Retain your OEM backup camera with NEW head unit.

I have to give primary credit to jlcpremier in his 4000NEX thread. He was much more creative than I. He made an adapter out of metal pins and video cable. Two years later, I found an adapter online that perhaps will be an easier option than his creation.



https://www.ebay.com (commissions earned) or search "AX-Mazcam" is the ebay listing goes missing. This is a two-way adapter. Allows you to use OEM camera on aftermarket head unit, or aftermarket camera on OEM head unit. It lists as 12v, but from other's postings, the OEM camera on the cx-5 is 6v.

I used it for the nice white plastic connector. 9$, free shipping, got from Florida to California in 3 days.

Then i bought the same 12v to 6v converter jlcpremier bought, https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned) 6$, prime shipping. Booyah.


The original AX-MAZCAM is all hooked in together, so i cut away the parts i didnt need. Leaving me with the white female connector, the RCA output, and the stripped wires for 12v and ground. Then I soldered and heat-shrink tubed the 12v and ground from MAZCAM to the output +/- of the converter. Giving me this. Identical to jlcpremier's creation, without making the connector yourself.

Ill be installing this in my 2015 CX-5 Touring tommorow with a 4100NEX. I will update after!

Great find!

Don't feel too bad, it is a Metra piece that has been out less than a year.
http://www.metraonline.com/part/AX-MAZCAM

Also you can use a Metra DC/DC converter as well to achieve the 6V output for those who want to buy a brand name piece.
http://www.metraonline.com/part/AX-CAM6V

Also I know they newer CX-5 use the Toyota USB connector for USB.
http://www.metraonline.com/part/AX-TOYUSB

Or so I have been told.

I used that same USB adapter Crutchfield sent me for the USB, assuming I could maintain use of the USB spot in the console, without running my own wires down the center column. Didn't work for me. I ended up running a male/female USB adapter under the steering wheel, so i could connect a lightning cable for CarPlay use, or have easy access to plug in a USB stick to update firmware as needed. Then ran a micro-USB and an HDMI into my glove box, in case a passenger wants to use them.

TBH I was a little disappointed with the clarity of the backup camera. It seemed so much clearer on the original screen. Resolution differences built-in I assume.

Gotta say I love the 4100NEX otherwise. Pretty proud that I did it all myself. (drive)

Demento said:

I used that same USB adapter Crutchfield sent me for the USB, assuming I could maintain use of the USB spot in the console, without running my own wires down the center column. Didn't work for me. I ended up running a male/female USB adapter under the steering wheel, so i could connect a lightning cable for CarPlay use, or have easy access to plug in a USB stick to update firmware as needed. Then ran a micro-USB and an HDMI into my glove box, in case a passenger wants to use them.

TBH I was a little disappointed with the clarity of the backup camera. It seemed so much clearer on the original screen. Resolution differences built-in I assume.

Gotta say I love the 4100NEX otherwise. Pretty proud that I did it all myself. (drive)

Click to expand...

There are two listed USB adapters for the CX5, the one I listed above and
http://metraonline.com/part/AX-MAZUSB

Not sure what trim level/year ctuoff is.

As far as clarity on the backup camera, I would expect the Pioneer to have a better resolution but due it being a better screen you probably see the flaws in the mazda cam a bit more. I do not know the resolution of the factory mazada screen but the cameras are all about the same factory and aftermarket.

With this out there, now there is no reason someone should be worried about going aftermarket, wish they had that 2 years ago!!

Mazda USB from Metra Does not work on 2015

silvercoat said:

There are two listed USB adapters for the CX5, the one I listed above and
http://metraonline.com/part/AX-MAZUSB

Not sure what trim level/year ctuoff is.

As far as clarity on the backup camera, I would expect the Pioneer to have a better resolution but due it being a better screen you probably see the flaws in the mazda cam a bit more. I do not know the resolution of the factory mazada screen but the cameras are all about the same factory and aftermarket.

Click to expand...

Mazda USB from Metra Does not work on 2015 at least it did not on mine I will be trying the Toyota one to see if it will work.

Demento said:

I have to give primary credit to jlcpremier in his 4000NEX thread. He was much more creative than I. He made an adapter out of metal pins and video cable. Two years later, I found an adapter online that perhaps will be an easier option than his creation.

https://www.ebay.com (commissions earned) or search "AX-Mazcam" is the ebay listing goes missing. This is a two-way adapter. Allows you to use OEM camera on aftermarket head unit, or aftermarket camera on OEM head unit. It lists as 12v, but from other's postings, the OEM camera on the cx-5 is 6v.

I used it for the nice white plastic connector. 9$, free shipping, got from Florida to California in 3 days.

Then i bought the same 12v to 6v converter jlcpremier bought, https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned) 6$, prime shipping. Booyah.


The original AX-MAZCAM is all hooked in together, so i cut away the parts i didnt need. Leaving me with the white female connector, the RCA output, and the stripped wires for 12v and ground. Then I soldered and heat-shrink tubed the 12v and ground from MAZCAM to the output +/- of the converter. Giving me this. Identical to jlcpremier's creation, without making the connector yourself.

Ill be installing this in my 2015 CX-5 Touring tommorow with a 4100NEX. I will update after!

Click to expand...

Hey there...did this solution work for you? So far, this has been the easiest and cheapest solution I've found. Trying to retain the OEM backup cam from my Mazda 6, using it with the same 4100 NEX, as you.

Bidome77 said:

Mazda USB from Metra Does not work on 2015 at least it did not on mine I will be trying the Toyota one to see if it will work.

Click to expand...

hi, did the toyota harness work?

thanks

silvercoat said:

Don't feel too bad, it is a Metra piece that has been out less than a year.
http://www.metraonline.com/part/AX-MAZCAM

Also you can use a Metra DC/DC converter as well to achieve the 6V output for those who want to buy a brand name piece.
http://www.metraonline.com/part/AX-CAM6V

Also I know they newer CX-5 use the Toyota USB connector for USB.
http://www.metraonline.com/part/AX-TOYUSB

Or so I have been told.

Click to expand...

I'm late to this party, but this info is very helpful!!! I just posted in another thread (link) that I think I have all the parts I now need...thanks to this post!