Image quality reversing camera by night 2013 C5

[C5_Jack]

Hi All

I would like to know if someone has found out about how to improve the image quality of reversing camera on a 2013 C5 Touring
By day the quality is good, by night i can see the bumper but not much else.

I have already replaced the number plate bulbs which helps.

Are the newer C5 reversing camera have a better quality vision by night?

Cheers

Jack

[Stempy]

Perhaps a couple of these mounted in the reversing lamps

http://www.dx.com/p/cjwy-002-12v-12w-60 ... ard-302617

[vborovic]

No chance, either a better camera, which has active LED night vision compensation (like the security cameras for home/industrial purposes ... don't think such exist for car purposes yet), or placing LED flood lamps below the bumper, something like this:

[C5_Jack]

Hi

Good Idea!
I am going to look for very bright reversing LED bulbs for a similar effect (I hope)

Jack

[vborovic]

Keep in mind that you could fail the MOT if you don't have the proper reversing white light (it can't be distracting the cars behind you, even if for a second) ... I know some people went for reverse lights CREEs, boy did they fail the MOT ... ... the lights were so focused and pinpointed that even the tester was blinded while standing behind the car during inspection ... imagine what the driver whose field of vision in the car is lower would feel like ...

[GiveMeABreak]

If you can get some decent number plate lights these shouldn't affect driver's behind as the bulb is facing downwards and is not in direct view. Something like these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-C3-5D ... SwZjJU7LG4
or these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-license-n ... xy3HJTHJqV
These are the complete modules (Citroen only sell the modules not the bulbs) and they are simple to clip out and the new ones just plug in. I was thinking of getting some of these myself as the standard reversing lights aren't very helpful at night (even without a reversing camera) and these number plate units could help supplement the light just enough around the boot to the ground.

[C5_Jack]

Hello

I was thinking in getting those

http://www.horizonleds.co.uk/cree-leds/ ... ee-led-50w
or
http://britelightleds.co.uk/vehicle-use ... 630-canbus

Your thoughts?


I have replaced the bulbs by LED units which helps, I can see the ground now just need abit more light so I can see stuff before bumping into them

Jack

[vborovic]

@ Mark - I have them on my car, doesn't help one bit for the camera image at night (or low light even)

[GiveMeABreak]

Hello
I was thinking in getting those
http://www.horizonleds.co.uk/cree-leds/ ... ee-led-50w
or
http://britelightleds.co.uk/vehicle-use ... 630-canbus
Your thoughts?
Jack

@Jack: I've held off from replacing any rear bulbs with LEDs because of the brightness / insurance issues until they clear this up ( I believe several companies are trying to get this changed or certification of some LED products at present), but have replaced my front DRLs with LEDs as the bulb failed on one and they are not legally required on my vehicle for the year although I have them activated. So these are only on in the daytime and am considering changing the Angular lighting as these are dulling a bit now - but that's for the summer!
@Vborovic: Well that's saved me a few quid then! I guess it doesn't exactly help with the electrochrome rear view mirrors / exterior mirrors, the screen blind or the tinted windows either!

[C5_Jack]

I have a friendly MOT station in the village who knows me well.
I will pop round and ask him the question of LED reversing light vs MOT failure

The reversing light are only on when reversing so I don't see why it should be a MOT failure though

Jack

[GiveMeABreak]

Worth a read:-
http://www.carlightblog.com/2015/02/09/ ... gulations/
I must admit - I did have a chuckle on the bit where a guy fitted a front fog light to the rear as his reversing lights weren't bright enough!

[Stempy]

FWIW I have LED reversing lights and just passed the MOT with them. I did need to fit a ballast resistor though as they upset the ecu without one.

[Richard_C]

The reversing light are only on when reversing so I don't see why it should be a MOT failure though

Imagine you are driving along a county road in the dark. Someone 100 m in front stops and puts their car into reverse and waits to back into their drive. But they have replaced their reversing lights with H7 main beam headlight bulbs........

the standard reversing lights aren't very helpful at night

Too right. Unless they have changed since my 2010 model. Citroen had a rush of blood to the head and inserted a grid behind the lens to make it look like fancy modern LEDs without the bother of doing it properly, but it reduces the useful light output no end. Every other vehicle I have owned and do own is much better (except the Hillman Hunter which didn't have any at all). I have to back down a longish driveway and every time I come home after dark it reminds me what happens when you let stylists and marketing men hold sway over proper engineering.

I had a look to see if the grid thing could be removed but its all one big sealed unit. Roof bar launched parachute flares might be an answer, or employ someone with a torch to light my way.

[Stickyfinger]

Yep dreadful things with the standard bulbs, I switched mine for LEDs....much better

[Old-Guy]

I have to back down a longish driveway and every time I come home after dark ....

How about looking at this problem from another direction: solar LED garden lights? Retroflective tape/paint?

A PIR security flood-light might seem like a good idea, but unless the drive is goes uphill (from the road) and/or the light can be mounted really high, all it will do is blind you!