Looking to add cameras, stick with the ra2 or swap to an Android head unit?

[DanHate]

I find myself towing and hauling a lot, especially around tightly packed farm yards and other precarious places, so I think it would be really helpful to put front, rear, and side view cameras on the 16 SLT.

Plan would be to use a multiplexer to handle switching between views.

Since I don't have any cameras currently I would need to find a passthrough cable for the ra2 with the RCA connector for the camera input, I think infotainment up fitters used to make them for around $80, but I couldn't find them on their website when I went looking.

For a bit more than double that I could snag a cheap android head unit and plug the multiplexer straight into the radio and also have a navigation screen. Some of the cheaper head units come with front and rear cameras, which could let me add the cargo cam brake light if I ever find one for a deal, or run a second multiplexer for trailer cams I don't really need, but would be cool looking.


Any known issues with getting cameras setup on either the ra2 or the aftermarket Android units?

Are any passthrough cables for the ra2 still being sold?

 

[tron67j]

I recommend skipping navigation. Expensive updates and always months or more behind. Use your phone and Android Auto, I think a better experience.

 

[DanHate]

I recommend skipping navigation. Expensive updates and always months or more behind. Use your phone and Android Auto, I think a better experience.

I was meaning Android Auto for nav, it would just be nice to have a bigger screen to see vs my phone, and zooming in out to check routs is kind of a pain in my phone since my Allstate app gets mad at me when I do that

 

[SitKneelBend]

I find myself towing and hauling a lot, especially around tightly packed farm yards and other precarious places, so I think it would be really helpful to put front, rear, and side view cameras on the 16 SLT.

Plan would be to use a multiplexer to handle switching between views.

Since I don't have any cameras currently I would need to find a passthrough cable for the ra2 with the RCA connector for the camera input, I think infotainment up fitters used to make them for around $80, but I couldn't find them on their website when I went looking.

For a bit more than double that I could snag a cheap android head unit and plug the multiplexer straight into the radio and also have a navigation screen. Some of the cheaper head units come with front and rear cameras, which could let me add the cargo cam brake light if I ever find one for a deal, or run a second multiplexer for trailer cams I don't really need, but would be cool looking.


Any known issues with getting cameras setup on either the ra2 or the aftermarket Android units?

Are any passthrough cables for the ra2 still being sold?

This might be a good solution for you to DIY...

AlfaOBD TV

Reposting info here in a separate thread with more detail for anyone interested... 2 LockPicks have failed on me so I won't go that route again. I had every input on the LockPick in use so I was left with a Digital TV tuner and front/cargo/left/right cameras inoperable. @Mpgrimm2 let me...

www.ramforum.com

 

[diymirage]

I put a 7 inch android 12 ( i think) in my truck a few months ago and i love it

I was able to use my allready installed aftermarket back up camera and the build in navigation works spotless

(It does have android autoplay if i want it)

The only issue i had was the side bar ligths didnt come on when i wanted them to, so i drew from an interior light and hooked them up to it

I think i paid around 200 for the headunit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CR3R2FD8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

(Pic of the navigation at work)

 

[LouM]

I recommend skipping navigation. Expensive updates and always months or more behind. Use your phone and Android Auto, I think a better experience.

I've had problems with the Android Auto in areas with no or very poor cell reception it locks up or drops out and doesn't continue to update your location. Never had that issue with my 15 and the factory 8.4 with Nav.

 

[tron67j]

Generally it is the reception of the phone that dictates the maps working, however a data cord can be the culprit. Cords are not forever and it needs to be a high quality data transfer one, possibly that caused the problem. For me, I have traveled extensively from Canada to Florida and zero problems with AA. They have a wireless connection now for head units that don't support it natively but I don't think it is worth it for me, I like my phone charging at same time.

 

[DanHate]

This might be a good solution for you to DIY...

AlfaOBD TV

Reposting info here in a separate thread with more detail for anyone interested... 2 LockPicks have failed on me so I won't go that route again. I had every input on the LockPick in use so I was left with a Digital TV tuner and front/cargo/left/right cameras inoperable. @Mpgrimm2 let me...

www.ramforum.com

That's a unique setup, I might have to shoot no a message about a cable.

I was planning to use this multiplexer for automatic and manual switching between cameras.

Amazon.com

Haven't settled on what cameras though, I was planning a tailgate handle for the rear, but hadn't looked too hard into what to use for the front and sides.

How did your cameras work out, how's the view at night on the sides?

 

[DanHate]

I put a 7 inch android 12 ( i think) in my truck a few months ago and i love it

I was able to use my allready installed aftermarket back up camera and the build in navigation works spotless

(It does have android autoplay if i want it)

The only issue i had was the side bar ligths didnt come on when i wanted them to, so i drew from an interior light and hooked them up to it

I think i paid around 200 for the headunit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CR3R2FD8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

(Pic of the navigation at work)

I had looked at that very listing but wasn't sure since it only had 22 reviews, but it's way over $200 now, so you got a deal

Good to hear the built in nav/gps works well.

 

[LouM]

Generally it is the reception of the phone that dictates the maps working, however a data cord can be the culprit. Cords are not forever and it needs to be a high quality data transfer one, possibly that caused the problem. For me, I have traveled extensively from Canada to Florida and zero problems with AA. They have a wireless connection now for head units that don't support it natively but I don't think it is worth it for me, I like my phone charging at same time.

As I said it was in areas with poor or no cell service, not an uncommon situation in some parts of the country.

 

[SitKneelBend]

That's a unique setup, I might have to shoot no a message about a cable.

I was planning to use this multiplexer for automatic and manual switching between cameras.

Amazon.com

Haven't settled on what cameras though, I was planning a tailgate handle for the rear, but hadn't looked too hard into what to use for the front and sides.

How did your cameras work out, how's the view at night on the sides?

I have since switched to the same one you linked to. It works well but the image quality isn't as good as the analog switch I previously used...

Any one us ethe Crux video switcher?

Has anyone used the Crux CSS-41 4 way video switcher? website. If so how'd you connect it? Thanks the info and help in advance.

www.ramforum.com

 

[diymirage]

I had looked at that very listing but wasn't sure since it only had 22 reviews, but it's way over $200 now, so you got a deal

Good to hear the built in nav/gps works well.

i believe when i bought it, they had a coupon on the site that knocked it down, and since i had a lil bit of an issue getting those lights on the side to work they refunded me 30 bucks for my trouble, which brought it down to about 200

i can text you thier customer service email so you can ask if they have any deals going on (if you are so inclined)

which reminds me, ive been meaning to email them to see if they make one for my wifes winter beater

one thing i like about the nav is that it is build in, off line
no need for cell service


one thing my daughter likes about it is that if i go more then 20% over the speed limit, it wil say "you are over the speed limit"

about the only thing i dont like about it is that with the stock head unit i could search music by artist, i can not do that with this one





what i can do is change the start up screen, so mine looks like this

 

[DanHate]

i believe when i bought it, they had a coupon on the site that knocked it down, and since i had a lil bit of an issue getting those lights on the side to work they refunded me 30 bucks for my trouble, which brought it down to about 200

i can text you thier customer service email so you can ask if they have any deals going on (if you are so inclined)

which reminds me, ive been meaning to email them to see if they make one for my wifes winter beater

Yeah I would definitely be interested in seeing if they have any deals on something that is known good.

 

[diymirage]

this is their customer service email


[email protected]

good luck with it