How much do backup cameras usually cost?

You may want to check out my thread at the Sponsor Forum:

>> Backup Cameras

 

Did mine about a week ago.
NTSC - RGB Converter AUD 200
Cable (from wrecker) AUD 5
Camera AUD 70
1/2 day wiring and installation
Total AUD 275 or about USD 210
Works great!

Thanks to frenchie and brosnan for the info on how to do it.

 

I really don't know why backup cameras (the CCD module itself) are so expensive.. You really don't need a super high res, power zoom camera to ensure you don't hit the car behind you or run over someone, so a cheap low-res CCD is more the sufficient for the purpose.. If you look on Ebay, you can find these modules listing for $20 and up, and the majority of them are quite satisfactory (many work quite well at night with just the tail light illumination, but some may required additional IR illumination for best results)..

I got one as part of the package when I bought the rearview mirror/LCD monitor that I was initially using for my aftermarket NAV display (I'm currently using the Estima back up camera ECU to display monochrome on my MFD, but I'll be switching over to the Canview (for color and touch-screen access!) as soon as I build the cable). But anyways, back to the topic at hand: I paid around $100 for the whole kit: mirror/monitor and the nifty little CCD camera with all cables and hardware. The camera is a reversed-view type (ie, meant for use as a rear view cam) in a "bullet" type enclosure- cylindrical outdoor-rated aluminum enclosure with rubber O-ring gaskets, reasonable low-light capability that fits in a 1" hole.. I didn't want to drill a hole in my car, but I've tried the camera installed on a bracket in my back window, and it works fine.. If I had gotten the camera when I first got the car, I would definitely have installed it, as rear visibility in the Classic is much worse than my old Corolla, but I had installed an ultrasonic sonar backup assist, and between the backing-up experience I've gained since I've owned the Prius and the sonar assist, I found that in most situations, I didn't gain anything from the camera display, so I took it down and it's been sitting in the box ever since..

 

Which parts did you use? That's a pretty good price for the camera (depending on the quality and how well it meshes with the Prius). Do you have any pix?

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I have now posted some photos and installation details in the File Library.
There are plenty of suitable cameras available on eBay for less than $50.
The hardest part was getting the bits to make the connecting cable.