I leased my A3 about a month ago and I love it, (I came from an Acura TSX, and was deciding between the RDX, Infiniti EX and the A3 - The A3 was definitely the best choice, not considering the amazing deal I got on my lease)

I was wondering if anyone has done any aftermarket install of a backup camera? Is there any way to tap into my Nav screen? Is anyone familiar with any simple and clean aftermarket installations with a separate screen? I saw one model at costco but I couln't see any easy way to power and mount the screen and receiver. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Michael

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I'm not too sure I like the rear backup cams. Most of them have a fisheye lens which can leads to perception problems. I was actually watching some guy demonstrate his back up cam on his infinity when he backed it into a riser....after he touched it...I checked it out on his screen...you really wouldn't have known it was that close. The other thing about the cams are that they direct your eyes to the screen, and you may lose some situation awareness. (i.e. small kids approaching your reversing car from the side.)

In Taiwan, I have to park in REALLY tight spaces ALL the time. (i.e. 2-3 cm clearance for the rear!) Both my A3 and my new car had the ultrasound parking sensors that give an aural indication of distance to objects. With four of the sensors installed on the rear, I never touched anything while parking.(TOUCH WOOD!) The also install really cleanly and with colour match don't do anything ugly to the back of your car.

From an install point of view, probably more of a headache though than a single cam, but then again, the wiring on the cam may be more complex!

Just my two cents on it...for me...rear bumper parking aids should be a mandatory safety device....every year people accidentally back up over their young kids...not exactly the driver's fault either when there is no way you could see a 4 year old standing behind your car...but what a terrible terrible tragedy to have to live with. So either a cam or sensors...or both! Everyone reading this who has kids around....pls pls think about getting these installed too!