Who here thinks this is a good idea from Toy/Lexus? It seems cool initially but is anyone going to care about backing up and seeing a bumper? I dunno, perhaps until I use it I'll always be a nay-sayer.

Cool app for the Nav. Screen tho.

alex

ps: how about replacing side mirrors w/ side cameras?!?!

I think it's a neat idea, though how useful it'll be has yet to be seen. But it sure would be a help for all those spots with very little wiggle room, especially for people who live in cities and do a lot of parallel parking.

Here's hoping that cameras replacing mirrors become a reality. It is becoming more common on concept cars, and can be had in the after market. Hopefully it will become a mainstream item.

it's not a new production car idea tho. isuzu vehicross had it, i think only in japan tho. and it was done 'cuz of poor rear visibility. dunno why lexus did it, just a gadget i guess

i'm all for it, some day that 16 year old in his/her mom's shiny rx330 is gonna be trying to parallel park infront of your rx8.

Originally posted by alex
ps: how about replacing side mirrors w/ side cameras?!?! I would NOT want that, personally. When I need to check mirrors, I don't need to be fumbling for a button to be switching video inputs to check mirrors. And the resolution will probably be lacking compared to a mirror.

The backup camera is a different situation in that it doesn't need to be high-resolution, and you are stopping and pausing when you're going into reverse to begin with. So it should work pretty well.

---jps

Its good but I think it well not replace mirrors entirly

Where is the camera mounted? I've been trying to figure out what to do with the extra AV inputs I have on my RX-7's LCD. (aftermarket obviously)

I'm not so sure this is a great idea.

Remember the little sensors that beep when you get closer to items behind you? Many new luxury cars and SUV's have this feature. It is great if you use the audible alerts IN ADDITION TO LOOKING BEHIND YOU. Unfortunately, I personally have talked to more than 1 person who has this feature and proclaims "It's great, I don't even have to look behind me anymore when I back up!"

That is just plain stupid. Again, as a supplement it is great, but if people begin to rely simply on beeps and a camera, this could cause a greater problem than is solves.

As a side note, anyone experience the radar on the new 7 series? Not only does it beep, it has a screen that changes from green to yellow to red as you get closer, AND it covers the entire car, not just the back. Now that is a cool system.

When I see gadgets like back up cameras, it makes me think that they are a copout because the company couldn't (or wouldn't) design a vehicle with rear window visibility.

I am of a similar mind with all the new SUV styling with shorter windows and taller doors. Form is wonderful, but shouldn't function come first within reason?

I drove a RX330 last week down at the local Lexus house, and it doesn't seem like the camera's a cop-out to poor visability. The thing has huge sideview mirrors, and a big rear window that seems adequate. I didn't get a chance to see the camera in action because apparantly it's only a nav option and the nav vehicles are slower in production than their less appointed brethren. I was mainly there to check out the new gadgets and see how it drove - and for its segment, its very nice. One gadget I hadn't heard about before I drove it was the automatic lift gate with auto up and down. Up is pretty common these days, but down was new to me, and their sensors that stop the door when something's in the way are pretty sensitive. I also dig the auto up/down for every window and the ability to open them all with the remote. I'm sure that benz and bimmer have similar sytems, but its fun to play with, and hopefully one day it'll trickle down into less expensive vehicles, like the RX-8.