Frt & Rear cams for aftermarket HU's: Feedback please.

I think Ive made a decision on a HU replacement [1stGen; 19yr old nonJBL radio]: Pioneer DMH 2660NEX. Its relatively cheap [wired AA-CP] BUT, can run 2 Cams.

This Pioneer is capacitive 7", but NOT a hi-resolution screen, thus Im prepared to be a bit disappointed in image quality of Rear or Frt view cam displays. However, I dont really know what kind of cam, let alone Make/Model, to install.
Not opposed to spending up to get best image possible. Been a bit spoiled by my '20 Corolla HBk RrViewCam. I still do a complete head turn to the bk window and all 3 mirrors before brake release when driving any vehicle. The Cam is mostly bumper/fender insurance for the total blind spots, and to make trailer hook-ups a bit easier.
So, I dont know much about current Cam tech, but I see there are 2 kinds of Cam sensors:
CCD & CMOS.
1. Regarding the non-hi-res display of this [480x800 capacitive] Pioneer, does the cam sensor type make a diference in image quality displayed by the display ?

C-field recommended this [never heard of them]:

" Brandmotion 9002-7601
Universal backup camera — license-plate mount and flush mount options
Item #: 212BM7601
In stock
CMOS full-color rear-view camera with standard composite video connectivity
universal license plate and flush mounting options
pixels: 648 x 488 "

2. Seems like Id want at least as many cam sensor pixels as the Pioneer [480x800] can display.
Or am I misunderstanding this spec?

3. On my 1stGenT, Im not opposed to install at the TG Handle; I think view may be better there.
In that case, would think something w/some vertical adjustment would be preferred ?

Appreciate the help; ready to jump on this Pioneer since price and features check out for my use....

 

....crickets
everyone still on LaborDayWeekend..extended stay?

 

I think I'm a little bit confused on what exactly youre asking so I'll just give my personal experience, which is some cameras are better than no cameras.

I have the kenwood dmx908s in my 2nd gen with the kenwood cmos 320 camera for the front and master tailgaters tailgate handle replacement camera for the rear. They both work great with decent enough picture quality to be able to make out objects in both day and night situations.





I've also just recently added the kenwood cmos 230 camera onto my first gen sequoia with the a similar pioneer headunit (the 1770) and it works great as well. The one caveat I've found with that is there are no backup lines but I personally don't really care as I use my mirrors to line myself in a spot like everyone else should.

It is my opinion that so long as you can differentiate objects in front of/behind you from your bumpers, that's all you really need out of additional cameras. Getting nitpicky between camera brands and resolutions is just a waste of time. As long as you attempt to stick to the name brands you'll be okay. Most of the cameras you see for sale are all practically built the exact same with a different housing and/or lens.

 

@Black Beauty 5.7 , Wow..tidy setup.
uhh..ok. Thats a $270 Cam thru a $800 HU; Im a few rungs down fr there..
Otherwise, thats a great answer. Thanks for the info.

What throws a wrench into my thinking about the cam hardware is that of the list the Cams on Crutchfield, the price range is huge. Bottom being $50 and mid being about $200.
Not sure what is acheived by a Cam priced at $150 over a $50 unit? Just trying to factor that out before jumpjng in. I'll do a 'compare' and look closely at specs & Pixel counts.
Is it accurate to assess based on Sensor Pixels, thus my question of matching or exceeding max HU display pixel count [480x800 on this HU]. IE: Should Cam should have more sensor pixels than HU can natively display?....does that make any sense ?

Going back to C-field to review.
Apparently you are content w/Master Tailgaters hardware- Ill be checking them as well.
Appreciate the comments tho...keepin me educated.

 

Most cameras are designed to be used for rear view, so the picture will be reversed if used as front-facing. The kenwood 320 has the option to mirror the camera output so it shows correctly in either mounting location, so that's the one I use for my front. For the rear I did a tailgate handle kit from camerasource.com. They were helpful in configuring exactly which parts I needed.

 

@Mountainmanjh ...of about 24 cams listed at C-field, according to their filter, 19 claim 'front view capable'; even down to the $50 base unit.

 

the extra price you're paying for really is just going into the design of the camera casing, it's mounting hardware, it's wiring, and/or it's additional features. Like stated before, some cameras can be used as either a front or rear facing camera, while others can only be one or the other. The kenwood camera I have on the front of mine is capable of being either on the front or rear as well as can show multiple different viewing angles (ie ultra wide, downward, left vs right, and normal) which is why it costs so much more than others. kenwood also went through the extra work of incorperating it into most of their dashcam-capable radios (like mine) to able to make the adjustments from the radio vs the included button that you would have to mount somewhere in the vehicle.

a brand like kenwood is going to charge more than a brand like Crux for example, because well it's kenwood and they can.

They know that people know they are worth the additional price because they are a trust worthy manufacturer, and have done their due process of making sure they put out a quality product vs where you don't with an off brand product like Crux (no shade on this particular brand, just an example). They also have a MUCH better customer support, that honors their great warranty most of the time. Trying to get a company like Crux to even answer an email is like pulling teeth, and good luck getting them to honor warranties.

So in conclusion, it's up to you on whether or not you find it worth the added cost of going with a name brand product like kenwood. I know I don't like dealing with things more than once, and I figured a cheaper camera is likely going to cost me more in the long run.

Also yes, the mastertailgaters tail gate handle replacement is great. Looks factory without having to deal with mounting somewhere like on a license plate bracket.

I did have to replace my first setup after about a 2 years but it was only due to improper install on my part. The connector where the camera connects with the main harness had corroded and broke the pins after me trying to disconnect it, so I had to order an entirely new setup from mastertailgaters. The reason it was on me was because I didn't even try to prevent dust and corrosion from getting into the connector (which a surprising amount of gets into the tailgate just an fyi) so on the new one I soaked the harness with dielectric grease then sealed it up with a large piece of heat shrink and it's been doing great for about a year now with no issues.

Again, not the companies fault but my own. Maybe they could have put a more sealed connector for the camera, but that's just going to add to the cost of the camera when all it takes is a little bit of dielectric grease sealed up with some heat shrink to make it just as good if not better than a whole new connector.

 

Thanks @Black Beauty 5.7 ...
Not opposed to spending up for an exterior safety hardware and dont disagree w/do it once w/quality components, but my jurys' still out on the 'Big5' [Alp, Pinr, Sny, Kwd, etc] being the end all in Cam quality. Im not even convinced those manufacturers are as good or better at what they do in car audio as theywere 20 years ago, but thats a separate tangent.
Hey, 'you did you' and are happy so far; hard to argue w/user testimony.
Im also looking at Echomaster- they seem to have an established rep and looks like thats all they make. IDK.

 

I’m definitely agree with you on the big 5 not being what they used to be, and I’m not trying to make it sound like what I have is the best there is because it’s not.

I really just urge you to spend the time researching everything (which it definitely seems you are) and to not just buy the cheapest version of anything.

Echomaster makes a great product so I’ve heard. I believe they’re owned by pac-audio which is a major audio parts manufacturer specializing in vehicle integration with wiring harnesses, adapters, modules, and etc. You name it they’ve probably got it.

 

When I added a front cam I installed an "Auto-Vox Cam 7" from Amazon. Been installed over a year no issues. Most popular brand I've heard besides the big brands is Natika. This one is literally identical in appearance to mine and only $40:

$40 NATIKA Backup/Front View Camera,IP69K Waterproof Great Night Vision HD and Super Wide Angle Metal OEM Style Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H852D49

A front cam is not something I would overthink/overspend on, these ~$50 cams have totally good resolution/lenses.



Installation is easy, can see mine mounted under my front emblem above here. Had to snip a few wire loops on the cam to flip/reverse the image but there’s really no reason to spend a ton of money on one, I’d be willing to bet the decent Amazon ones use the same lenses/housings etc. as name brands.

 

@Snert..
Your cam/HU looks very good. Is that Sony a 7" capacitive ?

It [subject] certainly is an interesting market spread for backup [or frt view] cams.

Im only considering the MasterTailgater b/c my OEM plastic TG handle is likely at its most vulnerable days [2006], so the metal w/built in Cam looks well designed and maybe even good wx-proof; not sure about its image quality: one reviewer said 'it could be better' [compared to what tho?] .

MasterTailgater Camera Specs:

• Sensor: ¼” On-Semi (USA) CMOS Active Pixel Array, Lens: Nidec (Japan) (Glass + Plastic)
• Minimum Illumination : .1 Lux light sensitivity
• Signal System: NTSC/PAL
• Effective Pixels: 728 x 582
• Electronic Shutter: 1/50 to 1/100,000 seconds
• Resolution: 600 TV lines
• Angle: 170 Degrees
• Waterproof Rating: IP68
• Power: DC 12V
• Video Cable: 26 Feet (8 Meters)
• 2 yr warranty

 

Yeah it's the XAV-9000ES, has a capacitive screen but the resolution is also 720p vs the more common 480P for screens of that size. For a rear cam/integrated handle set up absolutely I would spend the money on something like the master tailgaters one. Other option would be to get a replacement handle if yours is getting bad, and then surface mount a cam like the Natika one above, like post#7 in this thread:https://www.tundras.com/threads/good-backup-camera-for-the-first-gen.78683/

but I'm guessing cost of a new OE/OEM handle + cam would be as much if not more than the master tailgaters one.

 

@Snert... you're right about the [cost] of Toyo OEM handle + getting a cam to make a clean and reliable mount could be an issue, but looks like a lot of 1stGen guys have done it.
Maybe big plus of User built to Toyo handle would be choice of cam and possible adjustability of lens angle; for those more interested in a good view of trailer hitching or higher view of trailered load...just guessing.

 

Totally, and with 3D printing so available now you could pretty easily get a shim printed for the angle you want, but if the master tailgaters one has the angle you need or close to, I’d wonder if the juice is worth the squeeze to DIY it, I wonder what the camera housing of the master tailgaters one looks like and/or if down the line you’d be able to upgrade the cam when lenses are inevitably better.