Mod idea to ponder

[FormerUser]

Has anyone ever added a factory rear camera to a H3 that didn't have one? If so, what does it take? Just kinda curious - think it would be nice to have as the rearward visibility is questionable at times. I know there are several other aftermarket options out there, but I' am all for keeping it as close to factory as possible.

A second thought to ponder then is - assuming a rear camera can be added - how hard would it be to add a front facing camera? I know the SEMA H3 Moab concept had one, and if you zoom in on one of the factory photo's it can be seen in a not so visible way.

 

[3Hummers]

Serge just added cameras to his H2, he should have some good ideas.

 

[alrock]

Here's my front facing camera . . .

 

[FormerUser]

Nice thought - great way to film the ride, but not quite what I was going for. More looking to give me a 45 degree angle of the ground approach as I am climbing obstacles. Sometimes I would like to view the ground as I am make a forward progression.

 

[Former User]

Easiest way in my eyes would be to get an in dash dvd/nav unit that has camera inputs. However it might not be so easy to drive and be looking at the head unit. I've also seen these cheap back up camera add on's before that have a seperate display and the camera mounts to the liscence plate, it wouldn't be too hard to chop up the camera mount and hook it in the front lower grille somewhere. From there you could easily mount the display to a pod and have it coming off your A pillar or somewhere.

 

[f5moab]

I added a Pioneer nav system with a rear camera. Camera is mounted to the top of the trailer hitch and that hitch has taken some damn good hits, and still the camera has not been affected.

It would be possible to add a front camera; at least with this system. Since the nav unit has an option to turn on, and leave on if desired, the rear camera input. So to add a front camera, just get one, install where ever you want, then install a RCA adapter with a switch to switch between front/rear.

The factory rear camera system displays through a small screen that pops out of the rearview mirror. The camera for the H3 was mounted on the left side of the rear bumper and angled slightly to allow coverage from the entire rear of the vehicle. The H3T also had an option for a front camera, that included a dash mounted switch to switch between front/rear cameras.

The factory system consisted of a rear (and front if so equipped), a display module (under the dash I believe) and the mirror with the sliding LCD screen.

I'm guessing that to integrate the factory system would cost more than getting an aftermarket radio head and camera.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

Another option would be wiring the reverse camera normally (with an aftermarket head unit) to come on automatically when put in reverse and using one of the AUX video inputs for a front camera for use offroading to give you view of your approach.

 

[f5moab]

My old AVIC didn't have an aux input....:shame:

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I currently just use GoPro and GoPro adhesive mounts

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

My old AVIC didn't have an aux input....:shame:

Yea, isn't your AVIC about 5 model years old :wink:

 

[f5moab]

Yea. It started out as a Z1 back in 2006 in the 06 H3. Then installed it in the 08 and also got a hard drive update which updated the software to a Z2 or 3; not sure anymore. But, it still cranks out XM and the hard drive still works great. The original Pioneer camera is dying, losing a lot of low light capability and sometimes does not even come on in reverse. I have a newer Pioneer camera sitting in a box. Guess I need to rip out the interior panels to install it one of these days.

One of these days I'll upgrade, if I keep the H3.

 

[DJinCO]

I noticed that the new LR4's have cameras that show you the wheel placement when in 4lo. Cool idea, just can't swing the constant payment to LR service Dept for every little electric gremlin or leak.

You know what they say "if you LR is not leaking, it's a quart low!"

 

[FormerUser]

THANKS to all! Info was what I was looking for - I had no idea about the H3T having a front mounted camera - does anyone have any more info on that. If nothing else, it just peaks my curiosity. I have a factory Nav in my '10 - was hoping to integrate camera's into the nav head unit, but it might be a lost cause. if I could get ahold of the GM engineers/designers that did the Moab concept maybe I'd have luck. Mostly a pipe dream for me.

 

[f5moab]

Sell the factory on on Ebay and upgrade to a Pioneer, or other model.

 

[Portager]

Sell the factory on on Ebay and upgrade to a Pioneer, or other model.

Doesn't the OEM Nav system also have a video input?

 

[FormerUser]

I don't think so - I know GM had a aux input setup as a option, but I think it was to add audio/iPods. I know the full-size GM trucks ca display video, can watch a DVD when stationary and could be hacked for front and rear facing camera's

 

[LagunaH1]

My H3 had the factory back up camera and I used it all the time while off roading. I miss the extra rear view visibility now I don't have it.

 

[5gn-h3t]

I've done some research on installing the factory rear-view camera and all of the components are ridiculously expensive. Also, I don't think any of the wiring is in the base model truck.

You're best bet is to get a nice aftermarket receiver and cameras.

 

[Steve #1]

As others have said, unless you can find the parts off a wreck, they are going to be costly.

I have front and rear cameras that I can set to record any time the truck is on. I recently got another camera to see if I could set up a passenger side shot but it is on hold as the camera won't work well for this. I'm able to view 4 cameras at a time on my monitor.

Here's a low resolution/ high frame rate vido from Moab. The camera is mounted inside on the top driver side corner of the windshield.

[video=youtube_share;BlpT8Gj64qE]http://youtu.be/BlpT8Gj64qE[/video]

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

That is a great video of MOAB Steve #1!

 

[Portager]

I like the idea of adding a front camera, but I'd like to find a way to do it using the OEM Navigation unit. Although I'm sure aftermarket Navigation systems are superior in some ways, I think the OEM unit looks like it was designed to fit in the dash better.

So I did some searching for a way to display video on the OEM Nav display. So far the best option I've found is Ventura Technology VT-GMNAVUNIVID-PRO-X2 - HUMMER H3 Navigation Video Interface :link: . One thing I really like about this one is it has 2 video inputs channels and a wireless remote to switch channels.

I'm wondering if anyone has any good or bad experience with this unit or a better option to consider.