I had an 2008 Buick Enclave with a very similar "colorful" rear view camera. My SRX is somewhat grainier and appears slightly washed out when it sees brighter areas (snow and or wet rainy areas) or bright lights. I believe the SRX's rear camera settings must be tweaked or set to a slightly higher "sensitivity" setting by GM's Navagation vendor.

I was going to ask the dealer to tweak down the sensitivity to help reduce the grain effect and to get better color saturation and have a better and more accurate exposure.

 

Thanks. It sounds like we have the exact same issue and I am glad to know its not just not me. I can't imagine why they wouldn't just use the camera and settings from the Enclave/Acadia. It was picture perfect.

 

I was told that GM's uses 3 different Navigation Vendors and the one that was used on the Enclave & Acadia was a different vendor than the one on our SRX.

That might account for the difference in the camera's sensitivity settings. You might have also noticed that the rear camera has a slightly wider angle of view than our old GM vehicles.

 

Steve you have made some very valid points in your PM to me. I will try to reply back to you when I have some extra time to write about your thoughts and comments. Going away tomorrow for a few days for some meetings so I hope to give you my thoughts on your comments during my time away that is if I can get on a computer to write.

Marc

 

I've noticed this from day one. The image is washed out, grainy, not sharply focused with poor color saturation. This is even more evident when compared to back-up cameras on other cars. It's almost like no one bothered to test the system before production. I complained about this to the dealer and asked if there was a way to calibrate the camera or tweak the settings on the LCD. I was told "no". If it turns out that there is, somebody please let me know.

I too believe in constructive criticism. I call them as I see them. I point out the things that GM gets right, but I'm certainly not going to hold back on the things they get wrong. I tell it like it is, be it positive or negative.


Sube

 

my cameraa worrks prefecctt

 

I wonder why some of ud have good cameras and others do not. Is there a way to get in touch with GM about this?

 

This is not a "functionality" issue. It's a "quality" issue. The camera works fine. If you compare it to any other SRX it looks normal, because there's no barometer for optical quality. The poor quality only becomes apparent when compared to the back-up cameras of other makes/models. The image of the back-up camera on my wife's car is bright, clear, high contrast with bold colors. The difference is like night and day. If this is the first car you've owned with a back-up camera, you wouldn't know what it's supposed to look like. Compare your SRX to other vehicles and you will see what I'm talking about.


Sube

 

I fully agree with Sube's assessment above. I love my SRX. But the backup camera is not competitive. I came from a '09 Lincoln MKS. Backup camera had better color, was far clearer (day and night) had better resolution and far less grainenous. But the SRX does win, hands down, on every other aspect.

 

You are correct, which is why I do not think that tweaking settings is the answer. I'm going to try to get a new camera.

 

I'm going to try to get a new camera.

Compare yours with another SRX on the lot. If it's the same (and it will be), they're not going to replace the camera, because they'll consider it within spec.


Sube

 

I have to agree that the camera system leaves a lot to be desired. I use to run heavy duty equipment with backup cameras and damn they were good.

 

this is the first backup camera i've ever had so i cannot compare it. i've always been satisfied, but from what y'all are describing as compared to what is currently possible, it sounds like they certainly could do a better job. as a photographer, i can understand what it is you're describing in better quality cameras.


the thing that drives me nuts about it is the fact that for the last 6 months, i've had to lick my finger and wipe down the camera lens once or thrice during an average day of driving. it gets filthy with snow/road salt/dreck.

for a car that squirts washer fluid at the damn headlights once every 3rd window wash, and there is a water source to the rear of the car, why on earth did they not aim a little nozzle at the camera??? i can't STAND it when i'm pulling back out of a spot and the camera image is unusable. i love this SRX, but the pillars and blind spots on this car are pretty huge, and i use the heck out of my backup camera and mirrors.

i've never heartd anyone mention this before. am i the only one that is driven nuts about this? what to other cars (SUV's in particular, which get dirtier back ends) do? any of them squirt?

 

the thing that drives me nuts about it is the fact that for the last 6 months, i've had to lick my finger and wipe down the camera lens once or thrice during an average day of driving. it gets filthy with snow/road salt/dreck.

why on earth did they not aim a little nozzle at the camera??? i can't STAND it when i'm pulling back out of a spot and the camera image is unusable.

Yeah, it's typical. Not a bad idea you have.

 

Why couldn't they have designed the camera with an appropriate field of view and sensitivity settings to be mounted inside the car, looking out the back window, within the area cleaned by the wiper, perhaps on the uppermost portion of the window, in the molding around the inside rear window, ceiling area, looking out just under the center mounted rear stop lamp. Inside, it would be protected, and the rear window washing system would keep the view clear.

 

Go to your dealer and tell camera sucks

 

Steve NEVER misses a chance to bash GM, and tout the foreign models.

 

This is the first vehicle we have owned with a backup camera, but it seems to be very clear and have good color. Really like the wide angle that has been mentioned. My wife likes it so much that any time I mention another vehicle, she asked if it has a backup camera. Loks like the Avalanche now has one, so when I replace my Avalanche next year that will be one feature I look for. My present Avalanche has the backup sensors, but the camera is so much nicer, and works really well with teh parking sensors.

 

I called my dealer, he said he'd call me back. I am going to vigorously pursue this as I feel it is both poor quality and a possible safety issue. I will keep you informed.

By the way - this is my second GM car (Acadia before my SRX) and I love it so I'm not some crazy GM basher.

 

My SRX is parked on the street in chicago every day. I parallel park it when ever coming or going. I must say, the camera is a godsend.

I hear everybodies complaint about the grainy and washed out nature, but to be honest... does it matter? It isn't like we are watching TV programs on it. It is there to serve the purpose of aiding parking and manuvering in tight spaces. For that purpose, it performs perfectly.

I suppose I see it as a tool which works perfectly for its intended purpose. The color of the trees and flowers around the back bumper don't really affect ones ability to manuver. Right?

Just my .02

 

It's a fair position but once you've driven a vehicle with a crisper image its hard to go back. There are also some reasonable safety concerns with such a poor pixelated image.

 

Well if its pixelated, then that is a whole different issue. Mine is pretty much black and white, but crisp and clear (so long as the lens is fairly clean).

It washes out from bright lights once in awhile, and I can't tell what color things are, but I have absolutely no problem telling what is what in the picture.

 

Everyone needs to get a life. I agree with J, it performs it's function very well. Can you really say that the video image is so bad that you couldn't tell that there is a car, kid on a tricycle, or a person walking behind you? Just because you bought what you percieve to be a very expensice car, and it really isn't, ther is no need to nitpick it to death. I wish it got 100 mpg, and rode on a could of air, but get real. It's a car and compromises have to be made in it's manufacture or else it would cost 200 hundred thousand dollars.

 

I need to get a life??? That's a pretty immature response. I raise one issue of concern to get feedback from others and you respond like I shot your horse. The purpose of a board like this is to discuss. I raised an issue. That is all. It is not "nit picking." If you are so emotionally tied to your car that you cannot stomach healthy discussion perhaps it is you who needs to get a life.

 

Steve, you're OK with me, so I'm only gonna say this once........you do use a lot of "pepper" in your posts. And that's your priv, but don't deny it now!! LOL (So I know you can take it too!)

I'm a Security Contractor and we do lotsa cameras! I'm gonna do a search and report on our cams. ALL cams have "gain"/ saturation/focus/backlight adjustments. I have to see if they are in the Nav deck or maybe closer to the cam. Will report........

SS

 

The get a life comment was directed at everyone in general, not you specifically dk. If you took it too personally I apologize, but it must have hit close to home. I am not that in love with my vehicle. It is a car and it does most of the things that it is supposed to very well. My problem comes with the vast number of complainers on this board that think their car should do things one way, when it is doing what it was designed to do. Those who have REAL mechanical issues with their vehicles have my sympathy and hopes for a speedy resolution. Did you test drive the vehicle for more than five minutes before you bought it? I always insist on long, extended, and if possible overnight test drives. If something escapes me during this time, and the car is performing as designed, then it is MY fault if I don't like it. As for the immature remark, I think that is like the pot calling the kettle black.

 

1. I took it personally because I started the thread, thus the comment was, IMO, directed at me. By the way, there seemed to be a lot of interest in the discussion.

2. Yes, my test drive was somewhat cursory and it wouldn't have mattered. I would have gotten the care regardless - I do love it.

3. I still think the "get a life" comment was unwarranted but I do apologize for overreacting to it. Bad day at work that morning... sorry.

4. I still think the camera issue should be addressed by GM. I spoke to my dealer and he pretty much told me "that's the way it is." If there is enough attention raised by owners they will do something. If we say nothing they'll do nothing. Manufacturers regularly perform recalls on items like this.

 

WOW.....so much "pepper" today here. We're all decent folks here, so I guess we don't realize we're coming on a bit heavy . Sorry Steve if my above stepped on your toes. Unintended but honest.

Gonna come back tomorrow. Goodnite.

SS

 

Ok, now maybe we can agree on something. If enough people do complain to GM, then maybe they will change it. I personally dislike the way the key fobs are set up. The old #1 and#2 were a much better system, and I have expressed this to GM.

 

I agree with the washed out or fuzzy picture in my SRX backup screen. My 2011 Avalanche backup camera screen is so clear it almost looks as if it's in High Def, all be it a 3 inch screen on my review mirror! I was recently in an Accura with backup camera and the image on the screen was very clear and crisp looking.

 

Nice to hear about the Avalanche screen. My 07 doesn't have the backup camera. Planning on purchasing a 12 Avalanche since the rumor is it will be the last year for it. This one will have a backup camera in it.

 

I think it's just "washed" out because the cam is so cranked out in its brightness/contrast ratios. I back into some really dark spots, and with the tiny ass backup lights, this cam picks up even the most insignificant changes in terrain/surroundings. Also, while it does have colour, i will agree it is washed out.

BUT! Think of this: you got a new tv (LED, LCD Plasma)! What is the first thing you do (once its set up)? Is adjust the brightness/contrast/ audio settings. Am i right? NOW! You want a good picture, so the darkness and contrast are mid ranged, so you have a sweet picture, but some of the darks/blacks blend into shadows and whatnot (i notice this a lot on vid games. they like to hide stuff in shadows!).
So what do i do in order to "see" into the shadows? That's right, crank up the brightness/contrast ratio so i can see outlines and stuff. Guess what also happens at the same time? Yea, i lose a bit of my crisp, super clean picture.
The only thing now is, this is the same thing on MY SRX anyway... though without HD quality (of which i bet many of us are used to) the picture loses more quality, and thus one complains.

I wish the SRX had HD screens in it, and a HD backup cam. None of this 1990's crap!

 

I hear ya Captain. I think the big overall complaint is, that GM has some great back-up camera's in other vehicles as in my Avalanche, why not in our SRX? Also, months ago I mentioned in this forum about the Nav screen picture quality not being up to par as in other vehicle's I've owned. I felt the colors on the mapping could be more vibrant. Heck a $150.00 Garmin GPS unit has better color and contrast in bright sunlight than my SRX!