I need to add a backup camera to my two Fords: 2005 Expedition and 2012 F250. The F250 is easy. I'm going to put in the tailgate handle OEM and display it on a Gentek mirror w/homelink too - unless someone has a reason not to!

The Expedition is where I need help. I'm going to put in a Gentek autodimming mirror with display. But what camera do I get for it? There are options from $8 from Hong Kong on ebay all the way to $300 for name brands like pioneer. I'm not too picky on where it is mounted (license plate on top, license plate light hole, or hole on the bumber, or even the Ford emblem). But I don't know how to decide which camera. CCD, CMOS, resolution, "night vision", or illumination are all options I see out there. Too many to navigate.

Can someone with some video experience give me some advice on how to chose the proper camera. As it stands, I'm thinking I'll go with a cheap license plate mounted camera and see how it looks. Then move on up if it's no good. Someone can probably save me a lot of money and time with trial and error if you are willing to take the time to post.

Some options I think I'd like: 1. small, inconspicuous 2. Guide lines on the screen 3. night vision, if it is for real
Thanks,
welbo97

 

Subscribing.

 

Darn. I was hoping you had all the answers.

Well here is what I've gathered so far:
1. Rostra makes a nice turnkey setup with almost all of the options I want for either vehicle. They have several choices of camera technology as well as mounting styles. Technology meaning resolutions and CCD or CMOS, styles meaning Emblem, complete tailgate latch or just the camera to go on your latch, license plate mount, and lots more. They also have several display options with a nice OEM look that replace the rearview mirror. And more non-oem options like stand alone displays.
2. I'm pretty sure any of these cameras will be compatible with any display, so mix and match shouldn't be a problem if I decide to.
3. I ran across a tundra forum where one person made the comment that CMOS is a cheaper, lower quality alternative to CCD, specifically referring to the Rostra cameras. However, I ran across a photography forum that claims CMOS will produce better images at night, however all in reference to high end photography equipment- maybe not applicable to these cheaper backup cameras.

So I'm not a lot closer to figuring out which camera to go with. I will add that Rostra appears to have a system that will put 4 reverse sensors and 2 forward sensors combined with a buzzer, very similar to the OEM system. I really like the idea of forward sensors and will almost surely put them on the Expedition.

I'll keep y'all updated.
welbo97

 

These cameras are like everything else, you get what you pay for, buy a cheap camera, you get a cheap camera, I have the Pioneer myself mounted to the top of my truck camper that's hooked up to my Pioneer navigation system that I can turn on while going down the road to keep an eye on my trailer while pulling it. As far as the stock tailgate camera (which I loose when I pull the tailgate off) when I have the truck camper loaded, I also bought a factory harness that goes from the tailgate camera to the plug in under the truck, bought another Pioneer that I wired into this harness and mounted it to the bottom of the camper so I can see the trailer hitch and it comes up in the mirror display when the truck is in reverse, it works great

 

I tend to agree with you on that. Occasionally you can find a deal out there though!

Your camera needs are a little different than mine but that is a neat setup. You can only see so much of your trailer in the mirrors.
In my case, there won't be a trailer and the tailgate/camera mount won't be removed, or at least rarely. So in applying your experience to my situation, is your Pioneer camera CCD or CMOS? Does it have any ability to see at night? What is the resolution and do you find it adequate?

 

Here's the camera that I have. Pioneer ND-BC6 Universal rear-view camera at Crutchfield.com The specs shown should answer most of your questions. I find this camera to be very light sensitive at night with the light from the taillights to be adequate to light things up enough to see well, the resolution of the camera I also find to be very good. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

I'm anxious to hear what you learn as well. I have also seen several YouTube videos showing that CCD cameras were better than CMOS, but my office installs security cameras and they are all Sony's Exmor version of CMOS and the images are really very good. I think it all really depends on the specific camera compared to any other camera.

 

I too have a pioneer...had it about 6 months and the lens is blurry from internal condensation. Maybe I got a bad one, but the shop which installed it, is giving me a new one. Say's he's never had a problem with the pioneers and certainly says, it shouldn't have condensation being a sealed unit.

Other than that, picture is good during the day and night time, it's pretty bright.

I'm running it on an Avic-z150 head unit so i get the choice of using assist lines or just leaving them off. I also like the split screen so I can watch what's behind me on the screen whilst driving

 

I have an 08 Super Crew with OEM camera and rear view mirror display. The camera is great the display is just too small. My wife drives an E 450 30' motor home pulling a 20' horse trailer. I set it up with 3 cameras and a 7" TFT display on the visor. There is a camera on the rear bumper of the motor home to use to hitch up the horse trailer, a camera on the back of the horse trailer to back up the whole rig and a camera inside the horse trailer to keep an eye on the horses. All three cameras are different manufacturers, all are cheap, all are CMOS and all do a good job. The display has 2 inputs and there is a switch on the dash to select between camera 2 and 3. It is hard to find CCD cameras for this kind of application that don't break the bank. I also have an 08' Super Duty 4x4 that has the same type 7" display with a single camera for trailer hook up, cheap camera, has been in service for several years and works like a champ. My feeling is, for the price, buy a couple spare cameras and go for it. The hard part is finding cameras that don't have the stupid lines and flashing "STOP" on the screen.

 

Hey guys, I'm in the same boat. I really only need the camera for hooking up my trailer, so I won't be using it that often. What's the easiest, cheapest way to have a display in the front of the truck? replace the rearview mirror or headunit or some other option?

Thanks in advance.

 

I just picked up the TaoTronic license plate camera from Amazon. It got fantastic reviews there. It arrived today but I haven't had a chance to install it. Build quality feels excellent. It's metal, very durable feeling, and has 8 IR LED's for night use. I'll let you all know as soon as I install it how well it works. Using Pioneer AVH-P4900DVD as the screen.

 

Anyone have thoughts on the easiest way to get a display in the front? I see that you can buy a rearview mirror with the camera display in it, or get yourself a programmer like the SCT Livewire, and use that screen for the camera display. I don't really need a programmer though . . .
I have no interest in messing with my stock stereo.

Looks like the Edge Evolution or INsight CTS can be set up with cameras too.

 

I bought a 7" TFT LCD display with 2 video inputs and put it on the visor. You have all kinds of choices on Amazon. Less than $100.00 will get you a monitor and 2 cameras. They are not top of the line but for back up camera gear they work fine. I don't care for the rear view mirror units because the image is so small. I also don't care for the guide lines because they clutter up the view.

 

I find that for a backup camera the cheap cmos camera does a good job, I am not trying to read a newspaper. My use is hooking up to trailers most of the time.

 

Don't buy the peak brand one for $35 at fleet farm. It's trash. I haven't used any others