Will new Tesla style ICE/HVAC upgrade improve rear camera performance?

[airforce1]

Hi Guys,

I’m on the fence on replacing my ‘08 LX570 OEM screen but my rear camera resolution is horrible: grainy, low res, and hard to make out anything in reverse especially in the dark.

I was wondering if I replace it with a new Tesla style infotainment system while keeping the OEM rear camera will I see a noticeable improvement in rear camera resolution?

In another words, is the old OEM screen limiting the rear camera capability?

Anyone with any experience?

Thanks!

 

[Kurosawa]

I have wondered if the solution to the poor image quality for all the cameras could be solved very inexpensively by replacing the cameras themselves. I would definitely be onboard with making that simple upgrade but unsure how to source something like that and if a change of hardware would or wouldn't cause the head unit issues. Maybe a more tech minded member will chime in on how that image quality could best be improved.

 

[DPA200]

I know not at all the same, but I recently picked up one of these from Costco and am blown away how much better the quality is compared to my 2008 camera.

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My issue (apart from the quality) was my dual swing bumper blocks all but a narrow lil center view. Quite a few guys on here pulled the hatch apart and moved the backup camera to the swing arm. Personally that looked like a lot of work to still have the same old 08 quality. This bluetooth option, had a lot going for it.

The Pro's:
• 720p (sounds low by todays standards, but light years ahead of the factory resolution)
• 5 minute setup (actually took 5 minutes)
• the camera has solar so zero wiring or charging
• Completely reversible if I ever want to take out could do in 5 minutes
• Nothing tapped into any of the factory electronics

The cons:
• Because it's not at all wired to the system, doesn't automatically activate when you switch to reverse. easy enough though, you just wave your hand in front of the screen to turn the monitor on
• Monitor needs 12v power, so I had to neatly tuck a cable from the dash/monitor to the cig outlet

Otherwise, pretty nifty solution for under $200. I think i got the idea from @Markuson several years ago but just never moved on it. Then my neighbor was bragging about the Costco deal and the solar power so I took the plunge.

Again, I'm aware this is not in the same ballpark of a tesla style screen and new camera, but under $200 and easy to undo. Win win for me

 

[kcjaz]

I have wondered if the solution to the poor image quality for all the cameras could be solved very inexpensively by replacing the cameras themselves. I would definitely be onboard with making that simple upgrade but unsure how to source something like that and if a change of hardware would or wouldn't cause the head unit issues. Maybe a more tech minded member will chime in on how that image quality could best be improved.

I’ve wondered the same. I started a thread about this, though my interest was the front camera. Didn’t get a lot of response but basically it comes down to determining which is the bottle neck, the camera or the head unit screen. If you replace both, I’m sure you can improve what you see. If you replace the camera, the screen will become your limiting factor. I never found the OEM screen or camera resolution specs to answer the question.

 

[Kurosawa]

I’ve wondered the same. I started a thread about this, though my interest was the front camera. Didn’t get a lot of response but basically it comes down to determining which is the bottle neck, the camera or the head unit screen. If you replace both, I’m sure you can improve what you see. If you replace the camera, the screen will become your limiting factor. I never found the OEM screen or camera resolution specs to answer the question.

Yeah we are on the same page kcjaz, my priority would be the front one as well, I find it very helpful when picking a line on steep rocky inclines without a spot but the resolution is pretty awful. Second would be the side cameras and then the back would be more of a luxury really since cars in parking lots show up well enough but rocks on trails are harder to pick out on that front camera.

 

[brasskey]

Don't think upgrading the screen will do anything to improve camera resolution. It's like if you had a 720p security camera at your house with an old 720p monitor. If you upgrade your monitor to 4K, the picture coming from the camera will not improve. Unfortunately, there's just low quality cameras, head unit, and rear screens in the 200 Series. I think the only way you could get a better picture is to find a way to upgrade the cameras to a higher resolution and also upgrade the head unit to something like the Tesla-style units that are HD quality.

 

[Markuson]

I know not at all the same, but I recently picked up one of these from Costco and am blown away how much better the quality is compared to my 2008 camera.

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Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Type S Solar 6.8" HD Monitor Wireless Backup Camera at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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My issue (apart from the quality) was my dual swing bumper blocks all but a narrow lil center view. Quite a few guys on here pulled the hatch apart and moved the backup camera to the swing arm. Personally that looked like a lot of work to still have the same old 08 quality. This bluetooth option, had a lot going for it.

The Pro's:
• 720p (sounds low by todays standards, but light years ahead of the factory resolution)
• 5 minute setup (actually took 5 minutes)
• the camera has solar so zero wiring or charging
• Completely reversible if I ever want to take out could do in 5 minutes
• Nothing tapped into any of the factory electronics

The cons:
• Because it's not at all wired to the system, doesn't automatically activate when you switch to reverse. easy enough though, you just wave your hand in front of the screen to turn the monitor on
• Monitor needs 12v power, so I had to neatly tuck a cable from the dash/monitor to the cig outlet

Otherwise, pretty nifty solution for under $200. I think i got the idea from @Markuson several years ago but just never moved on it. Then my neighbor was bragging about the Costco deal and the solar power so I took the plunge.

Again, I'm aware this is not in the same ballpark of a tesla style screen and new camera, but under $200 and easy to undo. Win win for me

Part of my rationale for my solution was that I wanted a rear view option whether I was in reverse or not. So mine works independent of the head unit and independent of reverse. I just poke a switch for on or off, and the screen I added sits next to the passenger A-pillar…so looking at it is basically like glancing at the passenger side mirror.

Personally, I like the ability to leave it on any time I want to. Also…the camera, screen and wire was a grand total of about $70.

 

[DPA200]

Part of my rationale for my solution was that I wanted a rear view option whether I was in reverse or not. So mine works independent of the head unit and independent of reverse. I just poke a switch for on or off, and the screen I added sits next to the passenger A-pillar…so looking at it is basically like glancing at the passenger side mirror.

Personally, I like the ability to leave it on any time I want to. Also…the camera, screen and wire was a grand total of about $70.

Yeah on or off whenever i want is a handy feature, something I didn't even think of before.

I tried dash and windshield mounts, and everywhere i placed it annoyed me and blocked vision and had a sloppy looking power cord. I was ready to return to Costco, when I found that magical perfect "passenger A-pillar" location, which is super easy to hide almost all of the power cord behind trim pieces going down under the glovebox and coming up where the passenger left knee pad is. Doesn't block any visibility and looks neat and clean. 1 other thing i may try in the future is with my particular model you can pair 2 cameras to it, so that'd open up the option for us with earlier models to be able to add a front camera as well for wheeling.

 

[kcjaz]

I’m thinking about something like this after I install my rear bumper and swing outs.

G840H | 12“ 2.5K Smart Rear View Mirror Camera, with 32GB SD Card - WolfBox Mirror Dash Cam - https://wolfboxusa.com/product/g840h-12-mirror-dash-cam-backup-camera-2-5k/

it clips to the review mirror.

 

[airforce1]

Don't think upgrading the screen will do anything to improve camera resolution. It's like if you had a 720p security camera at your house with an old 720p monitor. If you upgrade your monitor to 4K, the picture coming from the camera will not improve. Unfortunately, there's just low quality cameras, head unit, and rear screens in the 200 Series. I think the only way you could get a better picture is to find a way to upgrade the cameras to a higher resolution and also upgrade the head unit to something like the Tesla-style units that are HD quality.

Yes understood….but I needed something that would keep the camera integrated in the system as stock as possible.

I was wondering those with aftermarket rear cameras, can you show the mount location and did it look integrated well with the trunk?

Any pictures would be helpful.

 

[DPA200]

Yes understood….but I needed something that would keep the camera integrated in the system as stock as possible.

I was wondering those with aftermarket rear cameras, can you show the mount location and did it look integrated well with the trunk?

Any pictures would be helpful.

Mine is just a license plate frame that has integrated camera and solar, zero wires.