Backup Camera Question (Page 1/2)
Threedog AUG 07, 09:42 PM
I am installing a backup camera and was wondering if people found the license plate mounting sufficient in terms of view and if they liked the way it looked?

I was thinking about hiding it in the trim on the bumper (just dremeling out a hole in the trim and mounting the camera flush in the black piece on the top of the rear bumper).

Does anyone have a picture of the view from the camera when mounted above the license plate? And possibly a picture of the camera mounted above the license plate? I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of where it is placed
dremu AUG 07, 09:57 PM
I try to avoid cutting my car whenever possible, at least in visible places. I always seem to regret it later





That's the view out of my garage and the lean-to behind it. Picture isn't usually so bad but the sun is right into the camera at the moment.

-- A
Mike in Sydney AUG 07, 09:58 PM
I've got a licence plate frame with a camera in it on my ute. It works OK, cam be adjusted for view, and doesn't look too bad but it's definitely not factory. The screen is in the rear-view mirror and the image is small. If you have a aftermarket radio with a screen, you may get better results.

As for Dremelling out the trim on the bumper you may want to reconsider. The trim on the rear bumper (except for the GT emblem) is a part of the bumper. You also may have trouble aiming the camera if you go this route.

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Mike in Sydney

Threedog AUG 07, 10:09 PM
So I am very familiar with removing the bumper, as I would be doing it to even do this (and properly route the wire), so I do know that I am risking the whole GT bumper.

It might also help for people to know that the one part of my Fiero I am not happy with is that it has had a mediocre paint job in the past that is in pretty bad shape. I am plastidiping the whole thing later, so it’s not that big of a deal if I need to get a used bumper from a scrapyard/secondhand.


The aiming thing makes me curious though, are the typical backup cameras not wide angle enough for a general “backwards” angle?

Sounds like I might just mount it above the plate, and if I am not happy with it I will take the in bumper route at a later time (maybe even get a scrap yard bumper to try it out on!)
Patrick AUG 07, 10:22 PM

quote
Originally posted by Threedog:

...was wondering if people found the license plate mounting sufficient in terms of view and if they liked the way it looked?



This wasn't a "backup" camera, but I was experimenting with locations to mount a camera for autocross. The camera was mounted on a bracket which was attached to the two lower license plate screws... so basically this view is from the center of the rear plate.
Mike in Sydney AUG 08, 12:55 AM
"The aiming thing makes me curious though, are the typical backup cameras not wide angle enough for a general “backwards” angle?"

Mine is horizontal side to side wide angle, not up and down. It is adjustable in the vertical plane.

Let us know how you work it out. I've often thought about a back-up camera for the Fieros in my stable.

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Mike in Sydney

fierofool AUG 08, 08:15 AM
My Ford truck factory backup camera is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen. It's behind the rear license plate. A 1 1/2 inch hole must be drilled in the center of the plate for the camera to peek through.

I like that dremu's setup. For my state, it would need to be mounted so that it doesn't cover the state or renewal sticker. Even some license plate frames are illegal because of that requirement.
sourmash AUG 08, 08:54 AM
I don't recall ever seeing a green blinking traffic/signal light in a similar road situation before.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

This wasn't a "backup" camera, but I was experimenting with locations to mount a camera for autocross. The camera was mounted on a bracket which was attached to the two lower license plate screws... so basically this view is from the center of the rear plate.
darbysan AUG 08, 10:58 AM
I had looked at this camera for another project ( Camera's mounted in the Side Mirrors to view the rear wheels when parking, on another vehicle). They may offer sufficient adjustment if you decide to go with flush mounting.
https://www.amazon.com/COOL...id=1596898493&sr=8-1

I eventually used a license plate mounted camera. You can get them where the mount sits behind the license plate, and the camera "peaks" over the top of the plate.
Like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/AUTO...d=1596898636&sr=8-13

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'87 GT , '00 3800 Series II SC, 4t65e, Vue Power Steering. (SOLD)

Spadesluck AUG 08, 02:27 PM
I have this one installed on mine.