Backup camera idea

OldHobo · September 4, 2015

I don't see how you could improve it, its a back up cam! are you driving down the road in reverse?

Unless you've experienced the totally washed out picture from it you wouldn't understand. What's the point of having paid for something that does not work worth a darn? My daughters RAM display is like looking at a tv screen with a nice clean crisp image. Looking at my display is like looking at an old-time photo made from an over exposed negative., and in the sunshine it's almost impossible to make out any detail. GM needs to address this problem and the sooner the better. It's supposedly a safety and convenience device but it ain't worth crap. From what I've read, they got it right (or better) in the 2015s. This is the only annoying thing about my '14 Silverado - the rest of it I really like.

Spurshot · September 4, 2015

I don't see how you could improve it, its a back up cam! are you driving down the road in reverse?

Reading auto loan papers.

Gmcant33 · September 4, 2015

Lol this topic is too funny I myself enjoy the camera but to be honest if it went out it would not be the end of the world for me

chuckl1218 · September 4, 2015

The only time I have an issue with the camera is that it is unusable when backing out of my garage when it is really sunny outside. I have a side entrance garage, so I check behind before backing up and then when I exit the garage, I've gotten used to using the mirrors. The lights come on in the garage and then when I back out into the sun, the screen is just too dark to see. There is a whole thread on this issue...

I put a backup mirror kit in my 2011 Silverado and it was the first one I've ever had. The kit replaced the OnStar mirror with a new one with a 2" square viewing window. It was pretty crisp and worked well since I never had one before. The 2014 screen is much bigger and works well in most lighting conditions, but as someone else said, I am not trying to read the badge on the car behind me or spurshot's loan papers...

Robwcormack · September 5, 2015

Mine is a 2015, just bought a month ago. It's no better than the 2 2014s guys I work with have.

No I don't drive around in reverse staring at the screen. And the resolution on the screen is fine as proven by another thread where a guy made his able to play movies and they were fine.

My biggest point is Govt Motors shouldn't half ass it and cut corners on things like that and then charge 50k for a truck. Not when the competition has MUCH better cameras. That's something you (or I at least) use every day.

I was just asking if there was a possible way to mod or upgrade it. I know it isn't "necessary", but hell half the mods we all do aren't necessary. It's really nobody's business to say or question what is necessary on MY truck to ME, just as I don't question what's necessary to anyone else. If u want to change something you are unhappy with on your absurdly expensive truck, by God its necessary! If anyone has anything constructive or useful on the topic of this thread to add, by all means please do.

ikaika1984 · September 5, 2015

Mine is a 2015, just bought a month ago. It's no better than the 2 2014s guys I work with have.

No I don't drive around in reverse staring at the screen. And the resolution on the screen is fine as proven by another thread where a guy made his able to play movies and they were fine.

My biggest point is Govt Motors shouldn't half ass it and cut corners on things like that and then charge 50k for a truck. Not when the competition has MUCH better cameras. That's something you (or I at least) use every day.

I was just asking if there was a possible way to mod or upgrade it. I know it isn't "necessary", but he'll half the mods we all do aren't necessary. It's really nobody's business to say or question what is necessary on MY truck to ME, just as I don't question what's necessary to anyone else. If u want to change something you are unhappy with on your absurdly expensive truck, by God its necessary! If anyone has anything constructive or useful on the topic of this thread to add, by all means please do.

Well said Sir!!! As a new Truck owner I love this forum, so many people with amazing ideas and visions.. We should embrace another truck owners vision instead of criticize and joke about.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Jaybridge88 · September 17, 2015

To be honest I drove an Audi with a back up camera. I don't remember it being any better than the one in my 2014 Silverado. Then again I don't expect to be able to see a bug crawling on the pavement behind my truck with it. I would like to be able to turn the camera on any time I wanted though instead of just coming on in reverse. Then I could see the driver behind me flipping me off with my camera hahaha.

ikaika1984 · September 17, 2015

To be honest I drove an Audi with a back up camera. I don't remember it being any better than the one in my 2014 Silverado. Then again I don't expect to be able to see a bug crawling on the pavement behind my truck with it. I would like to be able to turn the camera on any time I wanted though instead of just coming on in reverse. Then I could see the driver behind me flipping me off with my camera hahaha.

Good idea.... But I think invasion of privacy my end up being a law suit..... Lol. Jk

Sent from my SG Note 4 on Tapatalk

OldHobo · September 18, 2015

Then again I don't expect to be able to see a bug crawling on the pavement behind my truck with it.

I agree. But on the other hand, I'd like to be able to readily and clearly distinguish a small child or animal 10 feet behind my truck. Yes. it's that bad in my case.

OldHobo · September 19, 2015

Here is what the back-up camera view looks like compared to the normal screen. If anyone thinks this is good enough then you have very low expectations of today's technology.

ikaika1984 · September 19, 2015

Here is what the back-up camera view looks like compared to the normal screen. If anyone thinks this is good enough then you have very low expectations of today's technology.

Normal View.JPG

Back up Camera View.JPG

I have a 15 Denali, 4x4, 5.3L. And my camera looks NOTHING like that when I put it into reverse...

Jaybridge88 · September 20, 2015

Here is what the back-up camera view looks like compared to the normal screen. If anyone thinks this is good enough then you have very low expectations of today's technology.

Normal View.JPG

Back up Camera View.JPG

I agree with the guy above me. I have a 2014 Silverado and my camera looks nothing like that. I can't tell if it's glare, or maybe the actual camera lens on tailgate is dirty or scratched......? But mine is a lot clearer than that. Is it possible that moisture got behind the camera lens?

ikaika1984 · September 20, 2015

Here is what the back-up camera view looks like compared to the normal screen. If anyone thinks this is good enough then you have very low expectations of today's technology.

Normal View.JPG

Back up Camera View.JPG

Sir

Jaybridge88 has a very good point. I went backed and looked at your pic. It's possible it could be built up condensation... See that purple haze look... Worth a shot

Sent from my SG Note 4 on Tapatalk

OldHobo · September 21, 2015

Good suggestions, guys. So, today I pulled the camera out to have a close look at it, but could find nothing wrong. The camera head itself is a sealed unit with no sign of moisture inside and the plastic cover over the lens is not marked up. I did disconnect the wiring connector and reset it, but to no avail. Thanks for the ideas anyways. For those interested, it only took about 15 minutes to get it out and that included removing the tailgate liner. Two screws hold the plastic camera mount in place, then two screws hold the wiring connector to the back of the lens module and two screws hold the lens module to the plastic mount.

The camera in the plastic mount-

The view after re-assembly-

TenofMe · September 21, 2015

Something is wrong with your camera. That's what mine looks like with rain and dirt on it. Have it replaced under warranty. Have them compare it to a new one on the lot if they give you any flack.