Its totally worth it. That one time you don't hit another car, or hit a person or a pet....it greatly reduces sad situations as well as the likelihood of you getting sued over hitting someone, or getting your insurance hit up, etc etc. Its like its own form of liability protection. Its also insanely awesome when you have to park in a tight space - I can get out of my parking space with just one reverse move, and then move into D. I can do that because I can get to within an inch or two of a car in a space behind me before moving. Without it, it would take me at least 3 moves to accomplish the same thing.
The Toyota camera will only work if you have the nav. If you have a non-nav model, then you have to go to a third party camera, as I did. My camera was fitted as part of the sale of the car, but was actually fitted by an shop that sub-contracts to the dealer. When i had problems with the camera, I took it to the shop rather than the dealer - there was a separate warrenty on the camera system that I purchased.
My apologies, I keep forgetting that in the US you have a number of different levels. However, the Prius does have two levels of MFD, where the basic model - that is no nav, no backup camera, no bluetooth, no JDB stereo - will not support the addition of a backup camera. If you have any of the options then the backup camera is compatible with the MFD and can then, theoretically, be added if not already installed.
When we went shopping for a second car I was looking at all 'economy' options with good MPG. Prius was on the wish list but I didn't think I wanted to spend that much money. The backup camera, however, became a fixation for my wife. She's backed our minivan into things twice now, doing plenty of $$ worth of damage. So by way of convoluted economic rationalization (plus a healthy desire to burn less gas) we ended up with a backup camera equipped Prius. Months later she still does her part by saying "Wow, cool!" every time the camera comes on. Very cute. - D
The backup camera has 'saved' me several times when backing up in a parking lot and suddenly seeing a car flash by in the screen. Well worth the investment and savings from repairs.
I installed a PEAK wireless camera with a 7" screen. I leave it on all the time while driving so I can see cars in the "blind spot". Paid $100 for the kit on EBay......I've since seen them for $60 at Sam's Club. The installation wasn't too bad...picked up power from the rear window washer/wiper. Jack
I totally agree. Unless someone uses one for a while, they have no idea just how useful they can be. I really miss not having it when I drive other cars.
Hi all, I just got my Gen 3 prius.. I got a package 2 w/o knowing that Nav is not an option with 2. I would like to install a back-up camera / LCD (or any) screen (without installing a full nav kit).. is that possible? whatz the price range that i'll be looking at? Thank you!
Are you mainly interested in a backup camera? I'd look into a rearview mirror with a backup LCD integrated into it. No idea about price but it avoids digging into the dash
Just curious: how did you buy "a package 2 w/o knowing that Nav is not an option"? Did you get talked into buying a package 2 "sight unseen", or without looking at a Prius sales brochure?
