DIY: California T Parking Camera mod

Here you go for sharing.
My usual disclaimer:

I’m posting for sharing. In case anyone wants to do this modification / upgrade here are the step by step procedures to make life easier for you.

Note that I’m not here to argue or debate with anyone as I have better things to do. Im not seeking your approval or asking whether you like this or not.

If you don’t like what I do or you disagree with my approach or choice of parts – it’s OK, it’s my car. You too can do whatever you want to your own car.

Always remember too, to each his own. Your life, your car do whatever makes you happy.

And just like anything in life, individual results may vary and you do this at your own risk; your experience may be different than mine so take this info for whatever value it provides to you.

If this info helps you a simple thanks goes a long way.

Now that we got that out of the way………………. (sorry for the above, all based on lessons learned.)

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My 2016 Cali T had all the factory options I want except parking cameras. So time to look into installing them. I installed parking cameras on my 360 and F430.

Hardwired parking cameras and integrated to the factory stereo is the best way, but its very expensive and very intrusive, too much work..........

Why the need for parking cameras? Difficult to see while backing up. Last thing I want is to damage the rear of my car or worse yet God forbid injure someone like a little child as I didn’t see him behind me while I’m backing up.

Reason 2: I scraped my front bumper already (ugh) on those darn parking cement stops, so it’s time to install also a front view camera.

The usual for most of us, we want the easiest to install, cost effective, very good quality, reliable, we don’t want to tear the car apart, do it ourselves as no one can be more careful and do a better job than us owners.

I have now tried several and I thought I’d share my findings. Note that I have no business affiliation to any of them.

1) Garmin:
BC40 camera, ($140), Garmin Drivesmart 55 or 65 ($150) for dedicated monitor & GPS.
So for $300 you can have back up camera completely stand alone & plug and play. Probably take an hour to install.

Very good video quality. Cons is you will have to change camera battery every 3 months or so.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/591686

2) Pearl:
Same as above, completely plug and play and stand alone. You use your own cell phone as monitor. I use my old Samsung S7 as dedicated monitor I placed in center console.

I have the Pearl camera on my wife’s BMW that I purchased 3 years ago for her and it still works great so I just moved it to my Cali T as my wife never uses it. Works great, excellent picture quality. Very customizable options.

Note: Pearl went out of business >2 year ago as their payroll I heard was too large. Hence, no warranty nor customer support. However, they still make their back up cameras and its much cheaper now. $299.00. I paid $400 for mine 3 years ago from Crutchfield:

Photos attached on my Cali T:

https://pearlauto.com/

Those are the only 2 rear parking cameras I can currently recommend. I’m sure there will be new ones coming in the market soon. Qustions is how long can you wait in the name of safety and vehicle damage.


Front parking camera:
Im now testing and trying different front parking cameras and will provide updates as things develops. The front will be different as it has to be non license plate mounted small camera as most of us have no front plate.

Hope this helps some of you.

Dan

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All wireless cameras will have lag. Yes, 2 -3 seconds.

If that is too long for you then hardwire is the way to go.

 

For those willing to go hardwire route I heard NAVIKS for California T.

I did not try it as even though they say Plug & Play it will still require removal of dashboard and other panels to gain access to head unit, front camera and rear camera connections:



If anyone has tried it kindly share your experience.

 

Thanks James!

Have a fun Friday.

Dan


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Hi Mohamed,

If you have a front plate then I think the easiest to install is the Garmin Parking Cameras as there no power wires required for the cameras. Complete plug and play.
Just need to change camera batteries every 3 months or so. Not bad.
Use Lithium Battery they recommend.

Also ensure you use the 55 or 65 series GPS Monitor they recommend using as those are capable of producing HD video signals.

Hope that helps.

Dan

 

Thanks Vic!

I also want to share something:

I had a few BMW M Cars (M5, M6 Coupe, M6 Cabrio, M4) before I purchased my 1st Ferrari.
All my BMW's had no front plate and I was pulled over twice for no front plate. Never got a ticket though.

Why no ticket? Very simple. I remained very respectful, compliant and friendly to the LEO.
I apologized for not having a front plate and I told the LEO I will order the front plate bracket and will install the plate once the bracket arrives.
They issued me just warnings with no fines nor ticket.

My point to the above is simple. If you get pulled over by LEO, do what I do above.
Remain respectful, friendly and compliant and chances are you too will only get a warning. They are human beings like us, everyone wants to be treated with respect.

My basic rule in life - treat others how you want to be treated yourself and life will be very good to you. It has always worked for me.

With Ferrari's, my Cali T is my 3rd Ferrari. All no front plate. No tickets no warnings, nothing.
I think the LEO's respect the car and admire the car so much they either dont notice the no front plate or they just let it go.
All I get from LEO's here in Washington State when I drive by them are thumbs up and waves.

I wave back big time and smile and say Thank you Sir!

Dan

 

Beautiful car! Congrats!

I cant recommend the Pearl Back Up Camera as wireless connection is inconsistent.
Frustrating when you're trying to back up and the camera often times wont connect.

I removed my Pearl Back Up camera and will be selling it soon in eBay.

 

In case you're interested please see my latest post on back up camera system here:

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/2016-california-t-back-up-camera-4k-front-view-dash-cam-installation.633651/#post-147616114

Dan

 

Hi Dan,

I can only assume the Pearl wireless connection is having a difficult time connecting at times due to all the Ferrari electronic modules.

Dan

 

The Garmin back up camera system only works with its own Navigation Monitors. And not all their Navigation Monitors works with their back up cameras so ensure you check their website before you buy.

 

If anyone wants to try the Pearl Back Up Camera on their car let me know.

I am selling mine for $80 shipped. I paid $300.00 for it.

 

Just want to provide an update that I installed this kit on my Cali T and it works great.



Dan

 

Hi Scott,

Complete installation took me 3 full days.
One day (8 hours) to install the NAVIKS VIM / Video Interface Module.
One day to install the rear parking camera.
One day to install the front camera.

Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being difficult - this mod is about a 7.
The NAVIKS module provides complete instruction on how to remove the front dash and install the module.
Please see attached document.
The front and rear parking camera installation and routing the cables I had to figure it out myself.

For complete module, back up camera, front parking camera (tired of scraping my front bumper so I installed one) information -
Please eMail me at [email protected] and I will share with you my complete DIY step by step procedures info and also lots of photos.

Files are too big to post here.

NAVIKS VIM install procedures attached.

Dan