Retro fit a Reverse Camera?

[ReflexR36]

Hi all, unfortunately my R36 Wagon which I picked up on Saturday did not come with a Reverse Camera - despite ordering one. It was a surprise to the dealer and they are trying to sort it out by retro-fitting one or reimbursing the cash value.

I am after opinions about which option I should go for.

Which camera comes with the R36 Wagon? Is it the one mounted next to the rego-plate light or is it the camera that "pops out" of the VW badge?

Are there consequences to retrofitting? I am worried about rattles...can't stand them.

Is the reverse camera experience worth $700 less in my pocket?

Cheers

[Rocket36]

If you can't reverse without one, then rethink having a licence. That's just a general comment and in no way directed at anyone one in particular. Just an opinion I have regarding reverse cameras.

So no, IMO I would sy the $700 is sbetter spent on something else. And since the order was stuffed up I would DEFINITELY not get a dealer to retrofit it.

[Swallowtail]

Everyone CAN reverse without one, however they are a useful safety device that can provide an additional margin of safety. What price not running over your / your neighbour's child who unbeknownst to you has crawled behind your car? It has happened.

I don't have one, as it was not a fittable option on the sedan, but I would have had it been one.

You have a choice - there are aftermarket options, albeit not as effectively integrated, and unreliable (which is why I don't have one), or you can persist with a VW OEM one - for an idea of what they have to do to fit it, check out Maverick's recent posts on his retro-fit to his Golf at www.my-gti.com. I'm tossing up whether to do a retro-fit to mine...

[G-rig]

Also gives you the confidence reversing at night, as the reversing lights and visability are fairly lacking (at least on the Golf).

Although if they are going to fit one I'd ask for a factory adapter.

[victorwhisky]

I have one in my wifes car (and "should" have one in my wagon when I pick it up tomorrow and I would say that for reversing, they help with distance but are not useful as a primary guide (in my opinion), but as a father, it is worth the $700 and much more to have the comfort factor... I still make sure I know exactly where my daughter is when reversing, but I would never forgive myself if I did not take every precausion (would never forgive myself anyway, but if I can have it, I will have it...)

My two cents...

[richdave]

If I had a suitable display I would get a reverse camera... If you can fit one get one

They should be MANDATORY on station wagons, SUV's and any other cars deemed to have "poor" visibility. There should be a standard for determining this too...

just my 2.2 cents worth inc GST.

[Jayse]

I have one in my wifes car (and "should" have one in my wagon when I pick it up tomorrow and I would say that for reversing, they are needless, but as a father, it is worth the $700 and much more to have the comfort factor... I still make sure I know exactly where my daughter is when reversing, but I would never forgive myself if I did not take every precausion (would never forgive myself anyway, but if I can have it, I will have it...)

My two cents...

and a valuable 2 cents worth mate:

Getting a reversing camera will not diminish nor question your ability to drive a car or hold a drivers license. Just as getting or wanting adaptive cruise control, park assist or blindspot assistance(?) wouldn't either. But a reversing camera might save a lil ones life...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/920586/child-killed-by-reversing-car-in-qld/?rss=yes

Reflex, to answer one of your questions, the camera is fitted next to the rego-plate(08-09 models) though i notice the new gen golf have them popping out of the VW badge, so i don't know if thats changed for the passat wagon.

Good luck trying to get VW to retrofit one...some of the guys who didn't get them in the first batch of June 08 have not got them yet. I think they got refunds etc.

Cheers,
Jayse.

[Jayse]

Oh and ReflexR36,

I hope you're enjoying the R36!!

Cheers,

Jayse.

[ReflexR36]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I have a 18 month old so I am leaning toward getting a camera retro-fitted from a safety point of view (if I can that is).

Oh and ReflexR36,

I hope you're enjoying the R36!!

Cheers,

Jayse.

Cant wipe the smile off my face.

[richdave]

There are plenty of after market options and if your Satnav has a Video input it should be a fairly clean option.

I'm hoping that my next after market satnav has video in so I can fit camera to the wagon.

[DJC]

They owe you more than $700 as compensation. Work out the real cost of a retrofit.

[G-rig]

I'd just get a refund for now unless they can give you a genuine one (kind of like the reversing sensors, factory fitted is much better unless you do what Mav did).

The cost of it would still be cheaper than repairing a rear bumper even if it's just the smallest touch on a bollard or something that isn't visable. I'd still prefer to turn my head to make sure but also look at the screen if that makes sense (mostly just for parking in tight spots or where the visability is rubbish).

[Highlander]

Reversing Camera Safety

If you can't reverse without one, then rethink having a licence. That's just a general comment and in no way directed at anyone one in particular. Just an opinion I have regarding reverse cameras.

So no, IMO I would sy the $700 is sbetter spent on something else. And since the order was stuffed up I would DEFINITELY not get a dealer to retrofit it.

I'll back up the safety angle. We placed 650mm soft bright orange traffic cones less than a metre behind cars in a child centre car park AFTER the drivers got into their cars. (Like a child walking behind the car). Weren't popular but we proved our point. Over 70% of the drivers backed over the cones.

NRMA Reversing visibility index tables show minimum distances 3.5 metres to 12.5 metres behind small cars. (5 to 6 metres for a Polo)

http://www.nrma.com.au/keeping-safe-secure/car-safety/driver-visibility/reversing-visibility-tables.shtml

In my first car a windscreen demister was an extra and seat belts were aftermarket accessories. My first ABS brakes (in 1990) only came as part of a luxury package with a mandatory sunroof of all things.

Ten years from now most rear vision mirrors will probably be reverse visibilty screens connected to a camera.


But being a hypocrite, I ordered my CC V6 today without reversing camera.

[G-rig]

Not having any childeren I still don't understand how they can be behind a car and the parents have no clue where they are (I would have assume they'd be in the car half the time. Unless they are <1 or 2m behind i'm sure you'd hear or see them.

People shouldnt need to justify the gagetry, just get it because you can (and ignore the hates like old rocker36.

[Wolfman_36]

Not having any childeren I still don't understand how they can be behind a car and the parents have no clue where they are (I would have assume they'd be in the car half the time. Unless they are <1 or 2m behind i'm sure you'd hear or see them.

People shouldnt need to justify the gagetry, just get it because you can (and ignore the hates like old rocker36.

Sorry G-rig - have to disagree. Kids are like tadoples and can slip away in no time flat. They have great mobility but minimal self awareness. It is not practical to gaffer tape them to their parents or carers.

Having seen a kid hit and nearly killed by a car - she ran across the road chasing her pet dog - believe me you don't want to go there - even if you are in the right.