This is my experience with installing Lock Pick and a slick (looking) Chinese backup camera in my 2012 SEL. Since this will be a step by step commentary, I chose not to include it in the various backup camera posts that were so helpful to me in making the leap - thanks to all posters.
First, I now regret my decision not to order the parking assist package - it would have provided what I really want - a backup camera - for much less money than the Lock Pick 2 and after market backup camera. I'll use the various DVD in motion, camera in motion, nav in motion features the Lock Pick provides, but that was not what prompted my purchase and I could live without these features. On the other hand, these features are pretty cool. My failure to get the car without Parking Assist is water under my bridge but something prospective Focus buyers might want to consider.
Oh, on the subject of Focus BU cameras; I went by my Ford store to look at factory BU camera installs on cars in stock and I found a number of 2013 cars that had Backup Assist but did NOT have Parking Assist AND had backup cameras. Secondly, all the cameras on the 2013s in the lot were mounted directly under the deck lid next to, but independent of, the license plate light/hatch-truck button assy. I believe this is a change from 2012 because others have shared photos of their 2012 factory cameras that were incorporated into the latch button assy. Not important and I didn't ask any sales people about this - it was just an observation I made that might help with your Focus purchase plans.
I ordered my Lock Pick 2 from Solid Signal http://www.solidsignal.com/cview.asp?mc=06&d=marine-automotive-audio-video&c=DVD%20Navigation%20Lockpicks. I paid $327.94, delivered to CA - the least expensive unit I found. The Solid Signal page for the 2012-13 Focus Lock Pick warns that this will not work with an after market camera but this is inaccurate as the Lock Pick 2 page clearly states that it WILL work with any aftermarket camera and the Lock Pick 2 instructions actually tells you where to attach power from your "aftermarket" backup camera.
The unit arrived safe and sound and now resides in my shop awaiting the completion of my current Honey Do List so I can play.
Most are aware that there are a number of pretty good Lock Pick Focus specific install videos on YouTube and the installation looks pretty easy, really plug and play. This is the one from the company itself and it is the one I'll be using. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MumIkND0suk The kit comes with a set of pretty good instructions and most of what one needs for an installation except the camera.
Oh, on that subject Lock Pick no longer sells backup cameras, although their web site still shows them as available.
I did a lot of looking on the web for an appropriate camera and found there were many options available from cheap and crappy to very expensive and who knows. I wanted one that:
1. looked OEM,
2. was CCD not CMOS (CMOS quality is a bit lacking and it is reportedly more subject to electrical interference than CCD) and,
3. was around $40.
At the suggestion of a fellow Fanatic (thank you), I finally tried AliExpress.com (kind of the Chinese eBay) and I found a selection of good looking Sony CCD cameras much better than eBays and at much better prices. I picked one that was incorporated into the plate light/trunk button assy for only $40, delivered by China Post. It took a couple of weeks to get the thing and tracking China Post is iffy at best, but I am not disappointed in the quality look and feel of the product - it could have come directly from (and might have actually been made for) Ford. I hope my post installation impressions are as favorable. It was very well packed and was completely devoid of any paperwork - no big deal as it is pretty uncomplicated. My experience with AliExpress was very favorable.
The Lock Pick 2 requires that the after market camera power be connected to its harness' orange wire which means that a wire run from the camera to the MFT area on the car will be required. Because the camera I bought (and all I've seen) are meant to be powered from the car's backup light circuit the wiring harness sent with the camera is clearly too short to go all the way forward to the Lock Pick. Not a big deal but I will need to splice on a length of wire.
That's where things stand right now. I will post more as I complete the installation - very soon I hope.
First, I now regret my decision not to order the parking assist package - it would have provided what I really want - a backup camera - for much less money than the Lock Pick 2 and after market backup camera. I'll use the various DVD in motion, camera in motion, nav in motion features the Lock Pick provides, but that was not what prompted my purchase and I could live without these features. On the other hand, these features are pretty cool. My failure to get the car without Parking Assist is water under my bridge but something prospective Focus buyers might want to consider.
Oh, on the subject of Focus BU cameras; I went by my Ford store to look at factory BU camera installs on cars in stock and I found a number of 2013 cars that had Backup Assist but did NOT have Parking Assist AND had backup cameras. Secondly, all the cameras on the 2013s in the lot were mounted directly under the deck lid next to, but independent of, the license plate light/hatch-truck button assy. I believe this is a change from 2012 because others have shared photos of their 2012 factory cameras that were incorporated into the latch button assy. Not important and I didn't ask any sales people about this - it was just an observation I made that might help with your Focus purchase plans.
I ordered my Lock Pick 2 from Solid Signal http://www.solidsignal.com/cview.asp?mc=06&d=marine-automotive-audio-video&c=DVD%20Navigation%20Lockpicks. I paid $327.94, delivered to CA - the least expensive unit I found. The Solid Signal page for the 2012-13 Focus Lock Pick warns that this will not work with an after market camera but this is inaccurate as the Lock Pick 2 page clearly states that it WILL work with any aftermarket camera and the Lock Pick 2 instructions actually tells you where to attach power from your "aftermarket" backup camera.
The unit arrived safe and sound and now resides in my shop awaiting the completion of my current Honey Do List so I can play.
Most are aware that there are a number of pretty good Lock Pick Focus specific install videos on YouTube and the installation looks pretty easy, really plug and play. This is the one from the company itself and it is the one I'll be using. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MumIkND0suk The kit comes with a set of pretty good instructions and most of what one needs for an installation except the camera.
Oh, on that subject Lock Pick no longer sells backup cameras, although their web site still shows them as available.
I did a lot of looking on the web for an appropriate camera and found there were many options available from cheap and crappy to very expensive and who knows. I wanted one that:
1. looked OEM,
2. was CCD not CMOS (CMOS quality is a bit lacking and it is reportedly more subject to electrical interference than CCD) and,
3. was around $40.
At the suggestion of a fellow Fanatic (thank you), I finally tried AliExpress.com (kind of the Chinese eBay) and I found a selection of good looking Sony CCD cameras much better than eBays and at much better prices. I picked one that was incorporated into the plate light/trunk button assy for only $40, delivered by China Post. It took a couple of weeks to get the thing and tracking China Post is iffy at best, but I am not disappointed in the quality look and feel of the product - it could have come directly from (and might have actually been made for) Ford. I hope my post installation impressions are as favorable. It was very well packed and was completely devoid of any paperwork - no big deal as it is pretty uncomplicated. My experience with AliExpress was very favorable.
The Lock Pick 2 requires that the after market camera power be connected to its harness' orange wire which means that a wire run from the camera to the MFT area on the car will be required. Because the camera I bought (and all I've seen) are meant to be powered from the car's backup light circuit the wiring harness sent with the camera is clearly too short to go all the way forward to the Lock Pick. Not a big deal but I will need to splice on a length of wire.
That's where things stand right now. I will post more as I complete the installation - very soon I hope.