15 minute DIY: Wireless reverse parking camera for my BMW 320d

Ravich · 8th March 2016, 19:09

My F30 320d Prestige did not come with a reverse parking camera. Any OEM retrofit cost a bomb and involved splicing wires . As I felt it is a reasonably useful gadget to have, I explored a few options and settled on the Yada digital wireless camera and 5" monitor from Amazon.com (US). Amazon Global Shipping delivered it quickly.

Cost me INR 17500 approx including shipping. Cheaper Alixpress options were available, but I have had some bad experiences with Aliexpress. Amazon's was a delightful order and delivery experience.

The camera can be easily mounted on the license plate and powered directly from the 12v socket in the boot. I did not want to open the boot trim or run the cable through the boot lamp holder / or drill a hole or splice reverse lamp wires - so went for the quick and dirty install. The 12v adapter has a switch to turn it on or off.

I placed the monitor next to the iDrive display - this takes up minimal dashboard space and does not block vision. Camera and monitor came paired and worked at the first shot.

The display is crystal clear - digital wireless never loses connectivity. As I leave it on while driving, it acts as a second rear view mirror looking at the license plate level. Objects appear farther than they really are, but clarity is surprisingly good. Markers are not of much use ( can be turned off / on and adjusted). A second camera can be connected and paired. Night vision is surprisingly effective even in poorly lit areas. Appears to be water proof - survives washing with a Resqtech spray gun!

See the photos shot evening time. You can see the wiring below the license plate. Unless I drill a hole or route it through the license plate mounting screw holes, a bit of wire will be seen. But all things considered, looks like a good investment.

15 minute DIY: Wireless reverse parking camera for my BMW 320d-img_2156.png

15 minute DIY: Wireless reverse parking camera for my BMW 320d-img_2150.jpg

Akshay1234 · 9th March 2016, 11:10

Hi Ravich,

That's a nice DIY there. But my personal opinion is that it looks out of place. I would have preferred a solution which integrates into the idrive screen. I think an aftermarket solution which integrates into the idrive screen would have cost double, but then you could have got an OE looking camera (which is placed with the number plate lights) and a module to connect it to the idrive.

But this is useful too as another reverse camera, and you can possibly connect a front camera to it too.

Ravich · 9th March 2016, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Hi Ravich,

...it looks out of place. I would have preferred a solution which integrates into the idrive screen...

Agreed . That's why I called it quick and dirty !. I did not have the confidence to retrofit the OEM iDrive kit myself for fear of warranty issues and skill levels in opening the trims.

Kelly66 · 24th January 2023, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravich

My F30 320d Prestige did not come with a reverse parking camera. Any OEM retrofit cost a bomb and involved splicing wires . As I felt it is a reasonably useful gadget to have, I explored a few options and settled on the Yada digital wireless camera and 5" monitor from Amazon.com (US). Amazon Global Shipping delivered it quickly.

Cost me INR 17500 approx including shipping. Cheaper Alixpress options were available, but I have had some bad experiences with Aliexpress. Amazon's was a delightful order and delivery experience.

Hi, just now bumped into this post of yours. Are you still using this camera? Do you have a picture of the components which came with it. Can you share some details on how to wire the camera to the boot socket. Where exactly is this socket?

Does this socket turn off power when the car is turned off or is the camera on always (which can drain the car battery).

While running can you see the rear view always?

Thanks!

Ravich · 24th January 2023, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly66

Hi, just now bumped into this post of yours. Are you still using this camera? Do you have a picture of the components which came with it. Can you share some details on how to wire the camera to the boot socket. Where exactly is this socket?

Does this socket turn off power when the car is turned off or is the camera on always (which can drain the car battery).

While running can you see the rear view always?

Thanks!

I am still using it ! It came with easy to wire connector that allow you choice of connecting to the reversing tail lamp wiring or a 12v socket connnector . Very easy DIY . F30 and most cars have a 12 v socket in the boot that turns off if ignition is off and no activity is detected for a period .when you drive it is permanently on .
You should be able find a bigger & better monitor and a Wi-Fi camera combo with CarPlay or auto these days . This yada is value for money though .

Kelly66 · 24th January 2023, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravich

I am still using it ! It came with easy to wire connector that allow you choice of connecting to the reversing tail lamp wiring or a 12v socket connnector . Very easy DIY . F30 and most cars have a 12 v socket in the boot that turns off if ignition is off and no activity is detected for a period .when you drive it is permanently on .
You should be able find a bigger & better monitor and a Wi-Fi camera combo with CarPlay or auto these days . This yada is value for money though .

Did you remove that carpet insulation material inside the boot area (behind the number plate) on your own to get the camera wire to the socket? Did you drill any hole?

Yeah, I am looking at some wifi options too.

Ravich · 24th January 2023, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly66

Did you remove that carpet insulation material inside the boot area (behind the number plate) on your own to get the camera wire to the socket? Did you drill any hole?

Yeah, I am looking at some wifi options too.

No ! If you saw the rear photo , I routed the cable from the camera over the boot lower lip . No drilling . The boot edge doesn’t put too much pressure on the wire . Quick & dirty but serves the need . But if you get a good combo with CarPlay or android auto and rev parking , get the workshop to do a clean routing once & far all . It is just 30 minutes work . Search Amazon.com or Aliexpress for good combos

Kelly66 · 24th January 2023, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravich

No ! If you saw the rear photo , I routed the cable from the camera over the boot lower lip . No drilling . The boot edge doesn’t put too much pressure on the wire . Quick & dirty but serves the need . But if you get a good combo with CarPlay or android auto and rev parking , get the workshop to do a clean routing once & far all . It is just 30 minutes work . Search Amazon.com or Aliexpress for good combos

Oh, that's cool. Didn't notice it against the black colour. Not easy for me. Amazon.com doesn't deliver these cameras to India and Ali is banned. Will have to wait for someone to travel.

Thanks anyway!

8th March 2016, 19:09	#1
Ravich BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 207 Thanked: 77 Times	15 minute DIY: Wireless reverse parking camera for my BMW 320d My F30 320d Prestige did not come with a reverse parking camera. Any OEM retrofit cost a bomb and involved splicing wires . As I felt it is a reasonably useful gadget to have, I explored a few options and settled on the Yada digital wireless camera and 5" monitor from Amazon.com (US). Amazon Global Shipping delivered it quickly. Cost me INR 17500 approx including shipping. Cheaper Alixpress options were available, but I have had some bad experiences with Aliexpress. Amazon's was a delightful order and delivery experience. The camera can be easily mounted on the license plate and powered directly from the 12v socket in the boot. I did not want to open the boot trim or run the cable through the boot lamp holder / or drill a hole or splice reverse lamp wires - so went for the quick and dirty install. The 12v adapter has a switch to turn it on or off. I placed the monitor next to the iDrive display - this takes up minimal dashboard space and does not block vision. Camera and monitor came paired and worked at the first shot. The display is crystal clear - digital wireless never loses connectivity. As I leave it on while driving, it acts as a second rear view mirror looking at the license plate level. Objects appear farther than they really are, but clarity is surprisingly good. Markers are not of much use ( can be turned off / on and adjusted). A second camera can be connected and paired. Night vision is surprisingly effective even in poorly lit areas. Appears to be water proof - survives washing with a Resqtech spray gun! See the photos shot evening time. You can see the wiring below the license plate. Unless I drill a hole or route it through the license plate mounting screw holes, a bit of wire will be seen. But all things considered, looks like a good investment. Last edited by GTO : 9th March 2016 at 11:01. Reason: Spacing :)
	(8) Thanks

9th March 2016, 11:10	#2
Akshay1234 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,327 Thanked: 12,920 Times	Re: 15 minute DIY: Wireless reverse parking camera for my BMW 320d Hi Ravich, That's a nice DIY there. But my personal opinion is that it looks out of place. I would have preferred a solution which integrates into the idrive screen. I think an aftermarket solution which integrates into the idrive screen would have cost double, but then you could have got an OE looking camera (which is placed with the number plate lights) and a module to connect it to the idrive. But this is useful too as another reverse camera, and you can possibly connect a front camera to it too.
	(1) Thanks