Backup Camera Quality

Other than the benefit of having a clearer image, especially with an aftermarket headunit, a higher resolution camera would not suddenly look like vintage Japanese porn after getting just a little dirty...

I feel these cameras get dirty pretty easily, it was never this bad on my RAV4 or UX.

 

I never knew what vintage Japanese porn looked like until now. Thank you for enlightening me.

 

That is a good point.
Didn’t think about how the quality will be degraded further when the lense is dirty.

Excuse my poor attempt at tacky humor.

 

Compared to our other vehicles (Subaru) I find myself looking at the Tacoma camera longer to determine exactly, what I am seeing.

 

The quality of mine is nice but sometimes gets covered with dirt/grime or even a little rain. I just wipe it off with my thumb every now and then.

 

It really isn't that bad...just kinda blurry at times.

I added the glare covers on the license plate lights.

 

It's a minor complaint, but I wish my 2016 Tacoma's backup camera had the guide lines that turn with the steering wheel. My families 2016 Rav4 has that. Not sure why Toyota put it in one model and not the other. If you don't know what I'm talking about, basically the guide lines predict where you are turning.

 

All these posts and nothing found better installed?

 

@Mtbkrguy

I know what you're talking about!

Hyundai calls them "dynamic guidelines" helping you predict the position of the car.

My wife still has a hard time with using that feature...but I love it and point out how it works every time I am driving her car.

My Sport has the lines and I use the farthest line to gauge how close I can get to my picket fence.

No need for me to upgrade/change the camera.

The camera functions as needed...like the rear drums. (Doh! I went there)

It's Friday Baby...and our wedding anniversary! Stuck at home with Covid/wife tested positive yesterday...what more can I ask for? (Don't answer that)

 

No amount of fiddling with my 19 SR5 camera view settings gets me anywhere near my MIL's 19 Rav4 XLE camera view. My best reverse views are in a solid overcast day, and even on those days they're still not great. Toyota can do it right, they just didn't with the 19 SR5 Tacoma. From this thread, they sure missed with other year/models too.

 

Yup, the quality definitely sucks.
Toyota builds a good truck, but they sure miss on some things . Like the entire infotainment system. The lack of a factory trailer brake controller. Lack of power seats until just a few years ago . But still no power for the passenger seat ‍♂️
So many things I like about my Tacoma .. but so many things I just shake my head in disbelief.
Just came out of a ford, and the back up camera was far superior. It even had a zoom feature for backing up to a trailer. It would zoom right in on the hitch so you could get it an absolutely perfectly lined up the first time.

 

Quality is OK for what the Tacoma was made for. Simple and it gets the job done. But in comparison to my 2021 Hyundai Palisade the camera quality is leaps and bounds. Even the turn signal camera has better resolution than the main camera in my 2020 TRD OR.

 

Getting ready to replace the grille and have been thinking about doing the same with our non-JBL head unit. Did you happen to post details (connections, kit, etc.) anywhere?

TIA!

 

@TRDRed

The bracket will only work with oem trd sport and off road grills. https://trailgridpro.com/products/anytime-backup-new-front-camera-kit-20-tacoma/

 

I have questions on the camera quality issue. Is it the camera or the head unit/software that is the issue? Would it be as simple as putting in a better camera, or would you have to upgrade everything?

 

Its the whole system, well it's the communication format used. You would need to replace the whole system

 

Ah. Not worth it for me, then. I'm not tearing this truck apart for the sake of better cameras when the ones they have work good enough. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

Basically, when the trigger (normally the truck being placed in reverse) signals the head-unit, it displays the video coming from the backup camera on the tailgate.

The modification uses either two SPDT (single-pole, double-throw) or one DPDT (double pole, double-throw) relay so that either the normal trigger from the shifter being placed in reverse, or a 12volt "front camera" trigger is:
a). routed to the head-unit
b). switches between the two video sources

You can find all the information a few of us used here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/20-23-anytime-front-backup-camera.781376/

I should mention, that there are boxes you can find on Amazon, ebay, or Aliexpress that will handle multiple camera sources. If you were into some extreme off-roading and needed cameras to judge clearances, you could mount cameras on the side mirrors, or even under the truck. That won't be "sky-view", but each view would be superior than the OEM function for that purpose.

 

My opinion.

• A better backup camera or front camera would be nice to have.
• But I would not pay more for one, and that is what would happen if Toyota put in a better one.
• So because of that, I say the current one is just fine.

A good half dozen other things I'd like to see improved over the cameras.

The one good point I saw in this thread is when offroading, that is where better resolution camera would really help. I did have to backup about 50 yards on a narrow trail last year after encountering an oncoming group of 7 other rigs I was solo and did have the right of way as I was going uphill, but it was a relatively easy trail and I wasn't about to make 7 others backup for me. (I have a shell on my bed so the over the shoulder method is not an option (3 layers of windows to look thru and the rear window on the shell gets dusty quickly).