Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E70) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-24-2013, 07:11 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5
nephs is on a distinguished road
X5 Reversing Camera At Night - RUBBISH

Hi all

I have a 2012 X5 with a lot of bells and whistles including the reversing camera with top view. During the day, the camera is awesome and I probably won't buy another car without it but at night, when the lights are on, the picture is all 'clouded' out and is unusable.
This is caused by the number plate light which the camera sits right next to. Has anyone been able to come up with an idea to block the light hitting the camera. Obviously cannot remove the bulb (as much as I am tempted to) as this is illegal. Any ideas / help would be much appreciated. Have to say poor design by BMW though.
Thanks
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 10-24-2013, 10:24 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: us
Posts: 81
texvette is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by nephs View Post
Hi all

I have a 2012 X5 with a lot of bells and whistles including the reversing camera with top view. During the day, the camera is awesome and I probably won't buy another car without it but at night, when the lights are on, the picture is all 'clouded' out and is unusable.
This is caused by the number plate light which the camera sits right next to. Has anyone been able to come up with an idea to block the light hitting the camera. Obviously cannot remove the bulb (as much as I am tempted to) as this is illegal. Any ideas / help would be much appreciated. Have to say poor design by BMW though.
Thanks
Maybe our design is different, smaller plate, but rear view at night isn't
that bad. If something is back there I know it, its 2013

Last edited by texvette; 10-24-2013 at 03:13 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-24-2013, 10:44 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5
nephs is on a distinguished road
I will try and take a picture so you can all see what I am talking about. It's mainly the first third of the screen that is unsuable. Heaven forbid if a child is standing there as you would have no chance of spotting them. I have tried taking down the brightness and contrast of the screen to zero and whilst it helps, it's still unaccepatable IMO.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-24-2013, 11:35 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 207
Davidf is on a distinguished road
Yes, the back-up camera on my '08 is worthless at night as well.

I should say: Unless there is sufficient ambient light available.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-24-2013, 11:40 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milford, PA
Posts: 142
delviacv2 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by nephs View Post
Hi all

I have a 2012 X5 with a lot of bells and whistles including the reversing camera with top view. During the day, the camera is awesome and I probably won't buy another car without it but at night, when the lights are on, the picture is all 'clouded' out and is unusable.
This is caused by the number plate light which the camera sits right next to. Has anyone been able to come up with an idea to block the light hitting the camera. Obviously cannot remove the bulb (as much as I am tempted to) as this is illegal. Any ideas / help would be much appreciated. Have to say poor design by BMW though.
Thanks
have you play with the settings/adjustments?
__________________

2011 X5 35d
2015 X5 35d M Sport
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-24-2013, 02:05 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MN
Posts: 89
Toneaero is on a distinguished road
I noticed it more when I replaced my license plate lights with white LEDs. The backup cam at night will be washed out due to the plate light. Its even worse when the backup camera lens is dirty.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-25-2013, 04:16 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5
nephs is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by delviacv2 View Post
have you play with the settings/adjustments?
yes, tried adjusting the brightness and contrast to both extremes andmaking it brighter makes it worse. Hope to take a pic and post tonight
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-25-2013, 11:31 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 178
3Series is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davidf View Post
Yes, the back-up camera on my '08 is worthless at night as well.

I should say: Unless there is sufficient ambient light available.

Cameras are different on a 2008 compared to a LCI vehicle. But yes, the pre-lci cameras are worthless unless it's sunny and clear.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-25-2013, 12:01 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Southern CT
Posts: 1
mgmidget72 is on a distinguished road
I can't see much at night on mine either (2011). When backing into my driveway, I ride the brakes so that the brake lights illuminate the area. While this isn't as good as during the day, I can see enough to get into the driveway and not hit anything.

-Scott
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-25-2013, 12:45 PM
JCL's Avatar
JCL JCL is offline
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 11,853
JCL will become famous soon enoughJCL will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by nephs View Post
I will try and take a picture so you can all see what I am talking about. It's mainly the first third of the screen that is unsuable. Heaven forbid if a child is standing there as you would have no chance of spotting them. I have tried taking down the brightness and contrast of the screen to zero and whilst it helps, it's still unaccepatable IMO.
To me, this illustrates the downside of rear view cameras. They are not designed to replace driver situational awareness and actually checking for obstacles, including children. It is like relying on a rear view mirror without doing a shoulder check. What if that child was just out of view of a perfectly functioning rear view camera?

If there is a risk that children are playing behind the vehicle I would suggest a walk around before reversing.
__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver

2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:32 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.