Back up Cam [Nav vs Rearview Mirror]

There are many low cost alternatives discussed in the audio forum - i'd look there. Consider just swapping the stereo for GPS/Nav (with backup cam) - you can do it for as low as $300 all in (including camera - Chinese knock off type)...

 

Sorry, but I'm not sure what it is you are trying to say. Are you talking about adding a rearview mirror inside the car for $700? I gather your car did not come with the backup camera. Since you joined in August '06, and assuming you bought the '06 new then, it seems rather late in the game to be worried about not having the camera. I have an '06 with nav and the camera, and I agree it is not worth the option price. When backing up, the camera screen is the last place I check. In this order: mirrors, over both shoulders, back to mirrors, and finally screen. Sometimes I forget all about the screen check. Old habits die hard, especially the older I get.

 

Here's a link to all kinds of crazy stuff (from GPS and backup in rearview mirror - to headrest DVDs)...http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-gps-backup-in-rear-view-mirror-sony-ccd.html

Personally, if I was worried about money, I'd just get a cheap Chinese HU (comes with GPS too) + cam for less than $300..... Much better than the stock HU that comes with the Prius...

 

If you plan to do a DIY on a rearview mirror I'd look into as factory OEM as possible for that clean look. My buddy has a newer Toyota Tacoma and it came with a high quality Gentex mirror from the factory that has the built in backup LCD display.

You can get one for around $400 (see my link below) but requires that you splice into your power wire, reverse wire, and connect to the video wire of a backup camera that you provide. Of course you can also go the knockoff route but quality may be an issue. Again, I always go OEM over cheap knockoffs for style and quality but at a cost.

The company, Blendmount, (they also sell high quality mounts for radar detectors and scangauges) resells the gentex but you may be able to find it cheaper on the internets.

 

I think your only other choice if cost is a factor is replacing the stock HU with an affordable aftermarket nav+camera as rrolff has already suggested. One comes to mind is the Rosen, pretty much all plug and play, installing an aftermarket camera I heard is a PITA no matter what setup you do.

What do you mean by "replaced with another model"? It would be costly to swap a non-nav to a OEM nav with camera (1K+) If that is what you mean. You will need a JBL amp and you'll be splicing a few wires from the car's factory wires to the nav's harnesses, it's not all plug and play.

 

I just got over a pinched nerve in my neck. Thank god for the backup camera or I would have been backing up by "feel"

 

I would not recommend the Rosen on a simple cost/function basis...

Go research it in the Audio forum... If it was me on the cheap, I'd get a used (cracked/hacked) Pioneer (see avic411.com for models).

Generic Chinese (GPS+DVD etc 7" or 6.5 with side buttons) with cam, $300
Used Pioneer with GPS/DVD with cam $450
New setup (Pioneer/Kenwood et al) - $1000
Used Pioneer

 

Not only no screen but only a one door smart key unless you buy navigation for a screen and level 4 or 5 for the 3 door smart key. What a concept! Both features were standard on the least expensive Level 2 in later Gen 2 models.

 

Mirror ones from Gentex most likely won't have the steering guidelines that's displayed on the reverse camera display on the Navi. As handy as it is, I think not having the guide lines makes it harder to judge your way into a spot.

 

I will again point you in the general direction of the AUDIO SUBFORUM WHICH HAS ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ON HUs...