The Best Rear-View Camera Retrofit for Your Car

Rearview camera or reversing camera has been a necessary addition in vehicles since its introduction in the world of cars. It has many positive impacts on your daily use of cars. For example, it makes parking easier and quicker. However, we have mentioned some of those highly significant positive impacts in our ‘5 reasons to get a reversing camera’ blog. You can refer to that blog to know more about why you should get a reversing camera.

As an essential accessory for cars, many countries have made it mandatory since May in 2018. As a result, most car models introduced in the market after that time have come with a pre-installed reversing or backup camera. However, most of the models before 2018 do not contain a pre-installed backup camera. To ensure safety and get other advantages of a backup camera, you must install a backup camera in your car.

The importance applies to any car. If your car model is after 2018, there is a high possibility that your car has a pre-installed reversing camera or backup camera. If it is an earlier version and does not have a camera, you can install one. Adding a reversing camera to your car is very simple. However, finding the perfect and suitable one for your specific model is not that easy. We will try to help you in the process through this blog.

OEM or Aftermarket Parts?

There are many types and qualities of kits in the market. Choosing the most suitable one for you among these many is not so easy. The first question that arises is what type of gear you are looking for in your car. There are basically two types of kits in the market- OEM kits that are entirely original parts from the manufacturing company of your car, and the aftermarket parts that work as alternatives for the genuine manufacturer-provided parts.

The OEM parts of a company are the genuine ones that are used in the factory for installation in the cars of that company. On the other hand, the aftermarket parts are manufactured with 3rd-party components. As the aftermarket parts are not genuine, they cost less than the genuine parts. However, suppose the aftermarket retrofit camera is well-designed. In that case, it may still match with the original backup camera’s quality and hence may provide the same integration level as that of the genuine one.

Some backup cameras are DIY- Do It Yourself. That is to say that you can install the camera with a minimum knowledge of screwdrivers. These DIY cameras include the quality aftermarket parts as well as the original factory manufactured ones. However, one may not feel comfortable with doing it himself or herself. Furthermore, the programming may not be so easy to do. In those cases, you may and should take help from professionals.

Now, let us learn about some of the top backup camera retrofits. All of these are high-quality products with good reviews from users. Their basic specs are almost the same. However, there are still some differences. Check the description and specs for each type and find the one that suits your specific car the most. 

OEM Rear View Camera Retrofit

Car manufacturing companies install these OEM kits at their factory in the cars with a pre-installed backup camera. This camera offers the best picture quality. One can easily assume, this one is the highest in price than any other backup cameras.

This camera has some exceptional features that need some extra tools and programs to be installed in your car. To get the best use and experience from this kit, you need Navigation Professional with iDrive and a PDC system in your car. If this tool fits in your specific car model, then this is the only reversing or backup camera with the ability of side viewing and top viewing cameras besides their mode of the trailer hitch.

After installing this backup camera, your car will require coding before allowing you to use the new camera. Even if you are a DIY person and installed the camera yourself, you may still need assistance in the activation. However, almost all of the service providers offer remote activation without any extra charge.

OEM-Integration RV Camera Retrofit

The camera uses the car company’s camera mode and iDrive screen that comes with the car. As a result, you will find the same feel and look like that of the pre-installed cameras. However, the picture quality is not the same as that of the actual picture quality but is near it. This camera is similar to the OEM RV camera retrofit to provide you with the best experience. As it is not the same quality as that of the OEM RV, the price is somewhat lower.

If your car has the company-featured PDC, you can get proximity warnings. Otherwise, there will be just a diagram of a car. Most cars allow the OEM integrated camera to display dynamic lines for parking in the camera picture. There is a curve in the bar with the steering wheel’s movement, helping you reverse your car.

MMI RV Camera Retrofit

This kit is an aftermarket kit. The image is displayed where you want and need it- the iDrive display. It does not require the PDC display to function accurately. Nevertheless, it comes with a display of a full screen with the camera. That gives it an advantage over the previously mentioned two backup cameras. If your car does not have a PDC display, this is the perfect tool for you. Moreover, this kit does not require any remote activation or coding. Its feature of parking lines is similar to the OEM-Integration RV camera retrofit tool.

Pick the Most Suitable One

All three of the mentioned backup cameras are DIY. So, you can install them yourself or can get help from professionals. These cameras are proven to be the bests of their kind. Without a few exceptions, almost all the features are the same. We have mentioned the different features and qualities of the three types. Based on what you want and what suits your car the best, pick the most suitable one.