Back-up camera at night

harma24 · 10-27-2016, 07:08 PM

I've had my car for a week now, and my biggest gripe is how dark the back-up camera is at night; I can barely see anything. I've tried adjusting the contracts up to 100% which helps a bit, but it's still very dim. I've searched the forum, but didn't find any posts related to this (not even in the things I hate thread), which surprised me.

I have a Honda Odyssey and the back-up camera is so much better at night. I'm not sure if it's related to the camera, the intensity of the reverse lights, or if it's just my car that has an issue. Anyone else think the camera is too dim?

pz619 · 10-27-2016, 10:30 PM

Try this. I did this and it made a huge difference in the 3.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1103426

harma24 · 10-28-2016, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pz619

Try this. I did this and it made a huge difference in the 3.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1103426

That's awesome! Thanks!

Unfortunately it was pouring out this morning, so it didn't really stick well and I think I positioned it a little high. I'm also apparently out of black electrical tape... So, I need to play with it a little bit, but it looks like it helped!

RoundelM3 · 10-29-2016, 08:28 AM

There is an adjustment via iDrive while in reverse that can change the gamma/brightness of the rearview camera. Just push the knob to the right when the camera comes on and you'll see the adjustment option.

xantdieselx · 10-29-2016, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harma24

I've had my car for a week now, and my biggest gripe is how dark the back-up camera is at night; I can barely see anything. I've tried adjusting the contracts up to 100% which helps a bit, but it's still very dim. I've searched the forum, but didn't find any posts related to this (not even in the things I hate thread), which surprised me.

I have a Honda Odyssey and the back-up camera is so much better at night. I'm not sure if it's related to the camera, the intensity of the reverse lights, or if it's just my car that has an issue. Anyone else think the camera is too dim?

What color is your car? My F30 was white and the backup camera was almost useless at night. It has to do with the reverse lights reflecting off the bumper causing glare through the camera.

My current car is MG and the backup camera is light years better at night.

harma24 · 10-29-2016, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

There is an adjustment via iDrive while in reverse that can change the gamma/brightness of the rearview camera. Just push the knob to the right when the camera comes on and you'll see the adjustment option.

It's not the settings; it's hard to miss thise and I did play with them. 100% contrast helped, but it still wasn't good at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xantdieselx

What color is your car? My F30 was white and the backup camera was almost useless at night. It has to do with the reverse lights reflecting off the bumper causing glare through the camera.

My current car is MG and the backup camera is light years better at night.

I have Glacier Silver; very light. The tape trick seemed to work last night, but it was still raining, so iy was hard to judge. Looking forward to see how it looks tonight.

*Update*
It looked so much better backing into my driveway last night! Thanks PZ!

xantdieselx · 10-29-2016, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harma24

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

There is an adjustment via iDrive while in reverse that can change the gamma/brightness of the rearview camera. Just push the knob to the right when the camera comes on and you'll see the adjustment option.

It's not the settings; it's hard to miss thise and I did play with them. 100% contrast helped, but it still wasn't good at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xantdieselx

What color is your car? My F30 was white and the backup camera was almost useless at night. It has to do with the reverse lights reflecting off the bumper causing glare through the camera.

My current car is MG and the backup camera is light years better at night.

I have Glacier Silver; very light. The tape trick seemed to work last night, but it was still raining, so iy was hard to judge. Looking forward to see how it looks tonight.

I've heard the tape helps- never tried it on the F30. I figured that you had a light colored car because I had the same exact problem.

Beartato · 10-29-2016, 02:09 PM

Mine is Glacier Silver, but I've never noticed a deficiency in the camera's performance, though I'm totally trying this tape trick.

tinyTIM · 10-31-2016, 10:22 AM

I tried the tape trick on my Mineral White over the weekend. Early impressions are that it did make a good bit of difference. Still need to play around with the tape placement though. So thanks pz619 for the tip!

siwo · 11-01-2016, 02:23 AM

Oh wow, didn't even realize this was an issue though I do notice the exposure going nuts depending on what was in view. This is a must try!

10-27-2016, 07:08 PM	#1
harma24 Captain 404 Rep 745 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Glacier Silver Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: 19.5mi NNW of Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M240i [0.00]	Back-up camera at night I've had my car for a week now, and my biggest gripe is how dark the back-up camera is at night; I can barely see anything. I've tried adjusting the contracts up to 100% which helps a bit, but it's still very dim. I've searched the forum, but didn't find any posts related to this (not even in the things I hate thread), which surprised me. I have a Honda Odyssey and the back-up camera is so much better at night. I'm not sure if it's related to the camera, the intensity of the reverse lights, or if it's just my car that has an issue. Anyone else think the camera is too dim? __________________ Fun Cars (daily drivers) 2001-2016: 2001 Honda Prelude \| 2016 - present: 2017 M240xi Glacier Silver Coupe Family Cars: 1993-2014: 1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniversary Edition \| 2014-Present: 2014 Honda Odyssey Stable-mate: 2019 - present: 2020 230xi Seaside Blue Convertible
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10-27-2016, 10:30 PM	#2
pz619 Brigadier General 3279 Rep 3,256 Posts Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla 3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Try this. I did this and it made a huge difference in the 3. http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1103426
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10-29-2016, 08:28 AM	#4
RoundelM3 Major General 1838 Rep 6,991 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	There is an adjustment via iDrive while in reverse that can change the gamma/brightness of the rearview camera. Just push the knob to the right when the camera comes on and you'll see the adjustment option. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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10-29-2016, 02:09 PM	#8
Beartato Major 882 Rep 1,202 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Utah iTrader: (0)	Mine is Glacier Silver, but I've never noticed a deficiency in the camera's performance, though I'm totally trying this tape trick.
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10-31-2016, 10:22 AM	#9
tinyTIM Private First Class 33 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2016 m235 xdrive Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mars,PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M235xi [0.00]	I tried the tape trick on my Mineral White over the weekend. Early impressions are that it did make a good bit of difference. Still need to play around with the tape placement though. So thanks pz619 for the tip!
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11-01-2016, 02:23 AM	#10
siwo Lieutenant 116 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i RWD 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M235i Coup ... [0.00]	Oh wow, didn't even realize this was an issue though I do notice the exposure going nuts depending on what was in view. This is a must try! __________________ 2016 M235i RWD 6MT - Current! as of July 28/16 2015 ES350 6AT - Traded In 2004 RX330 5AT - Sold 2004 Civic Coupe Si(EX) 5MT - Retired 1993 Civic Coupe Si(EX) 5MT - Retired
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