Anytime Camera kit or Germes lab Car Camera Control

I'm looking for front camera
The two that pop up the most

• Anytime Backup & New Front Camera Kit | 2020+ Tacoma
  
  
• Germes Lab Car Camera Control (buying NATIKA 720P Camera separate)
  

Which one is better or is there a better option?

 

I have the germes , I enjoy it, it seems to work well.

 

Car solutions, it allows you to use the steering wheel controls, front cam comes on when in drive just like the rear cam works in reverse. No need for extra switches and you can turn on the camera while drivng. All plug and play.

 

Car solutions uses the Germe labs hardware.

 

Yup the Germe uses the factory steering wheel buttons. I went with Germes.

 

Had the car Soloutions/germes in my truck for 2 years now, it’s worked perfectly. I love the steering wheel controls.

Make sure you get the version for 2020 and newer…

 

Agreed! I just went from Entune 2.0 to 3.0 and wondered why neither my front nor rear cameras were working. Took me a few minutes before I figured that out. New version on order...

 

@MrWortWort you can get this bracket to make life easier but I made my own…

 

I’ve had both. Moved from the anytime to the Germes. Very happy with the decision. I use it all the time.

 

Quick question about this. Are you adding a front camera in the grill? Otherwise, if it’s activating the OEM front camera, I believe it’s located next to the rear view mirror. So, turning it on would show about what you see from the driver’s seat anyway...right?

 

I *think* I understand the question.

Mine is installed in the front grille, and I get a really nice down facing shot. I can really snug up to those Home Depot parking signs after I’ve flexed over some speed bumps.

I’m not aware of any access to the cameras in the overhead, but I don’t have the latest system either; I’m in a 2018.

 

Thanks. Did you install that front grill camera as part of this mod?

Edit...looking at your mods, I think I got my answer. Looks like your front grill camera was installed aftermarket.

 

I started with the Germes then switched to the Anytime. Yes the Germes uses the factory steering wheel controls which is nice. But if you off-road a lot, I prefer the Anytime controls. Pick a camera and go. Even if I stall out, restart the truck and the same camera is still selected. Germes has to go through a sequence to lock it on which ever camera you want. Also, if you decide to swap your stereo out, I had no luck getting the Germes Labs kit to work with the new head unit.

 

Yep, there is that. The three way switch on the anytime is pretty useful. I just find it more convenient for parking and such to use the germes. If I were off-roading or trailering or such, then perhaps the anytime has more versatility. I do plan on adding a switch so that I can feed a secondary rear video that I have switched with the tailgate camera. That way I can toggle to my tailgate or my trailer cam. Just put it whichever mode I’m driving.

 

Im a little confused on what Im finding. I have a 2020 Tacoma TRD PRO. My truck has stock front, left, right and rear cameras. Will either of these units allow me to continue to use the stock cameras? I just want to be able to turn on the front or rear camera while I'm driving. I also read somewhere I will lose the overhead view if I install one of these. Is this true?
Thank you for any advise.

 

I can't answer your question, but will ask why? Can your factory unit turn on while at a low speed? I like the idea of the side cameras but wouldn't give up that for cameras to work while driving. I can turn mine on while driving but its not really that helpful.

 

Unless you have serious umpa lumpa arms I don't see how germes would be your preferred option. Doing a silly button dance to lock the camera and having to explain the controls to anyone else who might drive the vehicle (and having them forget 10 secs later) is a big NOPE.

 

I think your system is the integrated trail control, view or whatever it’s called. The germes and anytime simply trick the vehicle into thinking it’s in reverse. It also alt-switches in the front camera which has its own rca connection to the module (not the oem camera). Your front right and left…. I don’t know how they are tied into the current system for signal.

 

Thanks for the info. I guess just leave good enough alone.

 

Somebody here knows…. So I’d hang on for definitive info.