'09 Backup Camera - How Useful?

I bought a basic '09 Access last October that came with the camera in the tailgate handle. It does not have the monitor (mirror?) that lets me use it. What is frustrating for me is that I have a solid bed cover that locks from underneath and I need a tailgate lock. Pop and Lock has been farting around making a new lock for this model and has pushed backed availability from late November to latest announcement of late April.

I am considering just replacing the '09 tailgate handle with an earlier model and getting the Pop and Lock for that year.

I understand that the cameras/monitors are prewired and changing the mirror is pretty much a plug and play for about $100 to make the backup cam work. Is the backup cam worth the extra expense and waiting for the new lock or should I just go with the old handle and lock?

Rick

 

I didn't realize I had one until I had already brought it home and put it in reverse the first time. Now that I have it I can't see me buying another truck without one.

I use it a lot in the parking lot at work and when me and the buddies go out to eat. Very useful in my opinion but some may not think so.

It's one of those things you don't realize how nice it is until you have it. My .02.

 

I get the most use out of my camera when I'm backing up to a trailer. I'm usually doing this alone and the camera allows me to precisely back up and get the ball right where it needs to be without having to get out or make extra adjustments. It's kinda handy for backing into tight spots... I did fine without the camera before I had it, but it's nice.

 

Thanks for the info. I hook up to a trailer two times a year. Once to launch it and once to yank it out. And it is a bit of a PITA by myself to get in and out of the truck a bunch of times to see where the hitch and ball are.

 

My wife's '09 has one, I still look behind just out of habit, the greatest benefit will be backing up to a trailer. For the first time I'll be seeing the object I'm backing up to versus an educated guess.

 

Just used it today for backing up to the trailer, its also nice while backing up in a parking lot full of little cars.

 

I cant wait to hook mine up in may. Parallel on campus isnt bad, but It would be a big help. I have a buddy spot me after my rear leaf TSB and I backed up so my rear end was over the top of the sports car behind me

 

So where is the monitor? Is it built into the mirror or do you have to flip it down from the ceiling console or what? I have the basic Access and the only thing my ceiling consoles have is a garage door opener compartment and one for sunglasses.

Anybody got a pic or a link?

 

^^^ It's built into the left side of the mirrror. When you put it into reverse a buzzer sounds and the camera turns on. I've only had my Tacoma for a day so I'm still looking over my shoulder and all. Perhaps in time I'll get used to using the camera.

 

its actually pretty cool. its built into the rear view mirror. when you pop it into reverse a small screen turns on CRYSTAL CLEAR for viewing, and u put it back into drive mode the screen disappears and the rear view mirror turns back into just a regular mirror

 

Sounds cool. Is there a wire that runs down from the ceiling console to the mirror or is it remote?

 

i agree with everyone above, i didnt really care for it when i first bought the truck but its proven very useful. i park in a lot of tight spots in the city where i live and its awesome for that.

 

Buy the 3.5" pic mirror.
More than twice the screen area as the 2.4" monitor and better resolutions for a great pic.
The mirror is only 3/4" longer and 1/8" bigger top to bottom.

 

I like mine! Already proven useful for trailering.

 

I've heard you got a good deal on your mirror.

 

The DC, Long Bed is a very long truck. The backup camera enables me to confidently back up out of a spot and do it in one motion vs. being afraid I would hit another car so I would end up doing a three point back up.

I find it useful.

Side Note: For kicks I back up my long driveway using it at night and its tough to get used to. I like my mirrors instead. When doing this I can only think how talented and how hard it must be to fly a Blackhawk, at night, through a monitor, with night vision goggles on, and being fired upon. Holy Crap.

 

For those who might be interested in a DIY install here is a great youtube video provided to me by Joe B.

Very nice Joe, thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4tAZHVMfl0

 

I'm sure it's more useful for backing up close to a trailer but as far as using it in a parking lot to see how close you are to another vehicle i don't feel like it's that useful. Maybe it'll take some getting used to, but i find it hard to just distance.

 

This is pretty much how I feel. Perhaps it is the distortion?

 

I use the camera alot these days. I have a neck and shoulder injury that prevents me from turning over my shoulder to look so it has been great for me once you get used to it.