Metra Electronics iBeam TEGMTC Multicolor

The iBeam TEGMTC is a factory-style tailgate handle backup camera with a wide 150-degree view and decent night vision. It's not a high-end imaging device, but it does the job cleanly for around $175 USD. Buy it if you want an OEM look, skip it if you just need the cheapest functional backup cam.

The 1/3-inch CMOS sensor is small, even by backup camera standards. You'll get a usable image in daylight, and the 0.5 lux rating means it can see in dim parking lots without turning everything into static. The 150-degree viewing angle is genuinely wide, which helps when you're backing into a tight spot. But there's no stabilization, autofocus details are unknown, and the video output is whatever your head unit can handle. The defeatable parking lines are a nice touch, some people hate those things baked into the feed.

Stacking this against mirrorless cameras like the Nikon Z50, Sony ZV-E10, or Canon R10 is apples to oranges. Those are proper photo and video tools with big sensors and fast autofocus. The iBeam TEGMTC isn't competing with them, it's competing with other backup camera solutions. Where it wins is the OEM handle replacement design. Most universal backup cams look like a wart on your tailgate. This one disappears into the factory lines. But the sensor and video scores in our database show it's not a high-end imaging device, it's a utility camera.

At $175 USD, this is a reasonable price for a factory-style backup camera with a 26-foot harness included. You're paying for the integration, not the image quality. If you want a clean install that doesn't look like an afterthought bolted to your bumper, the cost makes sense. But if you just need a functional backup cam and don't care about aesthetics, there are cheaper universal options that'll do the job.

This is a backup camera that replaces the tailgate handle on certain Chevy and GMC trucks. It's not a standalone camera you'd carry around, it's a factory-style integration piece meant to feed video to an aftermarket head unit. The 150-degree view and 0.5 lux night vision are the headline features here.

Our database scores it against all camera products, which is a bit unfair since this thing isn't trying to be a mirrorless shooter. But even for what it is, the numbers are rough. Build quality sits middle of the pack, and everything else lands below average. The vlogging score of 8.3 out of 100 is almost funny, nobody is vlogging with a tailgate handle.

Skip this if you don't own a compatible Chevy or GMC truck, because it won't fit anything else. Also skip it if you want crisp, high-resolution video or plan to use it for anything beyond basic reversing. And if you're on a tight budget, a $40 universal backup cam will get the job done, just with more zip ties and less elegance.

If you own a compatible Chevy or GMC truck and want a backup camera that looks like it came from the factory, this is a solid pick. The install is clean, the night vision is adequate, and the wide angle helps with visibility. Just don't expect crisp, high-res footage. This is for seeing what's behind you, not filming a documentary.