C4S cab with very limited rear view...

- Anyone has cam retrofit-how much does it cost?

- does it show you a wide angle of the street as well (an example is during a 3 point turn, in a cabrio, you struggle to see incoming traffic)

- anyone could please upload a link to a video showing the cam in operation?

Thank you

 

This topic has been discussed numerous times on this forum.... I would suggest you do a search for "rear-view camera" or similar to bring-up all the threads. I've posted solutions to this a number of times, as well as have pulled the PCM unit out of the dash and can answer any questions.

Bottom line is that how much you want to spend or not will lead you to various solutions. NAV-TV has a couple of great solutions for integrating video to PCM, and a unit that actually looks like OEM rear-view camera found on any recent Porsche model that has the camera or park-distance assistance option.

Cost-wise, you should expect to spend anywhere from $500 up to couple of thousand. A LOT of the range depends on integration unit / camera(s) you choose, whether you want to add OEM park-distance sensors or not, and who is doing the install (what they charge). Time to install a basic single-camera solution shouldn't be more than a couple of hours for someone who knows what they are doing and takes their time. I personally think you could DIY with high-quality results for something like $1,00 on the high-end. The integration unit may be $500-$900, and the camera another $200-$400. Some cabling and misc stuff shouldn't cost much, and you can also opt for wireless camera. Labor is where you will end-up on the higher end of the cost spectrum. I personally wouldn't pay someone to do this. But then, you have guys on this board that pay $300-$400 for an oil change.....

Whether that is worth it to you or not is a personal choice, don't let others on this board sway you with personal opinion that it is a waste of money, or you don't need a rear-view camera in the 991.

Happy to help if you have specific questions. I'll be posting a detailed DIY guide on pulling the PCM out of the dash (my '14 991 C4S was the "victim") soon. I've now done it twice, and have a ton of pics. Just need time to organize and post...

 

I have a question, are there any camera's that provide the "active" parking lanes on the PCM? And is it only the camera that supports this feature or also the specific interface?

Thanks,

 

Just an FYI, they are available for 2015s. I'm hoping will see the OEM version on Suncoast soon for a reasonable price and that it will integrate into our cars. Right Suncoast?

 

You have to separate Camera from Interface to answer your question....

Camera provides a video source
Interface is what you need to pipe the video source to PCM unit, as well as possibly CANBus integration.

I don't believe there is a camera unit out there that is also providing integration with PCM -- I could be wrong, as there are a LOT of camera solutions out there. You should be able to purchase any camera as a video source, both wired and wireless. Depending on what PCM interface kit you choose, you may also have multiple cameras as video source -- some members here have posted they have forward as well as rear-facing cameras. You switch between cameras using the SOURCE option on the PCM unit.

To integrate the video source with PCM, you actually need an interface unit like the ones offered by NAV-TV. The PCM 3.1 unit has everything else "built-in" - such as video source activate upon putting transmission into reverse, and displaying distance and front-wheel position ( I think that is what you are calling "parking lanes"?) graphics overlayed on the video source. The PCM unit likely gets this detail from CANBus integration, ie it knows steering wheel position, gear selected, park distance control present, etc.

As for video, or images -- I've recommended searching this forum. But here is a pic that I've posted previously (not from my car). There are also videos posted out there and on the NAV-TV site (they may be from Panny or Cayenne, but same PCM unit).

 

This is the NAV-TV version that is for PCM 3.1... This is probably the most straightforward, as you don't have to open up your PCM unit (void warranty) to get it to work right. It automatically switches in when you go into reverse and the video is overlayed with your Park Assist (if installed). It should work just like a factory installed..

http://www.navtv.com/product/164/pcm3-1xg-cam.html

Has a in-line harness that plugs into your PCM and is a relatively simple install. So you run it to power and run a video cable back to the license plate to install the camera. You could do wireless cam, as well but that has it's downfalls..

I think this may be the same that tadi bros sells and a few have bought, although their website is such a mess it is hard to tell what you are buying.

There are a number of installers I believe who are using this if you aren't up to the task yourself.

What you need to watch out for are the one (all that was available up to recently) that required you to open up the PCM unit (voiding the warranty) and install a ribbon cable. This is a simpler cleaner install.

 

+1 I'll clarify tho that PCM3.1-XG-CAM doesn't actually come with a camera. The $699 price is just for the integration unit that plugs into the back of the PCM unit and to which you need to plug-in your video source. You can buy any camera. Also, this is single-source. If you want multiple cameras, or video-in-motion, there are other NAV-TV products you can select from. Correct, this model is truly plug-and-play and does not require opening the PCM unit case in any way -- which is nice if you ever want to remove it....

 

Thank you for all the input.... Anyone could answer the original question:

"does it show you a wide angle of the street as well (an example is during a 3 point turn, in a cabrio, you struggle to see incoming traffic)..."

 

You didn't get an answer to this question in a specific way because how wide of an angle view you get is dependent upon which camera you choose. There are some common angles avail from camera products, but pic a system and then make sure you have the appropriate camera for your needs. At minimum most cameras will provide same angle as what you would get with the OEM rear view camera on the 2015 991, but at differing quality and night vision. If that isn't good enough, look for cameras with wider angle lens.
This all had nothing to do with the PCM interface unit or park distance controls.
Hope that helps?

 

Thank you for the explanation....

I prefer to be installed by Porsche (hopefully they know the car better and also not to affect the warranty)... Has Porsche started offering retrofitting cam yet?

Thanks

 

You would think, but when it comes to installing things after the fact I've found that isn't always the case by a dealer.. Often they farm things out locally to folks that have the particular expertise.. so YMMV..

What I would recommend that is if you do use a dealer (or anyone for that matter) get details of exactly what equipment will be installed and the specific functionality.. What you want to make sure is that it functions identically to the OEM solution.

 

+1 ^
Honestly you can buy all the parts from your dealer if you can narrow down the specific part numbers but not sure they would retrofit without specific instructions from factory for the job. Hence they might source out to local shop. You are going to pay a lot more going this route.
The NAVTV product provides an OEM solution for a reasonable price.
IMHO anyways.
Good luck!

 

Thanks for all of the info, my local installer who does work for many of our local dealers recommended another product other than NavTv as it was less expensive, was still plug and play (no opening the PCM) but did not offer additional features, inputs that I would not need other than maybe being able to enter Nav addresses while moving (for passengers only of course) however I do not know the manufacturer just that it is from Europe and he has had very good luck with their products. He did say though he did not believe the active parking lines which move with steering, etc were not available with the current product options. If that would change with a Porsche retrofit kit I might wait to have true factory operation. I tried it on a Macan and it seemed pretty intuitive.


Thanks again for all of your help with this information.


btw jawells1, we have similar rides.

 

Yeah, I noticed your car... very nice! I am considering changing to black wheels soon. Are yours factory?

Hey, we are beating a dead horse I guess, but just so you know. the-TadiBrothers (which uses a NAVTV component) and NAVTV PCM3.1 XG products absolutely work with the angle lines that move with your steering wheel angle, the distance markers, the park distance diagrams etc. just like factory. This is a feature of the PCM, NOT of the interface unit or camera. Check out the videos of the product installed in a Panamera and there is also vid of one in a Cayenne. They look and work exactly like OEM, and these units have been on the street for several years. Not sure why the "other" product would be cheaper -- but you may get what you pay for. NAVTV XG product does NOT require cracking open the case either -- just plug directly into cable port on back of unit. I know, because I've thoroughly researched this, as well as pulled my PCM unit out to get to the wiring harness.

Anyways, good luck!

 

Yes, my black wheels are factory, they became available just before I had to lock my order.


Thanks for the info, sounds like either unit should provide the factory parking line movement.