Option for reverse camera

[Guest apman]

Hi I just bot a E280 07 and I am looking for reverse camera. I have browsed the forum here and spoken to Tomo, although the car came with factory GPS they are not able to wire a reverse camera into the factory screen. Tomo's suggestions are like what most other bro here did, a small box next to the rear view mirror or replace the rear view mirror with the built in screen.

Hope some experienced bro here can enlighten me, whether I have a better choice.

One audio shop actually told me to switch to a Pioneer HU, which he did for quite a few E class, I can have DVD Ipod etc + reverse cam, but I'll loose the factory radio station display.

Next will be a AMG BBK and rims, is Benzline the only one here supply ?

Thanks in advance.

[Guest blackmercs]

Welcome to the mercs family. What about change the entire audio unit to Audio 20? Not too sure this can be done, do check with our site sponsor Camber or Ricky. If yes, u can hook up the rear cam & maintain using steering control too. There are many used Audio 20 around coz many members here upgrade to Command.

For ORIGINAL AMG BBK & rims u can try MBM too.

[Guest kepiting1sg]

Welcome to the mercs family. What about change the entire audio unit to Audio 20? Not too sure this can be done, do check with our site sponsor Camber or Ricky. If yes, u can hook up the rear cam & maintain using steering control too. There are many used Audio 20 around coz many members here upgrade to Command.

For ORIGINAL AMG BBK & rims u can try MBM too.

TS has mentioned that his E280 comes with Factory Navigation.

That means he has at least COMAND NTG 2.0

He should be able to plug a reverse camera into his COMAND HU.

Dear Bro apman,

Like what Bro Blackmercs has mentioned, look for our site sponsors COMAND experts.

They should be able to tell you if you can fit a RC into your HU.

camber53 aka Gregeory (hp: 96680053)

http://www.sgmerc.com/Forum/MB-Retrofit-COMAND-Specialist/

ricric_lo aka Ricky

http://www.sgmerc.com/Forum/Mercedes-Factory-Navigation/Comand-Retrofit-Expert/

[Guest apman]

A big thank you to bro kepiting1sg n blackmercs, your info has been helpful.

I believe plugging a camera into my factory unit is highly possible but dunno why Tomo said no, will use yr info instead.

First time driving a E280, very solid chasis indeed, smooth V6 punching out enuf torque for a wonderful ride, just my luck tat the ESP light pop, will get the dealer to fix it, other than tis it's a car I shud buy much earlier.

Still hv alot to learn from old birds, cheers to Mercs !

[Guest kepiting1sg]

IMHO Tomo may has no experience with the COMAND HU & coding is needed.

Guess they dun have the software too.

CnC outsource after mkt RC to them which is basically a RC hooked to a small boxed up LCD which they usually installed it next to the rear view mirror. Therefore they have some thing to sell you

[Guest clarkewan]

msg me bro...

i can help u on the reverse camera and external screen....

show u my car....

:D

96 77 77 07

[Guest apman]

clarkewan u are all over 2 wheels and 4 wheels forum, guess u no need SS business le few years time ur accessories business can go IPO le.

[Guest clarkewan]

i do accessories for fun...

not for making a living...

:D

[Guest bbwannabe]

Eh, i have explored this option.

Backstory:

During the period when the COMAND NTG 2.0 was developed, the only vehicle which they deemed was necessary to have a reverse camera option was the ML series. Don't ask me why, but it just is. Thus, on a ML merc, you could switch to reverse and the reverse camera video feed will come on (with the silly "Please Check Surrounding"). The W211+NTG 2.0 certainly do not have this.

You could however, do either of the following solutions:

1. Buy a 1k Euro original W211 TV Tuner. You will be given 2 RCA inputs so you can add a reverse camera to one of the inputs. Catch: You have to manually switch to "Input 1/2" on the COMAND to see the video. This option allows you to keep everything OEM.

2. Buy a euro video input box. See http://bit.ly/zEOXwA . Apparently, produts like these will switch the video to the reverse cam but I highly doubt its functionality.

3. Change your COMAND to NTG 2.5. You may need to change (i.e., buy a new one) the Audio Gateway that is hidden in the boot. With this, you get tons more function like Linguatronic, SD Card playback etc.

Good luck!

[Guest apman]

That sounds scary to me, well in the first place how do I determine whether mine is NTG2 or 2.5 ? Confused !

[Guest kepiting1sg]

That sounds scary to me' date=' well in the first place how do I determine whether mine is NTG2 or 2.5 ? Confused ![/quote']

I guess Bro bbwannabe is correct!

With your year of mfg. likely your HU is a NTG 2.0 & not the newer NTG 2.5

If U have a SD card slot above your CD insert then likely a NTG 2.5

All U wanna know about COMAND - Part 1

All U wanna know about COMAND - Part 2

[Guest apman]

Hi Bro bbwannabe, any clue abt the cost of your option 3 ? Actually all I wanted is a rear view cam on factory display, I don't mind paying for a NTG2.5 if the price is ard 2K, your option 3 seems like a major surgery to me..is your ride same as mine ?

My car spent 6 hours in a workshop who talk dragon n phoenix before I send in, finally LL take the car back without doing anything, now another workshop claim he can do it, I mean if you have walked this path then I should take your advise on option 3.

[Guest bbwannabe]

Aiyo, not surprised. I wasted a lot of money trying to learn all these.

Option 3 quite okay. For this you can contact Greg (nick - camber53). He can do this easily. If am not mistaken, he owns a W211 himself so he should be quite familar.

[Guest blackmercs]

Hi Bro bbwannabe, any clue abt the cost of your option 3 ? Actually all I wanted is a rear view cam on factory display, I don't mind paying for a NTG2.5 if the price is ard 2K, your option 3 seems like a major surgery to me..is your ride same as mine ?

My car spent 6 hours in a workshop who talk dragon n phoenix before I send in, finally LL take the car back without doing anything, now another workshop claim he can do it, I mean if you have walked this path then I should take your advise on option 3.

Can share with us the shop name that got dragon & phoenix? Usually this combi can be found at bukit timah 7 & half stone .

[Guest bbwannabe]

Hi Bro bbwannabe, any clue abt the cost of your option 3 ? Actually all I wanted is a rear view cam on factory display, I don't mind paying for a NTG2.5 if the price is ard 2K, your option 3 seems like a major surgery to me..is your ride same as mine ?

My car spent 6 hours in a workshop who talk dragon n phoenix before I send in, finally LL take the car back without doing anything, now another workshop claim he can do it, I mean if you have walked this path then I should take your advise on option 3.

Can share with us the shop name that got dragon & phoenix? Usually this combi can be found at bukit timah 7 & half stone .

hahahaha

[Guest apman]

This workshop din out to con me, just A poor estimation on their capability on this particular job, maybe they did well on others, not my preference to name them here, I don't like flame game.

Greg pointed another direction for me, last try, can't bear to let too many ppl to strip my console. Thia khee thia loh wait all hell run loose, I hate.

[Guest kepiting1sg]

I let Greg stripped my few months old E250 console without original tools to retrofit COMAND NTG 4.0

His mum car was his 1st W212 job and mine was 2nd.