Back-Up Camera in Rearview Mirror? Worth it?
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: California
Back-Up Camera in Rearview Mirror? Worth it?
Hi Everyone
I am looking to get a new 2015 CT200 shortly and have one burning question to ask
I want a back-up camera but don't want to spend a ton on the tech package (navi and etc).
You can go the back-up camera only option route for about $500 more but it is installed in the tiny rear-view mirror. What a joke!
Has anyone had experience with this tiny screen rearview mirror backup camera in their CTs?
Is it worth getting it? or should I just forget about it and go without it.
For more info, I am leasing my CT and the difference in monthly payment is about $10.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
I am looking to get a new 2015 CT200 shortly and have one burning question to ask
I want a back-up camera but don't want to spend a ton on the tech package (navi and etc).
You can go the back-up camera only option route for about $500 more but it is installed in the tiny rear-view mirror. What a joke!
Has anyone had experience with this tiny screen rearview mirror backup camera in their CTs?
Is it worth getting it? or should I just forget about it and go without it.
For more info, I am leasing my CT and the difference in monthly payment is about $10.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
well....the view is small but its better than no view, right?
i find that even though it's small, the location is convenient because if you are backing up chances are you are looking at the rear view mirror anyways, no? that way you get to see both the mirror and the camera view, as supposed to looking up and down all the time between the mirror and some dash display
so all in all i am content with the camera view on the mirror and does the job/serves its purpose fine. and plus, many dash display camera views are enlarged to fit the big screen, making the picture blurry anyways
but whether it's worth it or not, depends on your needs and your budget really.
i find that even though it's small, the location is convenient because if you are backing up chances are you are looking at the rear view mirror anyways, no? that way you get to see both the mirror and the camera view, as supposed to looking up and down all the time between the mirror and some dash display
so all in all i am content with the camera view on the mirror and does the job/serves its purpose fine. and plus, many dash display camera views are enlarged to fit the big screen, making the picture blurry anyways
but whether it's worth it or not, depends on your needs and your budget really.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 246
Likes: 7
From: SoCal
Hi Everyone
I am looking to get a new 2015 CT200 shortly and have one burning question to ask
I want a back-up camera but don't want to spend a ton on the tech package (navi and etc).
You can go the back-up camera only option route for about $500 more but it is installed in the tiny rear-view mirror. What a joke!
Has anyone had experience with this tiny screen rearview mirror backup camera in their CTs?
Is it worth getting it? or should I just forget about it and go without it.
For more info, I am leasing my CT and the difference in monthly payment is about $10.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
I am looking to get a new 2015 CT200 shortly and have one burning question to ask
I want a back-up camera but don't want to spend a ton on the tech package (navi and etc).
You can go the back-up camera only option route for about $500 more but it is installed in the tiny rear-view mirror. What a joke!
Has anyone had experience with this tiny screen rearview mirror backup camera in their CTs?
Is it worth getting it? or should I just forget about it and go without it.
For more info, I am leasing my CT and the difference in monthly payment is about $10.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: California
Have you had a car with a rear cam before? I haven't before this one and now I probably wouldn't own a car without one especially since I DIY'd the camera into my CT and could probably figure out how to put it in my future car if it doesn't have one. Cost was about $200 and my screen is 4.3" which I wouldn't call a joke (crime stopper rear view mirror and boyo cam). There are plenty of DIY guides to research if you're interested in going that route. I also have 5% rear tint and the CT hatch window is small, so a rear cam was a must for me.
Yes, my other cars have a back-up camera and i really like using them (on a larger screen).
My main concern was whether the small sized screen would do a proper job or not.
thanks for the input!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 618
Likes: 250
From: TX
I've used both types of rear view camera, and while the view is small in the rear view mirror, you should see more than enough detail to tell what's back there, especially if they offer guidelines on this type.
It's more worthwhile to have it, even with a small screen, than not have it.
You may wanna stop by your local dealer and try reverse-parking a CT without a camera and then with one, and see what you think.
It's more worthwhile to have it, even with a small screen, than not have it.
You may wanna stop by your local dealer and try reverse-parking a CT without a camera and then with one, and see what you think.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: New York
I installed a rear view camera that installs into the license plate light and replaced the rear view mirror with one with a small display.
I think it works just fine. You don't need a large view. It's the wide angle and night vision that really help.
Also, with a small display that only comes on when you're in reverse, it's a nice stealth look.
I think it works just fine. You don't need a large view. It's the wide angle and night vision that really help.
Also, with a small display that only comes on when you're in reverse, it's a nice stealth look.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: New York
I installed a rear view camera that installs into the license plate light and replaced the rear view mirror with one with a small display.
I think it works just fine. You don't need a large view. It's the wide angle and night vision that really help.
Also, with a small display that only comes on when you're in reverse, it's a nice stealth look.
http://www.ct200hforum.com/forum/lex...r-install.html
I think it works just fine. You don't need a large view. It's the wide angle and night vision that really help.
Also, with a small display that only comes on when you're in reverse, it's a nice stealth look.
http://www.ct200hforum.com/forum/lex...r-install.html
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Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 557
Likes: 14
From: IL
I like it just fine.
My CT has NAV and therefore the backup cam is in the big screen. My wife's RX350 does not have NAV and the backup cam is in the rearview mirror. I use them both equally and can't really say I prefer one over another. I will say that it's nice that the cam in the rearview mirror is very convenient, as opposed to having to look elsewhere. Additionally, the picture, while smaller, still shows everything I need. BTW, who needs NAV these days with a smartphone and a bluetooth connection? 
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 618
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From: TX
Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 117
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From: CA
For short term lease/owners perhaps it's an easier choice, however for long time owners, $1.5k spread throughout 10+ years is a no-brainer. Besides, believe it or not, I do know a few folks who still don't own a smart phone.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
For city driving I agree. However your opinion will change as soon as you do a road trip and encounter places without cellular signals (like I did).
For short term lease/owners perhaps it's an easier choice, however for long time owners, $1.5k spread throughout 10+ years is a no-brainer. Besides, believe it or not, I do know a few folks who still don't own a smart phone.
For short term lease/owners perhaps it's an easier choice, however for long time owners, $1.5k spread throughout 10+ years is a no-brainer. Besides, believe it or not, I do know a few folks who still don't own a smart phone.
the backup camera in the rear view mirror looks better than the one in my G37 and I am hoping its due to the license plate LED's being much brighter.
Last edited by DreamerzCC; Oct 28, 2015 at 11:13 AM. Reason: grammar
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,822
Likes: 1,062
From: California
I was hauling a refrigerator the other day and my rear visibility got reduced to zero, and one time I was backing up in the dark and I can't see anything on my mirrors but I can see with the cam as it is bright even at night.
So yes the back cam really helps!
So yes the back cam really helps!
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