Rearview Cameras

[JerseyJim]

I just bought a sedan delivery and with the bad weather in the northeast, the only thing that I have done with it is drive it into the garage. Can't wait for spring to get this baby out. One problem that I know I will have is poor vision to the rear and the quarters. The one time that I did back it out, I had to open the door and lean out to see how close I was to things.

My daily driver has a rearview camera that I really love and have learned to depend on. I'm thinking that the sedan delivery needs a camera in the rear and one on each side. I know that this type of system is used on many RVs. My concern here is that I would like to have cameras that can be easily attached and removed and won't require holes to be drilled in this pristine body.

While my car's system is only active when the car is in reverse, I'd like to have these views active at all times. I see lane changing as being more dangerous than parking. I've seen the type of system that mounts a camera to the license plate holder. That doesn't work here because the license plate is mounted off to one side (behind left rear fender).

Anyone here have any experience with these systems? Ideas?

 

[NJHandyGuy]

my old tow truck had one it was a breeze to put in $239 for th kit at 6th ave electronics in brick plug and play really i'm sur it could be easily modified to you application

 

[Stuart in MN]

Beautiful car!

The first thing I'd do is make sure the mirrors are adjusted properly to give you the best possible rear view. This is one thing that Click and Clack got right, here are their instructions: http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/mirrors/ Once that's done, and you're used to the size of the car and can tell where the corners are I bet it will be a lot easier to back up.

 

[mrbelvedere]

I'm currently in the process of putting together such a system on my 'new' (quite old) RV. I'm using a small (10")LCD TV, with four large cameras. I found a unit at Fry's electronics that allows for four cameras, you can select 1, 2, or all, it splits the screen accorcingly. This system will be wired to work whenever I flip the switch for camera power, most use the reverse light circuit as the cameras' power source.

I'm using the tv as it is useful for more than just a back-up cam would be, depending on the input, be it DVD player or tv antenna.

No holes is going to be a tall order, even the 'wireless' cams are not truly wireless, they have a cord going to a transmit unit, and that unit requires a seperate power source. And wireless systems do suffer some interference problems as well.

One thing to remember is a 'reverse' camera shows a reversed image, as if you were looking in the rearview. Some cameras are switchable, as are mine, made by Boyo. They do have some small 'bar' cams, but again, the holes for wires are an issue. You could mount the cams with trim tape, but tere is still the wire.

 

[JerseyJim]

I'm currently in the process of putting together such a system on my 'new' (quite old) RV. I'm using a small (10")LCD TV, with four large cameras. I found a unit at Fry's electronics that allows for four cameras, you can select 1, 2, or all, it splits the screen accorcingly. This system will be wired to work whenever I flip the switch for camera power, most use the reverse light circuit as the cameras' power source.

I'm using the tv as it is useful for more than just a back-up cam would be, depending on the input, be it DVD player or tv antenna.

No holes is going to be a tall order, even the 'wireless' cams are not truly wireless, they have a cord going to a transmit unit, and that unit requires a seperate power source. And wireless systems do suffer some interference problems as well.

One thing to remember is a 'reverse' camera shows a reversed image, as if you were looking in the rearview. Some cameras are switchable, as are mine, made by Boyo. They do have some small 'bar' cams, but again, the holes for wires are an issue. You could mount the cams with trim tape, but tere is still the wire.

I was thinking of magnetic mounts protected with felt. I'm thinking that a rear camera shouldn't be too tough to do. The sides are a different story. If I could mount them low, perhaps I could wire them with short whips that would plug in under the side of the car. That way nothing would be seen when they are detached.

 

[mrbelvedere]

I was thinking of magnetic mounts protected with felt. I'm thinking that a rear camera shouldn't be too tough to do. The sides are a different story. If I could mount them low, perhaps I could wire them with short whips that would plug in under the side of the car. That way nothing would be seen when they are detached.

good idea...down low. you might even be able to fab a bracket that could pinch on the lower body seam (if there is one) with a setscrew. When I was looking at cameras I almost bought ones about 1 1/2 round and bullet shaped, they had a little c-shaped base with 3 mounting holes. Instead I settled on these big security looking things, soley because of their universal mounts with pan and tilt. I'm still fishing wires.....a lot of them!!

***my little lcd tv came in today's mail, really nice for the $68expenditure***

 

[Kevin54]

WallyWorld even carries them. I'm thinking for something like $125 but might be mistaken. In the automotive section

 

[GreyOwl]

I have even seen a system that the camera is part of the license plate frame. Don't know how good they are though.
Charles

 

[Call me the Breeze]

I was in Autozone the other day. They had a wireless one ( camera was in the license plate frame) on display. Didn't notice the price though.

 

[PAToyota]

I saw this system awhile back: http://totalvision.qwestoffice.net/products/offroadracing.html

For some reason, I thought I had seen that it would do a split screen to show more than one camera at a time - but I don't see that mentioned anywhere.

The cameras are pretty small and could be fairly unobtrusive depending on how you put things together.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I install all forms of these systems on commercial trucks / equipment - the good ones all have cameras the would not be great looking on the car (very obtrusive IMO). They do, however, have sealed connections that would be easy to disconnect and pop the camera off if you have a quickly removable mount. That way you could take them off when not needed and just tuck the end of the cable away out of sight.

Split screen:

Side camera:

Rear:

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

here's the flat screen in the cab

 

[kbs2244]

Could you put the camera inside and looking through the back window?
It may restrict your view some, but it would not affect the outside looks.

 

[Haywood]

Draw-tite/Reese has a new camera system called the hindsight out that might work.. The display isn't very big, only 2 1/2", but everything is magnetic and it can monitor up to 4 cameras. The monitor and one camera are around $250, not sure how much extra cameras cost. Its made to be quick to install and remove.