Backup Camera Mirror for Vert & Lessons Learned

[Starminder]

A couple of weeks before I got my car, I ordered a Brandmotion backup camera kit for the Camaro. I talked to them on the phone prior to purchasing it, and they indicated they had not yet tested this in a convertible but if I had any issues they would work with me or I could always send it back for a full refund. After I (finally) got my car, I dropped it off at a local shop to get the kit installed (I can admit I would just muck it up).

The good news:
The wiring & instructions were apparently very good and no deviation from the Camaro hardtop. The camera seems very good and the net end result is a nice crisp (albeit small) display on the mirror. When the camera is off, you can't tell there is an LCD display. I've been excited to show it off, post some photos, etc...but...

The bad news:
The overhead light panel on the vert must be larger / hang lower than on the hardtop. As such, where the mirror mounts puts the mirror up and behind (I will post photos later) the panel. This makes it nearly impossible to turn or adjust the mirror itself to get a good view out the rear window for normal driving. I now have to drive kind of with my head toward the middle of the car to see - kind of annoying.

I've spent the past few weeks trying to work with brandmotion toward a solution...in the end, their answer is "it appears the mirror is too large for your car".

They offered a full refund, but I have to return everything INCLUDING THE WIRING by Friday to get a refund. This is a non-starter for me. I paid (dearly) to get it installed in the first place. Shelling out good money after bad and with no time to do it seems..like not much of an offer, really. It does seem like they offered this knowing that I couldn't get there from here.

Barring a full return, they also offered a 20% discount since this "didn't work out". That's nice, but I paid full retail directly from brandmotion. Since my purchase, there are now resellers who can afford to sell the kit for $250 less and still manage to make a profit. Considering the hassle and expense, this is of little solace - I'm into it for a LOT more. I guess that's better than nothing, but I am a little disappointed they've completely given up trying to support the vert owners and in my case in particular, after weeks of trying to work with them, that this is all they are willing to do.

Has anyone else tried this kit? Apparently the mirror is a Magna (Gentex makes the mirror that got replaced). I'm trying to find another (smaller) magna mirror to see if that will work but am not having much luck.

Does anyone know what will be used in the 2012? Clearly there is a solution to the problem, I only wish I could find it.

In any case, if you've been considering this for your hardtop, I believe you'll be very happy. If you've been considering this for your convertible, don't waste your time or your money on this particular solution.

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

I looked inside the ZL1 at CF2 and that was the mirror that was used, I know its not a rag top, This is all the info i have for the 2012, post some pics that will help out some.

[nukemustang]

Originally Posted by Starminder

A couple of weeks before I got my car, I ordered a Brandmotion backup camera kit for the Camaro. I talked to them on the phone prior to purchasing it, and they indicated they had not yet tested this in a convertible but if I had any issues they would work with me or I could always send it back for a full refund. After I (finally) got my car, I dropped it off at a local shop to get the kit installed (I can admit I would just muck it up).

The good news:
The wiring & instructions were apparently very good and no deviation from the Camaro hardtop. The camera seems very good and the net end result is a nice crisp (albeit small) display on the mirror. When the camera is off, you can't tell there is an LCD display. I've been excited to show it off, post some photos, etc...but...

The bad news:
The overhead light panel on the vert must be larger / hang lower than on the hardtop. As such, where the mirror mounts puts the mirror up and behind (I will post photos later) the panel. This makes it nearly impossible to turn or adjust the mirror itself to get a good view out the rear window for normal driving. I now have to drive kind of with my head toward the middle of the car to see - kind of annoying.

I've spent the past few weeks trying to work with brandmotion toward a solution...in the end, their answer is "it appears the mirror is too large for your car".

They offered a full refund, but I have to return everything INCLUDING THE WIRING by Friday to get a refund. This is a non-starter for me. I paid (dearly) to get it installed in the first place. Shelling out good money after bad and with no time to do it seems..like not much of an offer, really. It does seem like they offered this knowing that I couldn't get there from here.

Barring a full return, they also offered a 20% discount since this "didn't work out". That's nice, but I paid full retail directly from brandmotion. Since my purchase, there are now resellers who can afford to sell the kit for $250 less and still manage to make a profit. Considering the hassle and expense, this is of little solace - I'm into it for a LOT more. I guess that's better than nothing, but I am a little disappointed they've completely given up trying to support the vert owners and in my case in particular, after weeks of trying to work with them, that this is all they are willing to do.

Has anyone else tried this kit? Apparently the mirror is a Magna (Gentex makes the mirror that got replaced). I'm trying to find another (smaller) magna mirror to see if that will work but am not having much luck.

Does anyone know what will be used in the 2012? Clearly there is a solution to the problem, I only wish I could find it.

In any case, if you've been considering this for your hardtop, I believe you'll be very happy. If you've been considering this for your convertible, don't waste your time or your money on this particular solution.

Have you had a chance to browse this http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130589 thread and see what the differences are in the mirror and overhead console light if any??

p.s. I would love to see pics when you get a chance. With the top up I could see this car being hard to judge when to stop backing up.

[Starminder]

I did go through that thread - the mirror appears to be the same size. The huge difference seems to be in the overhead light console. Notice in his photos there is all sorts of clearance there. In the vert, the console is larger enough that the mirror ends up behind and against the console which then prevents any real adjustment to the mirror itself. If the mirror had a longer shaft, that might get it below the console but would then block even more of the forward facing view. If the shaft were a little shorter, that would pull the mirror closer to the windshield and away from the console, but also up higher putting even more of the mirror behind it. I just don't see a way to make this particular mirror work well in a vert. And apparently neither does brandmotion. Pics coming when i get home from work!

[Drago77]

Nukemustag- verts a PAIN to back w top up, especially with tinted windows and/or at night!!!

[OrangeVert]

I'd like to see a phone app linked (via bluetooth?) to a tiny camera on the rear license plate holder. Shouldn't cost much - no wiring required, except for power and ground.

Am I asking for too much from technology?

[Starminder]

This is an outstanding idea, I can't think of any reason for it not to work using all existing technology.

Originally Posted by OrangeVert

I'd like to see a phone app linked (via bluetooth?) to a tiny camera on the rear license plate holder. Shouldn't cost much - no wiring required, except for power and ground.

Am I asking for too much from technology?

[Starminder]

Update: Added photos. The brandmotion kits uses a MagnaDonnelly mirror, wheras SUXS2BU used a Gentex in his DIY thread (the ZL1 will also be using the Gentex 657A). So, I found that nice guy on eBay that sells mirrors and it turns out they are pinned the same and nearly identical except the Gentex mount is maybe 1/8" or so shorter. This may be enough to do the trick, and the Gentex mirror is already on the way.

[Tiberious]

Yes, please keep us posted! This is worth knowing. I find it odd that you had to use the included wiring as SUX2BU (I believe) said that the rear camera wiring is already in place in the 'vert. I'll probably be waiting for the actual OEM parts to have it done given the trouble you've had to go through. I hereby pledge to never spend a dime with Brandmotion in solidarity with your plight.

Tib

Tib

[Starminder]

Thanks Tib, I do appreciate it! I'll follow up after the Gentex mirror gets here. Not sure about the wiring in the rear exactly, but it appears the installer used it - could be this camera wires in differently, not sure.

Like anyone else I just wanted a clean solution that works. Wired appears to be more reliable than wireless, and of course I wanted to retain the Onstar, etc etc that the existing mirror already had. So, when I saw a one stop solution I went for it. Unfortunately, once I let them know it wasn't quite right, i went from being the hero who was going to give it a try to the guy they just did not want to hear from. It was obvious in their responses (and then lack of them ) they were hoping I would just go away. Kind of pathetic, really. I tried to help them and in return I got hosed. Lesson learned. I'm getting a bit old for lessons like these... but alas, sometimes your experiences are only meant to serve as a lesson to others. This one has been time consuming and expensive.

[OrangeVert]

Starminder, thanks for sharing your experience. I've been doing light mods to cars since 1978 when I used to add options from the junkyard - cruise control, power seat, Comfortron ATC, etc. So like you say, it is time consuming and expensive especially when you buy something aftermarket and try to make it work.

Wish BM would have worked with you more closely, as I would have been interested in the solution too. But instead, I will now be suspicious of their products and level of service.

[Starminder]

OK, I've had the new mirror for a week - only problem was I didn't have a car to put it in since it was in the shop all last week.

In summary, the brandmotion kit comes with a MagnaDonelly mirror. I ordered a Gentex to replace it in hopes that would be an improvement. I'm happy to report that it is. While both mirrors appear to be roughly the same size, the mount on the Gentex is a smidge shorter. As such, you get just a bit more side to side movement out of it before it hits the panel. There's enough now for me to get the mirror adjusted where I want it in order to see straight out the back window. Perfect? Heck no, it still hits the panel. BUT, it's a lot better now.

So, I'm keeping the Gentex in place. All in all, while the brandmotion kit does offer a one-stop plug and play solution, if I had it to do over again I would go the route of finding the separate needed parts. The install instructions online would work for DIY or for a 3rd party to do it for you. In the end, gathering the needed parts is a LOT cheaper and then you can order the right mirror (Gentex). BTW, either mirror works with this wiring plug and play.

Any questions just holler, although if you are going to DIY, see SUX2BU's thread.