I object to the gradual upward creep of what the marketers convince us is minimum equipment for cars. But it's my impression that these gadgets are very reliable. When I think of car problems, I think of big old V8's that used any excuse not to start, or to stall. Never happens anymore. Anyone who has a working 30-year old transistor radio has evidence of how durable solid state devices are. It's the old fashioned stuff like rads, shocks, brakes that seems to eat all the repairs these days. (With the conditions that the gadgets can be unreliable when first implemented, or on brands known for quality problems.)
Just like power door locks were once a very costly feature, and you can now get a whole system at a car parts place for $40, I expect backup camera systems will be just as cheap. You can get a lens/sensor for $30, and a small LCD screen shouldn't be more than $20. Then there's some wiring and power supply. Absolutely no need for it to cost $1000. That's just what people are willing to pay for fancy new stuff. I'd like to see a few makers of third-party mileage readout/computers. And third-party stability/traction control.
