Safety Dave Camera

[Strop]

Hi,

Thinking about installing a Camera System for my 2012 D4 for while towing a van. Actually a dual rear camera system.

One of the options is for a clip on screen/monitor over your rear vision mirror. Thinking that with the camera system set up that way it will be just like having a rear vision mirror and it leaves dash real estate free.

Has anyone installed one of these units and could you give me some feedback please.

Thanks

Laurie

[ytt105]

I've been using a system like that for years.

My tips are;
Don't bother with wireless cameras, the distance to the rear of the van is just too much.
Run two shielded cables front to rear,
Use a dual camera on the van, with different view angles so that one looks at the rear of the van and the other looks at the traffic,
I wired both cameras through my 12 pin plug, works fine.

It makes towing a van sooo much easier.

Regards
Trevor

[Briar]

When I got my van it had a safety Dave camera system. The in-car part was an attach to the mirror type thing. I honestly didn't like the view that it gave. I contacted Safety Dave and got it swapped for the style that attached to the screen near the dash. Yes, it does take away a little window space but is so much more viewable imho. Each to their own in this regard though. As far as running wires, for the camera, I got my Caravan manufacturer to send me the in-car part of the camera setup about 3 months before I picked up van. I ran the camera wires at the same time and in the same place as when I was installing the Traxide system about 2 months before van pickup.

[trout1105]

Get a set of Clearview mirrors fitted [thumbsupbig]

[Strop]

Trevor, that is exactly what I thought. I only came across their camera system yesterday and I immediately liked it. That’s why I was asking about the internal rear vision mirror.

Briar, thanks for that. Was the video monitor fitted over the mirror secure? I contacted them today and they told me that the clips to attach to the mirror extended 72mm. My measurements of the mirror showed 47mm so I thought it would fit. I constantly flick my eyes to the rear vision mirror whilst driving hence my question. Years of habits are hard to break.

I was actually amazed when I spoke to them today to find out they run 2 wires for their dual camera setup. Why not a single 8 core wire? Bit strange. They are not cheap either.

Trout1105, The van is only 1900mm wide so the standard mirrors are fine to see down the sides of the vehicle.

The Safety Dave camera system is to save arguments while reversing. The microphone in the system is a bonus for that reversing process.

By the time you find a place for your phone, iPad, tpms, go pro and the rear view camera you take up a lot of windscreen real estate. Hence why the rear vision mirror appealed to me.

Thanks

Laurie

[W&KO]

While not safety dave product we have a clip on mirror type monitor, I removed the the OEM and have the monitor display as permanent. I don’t particularly like it but the wife does.

BTW, this is in a defender.

[Strop]

While not safety dave product we have a clip on mirror type monitor, I removed the the OEM and have the monitor display as permanent. I don’t particularly like it but the wife does.

BTW, this is in a defender.

Why don’t you like it?

[BradC]

Get a set of Clearview mirrors fitted [thumbsupbig]

Having driven a vehicle/van with both (on the same vehicle at the same time), there is absolutely no comparison. Not even close. With the cameras you don't even need the dumbo ears.

[BradC]

By the time you find a place for your phone, iPad, tpms, go pro and the rear view camera you take up a lot of windscreen real estate. Hence why the rear vision mirror appealed to me.

I put mine on the D3 Nav screen (and the RSE screen for the lad). No extra real-estate required and he tells me when there's a truck approaching :)

[Briar]

Trevor, that is exactly what I thought. I only came across their camera system yesterday and I immediately liked it. That’s why I was asking about the internal rear vision mirror.

Briar, thanks for that. Was the video monitor fitted over the mirror secure? I contacted them today and they told me that the clips to attach to the mirror extended 72mm. My measurements of the mirror showed 47mm so I thought it would fit. I constantly flick my eyes to the rear vision mirror whilst driving hence my question. Years of habits are hard to break.

I was actually amazed when I spoke to them today to find out they run 2 wires for their dual camera setup. Why not a single 8 core wire? Bit strange. They are not cheap either.

Trout1105, The van is only 1900mm wide so the standard mirrors are fine to see down the sides of the vehicle.

The Safety Dave camera system is to save arguments while reversing. The microphone in the system is a bonus for that reversing process.

By the time you find a place for your phone, iPad, tpms, go pro and the rear view camera you take up a lot of windscreen real estate. Hence why the rear vision mirror appealed to me.

Thanks

Laurie

I didn't actually attach the monitor to the mirror. I held it up to the mirror and I thought, "This is awful". I wasn't sure it would fit the D4's large mirror, but to me it looked awful. So it never actually got used in anger. This is why Safety Dave were quite happy to take it back and swapped it for the window mount one. I prefer the design and size. I ran the cabled for the monitor under the dash mat so not visible. The inbuilt microphone in the camera is fantastic for parking ad reversing the van.

[Strop]

What I found interesting in my research for this is focal length and it is a simple test/experiment. I can drive without glasses but I generally wear them as it makes the dash, iPhone, iPad and all look clearer. Now if I look in a rear vision mirror all is clear behind me, both with and without glasses. If I hold my phone up to simulate a rear vision camera without my glasses it is blurred. The clarity I get from the mirror is gone. Glasses on - all ok. So for those visually challenged among us there is an issue. For me it is glasses on for close stuff - long vision fine. So to use a rear vision camera, no matter where it is, I would need to wear my glasses.

Just an aside that I found interesting.

Still haven't made my mind up but leaning to the rear vision mirror mount. BUT, wiring will have to come through the roof from the rear. I am assuming there is 12V available from the lights in the roof console area so that should be ok. My only concern with the car is the threading of the cables in the roof with the largish plugs on them.

What I can't find is what people are doing with the cable that has to hang down. Does the mirror version have a cable coming from it or is there a plug where the cable is connected.

My van is another issue. I will have to cut cable because the plug will not fit down the conduits in the walls with it on. Alternatively run it externally.

I have moved away from thinking about using the internal screen as I want always on rear vision and believe it or not I still use the LR GPS system for most navigation.

Laurie

As this is a self install
Advice appreciated.

[DieselLSE]

BUT, wiring will have to come through the roof from the rear. I am assuming there is 12V available from the lights in the roof console area so that should be ok. My only concern with the car is the threading of the cables in the roof with the largish plugs on them.

Couple of suggestions, Laurie:
1. Power can be taken directly from the junction box behind the glovebox. Easy to feed to anywhere in the dash or up the A pillar. There are unused circuits both permanently and ignition powered to choose from. For example, my dashcam uses one circuit for permanent 12v supply and another for an ignition feed. But, if you choose an unfused redundant circuit, be sure to only power the piggy back fuse that you need. That is, the unpowered circuit remains unpowered.
2. The best way to feed a cable above the roof lining is to lower the chosen side of the lining. This way you can tape down the cables like the factory cables are and wrap them in foam at a few points so they don't rattle. Some people use a yellow tongue plastic joiner or similar to poke the cable through, so up to you. You'll need to remove the sun visor, A, B and C pillar trims plus the other side C pillar trim so you can lower the rear of the lining. All this means removing the rear lower panels, too which in turn means removing the door seals. Allocate plenty of time for this so you don't get frustrated and do any other jobs (like Traxide install, removing third row seat and seatbelts, compressor install, remove tow bar holder if unused, replace EAS inlet filter, trailer wire mods etc.) at the same time.
3. Get yourself a supply of trim clips as some plastic ones will break and some metal ones will disappear into a parallel universe.

[ytt105]

As for wiring, I ran my cables through the gap under the door sill, the same as the rear anderson wiring. Then up the drivers side A pillar and on to the mirror via the sun visors.
My mirror came with a single multi wire plug that is positioned near the mirror. All the connections are done under the dash.

[Numb Thumbs]

Having driven a vehicle/van with both (on the same vehicle at the same time), there is absolutely no comparison. Not even close. With the cameras you don't even need the dumbo ears.

Legally, cameras are a "towing aid". If the trailer is wider than the car, extended mirrors are still a legal requirement.

I use a twin camera rear camera system - from "Safety Dave" - on my hybrid camper and love it. I have used them for many years and always go with the clip on screen on the rear view mirror so I just look where I normally do to see behind. It is terrifying how close some drivers are when you look in the screen. I had a motorcyclist who was so close all I could see was his helmet...

I have used a 6 sender "Safety Dave" TPMS but now I use an 8 sender one with a solar powered receiver/screen unit from "OBD2 Australia". No cables at all, so it is really easy to fit, can be mounted anywhere it gets light and it automatically senses when I have the trailer on or not. I use the extra two senders for spare tyres.

Cheers
Numb Thumbs ;)

[whitedisco]

Hi Laurie

I did this on my 2014 D4 to put the van camera on the main screen, thanks to Nod.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/231724-switching-another-camera-d4-screen.html?231724=#post2489390

mine is the base model with Meridian sound upgrade. It has as standard a rear camera.
I am not sure of the applicability to your D4 however but it may give you some ideas.

The instructions are spot on!

Brilliant. It works beautifully. I used a link in the 12 pin plug as suggested to switch to the caravan camera when it is plugged in.

I did have to change the van camera to an NTSC one from Ebay.

There is an excellent instructional pdf at post #10

cheers

Peter

[BradC]

Legally, cameras are a "towing aid". If the trailer is wider than the car, extended mirrors are still a legal requirement.

Yep, I acknowledge that. I was responding to a poster who in a thread asking about cameras responds with "just get bigger mirrors".

[ken wallace]

Hi All, I guess we all have our own thoughts and ideas, so here are a few of mine. ( hope it helps )
1/ I agree that wireless is not as good as wired, but you can get some higher powered transmitters that work OK on vans. But the longer the van the more the signal degrades. but If it’s the only way to get cameras on the back of the van then that’s better than nothing. Remember you still have to run a power cable to them.
2/ I use Masten equipment from Dig Options Australia ( I have no affiliation or vested interest in them. I just like there products and service ) and have attached links for you to look at.
Also I tend to buy the parts separately as there appears to be NO large monitor and twin camera kit
3/ I have installed 4 setups over the last several years ( for friends and myself ) and have always used dual cameras that had viewing angles of 120 degree and 45 degree ( this latter angle gives a more natural view without distance distortion ) Also get CCD Image Sensors in the cameras NOT CMOS Image Sensors
4/ I also use a mirror mounted monitor BUT not those little narrow “Rear vision mirror with monitors” that are hard to look at but the LARGER 7” HD digital clip on rear-view monitor ( with 2 inputs ) because I find it natural to look up at the rear-view mirror to see what’s behind. And you do not obscure your vision with a large monitor on the dash.

This unit is very easy to put up when towing and take down when the van is disconnected. ( leaving you with your excellent Land Rover mirror )

You then need a dual cable or 2 singles ( long ones ) and a dual wozza kit for the van and another dual cable or 2 singles for the car ( shorter ones )

5/ And lots of time and effort to fit it all
7" HD Digital Clip On LCD Rearview mirror monitor with 2 Inputs (digoptions.com.au) (https://www.digoptions.com.au/7-hd-digital-clip-on-lcd-rearview-mirror-monitor-w~1927)
Truck Van Dual Reversing Sony CCD 700 Camera HD Rear View IR Caravan Black LED (digoptions.com.au) (https://www.digoptions.com.au/truck-van-dual-reversing-sony-ccd-700-camera-hd-re) ( in Black or white )
2 Two Camera Woza Suzi Coil Spiral Hitch Cable 4metre 5-Pin Din Aviation Plug Video (digoptions.com.au) (https://www.digoptions.com.au/2-two-camera-woza-suzi-coil-spiral-hitch-cable-4me)
15m 4-Pin Shielded Aviation Camera Extension Cable Twin Indus. Grade Plugs (digoptions.com.au) (https://www.digoptions.com.au/15m-4-pin-shielded-aviation-camera-extension-cable) ( for inside the van but be aware that the picture is wrong – it has 2 plugs on each end of the cable )
Or you can use 2 single cables that are Longer or Shorter – and then
7.5m 4-Pin Shielded Camera Extension Cable Twin Aviation Industrial Grade Plugs (digoptions.com.au) (https://www.digoptions.com.au/7.5m-4-pin-shielded-camera-extension-cable-twin-av) ( for inside the car )
And probably 2 adapter cables to connect from the car cables to the monitor
Adapter 4-Pin Female to RCA Male RCA Camera to Extension Cable Aviation (digoptions.com.au) (https://www.digoptions.com.au/adapter-4-pin-female-to-rca-female-rca-camera-to-e)
And if you wanted to add up to 2 more cameras you could put a switch box between the cameras and monitor
4 Camera Quad View Switch Box Four-Channel Mirror Dash Mount Navigation Aviation One Screen (digoptions.com.au) (https://www.digoptions.com.au/4-camera-quad-view-switch-box-four-channel-mirror)
The possibilities are endless Regards Ken

[ytt105]

Just to add, I power the cameras from my van tail lights. They're at the back already and I travel with the taillights on anyway.

[Pen48]

I had a clipon in mirror screen, hard to see properly and lots of reflections. Just recently changed to a dedicated screen and vastly better.

[trout1105]

Having driven a vehicle/van with both (on the same vehicle at the same time), there is absolutely no comparison. Not even close. With the cameras you don't even need the dumbo ears.

If you are towing a load that is wider than your vehicle it is a legal requirement to have towing mirrors fitted.
I just find that the Clearview mirrors are superior to any of the other mirrors I have tried.
Adding a camera would be useful and convenient especially when reversing But they are not a legal substitute for towing mirrors.

[Andrew Wilson]

Hi Laurie,
I have the Safety Dave dual rear camera installed with the rear view mirror mounted monitor. It is fantastic. The car (2016.5 D4 HSE) is hard wired from the tow bar plug to the rear view mirror with a join near the mirror so that it can be removed. The monitor is a (very) tight fit over the rear view mirror. I've had the Safety Dave dash mounted monitors as well, but I don't like dash clutter and the rear view monitor is excellent.
Cheers,
Andrew