Comments on: How to retrofit a Night Vision System in your BMW

By: Fionn

Fionn — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:40:56 +0000

Dave, i’ve run into the same problem, did you ever get a solution?
Did you try using a BMW control unit? Does this help?

By: ٍSaber

ٍSaber — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:17:08 +0000

thanks all
i have 745li 2005 with no night visition system also no blutooth connection,
so if any budy advise ,hoe can i add this feachers in my car, in cas i bought the camera, does it compatable with the navigation screen.

thanks

By: dave

dave — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:28:48 +0000

I have a BMW camera and wanted to install it on another vehicle. The PathfindIR camera cable does NOT work for this camera. Does anybody know how to make the bmw camera work outside of a BMW? Thanks.

By: CarVideoMan

CarVideoMan — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:37:06 +0000

[Disclaimer: Vendor] Yes,, done many installations on vehicles ranging from a Toyota Prius (into the factory head unit using a NAV TV interface device) to a Baja 1000 vehicle. The camera itself is small (about 3″ cubed) and has a simple power in / video output. A typical installation should only take about 1-2 hours max. Keeping in mind that while the camera is 3″ cubed, you only need to expose the optic which is about 1″ in diameter so “hidding” it behind a grill is easy. Often you don’t have to even cut a hole in the grill since it has a 36 degree Field of View.

FLIR has a website with a movie called “Installation” http://www.flir.com/cvs/video/player.cfm?market=transportation
shows nearly everything you would do to connect the system.

By: Night Vision 3 Gen

Night Vision 3 Gen — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:08:33 +0000

[...] How to retrofit a Night Vision System in your BMW [...]

By: Horatiu B.

Horatiu B. — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:02:17 +0000

@CarVideoMan: Have you performed an installation yourself? I was wondering if you have any tips, photos or maybe even videos.

By: CarVideoMan

CarVideoMan — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:33:15 +0000

[Disclaimer:Vendor] Couple of things I wanted to point out. First the camera itself is around $2,495.00. Like most Car Audio / Video accessories depending upon cables, how you want to display the image, installation, and how crazy you want to go you could spend $300-thousands more. Heck, I personally have spent $1,800.00 on a head unit and another $1,200.00 on IPod interface, Bluetooth, BU camera, and installation.

The advantages of true night vision (thermal as opposed to active IR) is seen even in urban environments. Ask yourself, how many times have you driven in the city, after a rain, and get nothing but glare off the street from the lights or oncoming traffic? Thermal imagers don’t “see” the light, rather heat. Thus, pedestrians walking through an uncontrolled crosswalk wearing dark clothing are seen early and clearly.

The technology is solid, and where navigation systems were 8 years ago. I would encourage anyone to drive a vehicle with this technology. Like Naviation you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

By: Gil

Gil — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:27:54 +0000

Hrmm… a few times I drove thru the boonies of Maine which is completely pitch black (I drive up to Canada to see family every now and then). This would’ve been really nice to have.

By: Gragop

Gragop — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:34:48 +0000

@Horatiu B.:

I agree it’s useful but I can’t justify it for that much, that’s all. This is one of those technologies that will likely begin to filter down for a cheaper price – hopefully – to non-7er models.

By: Horatiu B.

Horatiu B. — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:36:42 +0000

@Gragop: True, but there are many other places there are not. I do see the Night Vision System being useful for the people that own a BMW limousine fleet. With that much driving, I think it's useful

By: Gragop

Gragop — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:54:12 +0000

Cool system and I’d love to have it but most places I drive are well-lit and man, $3,500 is expensive.