Sat Nav - Rear Camera Activation Whilst Not In Reverse Gear ??

[andy15star]

Hi guys, my first post here.

I've just bought a 10 plate Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Titanium and it has the touch screen sat nav built in. I also noticed it has the rear reversing camera connected to the sat nav screen which automatically comes on the sat nav screen whenever you're in reverse.

My question is, is there a way to be able to view whats behind your car with this camera whilst driving ? (ie NOT just in reverse) ?

If possible, then how is it done ?

Regards,

Andy

[H3lly]

It could be wired into a switch mounted near your dash / centre console. At the moment it's connected to the reverse light wiring. Just need to trace wiring.

[andy15star]

Ah right, don't really fancy fiddling on with the electrics even though i have on other cars. I just wondered if there was a secret menu on the radio to enable it ??

Regards,

Andy

[antman99]

Dont quote me on it but Id imagine it would be wired to your reversing lights, IE when they come on power goes to camera, the sat nav then picks up the voltage change and shows the image, thats how my pioneer worked you could on that though cheat and rewire to live and view as an AV but i don't believe the Ford has a way of doing that.

[andy15star]

Cheers, i thought that would be the case. I just know that there is a secret menu on the Ford units (to eject the Nav DVD) and wondered if the camera option was in there.

Regards,

Andy

[jeebowhite]

There wouldnt be because it would then class as a distraction, and they dont want that in your car. Thats why even simple things like the Parking sensors, have to be powered only in first gear (forward facing) or Reverse gear (for rear facing). In all other gears the sensors are disabled so that you dont get distracted.

I will be highly surprised if this is different int he new Focus.