2009 C70 T5 -- backup camera?

[susiemargaret]

thanks! if i get it from amazon, i'll come back to my Q and click on the link here.

by the way, i finally figured out that i need to click on that little check mark to thank everyone who responded! i just went back and did it for everyone who answered my query, and i hope it registered, but i couldn't tell. in case it didn't, i am very grateful for everyone's advice!

anyone else who responds, i'll be better at clicking the little check mark.

[abscate]

Women are just so much more civilised.



Once finished, Ill bump this thread over to the 2009 Forum, but as you noticed , this is where the cool kids hang out, despite Matthews attempt to escalate the P2 FOrum to the top of the list, P80s remain Queen and King.

We take pride at MVS keeping it female freindly and it is kudos to the users that we barely lift a finger from the Moderator Desk to achieve this.

[scot850]

For some idea of what can be done, this is what the new install on our car looks like:

Tailgate back up camera

Above is the back up camera I purchased for our install. It is designed for P2 S60/V70/XC70 license place light replacement. It has it's own light built in in addition to the camera. I bought it specifically as it does not prevent access to the license plate should you need to remove it.

Tailgate camera (2)

This shows how it tucks up almost out of view from the rear.

Alpine head unit and USB plug in

This is not the correct head unit. But the correct Alpine unit will look identical but have full bluetooth connectivity. Also added an additional USB plug for phone charging.

Neil.

[susiemargaret]

thanks, neil --

i'm not sure if my response got submitted or not. just in case it didn't, where did you buy this, and who installed it?

[scot850]

Unfortunately, we have an electronics store chain in mostly western Canada called Visions. I have been a customer for over 25 years and the manager is an old neighbor of ours.

I would expect Best Buy or if you have them in your area, Good Guys should be able to install for you. There are likely specialist installer companies in your area as well. Many of the smaller independents have closed over the years, but the good ones are likely still out there.

For me the hardest part was deciding what specification I wanted (I ideally wanted cable less interaction with the head unit), I needed something that I can easily read without the need for glasses, (hence the 'Double Din' head unit), and ideally a charger/hardwired connection just in case.

Add to that my wife wanted back up capabilities meant the head unit needed to have at least rear input for a camera. Some units today can handle 360 degree capabilities with cameras to the front and sides (normally fitted to the rearview mirrors).

I like the older Sony head unit I have in our old Toyota 4Runner as it has user defined capabilities using the buttons on the steering wheel for hands free use for phone use and volume control volume control. As far as I know only Sony had that capability about 8 years ago, and these days voice commands are available either through the head unit or your cell phone, so not necessary. To get the button connectivity on the steering wheel at all, even just for volume, you will likely need a hands free unit to interface this. It was not cheap at around $90 or so US.

Your car likely has back up sensors, but if not and you want a back-up camera, be wary of using wireless connectivity. They can be 'laggy' and so you get a delayed view of what is going on.

You will also likely need an antenna adapter, but it is fairly cheap around $20.

Most units these days no longer have CD capability, but that is still out there if you look hard enough. This is because with Bluetooth, the expectancy is that you will stream music from your phone. Map capability is also possible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Lastly, todays head units usually use an adapter cable that is specific to your car. This allows the installer to connect to the standard installed wiring for your original head unit.

I have just realized you have a P1 chassis Volvo (C70/C30/S40/V50). Replacing the head unit may be a bit more tricky because you have the 'waterfall' center console and the integrated heater controls. I am not familiar with what is available for that configuration, so you may need to ask around what can be done for your car.

I know my buddy recently bought a 2012 C30 which the owner had fitted a dash top unit. They were happy with how it worked. I have seen another variant on Ali Express that fits in front of the existing unit and mounts to the waterfall console.

Good Luck!

Neil.

[susiemargaret]

hi, neil --

i don't seem to be able to tell when my responses get entered, so i'll repeat (what i thought was) this one!

thank you so much for such a detailed response. it will help tremendously when i start calling around. did your electronics shop order the camera for you, or where did you get it?

my current plan is to print off all of the responses i've gotten so i can show them to whoever thinks they might be able to do this for me. i really appreciate the many people on this forum in particular who have made suggestions and answered my Qs. if anyone else has something to add, please add it! i need all the info i can get.

[scot850]

The shop did offer a few possible cameras, but in the P2 wagon case, they would have interfered with the license plate. Someone on MVS linked a company in Eastern Europe in Slovakia called Custom Xccessories who make some interesting stuff for P2 chassis Volvo's, in particular the XC70 for off-roading. However a lot of the parts will fit other models in the P2 range like the V70 and even the S60 and possibly the S80.

I did later find an identical unit in Ali Express, but it was not much cheaper. I have not looked for a similar unit for the P1 range. There is one for the first Gen XC90 which has a different license plate light unit.

Quick edit: It looks like the similar camera for a P3 Volvo, First gen XC90 will fit the C70 you have. You can find it for fairly cheap on Ali Express for around $20-25 US, or pay a whole lot more on Amazon for the same thing. Just make sure what ever you plan to fit will physically fit. You can get ones fitted into a license plate surround as well, but again in my case they got in the way of the tailgate latch handle.

Neil.

[Krons]

hi, neil --

i don't seem to be able to tell when my responses get entered, so i'll repeat (what i thought was) this one!

thank you so much for such a detailed response. it will help tremendously when i start calling around. did your electronics shop order the camera for you, or where did you get it?

my current plan is to print off all of the responses i've gotten so i can show them to whoever thinks they might be able to do this for me. i really appreciate the many people on this forum in particular who have made suggestions and answered my Qs. if anyone else has something to add, please add it! i need all the info i can get.

susiemargaret I can confirm you’ll need to add some type of screen to view the backup camera (I had an 08 C70). Your C70 radio doesn’t not have an aftermarket replacement due to the design. A car audio/electronics shop can verify something that can work in conjunction with your current radio.

The upside is you can get a unit with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto to play music, podcasts, audiobooks off your phone. Here is an example:
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Carplay ... 725&sr=8-8

[scot850]

That is the kind of unit I was trying to explain might be needed due to the dash design.

Neil.

[susiemargaret]

thank you, thank you, thank you for all the wonderful advice everyone has given. i don't know why i haven't consulted this forum before! next week i plan to start checking around where i live (charleston, WV) to see who might be able to help with this. but i will be very grateful for any other help people are willing to offer.