Rear view camera
Rear view camera is a nice feature, especially if the rear window is tinted. This page covers rear view camera installation on W220 and various rear view cameras. To see the picture on COMAND screen a multimedia interface must be installed. Alternatively, a cheap (~15 USD) LCD monitor can be purchased.
Wiring
The simplest path from the front panel to the rear under seat is to follow the thick, red positive wire. Then the wire can follow wires that go from rear SAM to trunk cover. Have not been tested, but probably the wire could be fit into the trunk cover wiring shield. To activate rear view camera when the reverse is engaged you can connect wire to rear light reverse cable connector.
Cameras
Supposedly W220 rear view camera
Price: 35 USD
Marketed on the ebay as W220 rear view camera, however, there is no place where it could be possibly mounted.
Rear view camera in licence plate light module
Price: 50 USD
LED cannot be powered from licence plate light module unless additional resistance - load resistor 5W 100 ohm is added.
Although 4 screws on the camera plastic can be unscrewed, the camera module cannot be opened - plastic has been melted together.
Sacrifice licence plate light module.
One connector is plugged in licence plate light connector, other to composite video plug that comes with the camera.
Generic rear view camera
Price: 15 USD
Note, the hole should be drilled a bit higher than in the picture (otherwise the licence plate cover is harder plug on).
Other
Comparison
Conclusions
- Rear view camera in licence plate module is more discrete.
- Since the generic rear view camera is mounted closer to center...
- Generic rear view camera has larger view angle.