Love my new X6 ... hate the rear-view camera

apollner · 12-23-2008, 11:24 AM

Turned in my beloved 650i before leaving on a business trip, then returned to take ownership of an option-packed Mineral Silver X6!

It is taking some adjustment coming from a low riding 650i to a high riding X6, but the level of space and comfort in the X6 is unsurpassed!

However the X6, with its larger boundaries, requires one to re-learn the corners of the car. The view out the rear is somewhat limited given the slope and height of the window. So I rely on the rear-view camera for this.

From the moment I first used the camera at the dealership I noticed how poor the resolution was. This was in the evening, so I figured things would get better during the day. However, even in daylight, the resolution is poor. Not quite out-of-focus, just not sharp.

I have been trying to get used to it and have changed the various option settings it has for overlays (obstacles, pathway lines, etc) but nothing seems to help.

Then, the other day I drove my wife's ML350 which also has a rear-view camera. I could not believe the difference! On the ML everything is clear and sharp. When you look at the road, you see the texture of the asphalt, not just some blacktop. This makes all the difference when using (depending on) the camera to navigate tricky parking lot situations!

I don't know what experience X5 owners or other X6 owners have had, but I hope BMW is listening because the camera simply is NOT to BMW standard.

One thought I had--which in no way should justify the condition--is that maybe due to the overlays BMW has for this camera they needed to reduce the resolution so that the computer that creates the image could cope. If that's the case, I say get rid of the overlays and let me have a decent camera.

I would appreciate feedback from other X5/X6 owners who have experience with current or past BMW rear-view cameras.

v/r,
ANDREW

chuck92103 · 12-23-2008, 11:27 AM

Congrats! I just sold my 645Ci to my brother. I got my X6 back in May.

Agree the cam needs work. However, the delay at startup is more an issue for me rather than the resolution.

Deda · 12-23-2008, 01:07 PM

congrats,post some pics!

dmlgc · 12-23-2008, 01:44 PM

ya camera sucks compared to the aftermarket one I had in my X5, but like Chuck the delay annoys me more. So did your 2009 come with the new idrive, some folks here put off getting their X6 until they could get the new idrive. rumors are flying as to if it will make it in the 09 model.

BetterMakeWay · 12-23-2008, 05:35 PM

Hello people! New to the forum!

I was lurking around anonymously for a while now but i decided to register as i think i cannot find better info/advice than here.

Anyway reading the thread topic, i was thinking if there is any way to change the camera with a better aftermarket one?

JMDHSMIAMI · 12-23-2008, 08:11 PM

I would agree that the rear camera is one of my only complaints about our X6. Clarity is one issue but delayed start up is a bigger issue. I hope BMW is reading...The really need to improve on this.

shenard · 12-23-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMDHSMIAMI

I would agree that the rear camera is one of my only complaints about our X6. Clarity is one issue but delayed start up is a bigger issue. I hope BMW is reading...The really need to improve on this.

They are probably not going to do anything about it because problem is resolved with the new idrive system that loads much faster and is almost instantly on from when you turn on the car.

akraptor · 12-23-2008, 09:26 PM

Just talked to my friend at the BMW dealership. The new IDrive will NOT be available for the 2009 X6. But it will be available on many other BMW models. Got to figure out some tuning of some kind.

archwerks · 12-24-2008, 04:43 PM

Did a driver successfully sue a car company for supplying a navigation system, which caused him to have an accident? Is that why we need to have acceptance?

Cars don't have accidents, people have accidents with their cars!

I think the legal liability acceptance @ the start is really asinine/redundant, waste of time & battery pwr. If someone starts the engine, they accept responsibility period.

Lousy resolution camera supplier must be lowest contract bidder!

Mr_X6 · 12-24-2008, 09:14 PM

I dont even use the camera anymore. I turn it off because the lighting and resolution is so bad its embarrasing. People often think something is wrong with my car cause the cam looks so bad espiecally at night. I spent $72,000 and have to look at that pathetic camera. While the camera in my father's Lexus RX 350 is beautiful.

Deda · 12-25-2008, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_X6

I dont even use the camera anymore. I turn it off because the lighting and resolution is so bad its embarrasing. People often think something is wrong with my car cause the cam looks so bad espiecally at night. I spent $72,000 and have to look at that pathetic camera. While the camera in my father's Lexus RX 350 is beautiful.

ha ha..than i guess i dont miss anything, because i didnt order it.

wwspiderbig · 12-25-2008, 09:16 AM

Can anybody make some pics from the rearview camera?
I ordered one but i want to see how bad it is.
Anyway you can't see anything behind you without it can you?

Deda · 12-25-2008, 04:22 PM

yes you can! i use mirrors and pdc! no problem here!

xDrive50i · 12-25-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmlgc

ya camera sucks compared to the aftermarket one I had in my X5, but like Chuck the delay annoys me more. So did your 2009 come with the new idrive, some folks here put off getting their X6 until they could get the new idrive. rumors are flying as to if it will make it in the 09 model.

The 2009 X6 production started back in October. The new iDrive is supposed to be in the X6 starting with the March 2009 production.

I highly doubt that the start up delay on the current generation iDrive will get fixed (I should probably say reduced or shortened) as this system has been on the market for quite some time and BMW is aware of this issue. Besides they do have a solution for it... the next generation system which is a heck of a lot faster compared to the current system...

I don't like the delay either, however I have come to live with it. I use the key fob to open the car (which starts up the iDrive boot-up process) and by the time I get into the car and start it up, the 'accept' screen shows. At this point I push the controller to the right for 2 seconds and navigation shows up pretty much right away. By the time I'm out of my driveway, the system is all setup...

akraptor · 12-25-2008, 11:14 PM

The new Idrive will not be on the X6 in 2009!!!!

dmlgc, please tell us all the aftermarket options.

apollner · 01-08-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deda

congrats,post some pics!

Sorry for the delay ... here you go!

dmlgc · 01-09-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apollner

Sorry for the delay ... here you go!

Nice looking car.

DallasBeemer · 01-09-2009, 01:13 PM

I agree with all comments in this and other threads on the inferiority of the camera in the X6. I had a backup cameria in my Infiniti M45, and the images on it was like watching a high-def TV compared to a poor rabbit-ear analog reception from the 1960's in the BMW. The camera in my wife's Lexus RX400 is not as good as the Infiniti's, but it's it least twice as good as the BMW's. The camera on the X6 is an almost useful feature as it is. Hopefully BMW will respond and do something about it.

Other than that, no other complaints. Still love the X6.

Deda · 01-09-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apollner

Sorry for the delay ... here you go!

i love that color! looks amazing!

apollner · 01-10-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deda

i love that color! looks amazing!

Thanks for the complement! The look of the car has exceeded my expectations! Elegant, sporty, muscular... this color brings it all out!

Kojak · 01-12-2009, 09:26 AM

I think the main problem with the rear view camera at night is the lack of light. The apparent increased graininess we see is really noise like you see in a digital photo when the shutter speed is set too high for the ambient light conditions. Does anyone know if brighter backup light bulbs can be substituted?

akraptor · 01-12-2009, 09:03 PM

Friend from local dealer told me that components, jacks, software are different for the
American market. Turned the engine on first time on my X6 at the showroom, and the IDrive booted in about 2 seconds. Put it in reverse, and camera loaded almost instantly. . true there was a light flicker in the image, but after cleaning up dirt from lens it got better. . not perfect, but close. Of course, brakes squeaked, but car stayed outdoor in the snow for a week.

12-23-2008, 11:24 AM	#1
apollner Private 15 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2009 X6 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Love my new X6 ... hate the rear-view camera Turned in my beloved 650i before leaving on a business trip, then returned to take ownership of an option-packed Mineral Silver X6! It is taking some adjustment coming from a low riding 650i to a high riding X6, but the level of space and comfort in the X6 is unsurpassed! However the X6, with its larger boundaries, requires one to re-learn the corners of the car. The view out the rear is somewhat limited given the slope and height of the window. So I rely on the rear-view camera for this. From the moment I first used the camera at the dealership I noticed how poor the resolution was. This was in the evening, so I figured things would get better during the day. However, even in daylight, the resolution is poor. Not quite out-of-focus, just not sharp. I have been trying to get used to it and have changed the various option settings it has for overlays (obstacles, pathway lines, etc) but nothing seems to help. Then, the other day I drove my wife's ML350 which also has a rear-view camera. I could not believe the difference! On the ML everything is clear and sharp. When you look at the road, you see the texture of the asphalt, not just some blacktop. This makes all the difference when using (depending on) the camera to navigate tricky parking lot situations! I don't know what experience X5 owners or other X6 owners have had, but I hope BMW is listening because the camera simply is NOT to BMW standard. One thought I had--which in no way should justify the condition--is that maybe due to the overlays BMW has for this camera they needed to reduce the resolution so that the computer that creates the image could cope. If that's the case, I say get rid of the overlays and let me have a decent camera. I would appreciate feedback from other X5/X6 owners who have experience with current or past BMW rear-view cameras. v/r, ANDREW
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12-23-2008, 11:27 AM	#2
chuck92103 Major 91 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Congrats! I just sold my 645Ci to my brother. I got my X6 back in May. Agree the cam needs work. However, the delay at startup is more an issue for me rather than the resolution. __________________ 2011 535i 2008 VW GTI
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12-23-2008, 01:07 PM	#3
Deda Major General 564 Rep 7,034 Posts Drives: BMW M5 comp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Croatia iTrader: (0)	congrats,post some pics!
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12-23-2008, 01:44 PM	#4
dmlgc Lieutenant Colonel 89 Rep 1,882 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW X6MC - 335D Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Carlsbad, CA iTrader: (0)	ya camera sucks compared to the aftermarket one I had in my X5, but like Chuck the delay annoys me more. So did your 2009 come with the new idrive, some folks here put off getting their X6 until they could get the new idrive. rumors are flying as to if it will make it in the 09 model. __________________ 2022 X6MC - 2011 335D Last edited by dmlgc; 12-23-2008 at 07:06 PM..
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12-23-2008, 05:35 PM	#5
BetterMakeWay New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: X6 Xdrive50i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania iTrader: (0)	Hello people! New to the forum! I was lurking around anonymously for a while now but i decided to register as i think i cannot find better info/advice than here. Anyway reading the thread topic, i was thinking if there is any way to change the camera with a better aftermarket one?
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12-23-2008, 08:11 PM	#6
JMDHSMIAMI Enlisted Member 1 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 08 X6 Space Grey/Oyster Nevada Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miami Beach, FL iTrader: (0)	I would agree that the rear camera is one of my only complaints about our X6. Clarity is one issue but delayed start up is a bigger issue. I hope BMW is reading...The really need to improve on this.
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12-23-2008, 09:26 PM	#8
akraptor Lieutenant 45 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 35 D Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Romania iTrader: (0)	Just talked to my friend at the BMW dealership. The new IDrive will NOT be available for the 2009 X6. But it will be available on many other BMW models. Got to figure out some tuning of some kind.
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12-24-2008, 04:43 PM	#9
archwerks Captain 20 Rep 683 Posts Drives: x6 3.5i VR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: canada iTrader: (0)	Reaerview Cam./ i drive Did a driver successfully sue a car company for supplying a navigation system, which caused him to have an accident? Is that why we need to have acceptance? Cars don't have accidents, people have accidents with their cars! I think the legal liability acceptance @ the start is really asinine/redundant, waste of time & battery pwr. If someone starts the engine, they accept responsibility period. Lousy resolution camera supplier must be lowest contract bidder!
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12-24-2008, 09:14 PM	#10
Mr_X6 Mr_NYC 1 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2008 X6 Black on Black Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I dont even use the camera anymore. I turn it off because the lighting and resolution is so bad its embarrasing. People often think something is wrong with my car cause the cam looks so bad espiecally at night. I spent $72,000 and have to look at that pathetic camera. While the camera in my father's Lexus RX 350 is beautiful.
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12-25-2008, 09:16 AM	#12
wwspiderbig Private 0 Rep 93 Posts Drives: BMW X6 3.5D Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Can anybody make some pics from the rearview camera? I ordered one but i want to see how bad it is. Anyway you can't see anything behind you without it can you?
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12-25-2008, 04:22 PM	#13
Deda Major General 564 Rep 7,034 Posts Drives: BMW M5 comp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Croatia iTrader: (0)	yes you can! i use mirrors and pdc! no problem here!
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12-25-2008, 11:14 PM	#15
akraptor Lieutenant 45 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 35 D Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Romania iTrader: (0)	The new Idrive will not be on the X6 in 2009!!!! dmlgc, please tell us all the aftermarket options.
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01-09-2009, 01:13 PM	#18
DallasBeemer New Member 6 Rep 27 Posts Drives: BMW X6 35i Vermillion Red Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	Camera is inferior I agree with all comments in this and other threads on the inferiority of the camera in the X6. I had a backup cameria in my Infiniti M45, and the images on it was like watching a high-def TV compared to a poor rabbit-ear analog reception from the 1960's in the BMW. The camera in my wife's Lexus RX400 is not as good as the Infiniti's, but it's it least twice as good as the BMW's. The camera on the X6 is an almost useful feature as it is. Hopefully BMW will respond and do something about it. Other than that, no other complaints. Still love the X6.
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01-12-2009, 09:26 AM	#21
Kojak Private First Class 8 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 535i M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I think the main problem with the rear view camera at night is the lack of light. The apparent increased graininess we see is really noise like you see in a digital photo when the shutter speed is set too high for the ambient light conditions. Does anyone know if brighter backup light bulbs can be substituted?
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01-12-2009, 09:03 PM	#22
akraptor Lieutenant 45 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 35 D Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Romania iTrader: (0)	Friend from local dealer told me that components, jacks, software are different for the American market. Turned the engine on first time on my X6 at the showroom, and the IDrive booted in about 2 seconds. Put it in reverse, and camera loaded almost instantly. . true there was a light flicker in the image, but after cleaning up dirt from lens it got better. . not perfect, but close. Of course, brakes squeaked, but car stayed outdoor in the snow for a week.
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