This is intended as a Frequently Asked Questions for the non-technical owner of a 2008-2011+ North American (NA) Subaru Impreza WRX or STI with OEM navigation, who wants to install a backup camera. As a non-technical person myself, I found information on this subject to be confusing and scattered. This write up is based on my personal experience (2011 STI hatchback with Nav), reports from the Subaru Forester forum, NASIOC, and these two threads on IWSTI:
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gr-i-c-e-security/159710-factory-nav-backup-cam-figured-out.html
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gr-i-c-e-security/167223-how-install-rear-view-camera-09-sti.html
1. Is there an officially endorsed Subaru backup camera for North American Imprezas?
Sort of. Subaru advertises an OEM backup (rearview) camera accessory in Japan and Europe, but not in North America. Want proof? Just look at this general Subaru WRX/STI accessories brochure for model year 2011:
http://www.subaru.ky/Downloads/2011MYWRXSTIAcc.pdf
Here is a photo of page 9, the Safety section.
But North American Subaru dealerships know nothing about this option. They have never heard of the part number. The North American WRX/STI accessories brochure does not mention this at all. The only officially endorsed OEM navigation backup cameras are for the Legacy and Outback. I have no explanation why they would omit this option for NA Imprezas and Foresters, since the NA consumer is as safety conscious as anyone else.
2. Does the OEM navigation interface with a backup camera?
Definitely yes. If your navigation looks like the one pictured in this write up (2008-2011+) then it has a built-in backup camera function. The navigation will switch to the backup camera video source whenever the car is shifted in reverse. A special harness or plug is required. The harness can be fabricated with parts from RadioShack, or it can be purchased from Tim-M or SVXdc for $20 (+ shipping).
The harness from Tim-M looks like this.
The yellow plug is a standard RCA composite plug to accept the backup camera video. The black wire is a ground which when properly connected, alerts the navigation to the presence of a backup camera. The ground is depicted in some photographs connected to a screw on the left side of the head unit (driver's side). In the above photo, it would be right side since we are looking at the rear of the head unit.
3. What camera have people used?
You must buy a camera that is of sufficiently high signal and build quality that you won't have trouble with line noise, image flickering, image ghosting, or worse. For NA Imprezas, people have reported problems using PAL cameras. Here is a breakdown of what some people have used:
RaiteiX Kenwood CCD-2000 successful.
lupohki Boyo VTL351 successful.
PGT Boyo VTK200 but reported some trouble.
asukadc Kenwood CCD-2000 successful.
baneonrt eBay sourced camera made for license plate light housing. Not a direct fit. Made his own bracket.
rxbytran Kenwood CCD-2000, made his own harness, successful.
phylbint Boyo VTL300C successful.
4. What camera did I buy?
I chose a Kenwood camera because I thought the installation would look the most OEM. I wanted an angle adjustment to guarantee that I could see my own bumper. The Kenwood CCD-2000 is no longer available. It is replaced by the Kenwood CMOS-200 which I got from Amazon for $150. The camera is high quality, small, waterproof, and definitely works. Kenwood is the OEM supplier of the navigation head unit, but I don't think this matters since the signal input is a standard RCA.
The installation manual is available from Kenwood USA.
http://manual.kenwood.com/files/4d099201eeebc.pdf
5. How is the camera powered?
This was the most puzzling question for me as a non-technical person but the installation diagram from Kenwood is very helpful. The camera comes with a power supply box that is located near the head unit. The box is powered by a connection to the "ON-OFF switchable power supply" which is apparently what car stereo accessories are normally connected to. This means the camera will be powered when the ignition is turned on, and the camera will not be powered when the ignition is turned off. If the camera were powered continuously even when the ignition was off, it would drain the car battery. Note: When installed with the OEM navigation, the camera should receive power independent of the reverse gear (or reverse lights), otherwise the camera may not behave as expected.
Here is a photo of page 6 from the installation manual.
6. How is the camera mounted and how is the wiring routed?
The Kenwood power supply box also connects to a single long cable (carrying video and power) that goes all the way back to the rear of the car. The cable follows all the other power cords that supply the tail lights. They are generally routed along the passenger side of the car. At the hatch, they go through a rubber tube at the top right corner, and travel inside the hatch until it gets to the camera.
The camera is mounted externally on the plastic trim which also houses the license plate lights, the hatch release button, and the Subaru logo badge. The camera is screwed to a metal frame which is affixed to the underside of this plastic trim using the included industrial strength double sided tape. There is also a single small screw to more securely fix the metal frame to the trim. I mounted my camera on the passenger side. asukadc has a nice photo of a driver side mount.
Here is a photo of my camera placement.
7. How does the camera cable get back into the hatch?
My installer chose to trap the cable with the plastic trim. This is possible because there is weather stripping around the perimeter of the trim which can accommodate a thin cable. I'm not sure I like this as much because it has a "pinched cable" look to it, but it does hold the cable securely. I think I would have preferred if a small cut-out or notch was made where the cable and trim meet, but I am okay with this. Alternatively, the cut outs for the license plate lights are enormous and could easily accommodate a cable. lupohki has a photo of the cable entering the plastic trim through these openings.
Here is a photo of my cable-trim interface.
8. What is the normal behavior of a properly installed backup camera?
The camera is fully powered when the car ignition is turned on. The camera is not powered when the ignition is turned off. When the navigation has finished its startup sequence, it will display the backup camera video the instant the car is shifted into reverse. Note that hitting the "Agree" button is not required for the display to switch on reverse. When the car is shifted out of reverse, the display changes back to whatever was there before. I do not hear any extra clicks or sounds during gear changes or display toggling.
Here is a photo reversing during the daytime.
Here is a photo reversing into my garage at night time. Note that the reverse lights are more than adequate to illuminate the entire garage including the hazard cone that tells me when to stop.
9. What does the "Dealer Diag Menu" show?
This is like a diagnostic mode the OEM navigation can enter. You (or your installer) can verify the function of the backup camera here. To enter "Dealer Diag Menu" mode, you must hit "Agree" when your navigation finishes its startup sequence.
You must turn off the Audio and show this screen by hitting the "AUDIO SAT" button on the right column. When you see this screen, you alternate pressing the left side of the touch screen with the right side (left, right, left, right, left, right…)
You are now in the "Dealer Diag Menu" mode.
Entering "Connection Info." displays the backup (RearCamera) status. Without a connection, it says "NC" in red letters. With the camera properly installed, it always says "Connect" in green letters.
Entering "RearCamera Setup" lets you turn off the annoying green-yellow-red lines which are overlaid on the backup camera video.
10. Did I install this myself?
No. I hired a professional car stereo installer for approximately $150. I did not feel confident pulling apart the panels and trim. I did not feel confident connecting the power, the grounds, and routing the cables. I bought my camera from Amazon and brought it to All Pro Audio in San Jose, CA. They actually already had a relationship with SVXdc and they knew what harness to order. They have installed backup cameras in Subarus, but not in a systematic way. They had the best YELP ratings of any car stereo installer. As a word of warning, at the time they installed my unit, they also did three other backup cameras that customers had brought in. One customer was a WRX with OEM navigation. None of the customers used the Kenwood camera and they are all still having problems.
11. Was it worth it?
For those of us who purchased cars with the OEM navigation, adding a backup camera is a high-yield upgrade. From a safety point of view, I think it is a no-brainer. But it is also a wonderful parking aid. Parking sensors are not nearly as useful as seeing exactly how close your bumper is to the other car. I have had to come within 1 inch maneuvering into and out of spots, especially in San Francisco. (By the way, it's not nice to trap people in their spots). Good luck.
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gr-i-c-e-security/159710-factory-nav-backup-cam-figured-out.html
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gr-i-c-e-security/167223-how-install-rear-view-camera-09-sti.html
1. Is there an officially endorsed Subaru backup camera for North American Imprezas?
Sort of. Subaru advertises an OEM backup (rearview) camera accessory in Japan and Europe, but not in North America. Want proof? Just look at this general Subaru WRX/STI accessories brochure for model year 2011:
http://www.subaru.ky/Downloads/2011MYWRXSTIAcc.pdf
Here is a photo of page 9, the Safety section.
But North American Subaru dealerships know nothing about this option. They have never heard of the part number. The North American WRX/STI accessories brochure does not mention this at all. The only officially endorsed OEM navigation backup cameras are for the Legacy and Outback. I have no explanation why they would omit this option for NA Imprezas and Foresters, since the NA consumer is as safety conscious as anyone else.
2. Does the OEM navigation interface with a backup camera?
Definitely yes. If your navigation looks like the one pictured in this write up (2008-2011+) then it has a built-in backup camera function. The navigation will switch to the backup camera video source whenever the car is shifted in reverse. A special harness or plug is required. The harness can be fabricated with parts from RadioShack, or it can be purchased from Tim-M or SVXdc for $20 (+ shipping).
The harness from Tim-M looks like this.
The yellow plug is a standard RCA composite plug to accept the backup camera video. The black wire is a ground which when properly connected, alerts the navigation to the presence of a backup camera. The ground is depicted in some photographs connected to a screw on the left side of the head unit (driver's side). In the above photo, it would be right side since we are looking at the rear of the head unit.
3. What camera have people used?
You must buy a camera that is of sufficiently high signal and build quality that you won't have trouble with line noise, image flickering, image ghosting, or worse. For NA Imprezas, people have reported problems using PAL cameras. Here is a breakdown of what some people have used:
RaiteiX Kenwood CCD-2000 successful.
lupohki Boyo VTL351 successful.
PGT Boyo VTK200 but reported some trouble.
asukadc Kenwood CCD-2000 successful.
baneonrt eBay sourced camera made for license plate light housing. Not a direct fit. Made his own bracket.
rxbytran Kenwood CCD-2000, made his own harness, successful.
phylbint Boyo VTL300C successful.
4. What camera did I buy?
I chose a Kenwood camera because I thought the installation would look the most OEM. I wanted an angle adjustment to guarantee that I could see my own bumper. The Kenwood CCD-2000 is no longer available. It is replaced by the Kenwood CMOS-200 which I got from Amazon for $150. The camera is high quality, small, waterproof, and definitely works. Kenwood is the OEM supplier of the navigation head unit, but I don't think this matters since the signal input is a standard RCA.
The installation manual is available from Kenwood USA.
http://manual.kenwood.com/files/4d099201eeebc.pdf
5. How is the camera powered?
This was the most puzzling question for me as a non-technical person but the installation diagram from Kenwood is very helpful. The camera comes with a power supply box that is located near the head unit. The box is powered by a connection to the "ON-OFF switchable power supply" which is apparently what car stereo accessories are normally connected to. This means the camera will be powered when the ignition is turned on, and the camera will not be powered when the ignition is turned off. If the camera were powered continuously even when the ignition was off, it would drain the car battery. Note: When installed with the OEM navigation, the camera should receive power independent of the reverse gear (or reverse lights), otherwise the camera may not behave as expected.
Here is a photo of page 6 from the installation manual.
6. How is the camera mounted and how is the wiring routed?
The Kenwood power supply box also connects to a single long cable (carrying video and power) that goes all the way back to the rear of the car. The cable follows all the other power cords that supply the tail lights. They are generally routed along the passenger side of the car. At the hatch, they go through a rubber tube at the top right corner, and travel inside the hatch until it gets to the camera.
The camera is mounted externally on the plastic trim which also houses the license plate lights, the hatch release button, and the Subaru logo badge. The camera is screwed to a metal frame which is affixed to the underside of this plastic trim using the included industrial strength double sided tape. There is also a single small screw to more securely fix the metal frame to the trim. I mounted my camera on the passenger side. asukadc has a nice photo of a driver side mount.
Here is a photo of my camera placement.
7. How does the camera cable get back into the hatch?
My installer chose to trap the cable with the plastic trim. This is possible because there is weather stripping around the perimeter of the trim which can accommodate a thin cable. I'm not sure I like this as much because it has a "pinched cable" look to it, but it does hold the cable securely. I think I would have preferred if a small cut-out or notch was made where the cable and trim meet, but I am okay with this. Alternatively, the cut outs for the license plate lights are enormous and could easily accommodate a cable. lupohki has a photo of the cable entering the plastic trim through these openings.
Here is a photo of my cable-trim interface.
8. What is the normal behavior of a properly installed backup camera?
The camera is fully powered when the car ignition is turned on. The camera is not powered when the ignition is turned off. When the navigation has finished its startup sequence, it will display the backup camera video the instant the car is shifted into reverse. Note that hitting the "Agree" button is not required for the display to switch on reverse. When the car is shifted out of reverse, the display changes back to whatever was there before. I do not hear any extra clicks or sounds during gear changes or display toggling.
Here is a photo reversing during the daytime.
Here is a photo reversing into my garage at night time. Note that the reverse lights are more than adequate to illuminate the entire garage including the hazard cone that tells me when to stop.
9. What does the "Dealer Diag Menu" show?
This is like a diagnostic mode the OEM navigation can enter. You (or your installer) can verify the function of the backup camera here. To enter "Dealer Diag Menu" mode, you must hit "Agree" when your navigation finishes its startup sequence.
You must turn off the Audio and show this screen by hitting the "AUDIO SAT" button on the right column. When you see this screen, you alternate pressing the left side of the touch screen with the right side (left, right, left, right, left, right…)
You are now in the "Dealer Diag Menu" mode.
Entering "Connection Info." displays the backup (RearCamera) status. Without a connection, it says "NC" in red letters. With the camera properly installed, it always says "Connect" in green letters.
Entering "RearCamera Setup" lets you turn off the annoying green-yellow-red lines which are overlaid on the backup camera video.
10. Did I install this myself?
No. I hired a professional car stereo installer for approximately $150. I did not feel confident pulling apart the panels and trim. I did not feel confident connecting the power, the grounds, and routing the cables. I bought my camera from Amazon and brought it to All Pro Audio in San Jose, CA. They actually already had a relationship with SVXdc and they knew what harness to order. They have installed backup cameras in Subarus, but not in a systematic way. They had the best YELP ratings of any car stereo installer. As a word of warning, at the time they installed my unit, they also did three other backup cameras that customers had brought in. One customer was a WRX with OEM navigation. None of the customers used the Kenwood camera and they are all still having problems.
11. Was it worth it?
For those of us who purchased cars with the OEM navigation, adding a backup camera is a high-yield upgrade. From a safety point of view, I think it is a no-brainer. But it is also a wonderful parking aid. Parking sensors are not nearly as useful as seeing exactly how close your bumper is to the other car. I have had to come within 1 inch maneuvering into and out of spots, especially in San Francisco. (By the way, it's not nice to trap people in their spots). Good luck.