So I just had my 2010 Prius (Gen III 2009 model in Aus) for a couple of days and already the wife is asking about potential mods starting with a reverse camera. I've read numerous thread on here but considering I have no MFD, I was wondering if I could go with something basic like : - a camera hooked up to the reverse light that fits in the filler - some wireless transceivers - a small monitor in the central console/armrest This should limit cabling to the strict minimum (12V from the reverse light, no cables to run in panels), have a semi factory exterior look and a display not taking dash space. Any advices / recommendations ?
Answering my own questions as it might soon become a journal. So, checked the little car tv monitors and didn't really liked them (taking a lot of space for limited use). Back to the drawing board and i thought about something like a video hooked up to wifi. I could then reuse an old smartphone as a monitor (and in the future OBD tool). I found some kits on eBay but all relying on some dodgy app (as in, not quite sure about support). Being on the geeky side here is the current plan : - Connect reverse light 12v and ground to a CCD prius camera (eBay) - Connect another set of wires to a 12v-to-5V converter with micro-USB output - Hook-up a TP-Link WR703N (flashed with OpenWRT) to micro-USB - connect an RCA-to-USB adapter to USB - connect the CCD video output to the adapter - Install additional software on OpenWRT to stream video Everything should only come online when reverse is on with hopefully a fast boot on OpenWRT then unlock the phone, access the little shortcut to open the webpage accessing the router ... done Plain CCD+Monitor is AUD$40, with wireless AUD$60-70 ... this one AUD$75 Minimal cabling, minimal electrical work, easily removable and increased geek factor ... or is it just plain crazy?
I highly doubt it'll boot up fast enough for you to see the camera image in time to make full use of the reverse camera. The OEM camera takes about 1 second for the rear camera image to show up on the screen. Even then, sometimes I feel that the image can't show up fast enough. You should look into a rear view mirror with video screen built in. Also check ebay. there are many rear view mirror LCDs and wireless rear camera packages.
