Front Camera. Ouch.

[aft981]

It's been a while since I posted on here, I hope everyone is well.

Most of my driving is hwy, which you can tell from the front of my car, with many tiny stone chips etc. Unfortunately it looks like a stone has bounced up and cracked the front camera located in the Infiniti badge. It's a tiny crack running all the way down, but it shows up on the around view monitor thing as a big thick line, and sometimes after it has rained a lot, moisture gets in and the whole image is fogged up.

Not a HUGE deal, but annoying nonetheless. I had the car in for a service last week and asked them to get me a quote on replacing the camera. I figured it might be $100-$200, which is almost justifiable.

I was wrong.

Try $860!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it. I politely declined, and the service guy said he didn't blame me. How can they possibly justify that much for a tiny little camera?!

I suppose my options are limited, but anyone have any ideas??

Andrew

[TomT]

Hi Andrew, welcome back.

Although still not within your $100-$200 range, NICOclub's Sponsor InfinitiPartsUSA has the front mounted grille camera available for purchase for $472.31 + shipping. If you're interested in purchasing, here is a direct link to the part.

Let us know what you end up doing!

That's way better then $860 but still seems incredibly high to me. Guess when you buy a premium car you pay premium prices for parts. At least it's the front camera Andrew.

[RedwinGV]

With a cost like that, won't your insurance pick that up? Usually comprehensive claims don't result in premium increases.
That is steep though.

[txgcoupe]

Here is your $200.00 camera.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/07-08-09 ... ccessories

John

[aft981]

Thanks everyone. I've made an offer on the ebay one, let's see how that pans out.

I just can't get over the dealer asking $860 for it. You can buy back up cameras that come with a monitor for less than $100!

[SteveTheTech]

With a cost like that, won't your insurance pick that up? Usually comprehensive claims don't result in premium increases.
That is steep though.

I agree. Mayhem happens.

The cameras are Sony (http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press ... index.html) but I just bought a camera with 10 times that resolution for half that price.

Good Luck,

[EXceptional]

I wondered in another Thread, what the Camera's clarity would be like, if you put some of that 3M Film over it?

[SteveTheTech]

I bet covering the lens would smear the image. I've seen people people cover their fog lights. It acts like tint when the glass under it breaks. It allows the glass to break but not fall out.

[EibachMBZ]

That is why I have a very low comprehensive coverage deductable for stuff like this.
$100 takes care of everything without increasing premium.

[CaribMon71]

That's an easy one. File a claim with your auto insurance (assuming your deductible is $500 or less). The repair shop will quote their price and installation labor (will probably surpass $1,000). You'll get a check, minus the deductible. Use the check to purchase the $472 camera from www.infinitipartsusa.com and install it yourself. You'll probably break even if you carry a $500 deductible, and you'll actually come out ahead if your deductible is lower. Completely legal and legit. That's what you're paying insurance for.

[CaribMon71]

Never mind, looking at the eBay auction, it seems you may have already gotten it for $150. Still a good deal.

[SteveTheTech]

^ Hey How've you been? It's been a while. Enjoy your holiday.

In any case I agree. But I doubt it would cost that much for the install. It is pretty easy to access. Where problems usually come from is people do not know how to program the new camera to the camera control unit. The image stitching needs to be proofed buy someone.

[CaribMon71]

Hey there, happy holidays! the $1,000 I was referring to was the total cost of the camera and the installation labor. I figured that at the dealer shop it might cost in excess of $1,000. But I guess it's a moot point now. See you soon!

[freddy8000]

Good morning all, I also had to replace my front camera (darn northern Minnesota deer). I was wondering if it is possible to program the camera myself? Dealer is 165 miles away. Any help would be appreciated.

[SteveTheTech]

Hey Freddy, Welcome to our little group.

If you want to PM me I would glad to try to help you out with that.

[D146]

Hey Steve pls help me how to calibrate the new camera front cus mine is broken
Thanks very much