Rear view cam on new 520d

gidoc · 04-19-2011, 08:11 AM

Hi all,
Just a quick note to check if the 'rear cam' on 2011 520d, works at night as well or in relative darkness.
I am wondering if its really worth its cost in help reverse park or drive off, at night, in addition to the PDC sensors , which are now standard.

i have the 2008 520d with sensors and I am now planning to replace this car with the new model.

Thanks

Best wishes

bimmertaxi · 04-19-2011, 09:54 AM

The rear cam works very well at night, top- and sideview cams are pretty useless though.

Just remember to keep the camera lens clean.

gidoc · 04-19-2011, 10:00 AM

Do you thinks its worth the extra money and is really helpful? I do depend a lot on the sensors, so does it add value to them?
Being near the number plate, does it require regular cleaning? ( perhaps it will in mud or snow!)
Thanks for your help.

bimmertaxi · 04-19-2011, 10:21 AM

For my needs it's certainly worth it. It helps me get out of tight spaces where there's no room to turn the car around and I'm forced to back up over a longer distance. I view it more as an addition to the mirrors rather than an addition to the parking sensors. The PDC is still very useful, since you'll get an audible alert no matter what you're looking at.

The camera doesn't get too dirty. If the view is completely obstructed it's time to wash the car anyway.

Touring · 04-19-2011, 11:19 AM

I have the F11, and I dont see a damn s**t through the rear window. Rear view cam is a must.

Autojack · 04-19-2011, 12:56 PM

IMHO - yes, the rear view camera is very much worth it. I have a 2011 F10 550i. It is very useful in underground parking garages as well as parking along side a curb on the street.

The camera works very well, and works at night just as well as in the daytime. From what I have heard, the performance of the front and side cameras is not quite as good as the rear camera.

Needsdecaf · 04-19-2011, 01:17 PM

Must have for any parking manouvers.

Jon D · 04-20-2011, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Must have for any parking manouvers.

Agreed, especially if you have the comfort seats which severely restrict rearward visibility.
I also agree with the previous comment about keeping the lens clean - just a short trip on a rainy day will result in it being covered in road grime. On the new F12 & 13 the lens is behind the BMW badge, which swivels open when you engage reverse gear - a significant improvement.

gidoc · 04-20-2011, 01:05 PM

Thanks everyone. I have added the ' reversing cam' on my specs.
Best regardshttp://f10.5post.com/forums/images/smilies/w00t.gif

04-19-2011, 08:11 AM	#1
gidoc New Member 2 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 520d Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Rear view cam on new 520d Hi all, Just a quick note to check if the 'rear cam' on 2011 520d, works at night as well or in relative darkness. I am wondering if its really worth its cost in help reverse park or drive off, at night, in addition to the PDC sensors , which are now standard. i have the 2008 520d with sensors and I am now planning to replace this car with the new model. Thanks Best wishes
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04-19-2011, 09:54 AM	#2
bimmertaxi New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F10 525d Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Norway iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 530d [0.00] 2010 BMW 525d [0.00]	The rear cam works very well at night, top- and sideview cams are pretty useless though. Just remember to keep the camera lens clean.
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04-19-2011, 10:00 AM	#3
gidoc New Member 2 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 520d Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Do you thinks its worth the extra money and is really helpful? I do depend a lot on the sensors, so does it add value to them? Being near the number plate, does it require regular cleaning? ( perhaps it will in mud or snow!) Thanks for your help.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-19-2011, 10:21 AM	#4
bimmertaxi New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F10 525d Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Norway iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 530d [0.00] 2010 BMW 525d [0.00]	For my needs it's certainly worth it. It helps me get out of tight spaces where there's no room to turn the car around and I'm forced to back up over a longer distance. I view it more as an addition to the mirrors rather than an addition to the parking sensors. The PDC is still very useful, since you'll get an audible alert no matter what you're looking at. The camera doesn't get too dirty. If the view is completely obstructed it's time to wash the car anyway.
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04-19-2011, 11:19 AM	#5
Touring Major 178 Rep 1,008 Posts Drives: i3,E21,M2,E23, Skoda Kodiaq Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oslo, Norway iTrader: (0)	I have the F11, and I dont see a damn s**t through the rear window. Rear view cam is a must.
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04-19-2011, 12:56 PM	#6
Autojack Private 2 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2011 550i Carbon Black M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	IMHO - yes, the rear view camera is very much worth it. I have a 2011 F10 550i. It is very useful in underground parking garages as well as parking along side a curb on the street. The camera works very well, and works at night just as well as in the daytime. From what I have heard, the performance of the front and side cameras is not quite as good as the rear camera.
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04-19-2011, 01:17 PM	#7
Needsdecaf Major General 6510 Rep 6,653 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	Must have for any parking manouvers.
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04-20-2011, 01:05 PM	#9
gidoc New Member 2 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 520d Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone. I have added the ' reversing cam' on my specs. Best regardshttp://f10.5post.com/forums/images/smilies/w00t.gif
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