Is it necessary to install a 360-degree panoramic camera?

[JudahLynn]

It is essential to install a 360-degree panoramic camera in a car, especially for the rearview assistance which significantly improves reversing. Installation positions for the 360-degree panoramic camera: Four cameras provide a comprehensive view of all blind spots around the vehicle: one is positioned at the front grille, one at the rear license plate light, and the other two on the side mirrors. Precautions for using a 360-degree panoramic camera: The current reversing camera system still has certain blind spots, especially when children are near the left or right sides of the rear bumper. According to IHS, since the reversing camera system has its limitations, it should only be used as an aid for reversing to confirm safety conditions behind the vehicle and should not be solely relied upon for reversing.

[OAbigail]

I recently installed a panoramic camera system on my wife's SUV, and it's been incredibly useful. She often has to navigate through narrow roads near the school when picking up and dropping off our kids. With the 360-degree view, she can clearly see the positions of surrounding electric scooters, making it much safer. The system even displays if there are any small animals under the car when reversing, which is great for pet owners like us. However, to be honest, there is some distortion at the image stitching points, and the lenses can get blurry from mud and water on rainy days. I'd recommend prioritizing models with blind spot monitoring functionality. Prices range from around 2,000 to 8,000 yuan, depending on your budget.

[LailaLee]

I've been driving my old Passat for ten years without installing one, relying solely on the three rearview mirrors which are completely sufficient. My friend's new car came with a panoramic camera, but the low resolution makes it hard to see clearly at night, and modifying it requires dismantling the dashboard, which is heartbreaking. Actually, developing a good sense of the car is more important than relying on screens. When teaching my daughter to drive, I had her learn to judge distances using the rearview mirrors first. Of course, for beginners driving large vehicles like pickups or MPVs, installing one is advisable—just remember to choose a resolution of 1080P or higher. Nowadays, many cars come with it as standard, so considering the original factory configuration is recommended.

[VonLandon]

I'm a car mechanic, and I deal with issues caused by installing 360-degree cameras every day. Last week, a Highlander's AC panel stopped working after the camera installation. Upon disassembly, we found that the wiring wasn't properly insulated, causing a short circuit. Installing these requires cutting into the wiring to connect to the battery, which might void the warranty if not done properly. It's recommended to have the installation done by a qualified shop, and it's best to apply sealant to waterproof connectors. Also, a heads-up: aftermarket fisheye lenses are prone to fogging—out of every ten cars I've serviced, three had foggy lenses with blurry images. Honestly, for cars worth over a hundred thousand, it's not necessary to modify them. Upgrading the braking system would be a more practical choice.