I've decided to keep my 2010 for the long haul and now am ready to take the plunge to upgrade some things. For BSM and Rear Cross Alert, I'll probably have Brandmotion kit installed. There are some good license plate cameras with nightvision, ie, Garmin so that leaves the LCD display which I hate. It's brightness has faded and is more yellow like. It's horrible in the bright sun and for night vision. So what should I do to improve? Do I need to replace the LCD and then add something like the Grom Vline unit? Is there anyone here that has tackled the LCD and changed to using a different camera and warning system? Thanks in advance.
Need suggestions for upgrading LCD display, safety features, and electronics (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter LCMemphis
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If you "need" all those toys, I suggest a new vehicle. No amount of hacking and slashing with aftermarket add-ons will get you the real thing.
Be careful with adding technology to "improve" safety.
These rigs have two invaluable safety features are all but lost in most modern vehicles and technology. These two features are also physical features that won't wear out or fail as they age. They don't have electronic modules that fail unexpectedly.
1. Low belt line = large windows (vertically) = fantastic visibility all around. Even the rear quarter windows (between C and D pillars) are large with great visibility.
2. Large mirrors: Aimed correctly eliminates blind spots. The auto tipping function is a luxury, but not necessary and does help with backing into parking spots.
Just today driving a rental car in the snow highlights the shortcomings of modern electronic safety "nannies". The adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, etc. all wigged out because they were covered with winter schmootz. Backup cameras can't see squat; below is the view via the backup camera, so one is forced to look through the rear windows to back up. However, rear visibility is horrible because the windows are so small in the name of, um, style, so it is rather difficult to back up confidently.
No, thank you. Give me big glass and windows all day long.
These rigs have two invaluable safety features are all but lost in most modern vehicles and technology. These two features are also physical features that won't wear out or fail as they age. They don't have electronic modules that fail unexpectedly.
1. Low belt line = large windows (vertically) = fantastic visibility all around. Even the rear quarter windows (between C and D pillars) are large with great visibility.
2. Large mirrors: Aimed correctly eliminates blind spots. The auto tipping function is a luxury, but not necessary and does help with backing into parking spots.
Just today driving a rental car in the snow highlights the shortcomings of modern electronic safety "nannies". The adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, etc. all wigged out because they were covered with winter schmootz. Backup cameras can't see squat; below is the view via the backup camera, so one is forced to look through the rear windows to back up. However, rear visibility is horrible because the windows are so small in the name of, um, style, so it is rather difficult to back up confidently.
No, thank you. Give me big glass and windows all day long.
In general I would second the advice above; I don’t think it’s worth trying to add a whole host of electronic safety features into an older/existing vehicle. If a 2013-15 nets you the headunit, headlights, camera(s) etc that you need that may work. If you really require BSM or other features you may need to consider a 2016+ on trade.
I previously attempted to add some of these types of features to a 2007 F150 many years ago and it was not a pleasant experience. Ultimately after a large sum invested I still didn’t have the functionality I was hoping for.
And as stated above the visibility out of a 200 series is world class. Genuinely. If you’re constrained by budget, I personally would choose the 200 series visibility, stoutness, reliability, etc over a newer vehicle with some of these safety features you’re looking for.
I previously attempted to add some of these types of features to a 2007 F150 many years ago and it was not a pleasant experience. Ultimately after a large sum invested I still didn’t have the functionality I was hoping for.
And as stated above the visibility out of a 200 series is world class. Genuinely. If you’re constrained by budget, I personally would choose the 200 series visibility, stoutness, reliability, etc over a newer vehicle with some of these safety features you’re looking for.
