New 2011 Prius without camera - mistake?

We got our 2011 prius 3 about a week ago, we decided to get the navi because we had never had one built into a car before. The camera was a nice extra, but i find myself forgetting to look at it, and i don't think i will ever use it without checking the mirrors.

 

Well on the plus side you did save a lot, as someone said earlier you can always buy an aftermarket one for much cheaper. For me, backup cameras are a must now since my last car had it, saves a lot of headaches when backing into tight parking spaces and parallel parking. The mini blind spot mirrors + back up camera give me extra peace of mind.

 

I was worried about backing up and visibility with my Prius. It takes awhile to get used to the feel of any new car and having mirrors adjusted properly is a must to avoid side blind spots (and they can be COMPLETELY eliminated with the right mirror adjustment). For the back, I finally was forced to parallel park a few weeks ago and managed it okay. Another solution is the wide angle fresnel lens you can get at Pep Boys that has been described in previous posts on priuschat.com. For under 10 bucks, stick it on the back window and you can see behind you.

 

I say a backup camera is only nice to have.

If you need to back up to a wall a lot, or need to park on the street and space is limited, it is very convenient to have.

But, a backup camera, even in Prius is not crucial. I used to think it was since I had one in my 2009, but I have an Accord which is 14" longer, and I realize backup camera is certainly not a necessity. Don't worry.

 

I don't have it, and don't see see how it's a necessity unless you have a bad back or neck or something that precludes you from physically turning your head/neck to look behind you.

When you look over your shoulder, you look out the lower window, and that's the end of the car, basically. I think this is one of the easiest parking cars I've ever owned in my 20+ years of driving.

 

Other benefits of NAVI:

1. USB connectivity, e.g. charging and playlists, etc..
2. BT Audio streaming
3. BT phone book transfer = speed dial

So, there are other benefits in addition to the NAVI and rear view camera.

 

I think it all depends on where you live and how you park. If you live in a city that forces you to parallel park, having a rear view camera is invaluable. Since moving to the city, all the cars I have purchased have rear parking sensors installed or forked over the extra money for the back up camera. Now that I have gotten use to having a back up camera I would not go back to without one. I use it every day. Can I park without one? Yes, but it makes life easier and my rear bumper free of license plate screw marks.

 

The backup cam on my 2008 spoiled me. I like the wide-angle view. I even installed an aftermarket one in our minivan, however it does not have IR backlighting, so its not as functional as the one on the Prius at night. If you want an aftermarket one, make sure it has IR lighting.

 

I have one and actually find it kind of dangerous cause you often forget you still need to keep looking around you in addition to looking at the BU screen.

 

Well as has been stated already, to each his own. My suggestion is to back in, when you do this you see whats around before backing in and when its time to leave you're going forward and can see whats coming. It took me 10 years to get my wife in the habbit but now she doesnt know how she didn't get ran into or run into some before...