Add 2nd Rear LowLux Cam at bumper, Monitored by Fusion

[AirstreamGT]

Wow, that is an impressive undertaking to improve the camera quality and viewing angles. Do I dare ask how you ran the cables all the way up to the fusion?

I noticed the feature with the Fusion headset to add a camera feed. Has anyone attempted to split the camera feed with the back-up monitor and get it to display on the fusion as well, as a much smaller task than what Alex took on? I drive a tesla and I'm so used looking on the main display for back-up camera vs. using an actual rear view mirror. Its not a big deal, I put the airstream in reverse, stare at the fusion headset, and when no camera view displays I remember to look up, like the "old days".

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by AirstreamGT

Wow, that is an impressive undertaking to improve the camera quality and viewing angles. Do I dare ask how you ran the cables all the way up to the fusion?

I noticed the feature with the Fusion headset to add a camera feed. Has anyone attempted to split the camera feed with the back-up monitor and get it to display on the fusion as well, as a much smaller task than what Alex took on? I drive a tesla and I'm so used looking on the main display for back-up camera vs. using an actual rear view mirror. Its not a big deal, I put the airstream in reverse, stare at the fusion headset, and when no camera view displays I remember to look up, like the "old days".

AIRSTREAMGT - A few ways to do this. First, the power can be obtained via numerous locations close to the rear doors (i.e. MB rear light harness, MB trailer connections, AI house electricals/batts if need be, etc. The video feeds can be combined with roof cam and then split at the windshield mounted monitor. Or run a separate long video cable. Or in my case wireless transmitter. I chose wireless for ease of use & testing. I thought it may be a problem due to distance (transmitter is buried inside rear door, its panels & insulation, receiver is buried under Fusion) but it works well now, maybe with a quick flicker every now & then, no big deal. So will probably leave in place unless interference becomes an issue.

It is not hard to feed the monitor feed from the windshield monitor down to Fusion. Just split the video feed from the wiring bundle above. It is accessible by removing overhead dome light assembly. Then split either wired or wireless method. The Fusion feed is clearly labeled behind head unit. Need to remove front center console dash trim & panel. FWIW, I wont bother splitting the rooftop cam feed for 2 reasons - cam has really terrible resolution and I dont like that bird's nest view.

I do agree, having driven cars with trunk mounted cams and being so used to them with display on head unit, it's nice to see it at console unit as soon as you shift to Reverse

Pics of overhead dome light & Fusion center console dash wiring harness. Do not expect your wiring bundle to look like these. I have spent many weekends taking apart & re-doing my wiring bundles to this level.

[wachuko]

Alex, any chance you kept the links to the components used? I do not want to think or research... just blindly get what you got and do the install

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Alex, any chance you kept the links to the components used? I do not want to think or research... just blindly get what you got and do the install

WACHUKO - I will send you and/or post info sometime tonight. I know it's all Amazon stuff. FYI - while the cam image is an improvement over OEM, I do not recommend this unit even mn though surprisingly I got a Sony CCD one. Why - it runs very hot, even though not on all the time, which means it wont last. Besides, I only used it for testing. I want to get a Natika one, much lower lux for night time. But the one I have is an external mount. If I can get flush mount Natika, I will order one. Otherwise, may have to breaknopen the case or do external mount.

[Alex AVI]

WACHUKO - Here links from Anazon. The Gzzsh wireless transmitter & receiver includes the flush mount cam that is a Sony CCD. Personally, I prefer the Natika. Even though I have the Sony in there now & working, I will eventually put the Natika in its place even if it means its not flush on the license plate light assembly. Sometimes, a better night vision cam is worth the compromise of external mount.

Gzzsh Wireless Color Video Transmitter and Receiver Night Vision 170°View Angle Car Rear View Camera with Guide Line, Flush or Bracket Mounting
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Tran.../dp/B01N7F2LOR


NATIKA 720P Backup/Front View Camera, IP69K Waterproof Starlight Night Vision High Definition and Super Wide Angle
https://www.amazon.com/Backup-Waterp.../dp/B078ZZSKQ2

[wachuko]

Excellent! Thank you Alex. Interesting... it is the same camera (Natika) that I was looking at for a forward/backward view system in my truck...



Will place the order today. Thanks again.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Excellent! Thank you Alex. Interesting... it is the same camera (Natika) that I was looking at for a forward/backward view system in my truck...

Will place the order today. Thanks again.

WACHUKO - I have had good luck with Natika. Only problem is I still can not find a flush mount Natika. That one can be used as rear, forward, side, guide lines or no guide lines depending on which wire you snip.

[Alex AVI]

Comparing OEM to Aftermarket

OEM Rooftop counted image below, fed into OEM windshield mounted monitor.
Click image for larger version


Aftermarket license plate light assembly flush mounted cam image below, fed into Fusion head unit.

[dickrjc]

Hi, I just bought a 2018 AI Grand Tour, essentially brand new, with 4000 miles. The very first thing I noticed, backing out of the parking lot, is how POOR the backup camera is. I am very interested in how to hook it up to the Fusion monitor-or being able to tell a technician how to do it. Does it come on when you put it in reverse? Is it hard wired from the new camera? Other than that, I am still trying to figure out how all the other components work!
Cheers

[Pahaska]

The cameras are on all of the time. When there is a turn signal, it switches to the appropriate mirror camera; if not, the rear camera is displayed.

The rear camera on my 2018 was pitiful when I bought the rig. The cameras on the mirrors were great. A little tweaking of the controls on the display and all three cameras are acceptable. I had to lose a bit on the mirror cameras to get a good image on the rear camera.

[romanf17]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

The cameras are on all of the time. When there is a turn signal, it switches to the appropriate mirror camera; if not, the rear camera is displayed.

The rear camera on my 2018 was pitiful when I bought the rig. The cameras on the mirrors were great. A little tweaking of the controls on the display and all three cameras are acceptable. I had to lose a bit on the mirror cameras to get a good image on the rear camera.

Can you describe how/what you tweaked?

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by romanf17

Can you describe how/what you tweaked?

Too long ago to remember. I just played with contrast, color, and brightness till I had a compromise.