Low resolution cameras?

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by PHEVer, Feb 20, 2018.

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  1. dstrauss

    dstrauss Well-Known Member

    Don't get me wrong, I didn't mean to imply I have any real complaints (well, other than SeriusXM continuing radio problems and the hilariously ineffective HV range estimates). My comment is really more of why it seems to be a mismatch of accessories relative to other 2018 Hondas.
     
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  3. ab13

    ab13 Active Member

    Not criticizing at all, just pointing out the smarter choices they made compared to other brands. One of the competing brands doesn't have electric heating in the PHEV models, so you would completely lose preheating and cabin heat in electric, which probably surprised some buyers. Likely a big shock to a new owner.
     
    JustAnotherPoorDriver likes this.
  4. Rob_v1

    Rob_v1 Member

    I hadn't noticed this until you pointed it out. That's a significant shortcoming that's especially obvious now that I'm driving the Clarity. So none of the Kia or Hyundai PHEVs have electric heating.
     
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  5. bfd

    bfd Active Member

    Prius Prime now has it, but the original PHEV did not. Heated conventionally from radiated engine heat. No owners were pleased with that, but I guess the toll it takes on EV range wasn't worth the addition, and that's likely why some other competitors still don't have it, either.

    But the cameras are a head-scratcher, since they don't take extra energy, don't weigh more, and don't cost much more. I'm ok with the mirror cam, I just wish there was one on both sides. I suspect some kind of regulation prohibits that location.
     
  6. Viking79

    Viking79 Well-Known Member

    I had no idea they didn't have electric heat. That would be a deal breaker for me. I love the electric heat in the Clarity, so fast to heat the cabin and seems more efficient than my Volt.
     
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  8. PHEV Newbie

    PHEV Newbie Well-Known Member

    The Optima/Sonata PHEV twins are very different from the Clarity. They are mostly ICE driven cars because their electric motors are very weak (only 67 hp! vs 181 hp in the Clarity) so they can depend on ICE heating. Unless you drive like my kids' 90 year old grandmother and stay off highways, you can't stay in electric mode at all. Because of this, they actually have 6 speed dual clutch transmissions whereas the Clarity has no shiftable transmission at all. The Clarity relies on its electric motors to accelerate from 0-45 or so before the clutch can connect the drive wheels with the ICE (if you are not in EV mode). The Clarity and Chevy Volt are the only PHEVs designed so that you can stay in EV mode in everyday driving. The BMW i3 with the optional range extender is also different because it is mostly EV plus a tiny 3 cylinder engine that works as a generator to give you a little bit of extra range but you have to drive it gingerly in that mode because it's underpowered.
     
  9. Viking79

    Viking79 Well-Known Member

    Just to clarify something though, the Clarity has 181 hp electric motor, but the battery is only capable of putting out 120 hp. The genset (engine+second electric motor) to supply electricity for the remaining 60 hp for the main traction motor if necessary.

    PHEVs with similar transmissions are: Prius Prime, Pacifica Hybrid, Volt, Clarity, Fusion/CMax Energi, and anything else listed as a CVT/eCVT. Yes, they are all tuned a bit different, some let you remain in EV, some do not, but the key distinguishing features is they all have a similar planetary gear set arrangement with 2 electric motors. The Volt and Clarity happened to select large traction motors, where some of the others went more modest.
     
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  10. PHEV Newbie

    PHEV Newbie Well-Known Member

    Thanks Viking for the clarification. Of course, the other difference is regardless of the peak output potential of the electric motor, they are limited by battery capacity. Thus, the 120 hp of the Clarity without a boost from ICE electric generation needed to take it to 181. That makes most other PHEVs even worse in EV mode alone (all but volt have smaller batteries) and generally impractical to stay in EV mode in normal driving unless you drive like a 90 year old grandmother :).
     
  11. Ken7

    Ken7 Active Member

    No, I was always able to preheat my PHEV Sonata.
     
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  13. Rob_v1

    Rob_v1 Member

    But only using the ICE, yes? I understand that the car has no electric heater.
     
  14. Ken7

    Ken7 Active Member

    I actually can’t recall if it was the ICE or electric. I do recall the heat came on quite quickly, so I’m really not sure how the heat was produced.
     
  15. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    Well said.

    There was an InsideEVS news article about an upgrade to the Tesla Model 3's backup camera, with various people complaining about the supposedly "low" resolution and the lack of color accuracy.

    Honestly, I don't get it. A backup camera image should be used to make sure you can back up safely, not used to take high-res photos or to see what exact shade the blooming flowers are! The backup camera image on our Chrysler 200 S (gasmobile) is pretty grainy, too. (Certainly nowhere as good a resolution as the supposedly "low" resolution on the Tesla Model 3!) But thank goodness Chrysler didn't waste money on a high-resolution camera there! Far better to put that money elsewhere, where it will actually be useful.

    Really, how much resolution do you need to be able to see if there's an obstacle behind the car as you back up? How would increasing the resolution be of any practical use?
    -
     
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  16. bpratt

    bpratt Active Member

    My brother-in-law has a very difficult driveway to back out of, especially at night. My previous car, a 2014 XLE Camry gave me a clear picture from the backup camera at night. The Clarity is very dark and worthless for backing up at night. I don't know if the camera was better in the Camry, if it had more light from the backup lights, or if it had infrared light built into the camera. It just worked on the Camry and not on my Clarity.
     
    dstrauss likes this.
  17. dstrauss

    dstrauss Well-Known Member

    Same with our 2018 Honda Odyssey and that's where the analysis really breaks down - if they HAVE a better camera, then us it. Same goes for radio/infotainment system. ALL 2018 models should have the radio knobs and controls of the 2018 Accord. It's like - we made this "model" from the late 2016 Fuel Cell Clarity, so "oh well"...

    MORE IMPORTANTLY - Honda, be PROUD of the Clarity PHEV - it should be your flagship vehicle in the whole fleet - more forward thinking than any other in the line up.
     
  18. Ken7

    Ken7 Active Member

    Absolutely. Low light sensitivity and clarity do benefit the driver as you back up. At night, the difference between these cameras can be quite dramatic.
     
  19. They saved like $0.27 by not putting in a higher resolution camera in the vehicle. In fact, I don't even think anybody makes that low a resolution camera anymore. They can make a $25 drone with a 720 hd camera in it. My Ford Focus and Ford Fusion had really good cameras with excellent guide lines to boot (2016 and 2017 models). The 2018 Chevy Volt that I drive at work also has crappy resolution. I also do not like that I cannot switch to the side mirror camera when backing up. I would like to see how close I am to the curb. How about a split screen? When I bought the Clarity, I really was expecting something far superior to my older Ford Focus in a backup camera. I am very confident when backing up with the Fords, but am a bit unsure with the Clarity and the Volt. They seem to only be there to see if something is back there and cannot be relied on for anything close, like avoiding another parked car to the side.
     
  20. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Honda put all the money into the big battery, the hybrid powertrain, and the amazing lightweight/high-strength construction. Many of the rest of the Clarity's parts, such as the cameras, come from the Civic.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019
  21. Not that I’m particularly motivated to try this but...what’s the possibility of replacing the camera with something of a higher resolution?


    Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
     
  22. ab13

    ab13 Active Member

    It might be feasible to change it with another Honda vehicle assembly, especially if the cable connector is the same. There may be some used assemblies from salvaged cars for less than the cost of a new assembly.

    It would take some research to see which are likely to have better cameras. I read the Odyssey and Pilot might, a Civic camera might be the same quality, although some years apparently were better than others.

    For information, I found the OEM part numbers. The first two entries , which appear to be different revisions.
    https://www.ehondaparts.com/v-2018-honda-clarity-plug-in-sedan--trng-clarity-phev--variable/electrical-exhaust-heater-fuel--rearview-camera-gps-antenna

    Here is an ebay sale with pictures of the assembly.
    https://www.ebay.com/p/OEM-2017-2018-Honda-Clarity-Rear-Backup-Reverse-Camera-17-18-39530-trv-a01/21028325220?iid=223337617575&chn=ps&ul_ref=https%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fp%25252FOEM-2017-2018-Honda-Clarity-Rear-Backup-Reverse-Camera-17-18-39530-trv-a01%25252F21028325220%25253Fiid%25253D223337617575%252526chn%25253Dps%2526itemid%253D223337617575%2526targetid%253D484372169279%2526device%253Dt%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9061200%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D1498383093%2526adgroupid%253D60666402667%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-484372169279%2526abcId%253D1139446%2526merchantid%253D6296724%2526gclid%253DEAIaIQobChMIyLv1haq64AIVj1qGCh0pnQArEAQYASABEgJAZ_D_BwE%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D1858006710326%2526rvr_ts%253Dea25ad7b1680a9cc85c14d4fffeea93d
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019
    Kyle’s Clarity likes this.
  23. stacey burke

    stacey burke Active Member

    For night time rear view , if you press the day/night on the bottom left of the screen it has a very much brighter and better picture. As far as the right camera there is a setting that can make it brighter also... not quite sure where I found that 8 months ago but it is there and makes a difference.
     
    ukon and Louis Nisenbaum like this.

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