I want to install a bu/rv camera in my C5 but also want the stealthiest setup I can mount. I'm looking for at least 135 deg. wide-angle lens, high res., night-vision, and CCD (not CMOS). It will be hooked to a Kenwood DNX7140 HU to the bu input. I'm more interested in the bullet-style rather than the license-frame, bracket-mount or square form-factor cameras.

Any suggestions for the brand/model? Kenwood makes a camera for this HU but it's a square-bodied format and not quite what I'm looking for.

 

Search for "CCD 5XS"

Wiring routes through license plate screw hole
1/4" Low light color camera
Ultra small connections
DIN Connector and RCA Outputs
Reversed image for rear mounting
150 Degree wide angle view
Electronic auto iris

 

Thanks, KJ. Nice option.

 

I'm looking for the exact same specs for my truck. KJ, do you have that camera? There is only one review on Amazon and it was not favorable.

 

I use this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CCD-LICENSE-PLAT...item3c9e55b96a

 

Hmm . . .that actually does not look too bad. How is the image quality? How is it hooked up on your setup - directly to your HU or independently?

 

If you're willing to consider discrete frame mount cameras, check out post #5 here

 

Thanks, I am happy with it.

I use one for the front also.

I got very tired of scrapping the underside.

Image quality is super.

System is an AVIC-N4

 

Pretty nice - I like the idea of having one in the front as well. Cool idea.

I have spent years designing fixtures and products and incorporating cameras into them - particularly dealing with miniature fiberoptic endoscopes that are used to thread up the spinal canal to diagnose issues - and some of those camera heads are somewhat similar to these but had different mounting requirements. Typically, the head was far remote to the lens system which was very tiny.

I have a 9V 1/4" CCD Sony camera that is no longer made but has most of the capability I'm looking for includung great low-light capability. I wonder why they aren't using smaller form-factor stuff like this yet - maybe no demand for it yet. With a wide-angle lens set, this could work nicely.

1/4" CCD unit


Camera head


1/4" CCD can be seen


Here's the end one of my fiberscopes that not only incorporates a 0.5 mm multi-element objective in the very tip, but also contains the glass imaging and illumination fibers within a 1.2 mm diameter sheathing. This gets inserted into the spinal canal.


Anyway, the factory BU camera in my H3 Hummer is pretty stealthy-looking. It's mounted next to the license plate on the driver's side of the bumper.


The image is transmitted via a dedicated processor under the driver's dash to a motorized LCD screen that pops out of the rearview mirror when I shift into reverse and then pops back in when I shift out of reverse. This works great and has a surprisingly good image for such a small screen.


The screen has hash marks that delineate the envelope of the vehicle so the driver can discern how close the vehicle is to other objects. The hash mark outline is corrected for the lens distortion and for the offset of the camera mounting position from the center of the vehicle.

 

What about this one?

Farenheit CCD-4XS
• 1/4” CCD 0.3 Lux Low Light Color Camera
• Ultra Small Connections for Stealth Mounting
• Din Connector & RCA Outputs
• Reversed Image for Rear Mounting
• Wide angle 161 degree
• Electronic Auto Iris
• Adjustable mounting bracket
• Dimensions: ¾” x ¾” x 1”

 

the hummer setup is sweet

 

I like some of these units. I am thinking about picking one up for when I install a 6140 into my wife's car.

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions, guys. Plenty to consider for sure.

 

FYI, I just installed one on my truck. It has a apx 180* view, crystal clear and amazing at night. IMO, though, it is too wide of an angle. Sure I can tell if something is behind me, and I can see my trailer hitch very well since it is in the center. However, it is too wide of an angle to backup safely with it. Depth perception is all off. I think something like a 100-120* would be better.

 

So how would you hook this up? I'm thinking about getting this for my Kenwood 6140. I'm thinking RCA video to the back of the HU. What about the other two wires?

 

What "other two wires" (other then power and ground)

If you mean sharing front and back cameras through one video input, a relay wired through the reverse switch will do.

The AVIC I have dropped the front facing camera input when going forward (safety BS).

If you have aux video inputs then you select (which I don't care for).

 

Ok so a ground wire, a video wire to the HU, and a power (via backup light).

I also want to be able to turn on the rear camera without going into reverse. What kind of switch do you use for that?

 

I connect the power for the camera to the acc power, not through the back up light.

On mine, this is available at the power ant connection.