hey guys...i had a reverseguard reverse sensor system on my Z06...pretty cool, as it mounts to the license plate...i bought it used, but it was somewhat broken...it'd beep as soon as put in reverse...i tried to disconnect the sensor that was being activated, but the problem was in the brain of the unit...worked great though, and would beep when i came close to objects...i didnt do a write up at that time...

anyway, following is a write up on an install of a reverse camera system...the rite up coulda been better, but i only thought to do it after i was half way done...and since i installed the prior reverse sensors, it moved quickly for me...

just wanna share what i can, since i've got so much great info from you guys...

**DISCLAIMER** i assume no responsibility for you screwing up your car or someone elses if you follow this...double check everything yourself...and it's not my fault either if the monitor falls off the mirror, getting stuck under your brake pedal and causing you to crash ...like i said, i just wanna share what i did...

so- here is the original system...sensors on a license plate frame...retails for $300 (mine was used, so it was less)...i think it's overpriced new, but when compared it to repainting your bumper, i think it's a bargain...no drilling needed, and can move from car to car...

reverseguard license plate...



main unit with brain, power wires, and speaker...this is what i pulled out from my car...



the system i bought...VR3 wireless backup camera system...$113 from walmart...mounts to license plate...i bought one for my aunty's truck, since she has a hard time reversing it, and decided the vette could get one also...the wireless portion is between the camera and monitor...just have to hook up power wires...



my biggest dilemma was to figure a spot to mount the monitor...no way in hell was i gonna mount it on the dash with the stand (look at the box for a pic)...it says it can be mounted to the visor, but was too bulky for the vette's visor...so, i decided to go for the rear view mirror...i thought it's a great spot for it, and would be even nicer if the screen could flip out of view...and the power for it is right there...

a quick run to home depot for a hinge, and i was set...

i used double sided foam tape to secure the hinge to the monitor and the hinge to the mirror...use alcohol to clean the surfaces, and use *HIGH QUALITY* tape...i had a roll of 3M taped designed for automotive use...pricey, but can withstand vibration and heat...

i also needed something to hold it up out of the way when not using it, so i used a neodymium magnet...these particular magnets are rated for 3lbs, and are very strong...i used the double sided tape to attach it to the mirror...

the monitor includes 2 plugs: a cigarette lighter plug and another plug with free wires to hardwire the monitor in...i soldered some pins to the connector with free wires onto it, and just pushed it into the connector in the back of the mirror...

i had these pins lying around in my junk drawer...available at any electronics shop...(you only need 2)...



i figured out ground and power wires from this website...THANK YOU!!!

http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/escort.html

following are pix of the monitor attached to the mirror...yellow thing on the windshield is the car cover...







here's what it looks like with the screen folded up...




screen down with wire tucked...



here's pix of the image on screen (pic taken after i installed the camera, but figured i show it now)...oh, also, the wire isnt tucked away behind the unit yet (sorry, i know i should took pix in chronological order)...but look at the above pics to see the wire taped to the back of the screen, so it's not just dangling there...




onto the rear of the car...

take out the passenger side tailights with a torx bit (sorry, dunno the size off hand)...




pic of the camera mounted...just unscrew the plate and replace...my old license plate frame was the one with sensors, so i had to dig in my storage room for a new frame...all i could find was this one that said SCCA Hawaii Racer...but all that shows is racer...



snake the camera wire up through the access hole (first pic is still with my old license plate frame on)...




pull wire through one of the taillight holes...

 

tap into the reverse light wires...there's a harness that goes to the rear sidemarker light, and branches down...secure the wires that run downward and tap into those...i used disconnects...scotch locks can be used also, but i liked these...green was positive, black was ground...







button everything back together, and you're done!!! beauty about this system is that there's no need to wire the camera to the monitor...just power wires...

camera works great...even in low light conditions...i was surprised at how good it worked...the monitor is blank when the car isnt in reversed, and is switched with the ignition...the monitor takes 2 seconds to stabilize the image...magnet/hinge works great and flips up/down with ease...

the following is for those of you who want to install the reverse guard system (no camera, just the beeps)...and pics arent done too, well, since i was taking mine out and not installing it...but i figured i throw it in here as well...

connections at the rear will be the same...snake wires from above the license plate the same way...

the difference is you need wires to enter into the cabin...there's a rubber grommet in front of the inner passenger side tailight...fiddle with it and get it loose...i then ran the wires on the OUTSIDE of the grommet...i couldnt get it through the grommet...the rubber is pliable, and wires thin enough not to affect the sealing quality of the grommet...what's *not* shown is the sensor wires going into the cabin also...





the cargo net hook on the passenger side unscrews, and the carpeting at the rear of the car pops off...i placed the brain, and power unit close to the latch mechanism with double sided tape...there's a small are where it fit's perfectly...



i routed the speaker to the right side of the car, and tucked it over the edge of the carpeting (sorry, no pic)...i just let it dangle, since it was small and light...cant even see it unless you stick your head under there...i didnt want it behind the carpet, so i could hear it better...button everything back up and your'e done...

hope this helps out some of you...

and thanx for reading this far...

 

Great write up. Thanks for sharing.

Paul

 

Camera is pretty cool, and price is right. Wonder if it could integrate with the NAV screen???

 

i was just thinking the same thing

 

Great job and write up.

 

I mounted the same system in mine but instead of using it for reverse I installed the camera under the nose in front of the 3 pieces that everyone complains about scraping. They system also allows you to use the on / off button on the monitor instead of the reverse connection. Now when I enter a parking stall that has a large parking block or enter parking with a large curb I turn on the system and check my approach. Works great for me. I have a few pics in my gallery but they are pretty small. If any one wants larger pics or more detail please pm me. Did not mean to hijack your tread but found it interesting how this system could be used both ways.
Mike

 

Good write up, thanks.

 

my wife backed into the garage with the tahoe...but....um...whats it for? Do you plan on loaning your car to my wife?

just ribbing you.
nice install

 

Wow, Thats pretty

Thanks for the info. I love all these wireless hi-tech toys.

 

Awesome! You could make one heck of a suspence thriller movie for C6 owners by recording your daily road travels from that angle... down at the front spoiler... the view from there, so close to hitting every tiny irregularity in the road and revealing how vulnerable the car is due to poor ground clearance must be absolutely terrifying! In fact I don't think I'd even want to see it... would be too scary.

 

cool...i never thought of putting it on the front...

dont worry about thread-jacking, we're all here to learn something new...

 

Thanks for the install writeup, I may add one of these, but am thinking a simple backup beeper would probably suit me better.


Has anyone seen a decent wireless backup beeper system?

 

Great write up. Sure wish this was a standard feature in all cars.

 

Reverse sensor??? I believe I must have stumbled on to the "soccer mom forum" by mistake

 

yea, only if you prefer to back into things.

 

I used those exact same pins to make my radar detector power cord. I have the crimp tool for them so I didn't need to do any soldering.

I just put in tail light seals a couple of days ago so I can tell you the torx bit is a T-15.

 

so how does the front screen work, does it only pop on when the camera comes on?

I was thinking of getting one of these and just plugging it into the lighter port in the center console and leaving the screen in the center console assuming it would fit as I can't see behind me when backing up in the vert. But I read in the manual last night that the cigarette ports are always on so I'm guessing I would drain the battery.

 

the way how its wired is that the screen is on with the ignition...there is no picture on the screen (screen stays black) unless it receives a signal from the camera (or some other wireless device)...so, the way i have it wired up, the screen shows an image when the car is placed into reverse...

the screen does pick up stray signasl though-i never noticed it in this car, as the screen is folded up when driving...on occasion, i'll see someone's driveway or a business' overhead view of a register, etc., pop up on the screen...i guess other devices ar transmitting wirelessly on the same frequency...

 

What are the parts circled in red called? I'm familiar with the connectors that plug into those parts. Thank you.