Night Vision Camera vs. pebble
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 131
Likes: 22
From: Chicago (Glenview, IL)
We tried to code it out with a full PIWIS 3 clone and couldn’t make it work without the calibration screens (think posters) that sit outside the car. I think I mentioned it already but I managed to find a dealer who agreed to do it (and throw in a wheel alignment) for $900.
My sensor got cracked also and I'm getting the error message. I just checked with my dealer and was quoted $8500 for replacement. I have never used it, so I would rather just "disable" the Night View, but dealer said that it can't be done. When you say that you tried to "code it out" were you just trying to disable it, or code out the need to calibrate it? Is it possible to just disable it as if it wasn't even installed?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,037
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From: Nature Coast/Deerfield Beach FL
Reviving this older thread -
My sensor got cracked also and I'm getting the error message. I just checked with my dealer and was quoted $8500 for replacement. I have never used it, so I would rather just "disable" the Night View, but dealer said that it can't be done. When you say that you tried to "code it out" were you just trying to disable it, or code out the need to calibrate it? Is it possible to just disable it as if it wasn't even installed?
My sensor got cracked also and I'm getting the error message. I just checked with my dealer and was quoted $8500 for replacement. I have never used it, so I would rather just "disable" the Night View, but dealer said that it can't be done. When you say that you tried to "code it out" were you just trying to disable it, or code out the need to calibrate it? Is it possible to just disable it as if it wasn't even installed?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,037
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From: Nature Coast/Deerfield Beach FL
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 151
Likes: 62
From: NJ
Thats a pretty good deal considering a dealer alignment is probably 400 bucks. I was going to say try a PIWIS 3 clone but I guess that wont work without the sensor array shown in the Autel video. Do you really think the NV assist is worth it? I test drove a MB with it and I felt it counterproductive to keep looking down at the instrument panel while driving. Is it always on or just comes up on alert? MB had the camera behind the windshield up top IIRC. Porsche's LED headlights are pretty damn bright if you ask me.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 102
Likes: 47
From: San Antonio
By contrast, the number of deer in the hills surrounding San Antonio is insane. I drive early to golf five days a week, and have been saved several times by the camera's alerts, when I clearly did not see the deer with my own eyes. I had considered it invaluable, but $8700 to fix is pretty formidable.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 795
Likes: 164
There's a discussion elsewhere online - part of the reason the camera's so expen$ive is that the lens isn't glass - it's Germanium, which is required for
the infrared functionality to work - glass won't cut it...
Good luck!
the infrared functionality to work - glass won't cut it...
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 810
Likes: 312
From: Williamsburg, Virginia
OP here - I too like the camera for 1) saved me at least once from a deer, and 2) I love gadgets. Mostly 2.
In answer to the most recent question, "code it out" meant bypass the calibration and just get it working again. My Indie wasn't able to get past the calibration routine, no "skip calibration" button. Did not mean "turn off the camera and pretend it is not there. Might be worth a try though.
If you go back to the beginning of the thread, you will see some links to just the "glass" for about $1000. This is the fix I recommend - no coding, purely mechanical. Removing the bumper is not rocket science and you can change out the engine air filter while you are in there. I don't know how you can disable the function like you are saying, but if that's what you feel like you should do, I would go to the PIWIS thread and ask if someone can do it remotely for you.
If you switch out the box (from my experience) the warning messages just get worse. Mine was like that for a while before the calibration, which cost me ~$850 IIRC after shopping around the local dealers. If it happens again I will just replace the glass and see if that works.
In answer to the most recent question, "code it out" meant bypass the calibration and just get it working again. My Indie wasn't able to get past the calibration routine, no "skip calibration" button. Did not mean "turn off the camera and pretend it is not there. Might be worth a try though.
If you go back to the beginning of the thread, you will see some links to just the "glass" for about $1000. This is the fix I recommend - no coding, purely mechanical. Removing the bumper is not rocket science and you can change out the engine air filter while you are in there. I don't know how you can disable the function like you are saying, but if that's what you feel like you should do, I would go to the PIWIS thread and ask if someone can do it remotely for you.
If you switch out the box (from my experience) the warning messages just get worse. Mine was like that for a while before the calibration, which cost me ~$850 IIRC after shopping around the local dealers. If it happens again I will just replace the glass and see if that works.
Last edited by orca15; May 23, 2025 at 04:09 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 131
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From: Chicago (Glenview, IL)
orca15 - Thanks for your response. I saw your posts at the beginning of the thread - unfortunately, the first link shows the lens kit as "not available" and the eBay link is $1400 (just for the lens repair kit). Since there is no guarantee that replacing the lens alone won't require the calibration process, the cost of this repair is approaching $2500 - not to mention the possibility that it needs a whole new camera and not just the lens - in which case, I would be better just have the dealer replace it at $8500. Since I never use the NV feature, I was hoping for the simple solution of just coding it out.
I will keep looking for a less expensive lens replacement option, but any other insight would be greatly appreciated!
I will keep looking for a less expensive lens replacement option, but any other insight would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited by Larry T.; May 23, 2025 at 04:39 PM.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 131
Likes: 22
From: Chicago (Glenview, IL)
Is there an official PIWIS thread? If so, can someone share a link? I just tried searching and didn't see anything to suggest that I could find someone to code it remotely.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 613
From: Nature Coast/Deerfield Beach FL
orca15 - Thanks for your response. I saw your posts at the beginning of the thread - unfortunately, the first link shows the lens kit as "not available" and the eBay link is $1400 (just for the lens repair kit). Since there is no guarantee that replacing the lens alone won't require the calibration process, the cost of this repair is approaching $2500 - not to mention the possibility that it needs a whole new camera and not just the lens - in which case, I would be better just have the dealer replace it at $8500. Since I never use the NV feature, I was hoping for the simple solution of just coding it out.
I will keep looking for a less expensive lens replacement option, but any other insight would be greatly appreciated!
I will keep looking for a less expensive lens replacement option, but any other insight would be greatly appreciated!
