Lockpick front camera install for 2023 Tacoma OffRoad

I noticed a new addon front camera for 2023 Tacomas. Called a Lockpick.

Has anyone installed a LockPick front camera?

If yes how did the install go and do you like the camera ?

Thanks for the informations !

 

I actually just did this install to upgrade from the original Anytime Camera kit. I bought the new kit under the name of Anytime Camera as it seems to be one of the distributors. The reflection is going to be lengthy since I had a lot of feedbacks to the distributor and manufacture so here's your warning! Ok now let's proceed to my thoughts:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First, the Pros:

1. The new camera has better resolution and response time compared to Nakita from the old kits.

2. The plug-and-play feature is convenient—avoiding the hassle of grounding and splicing wires is a big plus.

3. The steering wheel programming is a great addition to the button control. It's intuitive and requires almost no learning curve.

4. The harness is much cleaner than the older kit, making installation and removal a lot easier.

5. The automatic activation function works perfectly—it's awesome not having to manually toggle the switch for tight parking spaces.

Now to the Cons:

1. The plug-and-play design also limits the flexibility of where you can place your buttons. In my opinion, the wire for the switch button is too short. I had to place the button on the left side of the steering wheel instead of the center dash as shown in the video since my center dash is already occupied. Routing the relay module wire through the dashboard to get enough slack was tricky, and I nearly pulled one of the soldered parts with heat shrink in the process—thankfully, no damage occurred, and I reinforced it with extra tape afterward.

Point: The new wiring harness is too short, making it difficult to choose a mounting location. The kit should accommodate users who prefer mounting on the driver's side accessory panel.

2. I asked beforehand whether the new system can accept other cameras, and the answer is "Yes". But! That doesn’t seem to be a plug-and-play option anymore. The red power and black ground wires now run all the way back to the relay module, requiring you to either splice the existing wires or unplug them from the relay connector. Neither option is ideal for the average DIYer. Since the camera function wires (mirror, grid lines, etc.) are now integrated into the harness, switching cameras freely is no longer possible without replacing the entire harness—this is a big downside if the camera malfunctions.

Point: The integration of the camera functions complicates switching cameras. A more common 4-pin camera, like the old kit, would be preferable.

3. Regarding the camera itself: While the high resolution and fast response are great, it’s much harder to adjust and install compared to other Nakita cameras I’ve used. The limited space inside the OEM housing makes it difficult, as even the company installer mentioned. Using pliers in this situation is a pain because every time you turn, the entire camera housing turns with it, making calibration tough. I had to get creative and use tape to hold it in place while turning the nut. A more user-friendly mounting nut, such as one with a tapered portion for better grip, would help. Alternatively, a spring-loaded flush mount, like Nakita's design, could simplify installation and calibration. The video also didn’t explain the purpose of the provided gasket, which was confusing.

Point: The camera mounting method needs improvement, especially for a premium kit like this.

4. Again, the 5-pin setup is less user-friendly for switching cameras. The kit should offer a 4-pin option or an adapter between 5-pin and 4-pin cameras. Additionally, the pre-cut grid line feature feels unnecessary—the kit should let customers decide what to keep and what to remove. Rejoining wires defeats the purpose of the kit, and with function wires being so short and thin, it’s difficult to rejoin them.

Point: The integrated camera design isn’t ideal. An adapter should be included for true plug-and-play with other market cameras. Pre-cut function wires should be left to the customer's discretion.

5. An instruction paper should be included at this price point. Even products from other countries include instructions, even if they’re not the clearest. The video, while helpful, didn’t cover everything.

Point: An instruction paper should be included regardless of having video instruction already.

6. The camera comes very loosely in the package. I had to use the provided wrench to fasten the camera into the correct position, which was also difficult due to the camera’s inner housing being a ball shape for flexibility. Finding the right spot took some time, especially if one screw didn’t align perfectly with the other. At this price point, the camera should come pre-adjusted right out of the box, not left for the user to figure out. The provided wrench should only be necessary if the camera becomes loose over time, not during initial installation.

Point: The camera should be pre-adjusted at the factory.

7. The camera has an arrow indicating the direction and center spot. However, when mounted in the center grille position on the TRD PRO grille, what is supposed to be the center ends up being crooked. The camera had to be tilted quite a bit to achieve a flat, leveled image on the screen, leaving the arrow positioned around 1 to 2 o’clock. This defeats the purpose of having an arrow to indicate the center position.

Point: The camera’s indicating arrow is not properly calibrated to be centered, which undermines its purpose.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's everything I could think of. I already sent this to the Anytime Camera guy, and I am planning to send this to the manufacture as well (Lockpick/Ventura Technology on YouTube). Let me know if you have any questions. I really enjoy the new auto function and cleaner install, but the kit could really use some improvements. Hopefully they will read this and take my advice .