Why are the Front and Rear cameras so crappy

Yes exactly. I hate that I have four cameras on my Tacoma and they ALL Suck lol

 

My previous truck didn’t have a rear view camera, so I’m just happy to have one. Our other vehicle is a 2018 Highlander with the same resolution. I guess I never thought twice about it until I read people on this forum saying it sucks. I can see well enough to easily back out of spots without hitting other vehicles, objects, or people. That’s good enough for me. I’m not watching football on it. I can’t speak to the front camera because I don’t have one and I know that has different uses.

 

Such real world problems to whine about.

Seriously, OP what did you complain about before front/rear cameras where even a thing?

Ever drive a clapped out mid sixties VW Beetle? Zero creature comforts, and nothing to complain about but our own driving skills.

 

Echoing what others said... my 2019 Tacoma rear camera is way worse than the front one that I installed. But my buddy got a 2020 with CarPlay and the whole display looked fuzzy... like as if they made the display 1" bigger but didn't change the graphics. Not sure if that's related.

 

Does anyone have a link or information on a front camera? My 2020 did not come with one but would like to add one. Thanks

 

Not the OP, but thought merited a response given that I have lots of experience in the ACVW world...before Jan when I got my truck, my daily driver for the last 15 years was either a 76 VW Westy Camper or a 69 Beetle so I feel deeply the benefit of having modern technology in my vehicle (especially heat). I've never had a backup camera before my wife's 2018 Mazda CX-3 which I rarely drive, but I still want a better backup camera. I think the gist of the grievance is that there has long been better visibility cameras in the marketplace and for the price we're paying for these vehicles, it's perfectly reasonable to expect a better solution. Some of the other threads I read on this subject included owners' comments saying that there was a dive in visibility between 3rd Gen model years (2018 vs. 2019, I believe).

My suspicion is that Toyota doesn't feel any pressure to upgrade, given the huge market advantage they've enjoyed in the midsize truck segment, so why invest when it's not going to yield a benefit? If I recall correctly, Tacoma sales are greater than the next several competitors combined. That's changing some over the last couple years, but with a new generation of Tacoma due in a few years, I expect the bulk of the design is fixed unless a recall or TSB is needed.

The front anytime cameras show that the head unit is capable of displaying higher resolution, anyone found a plug and play swap for the backup camera that improves visibility? If I could pluck something from a junkyard vehicle with front end damage, I'd swap it out in a heartbeat. And related, anyone seen how good/bad the new Tundra backup camera is?

 

I have a 2019 and it looks like this system is sold out, but this is what I added to my truck:

RFCC TTG2 Car Camera Control Switch System for Toyota Touch 2/Entune Front View Camera Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DKH6J4W?ie=UTF8

$40 NATIKA Backup/Front View Camera,IP69K Waterproof Great Night Vision HD and Super Wide Angle Metal OEM Style Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H852D49?ie=UTF8

I did the install myself and it was easy to do. Also easy to reverse if you don't like it.

 

I've got the old version for sale if anyone is looking for one. No camera though. Just the camera module.

 

I would understand the frustration of something not being up to par within an assumed value if I was to buy something and then find out it wasn't what I paid for.

However, a thorough test drive, or at least thorough research into what matters to me would give me enough heads up about how things are before signing on the dotted line.

I am quite sure that these less quality cameras did not all of a sudden go from awesome to whine worthy on Tacoma World.

Unfortunately, this kind of thread is way too close to the term "entitlement syndrome".

Nobody forced anyone to buy said vehicle without allowing them to walk through everything first and get a feel for what is being purchased.

If this was an impulse purchase, and no care was taken to personally evaluate everything that matters to the buyer, well that was frankly a lazy move. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

Very simple concept.....for most.

 

I've heard more than once, someone complaining that their reverse camera was poorer quality than the early 3rd gen they traded in. Some even went as far as to take side-by-side photos. My 2017 isn't exactly HD, but definitely good enough to get the job done effectively.

 

My 17 Tacoma has good camera as long as clear day... If rains, it's hard to see but I use side mirrors instead.

 

This is the first truck I ever had with a back up camera sure is great for hitching trailer. Back right up to it within an inch. Nice and crystal clear vision.

 

@21TacoTRDPRO I wonder if maybe there was a bad lot of cameras that came over. Not to insult your intelligence, but have you checked all the cameras to see if there is a protective clear plastic film that is over the lenses that maybe were not removed? It is a long shot, but worth taking a second to look. Again, not trying to insult your intelligence but if you take your finger nail and try to dig into the lens you will know right away if there is a film or clear sticky cover on the lens. Shot in the dark - thought I would mention. I also wonder about car care / car wash products and if there is something that has coated your lenses that is causing fogging (or whatever). A quick wipe with a zeiss lens wipe or something similar for glasses or binoculars will do.

 

Thank you

 

I appreciate you, unfortunately I've checked all the cameras. I don't really drive my truck alot and it's always in the garage. I use chemical guys to wash the truck. I'll have to post some pictures so you can see what I'm seeing. Apparently everyone with a 21 Tacoma all.have these low resolution cameras

 

had a 2019 FORESTER before and the subie was 100 times better - I think its the screen not the camera thats outdated

 

I had to update the Blue Taco's front camera and I had to go Bro Grille to get it to fit right after the winch addition. Also, I am kind of proud of how I installed it with out sticking out in front. It wasn't all that easy. I was gonna polish it up and etc but a few times through the bushes and "what the heck."

 

Toyota Tacoma Lab video test pattern

 

Camera quality is easily overlooked when buying a new vehicle. It's not exactly on most of our lists. When it says "back up camera" you just kinda figure "cool, good enough". Some things you just don't notice until you use it everyday. Saying it's someone's fault for signing on the dotted line and not knowing the camera is sub par quality is pretty self centered. Calling it entitled is even more snobbish and quite frankly, rude too.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the camera, but I agree it could and should be better. Unfortunately for me, half the year it's pretty much useless anyways. I traded in a Subaru Crosstrek that was 2/3rds the price of my truck, and that camera was the same quality. I didn't expect much here. But I also didn't exactly write it on my list of things to inspect either. Who is going to do that? Do you just go "Nope, it's not 4k, not buying it"... then walk off? lol. Whatever man. Once again, your ego get's the best of contributing to TW... Because someone brings up a shortcoming they noticed they are "whining"? It's well within agreement that most people find the camera quality sub par and again, have compared it to earlier gen models noting specific differences. Lighten up. Don't make things so personal and if you are always so negative, keep your entitlement to yourself. Nobody forced you to read it. You can tell by the title it's a thread about the camera quality, so if you disagree, skip it.

Anyways... I don't mind it. I think it could be better and it used to be. I think it should be better. I just enjoy having one. But I won't act like an asshole and criticize the masses of people who would like to see a better quality camera on a personal level either.

 

So if you sign on the line you have to like everything about a vehicle or just say nothing?
And anyone who has bought or not bought a truck based on the backup camera I don’t want to go camping with lol.