'09 Backup Camera - How Useful?

For backing up to trailers and backing in/out of parking spots, it's great...

Takes a little getting used to ,but you can see the whole rear bumper...

 

I work in nyc and the cam is awesome I can park my dbl cab in spots that a miata would have problems with.

 

Hi Rick,

Speaking as a new Tacoma owner (bought it today!), that backup camera is just wonderful. Once you start using it, you will always use it. I initially wrote it off as a boring safety feature. While parking my Tacoma this evening, I used it. The camera saved me from knocking over a trash can! Since then, I've used several times.

It's worth it, in my opinion. Wait for the new lock. You won't be disappointed.

Regards,

-RH

 

I don't have one yet and might get it in the future. they are more than $100 though. From Mito Corp. the 2.5 is $339 and the 3.5 is $399

http://www.mitocorp.com/auto-dimming-mirrors-rear-camera-display.html

 

I was not aware that they were that expensive, thanks.

 

I am rethinking the camera. I have a hard tonneau on the bed and I just realized that I have run over the trash can twice backing out of my garage. I have also driven off with my tailgate down once slinging a bunch of liter Coke bottles out. When I got to my destination someone told me about it. I went out and looked and the tailgate was down with a set of golf clubs and a case of beer looking at me. Had it not been for the rubber bed matt I would have lost both. If I had the camera I would have seen the garage floor when backing out.

 

I have only had mine a couple of weeks now and I really like the camera.

Before letting off the brake when backing up, a quick glance to verify 'all clear'.

When backing in to places, I use the mirrors and when I get close I start watching the camera. I can stop it right on a line if needed.

I have never had a vehicle with just sensors, but I think the camera is better than those.

HTH

 

My Tacoma is the smallest truck I've owned and at first I thought it was silly that it came with a backup camera. I do glance at it from time to time when backing up into tight spots, but I could live without it.

 

You could (and have) live without it but now that I have it I think it's cool. I live in a highly populated area and I use it to make sure no one is walking on the sidewalk when I back out of the driveway. I thought it was a gimmick but it's proven pretty useful.

 

I use mine to back up to my boat trailer and it saved me one morning from backing over a small bicycle one of the neighborhood kids had left behind my truck the night before. It also allows you to back right up to an inch from any object.

 

I just poked my piggies under the headliner and found the prewired mirror plug.

 

Ehhh...so so! LOL

Thanks Joe!

 

Personally, I wouldn't want it even if it came standard. Partly because I hate auto-dimming mirrors, and partly because it comes on every time you put it in reverse (instead of having a separate switch), so it's on even when you don't need/want it on. Besides every vehicle I've ever owned I've been able to backup to within an inch of any object, just by knowing the dimensions of my truck, and how it relates to objects around me. I'm kinda thinking of taking the camera out also, and replacing it with a regular handle just to make it less appealing to thieves.

 

Really handy for backing up to the boat. I use it some in parking lots but most useful when trailering. I couldn't get the wife to get up at 0-light thirty to connect the boat so it has proven useful to me

 

I like it, the camera allows me to just squeeze the truck in the garage next to my wife's Camry. I have a curved driveway going into the garage and it would be next to impossible to back the truck out of the garage with where my son parks his TC, much easier to drive the truck out.