[parsh]

Been toying with the idea to get it installed since long primarily due to the car being in the hands of novice drivers and often need for judgement while reversing was always tricky for them. Had thought of getting one fitted at Toyota dealership only but could not be happy with the ones available with them and also the costs charged at premium.

Started doing research on what would be best fitment and posted a few findings starting at http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...ml#post2743310. So will not repeat those things here. Those interested can go thru my posts after the above and they will get the idea.

Initially thought IRVM was best bet for the need for reversing assistance but then realized flaws with it with the systems available in market and decided to stick to system with LCD+Cam+Sensors.

However, I had a few apprehensions still:
1. wanted the sensors to be matching with our Vermillion Red color and which was difficult unless I get it installed from dealer where it could be ditto matched. But they did not have system to liking.
2. was not happy with the standard bumper fitted Cam as it gives very minimal view to the immediate rear. In fact as I measured with one fitted on a sedan and XUV it gives view of immediate rear ground from about 2.5-3 feet at best. This I did not like. Wanted one which could give better visibility to rear ground like the dicky mirror I had long back on my Innova which used to give superb view to rear ground including a rear bumper view. But that would not be possible in any of the standard cams. And fitting these cams in a way to give that kind of view would mean the cam sticks out of bumper in bad angled way and can easily come out.

So had my eyes for the new Innova Rear View cam-type camera. Found a few matching ones net but none available near-about. A couple of guys said they could get new Innova type cam in few days if you want but none readily had it. Checked out at Carax, Car Cupid in Pune who had good systems but still not satisfied on what I will get. Carax atleast had Skoda Octy rear view cams which are micro tab cams supported with light and looked good for the purpose. The deal was coming to about 7500+micro tab cam abt 1000. Decided will go with this.

On 1 May, being Labor day, had to get it done anyway as that was the only day in my hand and yet thought the shops may/may not be open for work. At the last moment, decided to check out stuff with Poona Motors where I had got quite a few stuff done for my Innova.

Vinit got out the Steel-Mate models and showed the red matching sensors as well. Checked them out against the car color and they seemed to did gel pretty well. Problem was now camera. Told him I want that micro tab camera type cams that comes in New Innova now. He showed me the Chevy one and that looked good one. Sealed the deal there only for 9500. Told him to keep stuff ready as I come back in afternoon after finishing some work.

Went back about 3:30 PM for the work to Poona Motors. And Vinit said he will show me something else that is better than the Chevy cam while the sensor fitting work progresses. So we got down to work. Soon, we had the Micro Tab Cam for the Innova and I was more than happy to see it. The only thing was whether it was good enough for quality. That decision could only be taken when the camera could be connected after rest of the system was installed and operational. So waited until the camera connectivity, connected both the standard and the micro tab cam and saw both had quite similar quality. So it would not matter and instead micro tab cam would give the downward view which was a necessity.

Finally about 5 PM the installation finished, the whole work was done meticulously securing everything as it was originally and without any damages anywhere else than required.

Total cost of system LCD+Sensors+Micro Tab Cam+Installation came to Rs 9500/-

Steel-Mate PTSV404 system being installed


The system package


The Micro Tab Cam as is said to be fitted in New Innova now with the Cam assisting Light hidden in the fitment with the chrome strip on the tail gate


The Sensors and Cam fitted on the Rear Bumper


The Cam vision at night, excuse for the bad quality pic, my P&S just doesn't shoot well in dark and also the LCD does not appear as clear in the pics as it actually is. Notice the foot toes area visible which is less than 30 cm from bumper, which is where you would want to stop before the nullah, ditches that appear at the rear, much better coverage than the straight fitted standard bumper cam.


Next going to upload the process and pics of the install and visual effects asap.

[sgiitk]

Looks very good. Please post a few pics (in daylight) of the car dash as well. Also, can see the camera (in the plate) but not the assist lights.

[parsh]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

Looks very good. Please post a few pics (in daylight) of the car dash as well. Also, can see the camera (in the plate) but not the assist lights.

Sure, coming up shortly as I resize the images and upload here, kindly bear for some time. You will see the light in action too.

Missed taking some basic starting pics from the install.
First the measurements are taken from the center of the bumper, the dicky hook position is nearly at the center, so all measurements are calibrated from that point. One things to notice here is we already had the bumper corner protectors. The scope of the sensors is conical and that would mean the corner protectors could come in the way of the sensor if fitted directly above it. Hence to avoid the corner protectors hindering the sensors, the end sensors had to be marked a little away from corner. This would mean lesser coverage near the corners. But then the ORVMS should suffice that view. Accordingly, the 4 sensors positions are marked, equidistant in the strip above the number plate, with white pencil for drilling. The holes are drilled with the accompanying hole-saw in the package.

You feel it creates quite a mess after drilling. But actually it doesn't as they drill it slowly and not suddenly. It is just the flakes from the hole that are sprayed out on the bumper.


The holes are actually just about the size of the sensor. However the sensor has a overlapping external ring that fits on the hole to cover any anomalies in the hole. Still, to be better fit, the holes need to be cleared properly. Especially, you see some minor flakes sticking out of the hole edges even after cleaning. They need to be carefully cleaned out. This guy did it slowly with his nails, not damaging any further paint and just removing all those flakes, smoothing out the hole edges.


Next, a wire with crooked hook used to insert from one hole to another to pull the cables. And the sensor attached to the wire and pressed inside the hole firmly. This guy does it with the palm of his hand. The sensor snaps fit inside the hole.


The sensor snugly fit in its place, no gaps or uneven fitting.


Streamlining the cables together to be pulled from the last hole.


Finally, at the last hole, all the sensor cables make quite a bunch with 4 cables lining up there and they need to be properly pulled inside the dicky to channel them properly to the ECU.


With the cables all tucked inside the dicky and all the sensors snugly fitted. All the 4 sensor cables are pretty long and can reach the front of the car. They are made into a big cable by taping together for better laying out.


This completes the step of laying out the sensors and channeling the cables inside the dicky.

[ghodlur]

@parsh,

Nice set of mods. Good to know that rear sensors match the bumper colour. I am sure you will be putting the pics of camera installation soon. Also would like to know more about the display part - installation, features etc.

[sathyaprakash]

Nice job can you explain why there is light next to the camera how it will illuminate if it is facing down and the camera facing upwards pls explain further how much does the camera alone cost? it will be great if you post few pictures of the LCD placement on the dash in daylight bye.

[parsh]

The bunch of sensor cables brought inside are tucked away nicely inside the dicky carpet and towards the RHS side tail lamp side. The ECU gets mounted to this side and the cables connected there.




The power cable for the ECU and screen connectivity cables get channeled thru the RHS carpet, accessed by opening the door beadings.


Finally the screen is up live. By trial and error, an optimal position for the screen is obtained by seating in the driver seat, so that the RORVM and the screen are nearly in same view and not much effort will be required while monitoring both simultaneously. Enough space is left to handle the RORVM adjustment lever.


This is where the trial for both the cameras, standard and micro tab could be done, decision is taken to go with the micro tab cam.

This also meant I can now go and install the micro tab cam where I thought instead of on the center of the bumper. So the markings are done as per my instructions on the bumper to the LHS of the number plate light. THought, this would be best place because
1. if we fit it in the center, the number plate light needs to be removed
2. if it is placed to the RHS it will give less view to the LHS which is more of a blind spot than the RHS as RHS is the driver side.

So the measurement are done and markings made accordingly to slot in the rear raised part of the cam inside the bumper. A rectangular slot is needed for this.










Finally, the cam in place in the slot created in the bumper to the LHS of the number plate light. Notice the cam and accompanying cam assisting light.


This completes the final step of fitting the entire system and making it operational.

Next follows the effects, usage and facilities of the system.

[mayankjha1806]

Lovely, nice clean job. Especially the red colour sensors, they do not look like after market fitment. Excellent choice.

I always used to wonder why would someone put a rear parking sensor and camera on a small sedan (Was of the view it might be only needed on a bigger SUV or Sedan), until i sat and drove in my colleagues car. It seriously makes parking on tight spots a breeze.

[sgiitk]

A very detailed and excellent presentation. Now I see the cam was sitting in front of the plate, which I saw as a cut out. I also see your plates are not HSRPs yet, but HSRP-type, same as I have. I am scouting for replacing my Santro. Most saloons nowadays have a high boot, obscuring the rear visibility. Now I have an inexpensive way out. I am sure some calibration of the distance display was required and was done.

[parsh]

Right now I have some samples for day and night which I had taken with short time on hand which I will post here. If anybody wants any particular angle/view later on, can let me know and I will try get that asap I get my hands on the car next time.

Also, the LCD clarity cannot be captured well in the camera, so the vision quality is not truly seen in the pics herewith.

Some Day Vision Samples



















Alongwith the indication on screen, there is voice announcement simultaneously for the distance as well as STOP.

Biggest achievement is in the vision achieved for the closest range of less than 30 cm as seen above for the feet toes which will give vision for immediate danger at the rear below on raod upto very close distance.

Next will be the Night Vision samples.

[parsh]

Night Vision Samples









The cam assisting light in action. Notice its whiteness and brightness compared to the yellow dull number plate light. Unfortunately, the mixture of these lights creates a problem in lighting up the behind, also cam assisting light turns up only one side. Will live with that for now until I find an alternative. One alternative is to disconnect the cam light which is right now wired to essentially power on as soon as the reverse light is powered.

[parsh]

Some installation angles.





Some polish had to be removed from dash area so that the screen sticks firmly. Will need to get it polished again later in interior detailing.




The screen has 4 buttons on top:
Settings - go into settings mode
Previous/Next - Move among the settings
Save/Return to Screen - Saves changed settings and returns to previous screen on next click
The buttons are a little hard to press though.

[fast&furious]

That's really neat! Thanks. I have two doubts. 1)Isn't it very easy for burglars to spot this thing? 2) Is it possible to remove the cam just by using some force, especially when compared to the other 'round' models that are fixed on the bumper like the sensors? Your thoughts on that please.

[parsh]

Originally Posted by fast&furious

That's really neat! Thanks. I have two doubts. 1)Isn't it very easy for burglars to spot this thing? 2) Is it possible to remove the cam just by using some force, especially when compared to the other 'round' models that are fixed on the bumper like the sensors? Your thoughts on that please.

Good points. And I did debate precisely on these.

1. Yes it is easy spot but then it is the same with the other sensors and bumper fitted camera as well. In fact, it easier with the other sensors and bumper fitted cam.

2. It is not entirely easy to remove the cam. To properly remove the cam and make it useful, you got to remove the complete assembly properly. As you see it has circuitry encapsulated behind it from where the cam wires come out. Anybody stealing will have to unscrew the cam first and try to get out the complete assembly properly without damaging wires, if the wires get damaged it is going to be useless. Also it is going to take some time to unscrew the cam and take it out enough for somebody to notice in daylight atleast.

On the other hand the sensors and bumper fitted cam are easier prey IMO. They fit snugly but only with attached clips inside the hole, they are entirely clip-on. So it is easier to pluck them with a small shrapnel or wedge or small knife. Once out, they can easily cut the wires to some length and carry along, and maybe can always find the connectors in market.


However, having said that, that doubt is still there in mind. What I was thinking was I will have it fitted from inside of the bumper in the same slot cut in the bumper. The screws will be visible from below but the cam will still remain inside the bumper not-easily accessible (there is always room for stealing techniques, but will be lot more time-consuming and not worth the effort). Vinit said, if it gets stolen, let me know, I will line up cams for you anytime

[parsh]

Some system setting pics

Initial inactive screen. Its a 3" widescreen and not a 3.5" normal screen.


As the system starts up


Present default display setting at startup


Settings menu: Clock, Sound & Voice, Screen properties, Distance calibration











Present distance calibration setting which seems to work well as per the Micro Tab Cam and sensors installed.


Other settings for the distance calibration which can be changed on the fly as per the need may be, which maybe required depending upon the terrain, slope up/down at rear etc.

[parsh]

Thanks you all. Glad you liked it. Hope this thread will be useful to others. I had to do lot of headbanging for finding a nice system. This may not be ideal but I think its pretty good system. Will post more as and when on its performance.

Originally Posted by ghodlur

@parsh,

Nice set of mods. Good to know that rear sensors match the bumper colour. I am sure you will be putting the pics of camera installation soon. Also would like to know more about the display part - installation, features etc.

Hope you got it all now.

Originally Posted by sathyaprakash

Nice job can you explain why there is light next to the camera how it will illuminate if it is facing down and the camera facing upwards pls explain further how much does the camera alone cost? it will be great if you post few pictures of the LCD placement on the dash in daylight bye.

Hope you are able to see the relation and usage of the light and camera now. The cam is angled about 45 deg down and not facing backwards like standard cameras. The lights decently assists the cam in lighting up the behind for the cam. The cam itself is very good quality but is not IR assisted. The cam alone would cost about Rs 1500/-. Hope you got the other view as desired.

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Lovely, nice clean job. Especially the red colour sensors, they do not look like after market fitment. Excellent choice.

I always used to wonder why would someone put a rear parking sensor and camera on a small sedan (Was of the view it might be only needed on a bigger SUV or Sedan), until i sat and drove in my colleagues car. It seriously makes parking on tight spots a breeze.

Well, yeah, I too wondered why would one need it and why would we need it on our Etios. But then I did see the usability atleast to the family members who are less of drivers and need quite some judgement. And even if I do not regularly need it on my Innova there are times when I feel (especially when backing towards the fathomless edges) that I had this facility and not just rely on overt judgement. This just gives that extra edge when you need that much more space, even cms/inches can count when in need. Also, the backing in traffic, when needed, has now become very easy with this.

Originally Posted by sgiitk

A very detailed and excellent presentation. Now I see the cam was sitting in front of the plate, which I saw as a cut out. I also see your plates are not HSRPs yet, but HSRP-type, same as I have. I am scouting for replacing my Santro. Most saloons nowadays have a high boot, obscuring the rear visibility. Now I have an inexpensive way out. I am sure some calibration of the distance display was required and was done.

Hope you got all the views now and saw the cam and its light in action. Calibration was indeed required and done as suited the system install. Hope a solution like this would help you out. The number plate as you see rightly is not HSRP, it is just like it though, as given by dealer at the delivery.