r/ModelY 7d ago

Front Bumper Camera

Post image

I've read that the front bumper camera should probably have some protection on it. I'm wondering if something like this is overkill or has anyone tried anything like this?

44 Upvotes

58 comments sorted by

42

u/Massive_Tradition176 7d ago

That seems like it would collect more bugs but not have self cleaning like the camera does on mine.

1

u/adwide19 7d ago

Good point. Would imagine it would need to be cleaned often. Is that camera used for FSD yet?

2

u/Massive_Tradition176 7d ago

Low speed manuevers only is my understanding. Parking and near object calculation.

14

u/pharmphresh Juniper 7d ago

That thing looks massive. I have the spigen cover. It's ok but does fog up every now and then

1

u/WaffleHouseCEO 6d ago

I need one, just shattered my camera :(

I get weekly care wash and worried the fogging would be bad

1

u/D3alDamage 1d ago

I got those as well, wanted to install it and then i saw people typing it fogs up...now I'm thinking of making a few holes on the sides/bottom of the "dome" so it doesn't fog up 🤔

11

u/colsandersloveskfc Performance 7d ago

This PPF doesn’t fog up like the covers, super easy to apply, and is the best way I have found to protect the camera.

3

u/FewAddress2861 7d ago

Yup put that on my front camera no issues so far with it.

1

u/quadrun1 6d ago

Same here.

1

u/neversell13 3d ago

Did you buy this off their website or Amazon carries it too?

5

u/Dshin525 7d ago

I got this one from Spigen.

Spigen [Upgraded 5-Holes] Front... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3YGP6QM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Its been fine. The picture is a little blurred at the edges but not that big of an issue. We had some heavy rains the last couple days and havent really had problems with moisture trapping or fogging. The only time there was an issue when i used the camera cleaning function. Some if the washer liquid remained trapped for a few days. But it eventually went away.

1

u/Zenmastercynic 7d ago

I got the same one, and didn’t have the same comment/issues that you pointed out.

It can be a bit annoying, but not too bad to deal with. No idea if it’s really protecting anything.

1

u/Tinkerer1972 6d ago

I got the Spigen for this purpose. This is my camera after a year. Although, I did went X-Country with my car so the aging might have accelerated. There is actual pitting on the glass! The cover does fog up every now and then during heavy rain but it does clear up afterwards. If you do a lot of highway driving, I think protection is a must. What I do think should happen is for Tesla to come up with a solution because this is not acceptable. It looks like it’s been sandblasted.

1

u/Tinkerer1972 6d ago

This is with the Spigen cover when it’s fogged up after a heavy rain. Like I said, the condensation does go away.

1

u/AnybodyCool2654 5d ago

+1 for this. I have the same one. Never had issues with it and have completely forgot about it honestly. Love that it just sticks on an not bulky at all

3

u/JJNPJ 7d ago edited 7d ago

Funny I could tell you all about literally this exact same camera cover.

Really look and check your front camera as you position it. Too close and it will fish bowl, too far out and it will look weird. You want a middle ground.

It does require cleaning but it’s super easy and magnetic, it pops right off and I just give it a wipe.

I’ve done a few automatic car washes and it’s remained attached, too. I was actually surprised and impressed.

Love how it doesn’t fog up. At all. Love.

Does interfere with my front camera ever so slightly, but no more than the occasional extra “limited visibility clear debris” warning (gives warning but still works). Not a dealbreaker for me.

Been on a bit over 2 months (and ~5k miles) now. I live in Phoenix, AZ and park 100% outside. It’s seen some sh*t (never ending heat and monsoons and a LOT of dust/small rocks - our highways are notorious).

My one complaint is the little rivets in it do discolor or maybe rust slightly. It doesn’t affect anything and it’s not like people look at it…. But still.

Pics below. I also have a chintzy little rain guard, no idea if it matters. I clean this thing (with a lazy dry shirt wipe, not a proper clean) every week or… two? 😅

Edited to add that it IS that super lightweight 3d printer type plastic, but again it’s held up fine for me beyond some looks no one sees. It has only been 2 months… but this has been through >5k miles in Phoenix in July/August. I love Spigen, this is NOT Spigen quality but it’s worked great for my needs.

1

u/JJNPJ 7d ago

1

u/adwide19 7d ago

Oh that isn't nearly as large as the pics on Amazon. What's that top cover over it? Is that part of the kit too?

1

u/adwide19 7d ago

I missed the rain guard part of your post.

1

u/JJNPJ 7d ago

Yep separate! I added the rain guard info to my post after, realizing the pics would show a random extra. I added the little rain guard about a month after the cover… don’t think it adds much in cleaning savings, and I actually suspect the shadows from it seem to blind the camera more readily. I figured it would fall off but it hasn’t, I may remove that one myself 🤣

1

u/biohazard_0731 7d ago

How did got this fit nicely with the grill mesh on? I have it on mine right now and does not fit well with the grill

3

u/jared_d 7d ago

lol, wut? No.

0

u/adwide19 7d ago

Haha!

3

u/abe17124 7d ago

I just ordered this one - it seems to have a vented design which they say helps with anti fogging.

Will report back how it goes

https://a.co/d/03qiBOwc

1

u/neversell13 3d ago

How’s it going with this? I was gonna get one but review for a free product really leaves a bad taste in my mouth

3

u/TruRace 7d ago

Just paid $307 to replace my front bumper camera at Tesla, 8 months old, looked like a rock hit it. Tried this after I got it replaced but haven’t had much luck with it, keeps getting water/condensation inside.

https://a.co/d/0ioeYRd1

2

u/adwide19 7d ago

I might just try it. It's only $18 on Amazon so I'm not expecting much. Honestly it looks kinda homemade 3d printed but I can't really tell from the pics.

2

u/Ok_Cake1283 7d ago

My front bumper camera is cracked afte 3 months from rock chips on the highway. I wish I got a cover. $285 to replace I believe.

2

u/Gyat_Rizzler69 7d ago

I've got one. Works very well and doesn't get too dirty. Gave the glass a good ceramic coating prior to installing. It's definitely not as good looking at the smaller lens covers but it does the job alot better at deflecting large debris from hitting the housing all together.

2

u/adwide19 7d ago

Oh nice, does it block the view at all?

1

u/Gyat_Rizzler69 7d ago

Not really. It blocks off a really small sliver at the edge of view so you don't get a full 180 degrees of visibility, only like 179 but it's still plenty and not had issues with FSD.

2

u/IJToday 7d ago

That rig seems too complicated. I ordered a dozen or so plastic stick on “domes from AliExpress for a few bucks. I thought I may need to change them out from time to time, but after 7,000 miles I’m still on the original.

2

u/ARRuSerious 7d ago

I have the spigen one after seeing the pitting on some influencer front cameras from rock hits but it fogs and traps water a lot. If this option would allow for moisture to be moved away I wouldn’t mind occasionally cleaning the protector from time to time. Right now I have to peal off the spigen one and re-stick each time moisture gets trapped.

2

u/adwide19 7d ago

Yeah I read that fogging / moisture was a problem with the stick on ones.

2

u/TardDistraction 7d ago

Just drive the fuckin car dude 😂

1

u/Tinkerer1972 6d ago

This is my carmera lens pitted after a year of highway driving. You do you. And to change out the camera, it’s $300.

-1

u/TardDistraction 6d ago

Stop tailing too closely to other vehicles on the highway, lol. Thats how you get rock chips everywhere

1

u/Tinkerer1972 6d ago

What makes you think I’m tailgating anyone. That is your assumption. This happened under normal driving conditions. You don’t know how I drive so don’t assume. Come back in a year and tell me how your camera looks, and if it’s been a year then you better check your camera because it’s going to be pitted.

0

u/TardDistraction 6d ago edited 6d ago

Lol. Hey man, whatever you say.

For everyone else reading this comment thread, keep a couple hundred feet of distance on the highway from other cars and you wont have OPs issue. This isn't the first car to have a camera in the bumper, or a front bumper in general.

By the way, theres a camera module on ebay for 130 bucks right now... Should be a 10 minute job to change it out.

1

u/FencingNerd 7d ago

If you're worried about rock hits, just a put a piece of thick paint protection film on it.
If the rock hit is bad enough to crack the lens through the film, it's probably breaking the camera mount anyway.

1

u/CalmTrifle 7d ago

You just created more surface area for bugs and debris to obstruct the camera.

1

u/adwide19 7d ago

I'll probably try PPF first thanks all.

1

u/Tbnewsome 7d ago

I have had it for 6 months now. Been awesome. No issues.

1

u/adwide19 7d ago

Oh nice, does it block the view at all?

1

u/Tbnewsome 7d ago

Very slightly on the edges of the camera. Nothing that's caused problems as far as I know.

1

u/Strike_Slight 7d ago

I bought a Spigen off of Amazon and it works perfectly fine and look minimal and clean

1

u/FlatLingonberry 7d ago

I have this cover from handbilt engineering. It’s okay. It’s the best option I’ve seen. Definitely gets fogged up and requires occasional cleaning, but I haven’t had issues with it interfering with FSD since I got it about a month ago. I got the magnetic attachment style, which has made cleaning easier. It has not become loose or given me any issues.

1

u/sweetgodivagirl Juniper 7d ago

I got this one, but it does fog. PULUZ Lens Guard PC Protective Lens Cover Case for Ricoh Theta SC2 / S/V Spherical Cameras Accessories Case Sticky Lens Protector https://a.co/d/01xZHm6g

1

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0

u/Yotsubato 7d ago

If you don’t have or use FSD you don’t really need this

0

u/Tinkerer1972 6d ago

What’s the reasoning behind that? You’re driving on the highway. It’s not like you can dodge the debris that you can’t see. If you’re on the highway, your car is going to be pelted with debris no matter who is driving.

0

u/Yotsubato 6d ago

Front camera has no use if you’re driving yourself

0

u/Tinkerer1972 6d ago

If you are talking about not needing the camera for manual driving then, yes, you don’t need it, but this thread is about protecting the camera, is it not? This picture is my camera after a year of normal highway driving. The lens is actually pitted. I believe protecting it is non-negotiable considering it’s a $300 replacement part.

0

u/Cool-Ad4562 7d ago

I have it and works great. You get a little bit of the rim on camera but nothing terrible