Reversing lights upgrade?

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36996
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Until the local Dwarf community launch a class action suit for being blinded by the laser no doubt ...
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25362
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4888

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by myglaren »

Fitted as standard to some Audis.

Available on eBay, Amazon etc.



Several variations on it, Bat signal being one of them.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36996
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Personally I would prefer a rear facing microwave jammer to shut down the engine of any tailgaters. Job done and instant retribution. :-D
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by van ordinaire »

myglaren wrote: 17 Feb 2019, 13:12 Fitted as standard to some Audis.

Available on eBay, Amazon etc.



Several variations on it, Bat signal being one of them.


Just because Audi fit it doesn't mean it's legal BUT, what's it's purpose?
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
WillyR
Donor 2023
Posts: 103
Joined: 18 Aug 2013, 21:24
Location: Ashford, Kent
My Cars: Peugeot 504 2.0 diesel 1984 (built in South Africa)
Peugeot 505 GTI 1986 (built in South Africa, and brought to Britain 1988)
Citroen XM V6 (UK)
Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi 1999 (excellent car but it ate suspension spheres)
Citroen C5 2.2 HDi Exclusive Auto 2001
Citroen Grand Picasso II 150 HDi EAT6 Exclusive 2015 January - engine rattled until replaced. Gave it back at 1600 miles.
Citroen Grand Picasso II 150 HDi EAT6 Exclusive 2015 July - still going strong
x 4

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by WillyR »

myglaren wrote: 17 Feb 2019, 13:12 Fitted as standard to some Audis.

Available on eBay, Amazon etc.



Several variations on it, Bat signal being one of them.


Awesome. Will have to research that. Still need the Reverse lights upgrade though. How about improving the reversing camera?
2015 (Jul) C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 Bluehdi 150 EAT6 Exclusive+ now running on 17" wheels - SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE AND SMOOTH THAN 18" - AND better fuel economy :) =D>
WillyR
Donor 2023
Posts: 103
Joined: 18 Aug 2013, 21:24
Location: Ashford, Kent
My Cars: Peugeot 504 2.0 diesel 1984 (built in South Africa)
Peugeot 505 GTI 1986 (built in South Africa, and brought to Britain 1988)
Citroen XM V6 (UK)
Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi 1999 (excellent car but it ate suspension spheres)
Citroen C5 2.2 HDi Exclusive Auto 2001
Citroen Grand Picasso II 150 HDi EAT6 Exclusive 2015 January - engine rattled until replaced. Gave it back at 1600 miles.
Citroen Grand Picasso II 150 HDi EAT6 Exclusive 2015 July - still going strong
x 4

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by WillyR »

van ordinaire wrote: 17 Feb 2019, 22:19
myglaren wrote: 17 Feb 2019, 13:12 Fitted as standard to some Audis.

Available on eBay, Amazon etc.



Several variations on it, Bat signal being one of them.


Just because Audi fit it doesn't mean it's legal BUT, what's it's purpose?


Heh heh… Purpose..?? Cross da line at yo peril, man...!!

And, yes, it probably isn't UK road legal. Sadly.
2015 (Jul) C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 Bluehdi 150 EAT6 Exclusive+ now running on 17" wheels - SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE AND SMOOTH THAN 18" - AND better fuel economy :) =D>
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by van ordinaire »

That's what I assumed, which makes it downright dangerous - because how many people would understand that? Can't believe it's legal anywhere (except, possibly, one county in rural Tennesee) - but, of course, Audi are too big to have to bother with trivia like regulations.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13726
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

While Audi may do some things that could be questionable, they can also come up with some clever ideas. My cousin has an 18 reg TT (with the optional technology pack), and this has a useful function he only just found out about. Last time he went abroad (with his previous TT), he took it in to get the headlights set to continental settings (just a simple flick of a lever). He nipped into the dealership to get the same done on his new one, only to be told that, as he had said tech pack, when he drove into a country that required the headlights adjusting they automatically did it themselves (as the Sat Nav was also in the loop).
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36996
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 18 Feb 2019, 23:26 .... he took it in to get the headlights set to continental settings (just a simple flick of a lever). He nipped into the dealership to get the same done on his new one...
I wonder how much they charged for that "flick of a lever"? Obviously not that simple

And this technology assumes of course that the sat nav isn't having a bad day and thinks you are in Boulogne instead of Bognor Regis...:roll:
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
WillyR
Donor 2023
Posts: 103
Joined: 18 Aug 2013, 21:24
Location: Ashford, Kent
My Cars: Peugeot 504 2.0 diesel 1984 (built in South Africa)
Peugeot 505 GTI 1986 (built in South Africa, and brought to Britain 1988)
Citroen XM V6 (UK)
Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi 1999 (excellent car but it ate suspension spheres)
Citroen C5 2.2 HDi Exclusive Auto 2001
Citroen Grand Picasso II 150 HDi EAT6 Exclusive 2015 January - engine rattled until replaced. Gave it back at 1600 miles.
Citroen Grand Picasso II 150 HDi EAT6 Exclusive 2015 July - still going strong
x 4

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by WillyR »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 18 Feb 2019, 23:26 While Audi may do some things that could be questionable, they can also come up with some clever ideas. My cousin has an 18 reg TT (with the optional technology pack), and this has a useful function he only just found out about. Last time he went abroad (with his previous TT), he took it in to get the headlights set to continental settings (just a simple flick of a lever). He nipped into the dealership to get the same done on his new one, only to be told that, as he had said tech pack, when he drove into a country that required the headlights adjusting they automatically did it themselves (as the Sat Nav was also in the loop).


Yes, VAG sure does do some VERY CLEVER stuff... sadly it didn't stop them making a major contribution to the destruction of the future of Diesel engines, totally unintentionally, I believe. They just thought, as one of the Posts below said, they were above - or not subject to - petty things like regulations etc.

Partly because of VAG's naughty skulduggery, we're now stuck with all these little sub-1500cc turbo petrol engines running around producing higher NOx and CO2 emissions than a good quality Euro 6 and now 6.1, 6.2 1.5 or 2 litre diesel does. Just how long are the authorities going to ignore this while continuing to beat diesel engines with their big stick?


Back to the original problem - Poor reversing ability in the dark. Anyone got any ideas about improving the Picasso's (and other cars) reversing camera's low-light capabilities...??
2015 (Jul) C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 Bluehdi 150 EAT6 Exclusive+ now running on 17" wheels - SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE AND SMOOTH THAN 18" - AND better fuel economy :) =D>
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36996
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

To answer your question, there are cameras with night vision enhanced capabilities, like this number plate camera with infra Red LEDs:
IR Camera.PNG
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Number-Plate-R ... B00EVUX2F0

I don't think you are 'sensibly' going to solve this without some sort of image enhancing or IR LED equipped camera. We know there is little to nothing you can do with the existing LED reversing lights setup on the Picasso, so something like this may be your only solution.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
WillyR
Donor 2023
Posts: 103
Joined: 18 Aug 2013, 21:24
Location: Ashford, Kent
My Cars: Peugeot 504 2.0 diesel 1984 (built in South Africa)
Peugeot 505 GTI 1986 (built in South Africa, and brought to Britain 1988)
Citroen XM V6 (UK)
Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi 1999 (excellent car but it ate suspension spheres)
Citroen C5 2.2 HDi Exclusive Auto 2001
Citroen Grand Picasso II 150 HDi EAT6 Exclusive 2015 January - engine rattled until replaced. Gave it back at 1600 miles.
Citroen Grand Picasso II 150 HDi EAT6 Exclusive 2015 July - still going strong
x 4

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by WillyR »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 19 Feb 2019, 11:30 To answer your question, there are cameras with night vision enhanced capabilities, like this number plate camera with infra Red LEDs:

IR Camera.PNG

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Number-Plate-R ... B00EVUX2F0

I don't think you are 'sensibly' going to solve this without some sort of image enhancing or IR LED equipped camera. We know there is little to nothing you can do with the existing LED reversing lights setup on the Picasso, so something like this may be your only solution.

Image


That looks very interesting. Any idea if it has been tried in a Picasso? Investigation begins now....
2015 (Jul) C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 Bluehdi 150 EAT6 Exclusive+ now running on 17" wheels - SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE AND SMOOTH THAN 18" - AND better fuel economy :) =D>
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36996
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

It's just an idea, there are of course other models - but my observations:

This would require an RCA input jack. I have these on my Navidrive system, so that wouldn't be an issue at all, however, with front and rear parking assistance, when I engage reverse, the screen will change to show the rear proximity sensors - so that may not be an option if you have a similar system that cuts the video / radio / navigation display when reversing or detecting a front obstacle.

In such cases if one wanted to maintain these functions, it might be advisable to have a separate screen to display the output from the camera.

Here's another example of an internal mirror kit. This one also has infra red sensors and also has wireless signal to the front if needed or standard wiring. It just clips over your existing mirror - so no cutting and chopping. Link below the picture:
IR Mirror.PNG
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-4-3 ... :rk:2:pf:0
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by van ordinaire »

Of course if you had decent reversing lights, you wouldn't need a camera with night vision.

While on the subject of cameras, can someone explain how to "read" the coloured lines they project?
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36996
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

The coloured lines are of course in reverse as when you are backing up the object starts in the green area and gets closer into amber and red the nearer to the vehicle.

The outer lines represent the width of your vehicle, so help with reversing into a car park bay with white lines - helping you park evenly. And on that subject - I wish a lot more people would flipping well practice it a bit more - some atrocious parking lately with blatant disregard and taking up 2 parking bays.... don't get me started on that....

Anyway, they normally take a little calibration to start with (depending on model) so that is has all the settings stored.

Here's an example:

Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
Post Reply