Abstract: Techniques are provided for implementing a camera display system with selective activation of one or more associated auxiliary camera units by a navigation device in wireless communication with the auxiliary camera units. The navigation device selectively activates auxiliary camera units when video data from the auxiliary camera unit is to be displayed on the navigation device. The navigation device transmit an activation signal that may be received by an auxiliary camera unit, which may transition to an active state and begin transmitting video data captured by the video camera to the navigation device. Selective activation of an auxiliary camera unit reduces the amount of energy consumed by the auxiliary video camera unit because it is not continuously capturing and transmitting video data to the navigation device. auxiliary camera units may be activated in response to a user input or automatically in response to triggering events.