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      07-03-2020, 11:57 PM   #1
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Bimmertech Front Camera

I recently had the Bimmertech front camera ($549) installed as part of a larger audio / radar install at my audio shop. In the prior months I have come close too taking out the front bumper several times and it's only worse once lowered with a front lip.

The only visible pieces parts are the wired camera which IMO can barely be seen. I had it installed off center so there would not be interference when a front plate is mounted.

I have a 6MT and there are differences if integrated with the DCT. For the 6MT, there are several ways to engage the camera ... (1) After putting the car into reverse and engaging the rear camera, putting the car in first automatically engages the front camera for a short (timer determined) period; (2) holding the MENU button down for 3 seconds engages the camera until manually disengaged; (3) pressing the programmable 8 button on the dash engages the front camera until manually disengaged; (4) pressing OK on the included remote - an option I have not used. The front camera can be disengaged by changing the display to any other option like MEDIA or MAP.

I've had the car back for a little more than a week and no regrets on the front camera. There are a few things that I need to figure out - the timer in option (1) needs to be longer and programmable menu 7 also engages the camera. BTW, I don't think I have lost the programmable buttons - they still engage the programmed SiriusXM channels but they also engage the front camera. It's very odd driving at high speed with the front camera engaged.

07/07/20, UPDATE from the Installer - As several commented, this is NOT the stock Bimmertech front camera that ships with the kit. They did not like the Bimmertech camera fit and replaced it with an adjustable "Nav-TV Camera 12" which lists for $129.

.
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Last edited by redgs4; 07-07-2020 at 09:30 PM.. Reason: UPDATE from the Installer
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      07-04-2020, 09:09 AM   #2
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Looks good man. Are you going to angle it down a little more to have the front spoiler in view?
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      07-04-2020, 11:31 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CoffeeLife View Post
Looks good man. Are you going to angle it down a little more to have the front spoiler in view?
I'm not trying to get THAT close to the curbs and the front spoiler is a cheap beater. But honestly, I have not fiddled with the camera since it was installed to see if a different angle would be better.
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      07-04-2020, 05:48 PM   #4
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Thanks for the write up. I have mine on order.
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      07-04-2020, 06:56 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CoffeeLife View Post
Looks good man. Are you going to angle it down a little more to have the front spoiler in view?
No point as u have the markers on the screen. This should give u a good indication how far you are after a couple of tests.
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      07-04-2020, 07:01 PM   #6
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redgs4 for MT if you put it in reverse then first the screen switches to front view for a set period. Let's call it 3 seconds. If within those 3 seconds you put it back in reverse does the rear camera override the view?

Any reason camera not in the centre?

Also are you able to confirm if the front trim ring is removable off the camera

Thanks for posting!

PS: your camera looks different then the one on the website. Did you request a different one?

[IMG]https://www.bimmer-tech.net/media/im...1c8f994dd.jpeg[/IMG]
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      07-05-2020, 12:29 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MR RIZK View Post
redgs4 for MT if you put it in reverse then first the screen switches to front view for a set period. Let's call it 3 seconds. If within those 3 seconds you put it back in reverse does the rear camera override the view?

Any reason camera not in the centre?

Also are you able to confirm if the front trim ring is removable off the camera

Thanks for posting!

PS: your camera looks different then the one on the website. Did you request a different one?

[IMG]https://www.bimmer-tech.net/media/im...1c8f994dd.jpeg[/IMG]

For the 6MT, the view switches immediately from front to back to match the gear selection. If left in a forward gear then the camera stays on for a set period. So if you are parallel parking or doing a multi-point turn you always have the correct camera.

The camera is offset to accommodate a front plate if needed. I have a Carbonio no-drill plate mount that I have not used yet but it sits centered but lower on the grill than the bumper mount plates.

The picture of the camera on the Bimmertech web site and in the user manual does _not_ match the camera that I have installed. I don't think my installer ordered anything special. This is probably just Bimmertech not keeping the web site and other data updated. I did not do the install or get to play with the parts first, but I think the trim ring (on my camera) is what sets and holds the camera angle.
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      07-05-2020, 12:31 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by TProfit View Post
Thanks for the write up. I have mine on order.
Excellent!
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      07-05-2020, 01:50 AM   #9
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Can you split screen it?
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      07-05-2020, 02:50 AM   #10
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redgs4 thanks for the detailed answers. Maybe time to do an impulse buy!
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      07-05-2020, 12:10 PM   #11
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I installed mine last year and never got mine to work properly. I contacted BimmerTech and got nowhere with them. I am ready to take mine out and toss it in the garbage. Their service is horrible. I was all excited when i had it installed but followed everything step by step. As a former car audio installer I am well versed so installation was not an issue. The camera just blips on and then off again. Dip switches have been verified by BimmerTech as well. Sorry the rant.

Also the photo of the camera is not the one that comes with the kit. It looks way different.
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      07-05-2020, 02:34 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87source View Post
Can you split screen it?
I don't and I have not tried. But here is an excerpt from the manual.

.
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      07-05-2020, 03:00 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrape View Post
I installed mine last year and never got mine to work properly. I contacted BimmerTech and got nowhere with them. I am ready to take mine out and toss it in the garbage. Their service is horrible. I was all excited when i had it installed but followed everything step by step. As a former car audio installer I am well versed so installation was not an issue. The camera just blips on and then off again. Dip switches have been verified by BimmerTech as well. Sorry the rant.

Also the photo of the camera is not the one that comes with the kit. It looks way different.
The only thing I can say is mine works so far and hopefully for a long time.
One of the reasons I try to work with trusted shops is that they take care of any headaches.
They would not give me the car back or charge for the parts if it was not working.

I have asked the shop if the camera that I have is standard or some sort of special order.
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      07-05-2020, 03:18 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redgs4 View Post
I don't and I have not tried. But here is an excerpt from the manual.

.
Thanks so much! I've been trying to get this info from bimmertech but like others have said their customer support is not good.

Also does the front camera module allow or other inputs like HDMI?
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      07-05-2020, 05:05 PM   #15
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Let's see if I can post the install / user guide ...

That worked - hopefully more answers than questions.
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File Type: pdf Bimmertech MMI and Camera.pdf (4.66 MB, 1051 views)
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      07-05-2020, 05:27 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redgs4 View Post
Let's see if I can post the install / user guide ...

That worked - hopefully more answers than questions.
Thanks!

I'm pretty interested in this front cam and screen mirroring (probably an add on), but the thing holding me back is the price, it's pretty expensive for some basic features. I would much rather put that money towards reinitiating my counter measures build.
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      07-05-2020, 08:37 PM   #17
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Thanks for posting! How much was the installation cost?

In terms of the menu button, you are saying that number 7's programmed function (e.g., radio station, etc.) is retained but the camera is also turned on? Agree that would be strange driving no the freeway...
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      07-05-2020, 08:58 PM   #18
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I bought this a year before I even had my M2 knowing that I wanted to install this. Ended up never getting around to it and selling the kit off. Wish I just installed it
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      07-05-2020, 11:14 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
Thanks for posting! How much was the installation cost?

In terms of the menu button, you are saying that number 7's programmed function (e.g., radio station, etc.) is retained but the camera is also turned on? Agree that would be strange driving no the freeway...
I had a lot of work done on the M2 and Raptor so the hourly cost is sort of muddled across multiple thousands in upgrades. My shops hourly rate is $120. I thought I saw estimated install time somewhere but I can't find the source.

The Menu 8 button is one of the default ways to engage the front camera. On my car, the Menu 7 button also engages the front camera. I'm not sure how this is setup or programmed. I originally had the buttons setup for SiriusXM stations and they still work for that as well.
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      07-07-2020, 09:51 PM   #20
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Unhappy Sorry, Feel like an A$$

I updated the first post in this thread as well ...

As several pointed out the camera that I have is NOT the stock Bimmertech front camera. I have unexpected customer delight at finding my installer, The Car Stereo Company in Mountain View, did even more custom work than showed up on the invoice.

Apologies to anyone that purchased this based on my post.

UPDATE from the Installer - As several commented, this is NOT the stock Bimmertech front camera that ships with the kit. They did not like the Bimmertech camera fit and replaced it with an adjustable "Nav-TV Camera 12" which lists for $129.

"The Bimmertech front view camera didn't fit in the M2 comp grill without cutting and modifying. We installed a 360 pivoting camera that fit without cutting and sent the Bimmertech camera back. The interface is used on multiple models. The pictures in the manual look different but the programming and settings are the same. "
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      07-07-2020, 09:59 PM   #21
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Thanks for the follow up. Great to see the installer focused on quality vs time.

Lucky my impulse buy wasn't a speedy impulse
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      09-20-2020, 03:03 AM   #22
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Nice. I think the Nav-TV camera with the lines is the way to go but I think those RCA connectors are not ideal for the engine bay environment. I can't think of a reason (other than ease of removal) they couldn't be cut off and wires soldered together?
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