Rear View Camera

[d2dave]

I was towing my caravan the other day, and I thought a rear camera would be handy, not so much for reversing but for rear vision, to be able to see what is behind me when driving along.

So I had a look on flebay and they all seem to be promoted as reversing cameras. Does anyone have any experience with these? Would a reversing camera do the job if the lens was adjusted differently?

Dave.

[nugge t]

Depends if you want to see a hawk on a disappearing mountain or just what's behind you on the road. If just behind you on the road, the reversing cameras work great. There are different quality of course but get a good one and you will have clear picture and good wide angle from my experience.

[130man]

Hi Mr. Whippy, rear cameras are a great idea. Most of them assume you will use the reversing light wiring as a power supply . so you will need to wire up a separate power supply with a switch and a fuse. I suggest a bright illuminated switch so you don't forget it is on, or wire it through the ignition.
Some systems are wireless but I don't know if they would reliably transmit from the back of the van to your dash area. You may find the specifications will tell you what the range is. Either way, you will need to wire up for power so you may as well run a video cable. I use my set up to monitor my trailers as well as for reversing but the lens gets dirty fairly quickly on dirt roads or in the rain, so positioning it out of the weather is a good idea if you can. Cheers, 130man.

[Discomark]

They say the wide angle cams are best for reversing and the narrow angle for rear view use. I have a 170 degree wide on the back of the Disco and use it for hooking up the tow hitch. When the trailer is not on I use it as a rear view as I have a 10.2" rear view monitor over the existing mirror as the existing mirror is no use due to a full height storage system blocking the back window. I find the wide angle cam is ok to look behind when driving but cars can seem further away than what they are so I still rely on the door mirrors to overtake (very rare anyway in a 300TDI).
I got mine from eonon on ebay and was around $100 inc shipping for the rear view monitor and camera, ony 3 days from Hong Kong via DHL. The monitor has 2 inputs so i'll buy another cam for the back of the trailer as well I think.
Cheers
Mark

[stevo]

just make sure it is water proof with an IP rating of at least 68 bought one off flea bay lasted a couple of months was only splash proof but when you are driving this does force water in.

[goingbush]

I've tried many and those 'eonon waterproof' cameras on ebay are great, there are cheap copies (same price even) but if you buy from the seller whose name is also eonon you will actually get a waterproof one.

[George130]

I have one lined to a switch. camera cost $20. Bought the screen seperatly. I use it to watch the trailer load, reversing and as a rear view. Handy if you don't have a good view out of the rear view mirror.

[towe0609]

I have a 2 camera kit from this mob (Jetview Electronics on ebay as Underwater Video Camera System, MegaPixel IP Network Cameras items in Jetview CCTV Security Equipment store on eBay! (http://stores.ebay.com/Jetview-CCTV-Security-Equipment))
Jetview Electronics On-Line Store (http://www.jetviewcctv.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_50&products_id=303)

but for a single camera, you could go for either of these good cheap solutions

Jetview Electronics On-Line Store (http://www.jetviewcctv.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_50&products_id=270)
Jetview Electronics On-Line Store (http://www.jetviewcctv.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_50&products_id=271)

No problems after 1 year. I haven't done a lot of comparisons to products at the upper end of the market, but I'm happy with the quality, more than adequate for what I needed. I find it particularly useful for lane changing on freeways, and reversing out of angle parks.

[bblaze]

I power my reverse camera on the van with the power wire on the number plate light, just flick the park lights on when I want to use it
cheers
blaze

[goingbush]

I power my reverse camera on the van with the power wire on the number plate light, just flick the park lights on when I want to use it
cheers
blaze
So simple, what a bloody good idea.

[Sleepy]

I power my reverse camera on the van with the power wire on the number plate light, just flick the park lights on when I want to use it
cheers
blaze

Whilst this is an innovative solution, the downside is drivers behind you may see the tail lights come on and mistake them for brake lights. A little distracting when you are winding up for an overtake manoeuvre.

I see this daily with vehicles with automatic headlights. They drive under a bridge, headlights (and tail lights) come on momentarily and for a brief moment you think they are braking. :eek2::eek::mad:

Perhaps and independent power/switch would be better.:angel:


By the way, this is a great idea.:)

[Discomark]

I powered mine from the number plate light as well as the camera is just beside the light and its easy to switch on and off. I always try and turn on when nobody is behind so they don't think i'm braking, in fact I have a habit of checking behind before turning the lights on in general due to this.
The other thing is i've left the lights on a few times when leaving the car as you can't tell they are on during the day, thankfully i've noticed in time before the battery runs down but thats something you need to watch for. I guess I could fit a timer but thats another job.
Cheers
Mark

[gavinwibrow]

I powered mine from the number plate light as well as the camera is just beside the light and its easy to switch on and off. I always try and turn on when nobody is behind so they don't think i'm braking, in fact I have a habit of checking behind before turning the lights on in general due to this.
The other thing is i've left the lights on a few times when leaving the car as you can't tell they are on during the day, thankfully i've noticed in time before the battery runs down but thats something you need to watch for. I guess I could fit a timer but thats another job.
Cheers
Mark
You can also get a warning buzzer that starts up when lights on and ignition is switched off. Fine if you are not deaf - if you do it make sure you connect to sidelights, not headlights (don't ask me how I know).