Upgrade the trash OEM backup camera

I did that, but only on an aftermarket head unit. I would assume it would not work on a factory head unit...on my aftermarket I had to change the input from NTSC to HD (and back to NTSC when I went back to stock. Not sure how a factory head unit would handle the input if it were wired up.

 

Yikes. That sounds like a crappy project.

ABS, rear cameras, and bluetooth are about the only gizmos that I really like in modern cars. It sucks that Toyota screwed it up on the newer Tacos.

I do like BSM, on everyone else's vehicles. It works awesome and pay attention to it on folks that I am passing, esp on my bike.

 

My camera image looks fine but i only use it to avoid hitting something that is blocked from my view by the tailgate.
I use my mirrors to get lined up into a space, been doing it this way for years, long before backup cameras were a thing.

 

My '17 is fine on great day but when it rains, it's hard to tell. So I have to look over the shoulder to see the back.

You don't need "perfect" picture... If you can't tell, then look over the shoulder like you did before backup camera came out.

 

The picture on my 2019 SR5 just seems kind of washed out. Especially when compared to my wife's 2019 Rav4 XLE. Could the trim level have anything to do with it in terms of quality? SR5 vs XLE?

 

I've never dug into mine but, are there any adjustments like contrast or something in your settings?

 

One of the best things you can do is to block out some of the light from the license plate lights, then adjust the contrast. Really only helps at night but the difference is significant.

 

Thank you sir!

 

XLE is car trim (such as camry, RAV, etc.)... Tacoma do not have XLE... Tacoma trims are: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Sport, TRD Pro...

 

Oh, I know that. Maybe I didn't state it very well. Is the XLE trim on the Rav considered a higher end trim package out of all available Rav trims which gives it a higher end camera, while the SR5 is basic on the Tacoma, so it has a reduced feature set and thus a lower end camera?

 

what is a TACOMA XLE ?

 

Yes it is higher end.. (but XSE is higher than XLE.) just like Tacoma TRD Pro is higher end. But I have no idea if camera or resolution is same in all trims or not but I know Tacoma SR has basic stuff. TRD models have fancy head unit. SR5 model has headunit but it will require an app for GPS. I think it's called Scout GPS something like that which I had it in '17 SR5 for awhile before I got TRD model. Not sure on newer SR5 models.

And I have not seen or driven newer RAV models in awhile...

 

I’ve owned both a 2016 and a 2020 and did not notice any difference in the video quality of the backup camera. Granted I only look at it when I am backing up the truck which adds up to a small amount of time compared to other video I watch.

IMHO, The biggest upgrade to the backup camera would be a cleaning feature to get the grime of it in winter (or any off-road situation) without getting out of the truck.

 

or

 

Where are you getting these schematics, is there a download I can get? Do you have the whole truck?

 

https://techinfo.toyota.com/

 

I have an aftermarket camera to try out but @BLtheP is way ahead of me. And I apparently installed my warn winch backwards today so seriously, f me.

360 cameras are super cool. Stock head units suck. It’s a rough combo. I’d expect better aftermarket options in the future. 4 or 6 cameras and some DSP is all it takes.

My 2016 w Germes and pioneer 6600 has great quality off the front camera and ok off the rear. I might swap the rear and connect directly via VGA to the Germes. But first I have to fix my backwards winch. Grrr

 

If I remember, I'll take a picture of my '19 Pro as a comparison but I'm assuming the Tacoma's are all the same.

My wife's '15 Highlander camera was fantastic but the 5 cameras on her '20 Highlander Hybrid are on another level.