But won't the camera be at the back of the car anyway? Usually, the backup camera power wires are very short and connected to the backup camera - which works out well because it's very close to the reverse lights...

Unless I'm misunderstanding your issue/question?

 

Ah, I can see your confusion! Sorry, the headunit has a wire on the harness that says it needs to be connected to a reverse signal. I watched a youtube video that says it needs to be hooked up to work properly, but they ran a wire all the way from the head unit to the backup lights, which I'd like to avoid if possible.

 

Ah, I see... I think we're talking about two different things. I'm talking about powering the backup camera (via the reverse light power wires) - you're talking about the signal that tells the head-unit that the car is in reverse. I don't think you can use your reverse light power wires for "reverse detection" - but I could be wrong - I'm used to plug-and-play headunits and the reverse detection part on those is 100% automatic (gets it from the CANBUS). Not sure how that works with non-plug-and-play aftermarket head-units.

I'm sure that someone else will chime in that knows more though.

 

It depends how the unit understands reverse detection. If it does by engaging 12v of power than yes the reverse lights would be a point to tap into.

However I have never seen a head unit require to know when the car enters reverse as usually it knows automatically.

A better bet is going from head unit to gear shift, so when the car is shifted into reverse and the R lights up the console is told it is in reverse however, once again this just depends if the console requires 12V continues power to know it is in reverse. Moment you shift out of reverse it should then no longer recieve power.

Double check and make sure you are understanding, or upload a pic of the directions for us to see