I saw one of these, a few times, skulking around the neighborhood. I haven't found out where it lives yet. Maybe it's just visiting.
I didn't know Aston Martin made a SUV.
Yeah its the DBX. There is an Austin Martin Dealer in the town I work in, actually it's right down the road abet a few miles. Just about every car make is down that road and sometimes when I do a particular errand at lunch I drive down the road to take a peek at the cars on their lot as I drive by. The AM dealer does have several DBX's out front.
Now what gets me is that they have a car model named Valkryie and one named Valhalla. Since Valhalla is the Norse heaven and you are taken there by the Valkyries if you buy a Valhalla do you also have to buy a Valkyrie to take you to your Valhalla?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The one advantage to the 29 year payout is that if you blow all the money in the first year you get to start over the next year. After a few years you may figure out how to stop blowing it all.
And, the downside to that long payout is that nobody can predict what will happen to the income tax rates over that time. Remember when the top tier tax rate was north of 70%? That was only a generation or two ago.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
Exactly! That's what I am trying to say and have looked for for 4 years now. You'd think that if they can send a man to the moon they could make a rear camera device that operates on it's own batteries, or on solar power.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
Exactly! That's what I am trying to say and have looked for for 4 years now. You'd think that if they can send a man to the moon they could make a rear camera device that operates on it's own batteries, or on solar power.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
Exactly! That's what I am trying to say and have looked for for 4 years now. You'd think that if they can send a man to the moon they could make a rear camera device that operates on it's own batteries, or on solar power.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
Exactly! That's what I am trying to say and have looked for for 4 years now. You'd think that if they can send a man to the moon they could make a rear camera device that operates on it's own batteries, or on solar power.
This one still need to be plugged into cig lighter to generate power to the batteries; "We can directly connect battery packs to the cigarette socket in the vehicle."
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
Exactly! That's what I am trying to say and have looked for for 4 years now. You'd think that if they can send a man to the moon they could make a rear camera device that operates on it's own batteries, or on solar power.
This one still need to be plugged into cig lighter to generate power to the batteries; "We can directly connect battery packs to the cigarette socket in the vehicle."
OK, my point is that you should be able to find a cordless dash cam with a little bit of work, between tennis, pickleball and watching judge shows on TV.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
Exactly! That's what I am trying to say and have looked for for 4 years now. You'd think that if they can send a man to the moon they could make a rear camera device that operates on it's own batteries, or on solar power.
Top one was on Amazon.UK but not on Amazon U.S.A. I checked some...still have to be plugged into cigarette lighter. I have spent hours on this, can't find one that has it's own batteries.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
Exactly! That's what I am trying to say and have looked for for 4 years now. You'd think that if they can send a man to the moon they could make a rear camera device that operates on it's own batteries, or on solar power.
man, read what I wrote! the $49 one either plugs into the 12v outlet, or you can connect it to the reverse lights (and no, that is not connecting it to the Mercedes wiring network that nobody wants to attempt). it is basically like replacing a single socket with a double so you can plug in the 2nd wire.
and the $129 one is solar powered and connects to the headunit vis bluetooth. That I think is battery powered so occasionally you need to plug in to the usb port (or take it in the house) to recharge. But that has no wires and zero connection to the car.
@stickguy If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
IOW, you want one that has a self-contained battery, as you don't want a cord or wires.
Exactly! That's what I am trying to say and have looked for for 4 years now. You'd think that if they can send a man to the moon they could make a rear camera device that operates on it's own batteries, or on solar power.
This one still need to be plugged into cig lighter to generate power to the batteries; "We can directly connect battery packs to the cigarette socket in the vehicle."
OK, my point is that you should be able to find a cordless dash cam with a little bit of work, between tennis, pickleball and watching judge shows on TV.
......and taking Trixie for a few walks during the day. My days are full, I don't know how I used to have time to go to work. I do look from time to time but though they say wireless, they usually mean just the camera is wireless....but the monitor seems to need to be hardwired or plugged into the cig lighter...except the cheaper one @stickguy mentioned looks like a possibility.
Anyone got an opinion on it? They say it attaches to the backup lights wiring, and that probably won't interfere with the MB main wiring. There is a more expensive updated version which is probably worth the extra $40. Do you see anything that can go wrong...is it foolproof, I don't want to mess up the wiring in the MB. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DVNWNDH/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza
I haven't seen wired into backup lights mentioned before, it seems so simple and sensible, yet they are hardwired or have a wire going to the cig lighter.
man, read what I wrote! the $49 one either plugs into the 12v outlet, or you can connect it to the reverse lights (and no, that is not connecting it to the Mercedes wiring network that nobody wants to attempt). it is basically like replacing a single socket with a double so you can plug in the 2nd wire.
and the $129 one is solar powered and connects to the headunit vis bluetooth. That I think is battery powered so occasionally you need to plug in to the usb port (or take it in the house) to recharge. But that has no wires and zero connection to the car.
See above. The first less expensive unit can be wired to the backup lights, that is a possibility, the second is solar powered just to get the signal from the camera to the monitor. btw, this isn't my full time job, I can only do what I can. I think I watched a few videos of the more expensive one, saw the ugly cord, and assumed both worked the same way.
I saw there was some YT video, didn't watch it, that recommended investing in collector car instead of the stock market.
I wouldn't get a collector car as an investment as a collector anything is a bad investment.
I have read that rare stamps and coins can be an excellent investment and hedge against inflation. I've never tried it, I think you would need to be a very enthused hobbyist to have the detailed knowledge necessary to invest wisely.
It's the transaction process that kills the investability of collectibles. Always a middleman trying to take a big chunk on both ends.
Same thing trying to own physical gold. You have to buy at retail plus and sell at wholesale.
I saw one of these today for the first time in real life and I thought it was a Mercedes. It had the same shape as an MB wagon.......looked really nice. Too bad they introduced it just as wagons were going out of style in North America.
Too bad they introduced it just as wagons were going out of style in North America.
The real problem (shamefully) is that wagons were never IN style in the US. Oddly, on the used market, wagons always seem to command a premium over their sedan counterparts.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
not sure about in style but back in the 60s-70s at least they were every where. Maybe function over form, but they were the perfect vehicle for families. Same way that minivans took over that role in the 80s-90s.
@stickguy I am not sure about the backup camera. I asked a question, can it be hooked into the tailights. Yojimmy replied that I can do that, and then just plug the monitor into the cigarette lighter....no need to hardwire it into the car. Now I am asking what if I don't want a cord going to the cigarette lighter? It looked good in theory, just not sure if the monitor can work without a power source.
There was some fuss over the complexity of the clam shell tailgate on the 71-76 GM full size wagons and that the design also compromised cargo capacity. Our neighbor had the typical light metallic green 71 Chevrolet Kingswood and I marveled watching the back window and tailgate disappear into the roof and floor. As a 12 year old I thought that was beyond cool.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
@stickguy I am not sure about the backup camera. I asked a question, can it be hooked into the tailights. Yojimmy replied that I can do that, and then just plug the monitor into the cigarette lighter....no need to hardwire it into the car. Now I am asking what if I don't want a cord going to the cigarette lighter? It looked good in theory, just not sure if the monitor can work without a power source.
that unit works off of 1 power source. If you hook up to the reverse lights, that is the power for the entire system, so no need to plug into the 12v outlet. Conversely, if you don't care about having it automatically turning on when going into reverse, can skip connection to the lights and just plug it into the 12v and that powers the head unit and camera.
one benefit to that I think is since the unit always has power, you can turn the camera on when the car isn't in reverse if you want to. You can also hook up a camera on the front plate too if you want, and have front and rear views.
I got a 12-month subscription to Sirius XM with my BMW.
I got mail from them today offering an additional 3 months for free. The catch? You can't get the extra 3 months unless you give them credit card info.
Not sure what unit youse guys is focusin on, but my son wanted a dashcam, so I picked out one for his uncle to buy him for xmas. What you have to watch for is the power requirements. His does not accept 12v. The lighter plug is also a power adapter that reduces it to 5v. I also don't want a cord in his way, so hardwiring it means soldering the key-powered hot to the lighter adapter and tucking that in the dash. This unit has both front and rear cameras. The rear camera is powered by the feed that connects the 2 cameras together (monitor is the rear side of the front camera). The rear camera does also have a separate signal wire that you can connect into the reverse lights, but this is NOT a power wire. I found no need for the signal wire since the camera comes on with the key and you'd see the rear view all the time in the small monitor. I mounted the front cam/monitor kind of below/behind the rearview camera. Just enough to see it but adds a very minimal amount to the view obstruction out the windshield.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
@stickguy I am not sure about the backup camera. I asked a question, can it be hooked into the tailights. Yojimmy replied that I can do that, and then just plug the monitor into the cigarette lighter....no need to hardwire it into the car. Now I am asking what if I don't want a cord going to the cigarette lighter? It looked good in theory, just not sure if the monitor can work without a power source.
that unit works off of 1 power source. If you hook up to the reverse lights, that is the power for the entire system, so no need to plug into the 12v outlet. Conversely, if you don't care about having it automatically turning on when going into reverse, can skip connection to the lights and just plug it into the 12v and that powers the head unit and camera.
one benefit to that I think is since the unit always has power, you can turn the camera on when the car isn't in reverse if you want to. You can also hook up a camera on the front plate too if you want, and have front and rear views.
Good info. I did write back to Yojimmy to see if he had an answer. So it sounds like you think this thing is pretty foolproof huh. I just want to check with my neighbor to see if it something he could install for me.
Not sure what unit youse guys is focusin on, but my son wanted a dashcam, so I picked out one for his uncle to buy him for xmas. What you have to watch for is the power requirements. His does not accept 12v. The lighter plug is also a power adapter that reduces it to 5v. I also don't want a cord in his way, so hardwiring it means soldering the key-powered hot to the lighter adapter and tucking that in the dash. This unit has both front and rear cameras. The rear camera is powered by the feed that connects the 2 cameras together (monitor is the rear side of the front camera). The rear camera does also have a separate signal wire that you can connect into the reverse lights, but this is NOT a power wire. I found no need for the signal wire since the camera comes on with the key and you'd see the rear view all the time in the small monitor. I mounted the front cam/monitor kind of below/behind the rearview camera. Just enough to see it but adds a very minimal amount to the view obstruction out the windshield.
Driver will be swinging by your place in a few days to get hooked up.
@stickguy I am not sure about the backup camera. I asked a question, can it be hooked into the tailights. Yojimmy replied that I can do that, and then just plug the monitor into the cigarette lighter....no need to hardwire it into the car. Now I am asking what if I don't want a cord going to the cigarette lighter? It looked good in theory, just not sure if the monitor can work without a power source.
that unit works off of 1 power source. If you hook up to the reverse lights, that is the power for the entire system, so no need to plug into the 12v outlet. Conversely, if you don't care about having it automatically turning on when going into reverse, can skip connection to the lights and just plug it into the 12v and that powers the head unit and camera.
one benefit to that I think is since the unit always has power, you can turn the camera on when the car isn't in reverse if you want to. You can also hook up a camera on the front plate too if you want, and have front and rear views.
———————————————— I’m pretty sure that to be able to view both the front and rear cameras the monitor would have to be capable of receiving two video input signals and that would require a split screen monitor. There is nothing wrong with that but I doubt you’d get that for the price shown in your link.
A way for the single video input signal monitor to work would require a manually operated dual video input switch with one video output going to the monitor. However, again the cost will go up and you will NOT be able to see both camera signals at the same time when using a video switch like the one I described above.
You’ll have to pick your poison.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
though I do have some boxes of old electronics parts downstairs that I moved and need to sort through, and I am sure there are a few A/B switches and cable splitters in there!
Against my better judgement I checked out backup cameras on Amazon yesterday. The ones powered by the reversing lights seem pretty simple. You locate the hot wire going to those lights and tap into it with a sharkbite type connector and that becomes your power source. The camera and the dash screen receive power and signal from wires going to them as appropriate. It didn’t seem too difficult. I’m sure any autosound place could do it pretty quickly.
though I do have some boxes of old electronics parts downstairs that I moved and need to sort through, and I am sure there are a few A/B switches and cable splitters in there!
———————————————— I can’t see @driver100 doing anything other than shifting into reverse and watching the monitor.
As for those old video game A/B switches, they may not have sufficient shielding that the new video signals need today but it wouldn’t hurt to give those to @driver100 since he wouldn’t know the difference anyway. He’s probably still trying to figure out how the muffler bearing works that he got 20 years ago when he thought he’d try becoming a DIYer.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Against my better judgement I checked out backup cameras on Amazon yesterday. The ones powered by the reversing lights seem pretty simple. You locate the hot wire going to those lights and tap into it with a sharkbite type connector and that becomes your power source. The camera and the dash screen receive power and signal from wires going to them as appropriate. It didn’t seem too difficult. I’m sure any autosound place could do it pretty quickly.
that would be very simple. the reason nobody was touching it is he wanted to have it integrated into the cars display screen.
I added a backup camera to my aftermarket head unit in the Charger. That’s a whole different scenario, though. It would probably be less troublesome in an MB to replace the whole thing than try to get the OE head unit to do what you want.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Just to be clear, originally I thought I'd like it hooked up to where the original screen was, integrated into the dash...I was thinking it would be worth $500 to $600 to have that done. One place said they could do it, but a lot of audio shops said they wouldn't touch it.
Then I looked into the after market units that sit on the instrument panel. They would have to run wires all through the car and the monitor would have to be hard wired (which they wouldn't do on an MB) or run the famous cord to the cigarette lighter.
These units are kind of what I envisioned they should be making. I am first going to see what my neighbor who is good with this stuff says, and if not I can see if there is a shop that will install it. It won't be me..........most things I end up breaking or creating a costly repair.
Practically all aftermarket head units have a video input these days. The camera taps into the power from the backup light(s), and sends the picture and a turn on signal to the head unit in the dash. You only have to run one cable from the rear of the vehicle to the dash, that one cable is a shielded RCA type cable, and will include a single wire molded to the side of the shielded video cable to carry the turn on signal.
And by "turn on signal", I'm referring to a signal to the head unit to switch to displaying the input from the camera.
Trying to integrate with any OEM type system can be nearly impossible. And in some cases, trying to replace the OEM system is more trouble (and cost) than it's worth. Some factory systems are easy, you have a double DIN opening in the dash, and Crutchfield (or others) can sell you a wiring adapter. Other OEM systems are much much more difficult to try and replace.
@stickguy, the camera was $49 that you found, near the bottom of the page it says there is a newer model for $84. Which one is best for me? I think the newer model has things on it I don't need, but it is better it might be worth the extra $35.
I did not look at the newer model. I would go with it for the small price difference. Probably mostly the same but maybe slightly bigger screen, better resolution, a few extra features or improvements. Though most likely the cheap one would do what you need and you wouldn't miss anything!
@stickguy Good answer, and probably the new one has any bugs worked out of it. I got a reply from an Amazon customer about the power supplied by backup lights......
"I hooked mine up to my backup lights and it worked fine." Now I need to buy it and find someone who will install it.
@driver100 said: @stickguy
Good answer, and probably the new one has any bugs worked out of it. I got a reply from an Amazon customer about the power supplied by backup lights......
"I hooked mine up to my backup lights and it worked fine."
Now I need to buy it and find someone who will install it.
By the time you get a back-up camera or its equivalent installed on your car, many of us will have passed on and you’ll have fewer posters to haunt about this - but new posters who replace us might find your plight intriguing - who knows?
So for the sake of us older folks, get this done before we are not among the living! 🤪😜
I was messing with the settings on the BMW and it was starting to frustrate me a little. I told the voice lady, "bite me". It plotted a route to Waite, ME.
Good answer, and probably the new one has any bugs worked out of it. I got a reply from an Amazon customer about the power supplied by backup lights......
"I hooked mine up to my backup lights and it worked fine."
Now I need to buy it and find someone who will install it.
By the time you get a back-up camera or its equivalent installed on your car, many of us will have passed on and you’ll have fewer posters to haunt about this - but new posters who replace us might find your plight intriguing - who knows?
So for the sake of us older folks, get this done before we are not among the living! 🤪😜
I am starting a Go Fund Me fund. The sooner you all contribute the sooner I can get this done.
@driver100 said:
I am starting a Go Fund Me fund. The sooner you all contribute the sooner I can get this done.
For several years now, we have all struggled with your posts about not having a back-up camera on your “old” C Class. Finally, you might have a solution but you are again coming up with excuses - wiring, cost, positioning, to name a few. Now you want us to pay for it! OK, I pledge $1.00 to your project!!! 🥸😜🤪
Good answer, and probably the new one has any bugs worked out of it. I got a reply from an Amazon customer about the power supplied by backup lights......
"I hooked mine up to my backup lights and it worked fine."
Now I need to buy it and find someone who will install it.
By the time you get a back-up camera or its equivalent installed on your car, many of us will have passed on and you’ll have fewer posters to haunt about this - but new posters who replace us might find your plight intriguing - who knows?
So for the sake of us older folks, get this done before we are not among the living! 🤪😜
I am starting a Go Fund Me fund. The sooner you all contribute the sooner I can get this done. ———————————————— Keep waiting. I’d rather croak.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Comments
I haven't found out where it lives yet. Maybe it's just visiting.
I didn't know Aston Martin made a SUV.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Now what gets me is that they have a car model named Valkryie and one named Valhalla. Since Valhalla is the Norse heaven and you are taken there by the Valkyries if you buy a Valhalla do you also have to buy a Valkyrie to take you to your Valhalla?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
If you can spend a few $ extra, this one has zero wires. claimed 3 minute DIY installation. if you can screw on a license plate, you can install this. Looks like you have to turn it on when needed though since not wired into the reverse lights.
Maybe I am being too particular but that backup camera has one big problem that I am trying to avoid. It has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter. The ideal would provide power through it's own battery. With this one, and similar ones, you have to have to plug it into the cigarette lighter. That means you have a cord hanging down all the time, when I pack up on average for 30 seconds a day. I'd rather not have one if that is the case.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
https://nerdknowbetter.com/best-battery-powered-dash-cam/
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/rf-best-products-uk/best-cordless-dash-cam-for-cars
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
"We can directly connect battery packs to the cigarette socket in the vehicle."
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
and the $129 one is solar powered and connects to the headunit vis bluetooth. That I think is battery powered so occasionally you need to plug in to the usb port (or take it in the house) to recharge. But that has no wires and zero connection to the car.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I do look from time to time but though they say wireless, they usually mean just the camera is wireless....but the monitor seems to need to be hardwired or plugged into the cig lighter...except the cheaper one @stickguy mentioned looks like a possibility.
Anyone got an opinion on it? They say it attaches to the backup lights wiring, and that probably won't interfere with the MB main wiring.
There is a more expensive updated version which is probably worth the extra $40. Do you see anything that can go wrong...is it foolproof, I don't want to mess up the wiring in the MB.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DVNWNDH/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza
I haven't seen wired into backup lights mentioned before, it seems so simple and sensible, yet they are hardwired or have a wire going to the cig lighter.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Too bad they introduced it just as wagons were going out of style in North America.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
one benefit to that I think is since the unit always has power, you can turn the camera on when the car isn't in reverse if you want to. You can also hook up a camera on the front plate too if you want, and have front and rear views.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I got mail from them today offering an additional 3 months for free. The catch? You can't get the extra 3 months unless you give them credit card info.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I’m pretty sure that to be able to view both the front and rear cameras the monitor would have to be capable of receiving two video input signals and that would require a split screen monitor. There is nothing wrong with that but I doubt you’d get that for the price shown in your link.
A way for the single video input signal monitor to work would require a manually operated dual video input switch with one video output going to the monitor. However, again the cost will go up and you will NOT be able to see both camera signals at the same time when using a video switch like the one I described above.
You’ll have to pick your poison.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Like I said, to do that requires a video signal switch so you can select your preferred view.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
though I do have some boxes of old electronics parts downstairs that I moved and need to sort through, and I am sure there are a few A/B switches and cable splitters in there!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I can’t see @driver100 doing anything other than shifting into reverse and watching the monitor.
As for those old video game A/B switches, they may not have sufficient shielding that the new video signals need today but it wouldn’t hurt to give those to @driver100 since he wouldn’t know the difference anyway. He’s probably still trying to figure out how the muffler bearing works that he got 20 years ago when he thought he’d try becoming a DIYer.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I added a backup camera to my aftermarket head unit in the Charger. That’s a whole different scenario, though. It would probably be less troublesome in an MB to replace the whole thing than try to get the OE head unit to do what you want.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Then I looked into the after market units that sit on the instrument panel. They would have to run wires all through the car and the monitor would have to be hard wired (which they wouldn't do on an MB) or run the famous cord to the cigarette lighter.
These units are kind of what I envisioned they should be making. I am first going to see what my neighbor who is good with this stuff says, and if not I can see if there is a shop that will install it. It won't be me..........most things I end up breaking or creating a costly repair.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
And by "turn on signal", I'm referring to a signal to the head unit to switch to displaying the input from the camera.
Trying to integrate with any OEM type system can be nearly impossible. And in some cases, trying to replace the OEM system is more trouble (and cost) than it's worth. Some factory systems are easy, you have a double DIN opening in the dash, and Crutchfield (or others) can sell you a wiring adapter. Other OEM systems are much much more difficult to try and replace.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Good answer, and probably the new one has any bugs worked out of it. I got a reply from an Amazon customer about the power supplied by backup lights......
"I hooked mine up to my backup lights and it worked fine."
Now I need to buy it and find someone who will install it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
By the time you get a back-up camera or its equivalent installed on your car, many of us will have passed on and you’ll have fewer posters to haunt about this - but new posters who replace us might find your plight intriguing - who knows?
So for the sake of us older folks, get this done before we are not among the living! 🤪😜
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
By the time you get a back-up camera or its equivalent installed on your car, many of us will have passed on and you’ll have fewer posters to haunt about this - but new posters who replace us might find your plight intriguing - who knows?
So for the sake of us older folks, get this done before we are not among the living! 🤪😜
I am starting a Go Fund Me fund. The sooner you all contribute the sooner I can get this done.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
For several years now, we have all struggled with your posts about not having a back-up camera on your “old” C Class. Finally, you might have a solution but you are again coming up with excuses - wiring, cost, positioning, to name a few. Now you want us to pay for it! OK, I pledge $1.00 to your project!!! 🥸😜🤪
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
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Keep waiting. I’d rather croak.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)