering how many people have cameras and where they have mounted them. Even if they are not Toyota cameras I would like some info on which work well and where to mount.

 

[kglueck]

not even a search is needed....it's on the first page of the audio/electronics thing... here's the link

or on the sienna forum: here's the link

Kevin

 

[steph280]

The Eclipse BEC103 is the OEM camera for Toyota Sienna/4Runner/Sequoia/LandCruiser and Lexus RX330. It is plug-n-play for the Toyota navi units and costs $180-200. However, only one person I know of on Sienna forum has successfully purchased one, so they are a little hard to come by. Toyota version of this camera can be ordered from Toyota dealer (part # 86790-45010) for a hefty price of about $460.

Based on information on the Sienna forum, I installed a Savv VAC-RV5000NC backup camera (looks similar but slightly longer than BEC103) to the nav unit. If you look at the plug on the back of your navi, with pins labeled as follow:
2 1
4 3

pin 1 would be the center wire of RCA plug, while pin 3 is the outer shield. And I just run power wire from backup light (it is a 12V camera). Theoretically, any NTSC based backup camera will work.

The Sienna link Kevin provided has a lot more details.

Stephen

 

[ynkskikass]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate all the help.

 

[kglueck]

well, I wasn't ever able to get one of the eclipse cameras and finally gave up. I bought a Pioneer ND-BC1 off ebay for $200 shipping included. turns out to be a really good fit. Here are some pictures of the camera, before and after installation. I'll also document how I routed the video wire out of the rear door later on....it was rather hot out while I was doing this yesterday (~100 degrees and quite humid), so I'd had all the heat I could stand.

Here's the link to the webpage: http://vinny.tamu.edu/camera/

Cheers!
Kev

 

[lojeff]

Nice job KGlueck. I am on what seems to be an endless wait list for the BEC but after seeing your success with the Pioneer, I may try that.

Anxious to see your wiring details. Also, how long did it take to install? Is it a after-work project or a weekend type project?

 

[rando]

Nice! I'm still looking for a nice weatherproof USB cam to hook into my carPC.

 

[kglueck]

lojeff- heh...if I hadn't been interrupted as much as I was, it would have gone faster... : When I hooked it up, I had previously already run the wire from the head unit to the back of the 4r, so that part wasn't needed. I'd say, it prolly took me closer to 4 hours or so to do it all. so I'd say wait for the weekend unless you like a late night.

oh, and when you do it, make sure you keep some form of switch hooked up to the release for the back door. I removed my bezel and out of habit closed the door. unfortunately, the bezel was ni my hand disconnected...i.e. I couldn't open the door w/o crawling inside and hooking it up and opening the door again. :

rando- honestly, in my quest to get a camera, I found that most of the regular cameras just weren't up to snuff when it came to low light ability AND hi brightness areas. I'd consider getting one of these cameras made for a rearview camera and then just interface it with one of those video -> usb input devices. that's prolly a more expensive route, but it'll prolly give you a better picture. dunno...ymmv.

I'll try to go back and take a few pictures of how I ran the cable and describe it better. I'll post an update when I've got that done.

Kevin

 

[lojeff]

Finally!!!!

I finally got the eclipse BEC103 camera. Plug and Play, nice and simple. It has a surprisingly good picture.

The installation instructions that came with the unit had a suggested mounting spot on the rear spoiler. I know the factory location is just to the left of the plate but this appears to work just as well. More importantly, it is a much simplier install without having to rip apart the back and I believe it is giving me a wider view behind the 4runner. Total time of install was about 1:15.

Any thoughts on the different mounting? I will post pictures this weekend.

 

[swooopeno]

lojeff...

any luck on those pictures??? I think I like that mounting spot better than the rear hatch.

 

[Luxury]

swooopeno:
I agree, especially because of the short install time.

lojeff:
Does that 1:15 include accessing the back of the head unit?
Where did you get your BEC103 from?

 

[lojeff]

Last minute trip for the long weekend kept me from taking pictures. Hopefully this weekend I will have time.

As for the camera, I got it thru customer service at tweeter.com.

I am convinced the rear spoiler is a very good mounting spot and due the the ease of installation, it is a no brainer. The 1:15 was total install time. There really isn't much to do behind the dash if you have the BEC103. Simply plug and play.

 

[lojeff]

Here is a pic of the camera. This was the only picture that I could post. Others files were too large. (Unless I am doing something wrong)

 

[lojeff]

Trying a different format. I placed a scooter right on the bumper and parked 25ft from the sidewalk.

 

[lojeff]

sorry, the last one, and the more important view, is too big under any format.

 

[Luxury]

Trying a different format. I placed a scooter right on the bumper and parked 25ft from the sidewalk...........sorry, the last one, and the more important view, is too big under any format.

No problem man. Thanks for trying. Maybe some other time. If I am looking at that first pic correct, it looks like the camera sticks out a lot. What am I missing on the scooter pic.....what does it illustrate? Thanks.

 

[bryancos]

You'll need to reduce the image resolution in order to get better compression and a smaller file size..

if you don't have paint shop or adobe, try one of these web based tools: (photo resizer should do what you need)

http://www.webattack.com/freeware/gmm/fwgcomp.shtml

 

[lojeff]

Finally got the third one loaded.

This pic shows the edge of the scooter (which is right up against the bumper) and the beginning of the sidewalk. (which is 25 ft away)

I think the mount on the rear spoiler provides a better look behind the car and is so much easier of an install than trying to run it thru the liftgate and cutting out a hole for it.

 

[rando]

Nice work!

 

[Luxury]

1. To install the camera in my 2003 with factory navigation, does the camera plug into the headunit or into the seperate DVD-navigation unit in the cargo area?

2. Is it the same camera/connection as the one everyone is installing with their camry and solara nav headunits?

The answer may have been posted in one of the navigation-install threads, but I really don't feel like re-reading/searching through all those posts about the rest of the install process.