I want a front camera how hard would it be to make it happen?
 

The backup camera is awesome. Don't know how I lived without it. But I was thinking hey, why not have a front camera that comes on when I go into drive and shuts off at 16mph or so? Then it can alwys be there when I am driving slow which usually mean I am stopping, turning, or parking.

Installing the camera would be the easy part. The fun would be how to get it to automaticaly turn on like the rear camera does. I picked 16mph because I believe other things happen at that speed, or maybe even a slower speed where the doors lock or whatever. I just want it to work on its own.

Anyone know if there is a kit for this? Or am I going to reinvent something?

Do you know if you have any inputs available on your GPS system? I don't have the touring or OEM GPS so haven't seen inside. I have seen front view cameras for sale before, but assume they hook up to aftermarket GPS/NAV systems which probably have more available inputs.

Why not just put it in the same spot as the rear view camera as only one would be on at a time?

I don't think you can do that persay, but what you could possibly do is upgrade your entire camera, with a forward and reverse camera. As there is a control module to tell the camera when to go on and off. Here is one from Alpine:

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

I'm not 100% positive it is plug in play to an OEM Nav unit but you could read into it. And below is their entire drive assist line.

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

Acutally after reading about it on crutchfield "Because the HCE-C212F has a standard composite video output (RCA), it can be used with any monitor with a composite video camera input." if you do have an open RCA input it might be plug and play.

As far as I can tell, there is no discrete output from the BCM indicating speed >16mph. But the door lock system would make Rube Goldberg proud and I may have missed something.

There is an "Unlock Sensor" (switch) in the driver's side door lock assembly that sinks BCM terminal 119 to ground. This could be used as an indirect indicator of vehicle speed greater than 16 mph (doors are supposed to auto-lock at that speed). It has the added advantage of the user being able to toggle it's state using the door lock switch.

YMMV

I had front and rear cameras on my car briefly. I used a hard unit that took two camera inputs. The rear was triggered by reverse and the front was selectable on the HU (Pioneer).

even if you Radio (screen) does not have a dual Video inputs, You can get a video switcher and run multiple cameras.

id prefer a side mirror camera where one can monitor how close they are to the curb while parallel parking. my uncle's skyline coupe (G37C) has it.

a cheaper alternative... :ugh2:



:rofl2:

I love curb feelers. No idea why they went away. Same with those tiny triangular port windows.