4.3 Maintenance Tip Xt5 Rear View Camera Installation

[Rave4RAV4]

Hello, I am a new 2009 RAV4 Sport V6 4WD owner and have been researching looking for the best rear view camera to install in the back door that does not stick out so obvious (like the license plate mounted types). I saw this camera mentioned in this thread also and was wondering if it fits the USA 2009 RAV4 Sport model without the rear tire (I have the Sports Appearance package that comes with no spare tire on the back door).

And also, if you can answer the question on how well does this camera perform in the dark at night? Are the rear backup lights from the car itself enough to illuminate the rear view for this camera to show it clearly... or is this camera useless in the dark? I don't see any infrared emitters anywhere on it from the pictures shown so I don't know how they can claim it sees in the dark.

Thanks if you can answer these questions.

[tropical_Z]

I think a camera works better with additional light / IR- leds. I have a CCD camera and it is very noise free in low light (twilight and getting dark), however in the dark of the night it is pretty noisy - any additional lighting helps. Below is a picture with no light from the car other than ambient background streetlight, of which the camera is probably not so sensitive to. With the reverse lights on, its not so bad and you can definately see the car you are reversing towards. On the main roads with well lit main streetlights, the camera is pretty noise free, but obviously I couldnt take a picture whilst driving along! - the lighting where the picture was taken was pretty pants.

In the daytime, it is fine. Yes I have mounted mine inside, high up behind the window looking down. I wanted to see the car in relation to the object I was reversing into. Normally from the drivers seat I cant see the bonnet of the red car. The distance of the car is about 8-10" from bumper to wheel cover. I have the camera connected all the time and not tied to the reversing signal.

[Rave4RAV4]

I think a camera works better with additional light / IR- leds. I have a CCD camera and it is very noise free in low light (twilight and getting dark), however in the dark of the night it is pretty noisy - any additional lighting helps. Below is a picture with no light from the car other than ambient background streetlight, of which the camera is probably not so sensitive to. With the reverse lights on, its not so bad and you can definately see the car you are reversing towards. On the main roads with well lit main streetlights, the camera is pretty noise free, but obviously I couldnt take a picture whilst driving along! - the lighting where the picture was taken was pretty pants.

In the daytime, it is fine. Yes I have mounted mine inside, high up behind the window looking down. I wanted to see the car in relation to the object I was reversing into. Normally from the drivers seat I cant see the bonnet of the red car. The distance of the car is about 8-10" from bumper to wheel cover. I have the camera connected all the time and not tied to the reversing signal.

Hi, Thanks for the preview and pictures showing how it displays at night and day time. I venture to guess that being mounted inside the cabin looking through the rear dark tinted glass that the camera gets even less light. So if it were mounted outside above the license plate I think it would see more light and look much better. I have one on order from eBay, but I did not know there were different sensor versions being offered (CCD vs CMOS) and it looks like I got the CMOS version. I picked the seller with the lowest pricing not knowing that one was CMOS and the other one was CCD. The CCD sensor version being more expensive. I think they will both work the same though.

[JHRC]

Hi all,

I took these photo last night, one from my drive and the second from a dark road without any street lighting.

These were also taken with a CCD camera without any additional lighting.

Not prefect but adequate for the job

RGD Jim.

[paulmel]

Right , conclusion is that this type of reverse camera will only fit models WITH rear mounted spare. The hole that takes the number plate light is larger on the mounted rear wheel model than the model without the rear wheel.

I could have argued the point that the advert states that it fit 2006 onwards Rav's when in fact it only fits if you have the spare wheel.

Also I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that from 2008, all models were sold without the rear wheel, so in fact the advert should read will fit 2006, 2007 models with rear mounted wheel ONLY !

Anyway I'm going to put it on e-bay, advertised CORRECTLY,but if anyone wants a bargain, PM me for details.

And you wouldn't have to wait 22 days for it to arrive from Hong Kong !!!!!!!!!!

[Rave4RAV4]

Right , conclusion is that this type of reverse camera will only fit models WITH rear mounted spare. The hole that takes the number plate light is larger on the mounted rear wheel model than the model without the rear wheel.

I could have argued the point that the advert states that it fit 2006 onwards Rav's when in fact it only fits if you have the spare wheel.

Also I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that from 2008, all models were sold without the rear wheel, so in fact the advert should read will fit 2006, 2007 models with rear mounted wheel ONLY !

Anyway I'm going to put it on e-bay, advertised CORRECTLY,but if anyone wants a bargain, PM me for details.

And you wouldn't have to wait 22 days for it to arrive from Hong Kong !!!!!!!!!!

Oh darn! Now you tell me. I've already ordered the dang RAV4 camera and I have the 2009 RAV4 Sport without the rear spare tire on the back door. But mine is a USA model, so I don't know if there will be a difference from European models with the fit in the license plate light hole. No wonder the eBay seller finewayelectronics would not give me a straight answer when asked.