Retrofit reverse camera to new CLS

[up_north]

Hi

I've been offered a good lease deal on a pre-built CLS350. The only extra I really wanted which it doesn't have is a reverse camera. Car has COMAND. Is there any way of retrofitting the camera? I've seen a few websites but they mention specific models - none of which is the CLS.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Ian

 

[television]

Yes the is a retro camera kit that can be added,,it is lots of work though as all the seats have to come out to get the wiring up front on most cars, I can print it all off when I get a moment

 

[whitenemesis]

You can get wireless camera kits, saves ripping out all the intervening trim. Not sure how good they are though. A quick Google should bring up suppliers.
Might be worth a look at least?

 

[npuk]

Official retrofit kit may need seats ripping out etc but why bother, it is going to cost £100s. Plus as it is a lease you will then have to do it all again to remove the camera when the car goes back.

Just get a reverse camera off ebay, a fakra to rca converter and it is simple to do. You only need to run a RCA cable to Comand which can be done easily on the passenger side under the sill. Power for the camera can be taken from the reverse light feed. STAR coding is needed to enable the camera input and to code Comand to auto switch to the camera when reverse gear is selected.

 

[whitenemesis]

You wouldn't recommend wireless npuk?

 

[npuk]

I havent used one personally so not sure how good they are. Also the cameras I have seen that replace a numberplate light lense like which is what I have used are all hardwired. If there are good reviews of wireless systems then that is always an alternative.

 

[whitenemesis]

I'm thinking of going down the wireless route. My main concern (after image quality and stability, although the reviews seem good) is whether there is enough room behind the COMAND unit for the receiver.

 

[npuk]

I guess the receiver can go anywhere really as all that connects to Comand is the rca cable. Might be better to have it on top of the vents or somewhere as close to the top of the dash as possible for better signal.

 

[npuk]

Also as you have got Comand NTG1 (2005 CLS) it wont be possible to get it to auto switch when reverse is selected so you will have to press the video button. Also first slide out the unit and check you have the green fakra input as not all of them do on the NTG1, only video capable units do and MB mainly fitted these to cars with the optional TV tuner.

 

[Cole@MBS]

I learnt to drive cars and class 1 using mirrors.............guess that's a dying skill nowadays.......

 

[television]

Wireless are not that good and very poor in low light owing to the noise, there is loads of info out there on how poor the wireless are, that why I have not bothered.

On mine I still have to pull the comand out and you need the video input lead kit from MB

 

[television]

I learnt to drive cars and class 1 using mirrors.............guess that's a dying skill nowadays.......

As I always had vans the mirrors were a must

 

[whitenemesis]

I learnt to drive cars and class 1 using mirrors.............guess that's a dying skill nowadays.......

Its not a need, its a toy!

 

[npuk]

On mine I still have to pull the comand out and you need the video input lead kit from MB

The COMAND has a fakra connection for the camera input. All you need is a fakra to rca lead which can be bought on ebay.

Does yours not have a green fakra input?

 

[television]

The car has a fakra connection for the camera input. All you need is a fakra to rca lead which can be bought on ebay.

OK but you still have to get the unit out to fit it, and that takes a bit of time and not for the light hearted

 

[up_north]

Wow - my first post and loads of responses. Thanks all.

NPUK - I'm a bit confused. Are you suggesting wireless? Otherwise how do you get signal from camera at back to COMAND at front?

Cole@MBS - ha ha -totally agree about mirrors but when it's something you're used to...

Ian

 

[television]

Please do a search on "wireless camera" I have some in my house and workshops and always some noise, in a car it is worse as the sender goes in the boot or rear end, better on an estate car as no metal in between and a reasonable result might be got. I fixed one for a member a few months ago and not wonderful at all .

Is the car a 219 or 218 please,,, I have the 219 info, but not the 218 as you still have to get the head unit out in the centre console

 

[up_north]

Television - I will look that up - thanks. As it's a new vehicle I that makes it a 218 - odd that the model number goes DOWN rather than up for the later model?

Ian

 

[television]

Television - I will look that up - thanks. As it's a new vehicle I that makes it a 218 - odd that the model number goes DOWN rather than up for the later model?

Ian

Yes its hard as we have a 220 in the S class from 1998

 

[npuk]

NPUK - I'm a bit confused. Are you suggesting wireless? Otherwise how do you get signal from camera at back to COMAND at front?

Ian

If you go down the hardwired route you run the RCA cable which comes with the camera to the COMAND unit. Can be done under the passenger side sill.