Front View Camera

[jetstreamblue]

Just installed a front view camera on my 2012. I already had back up camera and a mirror monitor installed so figured I'd add the camera. Hardest part is bringing the wiring through the firewall, otherwise it's pretty straightforward.

Here's the camera I got. It's designed especially for Mazda's.

You can see it fits perfectly into the top part of the Mazda symbol.

A single hole at the back of the opening in the Mazda symbol is all that's needed. You'll only be able to hand tighten the nut behind since there's no room for tools.

To switch it on, I tapped the power outlet and added this switch. (Sorry, poor lighting).

Final result with image on my mirror monitor. It will flip automatically to reverse, since that input has precedence. Pretty good quality considering it was fairly dark in my garage.

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[tuanies]

Is it the OEM one available in the JDM Premacy? There's also a 360 camera option in Japan too.

 

[jetstreamblue]

It's just an aftermarket one off eBay.

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[sac02]

What is the purpose of a front view camera in a minivan? Are you doing a lot of rock crawling in your 5?

 

[jetstreamblue]

Yes. This activity is apparently also very popular with Japanese Premacy drivers who have the front camera as factory equipment.

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[Silentnoise713]

Pretty cool but that is the point of this? The lens doesn't appear to have wide-enough angle/fish eye view to make it more functional and it doesn't capture partial bumper line for depth perception. Curious to know -why??

 

[jetstreamblue]

It's a 175 degrees lens, which is pretty wide. It's hard to tell in the picture I posted but it does capture a very wide view.
The problem is that it's a generic Mazda shaped camera, and on the 5 the symbol is slanted upwards. On a car with a straighter grill (ex. CX-5 or new 3 and 6), it would probably catch the front bumper into view. I may do some adjustments to see if I can get it pointed downwards a bit more. In the meantime though, once you calibrate yourself you can judge distances fairly accurately. For example, a line on the ground at the bottom of the screen is about a foot away. It's also good for setting stuff low to the ground. I have a short garage and now I can park with more confident seeing the stuff in the floor.
Not saying this is for everyone or even worthwhile, but for $20 given I already have the mirror display, why not?

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[tuanies]

I might get one eventually when I go lower, because I'm paranoid LOL

 

[PULOVR]

It's a great option for those people that want to use a separate video recorder to record other drivers in front of them. I have an older digital video recorder that doesn't have it's own screen or camera. A friend gave it to me a long time ago. It's pretty small and this would be a great add on for it. It also means I wouldn't need to get one of those rear-view mirror camera/recorders. Btw, after a quick look on ebay and aliexpress, they make a few different versions for this add on camera starting around $16US with free shipping. They have front and rear cameras, and they also have these available with and without the guide lines built in.