Bed Camera Upgrade

[Kodiak]

In some of the threads, especially about having a digital rear view, a number of people have commented that the bed camera will work at speed without a stupid black warning blocking your view. One of the drawbacks is that for cheapskate sake Ford decided to give us the lowest res bed camera they could find. It could work in a pinch in place of a proper digital rear view mirror, but it was bad quality.

I finally found an alternative camera replacement for that bed camera.

ford f150 bed camera — Custom Solutions PNW LLC

Not a cheap date but easy installation makes this a mod that anyone can do.

My hopes would be that an OTA Ford update would let us utilize the tailgate camera and at least display a rear view on the screen in place of a proper digital rear view mirror, but I am not waiting or holding my breath. I think there was an update that let you use the tailgate camera at speed going forward with the warning lowered out of the way, but I also think some update changed this back. Pity really as a digital rear view mirror for a truck is technology that is not space age and belongs on any truck with cameras.

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[scott011422]

Thanks for the Link. Definitely on my list! I avoid that camera like the plague!

 

[jordandev]

In the link the example photos of the original vs upgrade views both still look terrible. Even if the resolution is increased it still looks bad on the screen there (yes its likely harder to see in a photo but its still not a high res looking picture)

 

[Kodiak]

In the link the example photos of the original vs upgrade views both still look terrible. Even if the resolution is increased it still looks bad on the screen there (yes its likely harder to see in a photo but its still not a high res looking picture)

HA! You are right there. One thing I will say though is that if you look at the video and photography production of this group, marketing production is not their forte.

Taking a still picture of a screen with a moving display on a dark day with a slow shutter speed is not the way to present the products capabilities in the best light.

IMHO the install video was a better representation but even that was not great nor well done. It will be a see it for yourself to really judge this camera. With that said the OEM is basically garbage so anything will improve upon that.

 

[AAWhyte]

Man, really want to swap that out, but the cost along with a not so great looking video, you really can't tell if the picture is worth that cash layout....... Somebody be the Guinea Pig. haha.

 

[jordandev]

Also I'm wondering if the pics are actually reversed as the top one ("original") looks less jagged ha

 

[Kodiak]

Man, really want to swap that out, but the cost along with a not so great looking video, you really can't tell if the picture is worth that cash layout....... Somebody be the Guinea Pig. haha.

HA! Well that would be me. I ordered one so I will be able to tell if it is worth it or not.

As stated originally this is not a cheap date for a niche mod at best. However when I look at the pictures on the website of just the bed for the truck, there is a lot better resolution there. Is it enough to make it worth it, that is subjective, and I would have to see it in person to tell. I plan to use that camera at speed in place of a proper digital rearview camera, so anything is better than what Ford gave us.

Now if Ford would do us right and give us the ability to use the rear camera view at speed without that stupid black warning blocking the main view, then this would not matter. However, I am not holding my breath.

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[PhilBurks]

Just ordered mine. I'll try to post the results. In their pics of before/after... look at the width of the tailgate. Shows that the aspect ratio of the new one is better (still wide, but flatter)

 

[antho]

They have 2 videos on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/@customsolutionspnwllc

 

[speedracercjr]

Even if the quality isn't that much better the depth of view is much better represented on the replacement. In the OEM it looks like I have a 20' long bed that's about 15' wide.

 

[JohnMcClane]

I was wondering while driving today if there's also a module issue that will only handle a certain number of FPS too, because man, the stock one really starts to struggle with a little rain and some movement.

 

[JohnMcClane]

Another thing that crossed my mind regarding this thing camera, anyone think the video could be "tapped" into and stored locally, like previous 1 hour just constantly overwrite, could be really helpful in the event of getting rear ended or something, probably not going to be high enough resolution to show something like what the driver is doing or license plate number, but if would be easy evidence against a driver says "ohh they just pulled out in front of me and I couldn't stop in time"

 

[FordConvert]

Are all bed cameras the same resolution across models? Raptor included?

 

[Eskram]

I really like the concept, just not the price. I'll wait for feedback, as I'm still intrigued though.

I wonder if somehow the OEM reverse camera would work in the bed camera location? Total guess, but I'd imagine if it was possible, it'd be known by now?

 

[Kodiak]

I was wondering while driving today if there's also a module issue that will only handle a certain number of FPS too, because man, the stock one really starts to struggle with a little rain and some movement.

Thats a good point and I will find out. Low resolution will have a big impact on visual quality while in movement, but FPS could also be a big factor.

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