Add Backup Camera?

[faded-a-fool]

Originally Posted by willcycle

At least in the 2010 Limited rear view camera wiring is not present if you did not have NAV.

Can anyone confirm this is correct?

I want to add the backup camera mirror to my 2010 Legacy Limited. Mine already has the Homelink/Compass/Autodim mirror, HK w/ no Nav.

[willcycle]

Unless Subaru forgot to put it in my car it is not there. I think you can surmise how I know that.

[DrD]

I thought the 2013 limited with the HK system (non-NAV) had the camera already - I was looking at one at the dealer a while back, and saw it in action... odd that yours doesn't have it. There's even a pic on the cars101 site showing it in action


For the harness, based on the '12 service manual (assuming '13 is similar) there is an "extension cable" which goes from a connector on the main rear harness (on the drivers side of the car) then extends into the liftgate where the camera is. I would guess that would be omitted if there were no camera, but the connector on the main harness should be there, i think... The legacy is similar in that there is a harness which goes into the liftgate which is different when the camera is present (one version has the connector, the other does not - also, for the legacy there is one version of the trunk lid which has the cutout for the camera, and another where it has not been punched out)

[sgtmaj27]

Originally Posted by faded-a-fool

Can anyone confirm this is correct?

I want to add the backup camera mirror to my 2010 Legacy Limited. Mine already has the Homelink/Compass/Autodim mirror, HK w/ no Nav.

willcycle is correct. I too have a 2010 Limited non-nav and there is no wiring present in the harnesses for the B/U camera system. I have the wiring diagram and chased the wires to be sure. I installed a system made up from a CCD camera from Ebay and seperate monitor affixed to the windshield just above the right side of the rearview mirror. Total cost $45 and 2 hours time. Well worth the investment.

[subarovod]

Hi, I ant to install the Homelink/Compass/Autodim mirror Rear view monitor in my Subaru Outback Premium, with no moonroof instead just Homelink/Compass/Autodim mirror. I was reading the forum, and found the camera and the mirror.. and the installer too. The question is that I found cheaper mirror on ebay, it is used and has only a pigtail, instead all wire. Will I be able to install it with existing wire plus the one for reverse trigger and video? Or I'd better to buy a full kit (about $200 more)
Or it is not hard to get a general wire for this purpose.
I have no knowledge in electrics, and this mirror is not cheap, so I really want to know if I am not doing anything wrong.
Thanks.

[subiesailor]

Pretty sure all the back up camera systems today are wireless meaning the camera is wired for power at the backup tail light and sends video via wireless feed to the receiver. Receiver can be the slick review mirror with inset small screen which is the most natural and logically located set up or to a dash mounted screen ie NAV unit etc.

Installing them these days are fairly simple due to this wireless aspect of the video feed.

[subarovod]

Camera is CCD Sony, it is not wireless, mirror is Gentex GENK3345 but with no wire, only pigtail. As I understand there should be wire for video (may be from camera) then for reverse shift, for mirror to show camera and for camera to activate (that I guess is connected to back lights, but do I need wire for mirror too?) I can buy mirror with no additional wire, but is it easy to find out what wire I need and get it after, or I have to get the complete unit. New mirror cost like a laptop with 17" screen.

[vr4Legacy]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

Droidster:
Your wiring harness should be in place. From what I remember when I looked into this all Limited come with the harness in place.
When I reseached it I found this camera which was an excellent choice
CCD Sony Car Reverse Backup Camera for Subaru Forester Outback Impreza Sedan | eBay

Excellent low cost CCD camera which fits right in one of the license plate lights and this monitor which is a plug and play
Rear View Mirror 3 5"Backup Camera Display Fit Honda Civic Accord Odyssey Subaru | eBay

I had planned to do this for a friend's new Forester but she decided to get a smaller car.

If I was looking to install a backup camera in my OB if I didn't have one the above system is what I would use doing a cost vs performance comparision.
Hope this helps some...

Thank you for the links!!!

I searched and searched ebay for a camera like that.

My rearview mirror in my Forester is pretty baddly strached from the previous owner.. . So I figured I'd just throw in a rearview unit while I'm at it. For $20 why not?

[mxfrank]

Been there, done that:

New owner w/question regarding rear view mirror

The Chinese camera's are as "Sony" as my big toe. But they work acceptably well. Cheap enough to keep a spare.

I wouldn't use anything other than a Gentex mirror, these are the OEM choice. You can have them with any combination of features...homelink, compass, monitor, etc. But you can't add features to an existing mirror.

[fun2drive]

vr4:
Glad it helped you out. Where the camera comes I don't know but those are the links that others have used in other forums with success...
I had planned to replace an OEM Subaru Forester mirror and add the camera. Person changed their mind. Love to know how this works out...