Rear vision cameras

[Cuppa]

I just posted the following on the motorhome forum I belong to, & it occurred to me that it might also be of interest to some of the folks here.

Anyone considering fitting a rear vision camera - ie. one that replaces a rear vision mirror , for constant use whilst driving (as opposed to just for reversing) are best to fit a narrower angle of view camera than the majority of reversing cameras. It gives a greater depth of field allowing approaching traffic to be identified earlier. Whilst an improvement on the wide angled cameras, the narrower angle ones are still not as good as a 'real' mirror, so wing mirrors remain essential (& no doubt a legal requirement).

Most reversing cameras have a viewing angle of between 90 degrees & 180 degrees. All sellers reckon theirs is best. I fitted a dual camera system sold by
http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Car_Accessories/Rear_View_Cameras/Dual_Reversing_Camera_Kit
to our Nissan Patrol based camper, & recently bought the same again to replace the almost dead camera on our bus. The rear vision camera has a viewing angle of 60 degrees whilst the reversing camera has a viewing angle of 180 degrees. The latter is good for watching your bumper & just beyond, but I find the 60 degree preferable for reversing too. Unfortunately the 60 degree camera is not available on it's own or I would have bought just that for the bus replacement.

CCD sensors in the camera give a far superior image than CMOS & are well worth the extra cost.

On both occasions I have purchased from the seller in the above link, they have been very good to deal with, & the cameras have arrived (from Hong Kong) within a week! The only downside of these cameras is that they only come with about 6 metres of cable. This was sufficient for our camper & luckily I am able to use the cable from my previous camera install in the bus.
To date I have not been able to find any other source of the narrower angle of view cameras, & request that if anyone knows of other sources that they add links/details to this thread.

Cuppa

[threedogs]

Hi Cuppa I have one of those reverse cameras that attach to the reAr view mirror
I found it ti be a piece of shite and it was top of the line. You could not drive anywhere without forever 'readjusting the n
Mirror. You it's too heavy and god forbid you drive down a corrugated road. But if that's your thing pm me it will be going cheap. .
I think the style thank fits to the number plate might be a better option as those others will end up ripping your rear view mirror off IMO

[the evil twin]

Hiya Cuppa,

I first dealt with Chinavasion about 4 years ago when I bought a double din head unit and never had any hassles either. I believe they can be really slow if you send stuff back tho, but... meah..., lots of manuf are like that.

I was eying off that dual cam as well but went for a Sony based CCD in the end simply because I have a factory wide angle cam and didn't see the point of doubling up but kinda wish I had now.

Chinavasion do quite an adequate POV camera for those so inclined and have gadgets like an all in one GPS/Radar detector/Dash Camera/Dual SD card Rear View mirror as well. The 4.3 display for the GPS is a tad small for my purposes and the Radar detector is only legal in WA but the sheer range of toys they have is awesome... some very practical, some not so much

Handy stuff I've noticed on there recently are the single din 7 inch motorised Head Unit with a display that swivels and also they have 7 inch double dins that detach as an android based tablet.

Bloody hard to keep up with innovations these days... as soon as you buy something some other bugger comes out with a twist that is better, bigger, lighter, cheaper or whatever :D

[Cuppa]

Hi Cuppa I have one of those reverse cameras that attach to the reAr view mirror
I found it ti be a piece of shite and it was top of the line. You could not drive anywhere without forever 'readjusting the n
Mirror. You it's too heavy and god forbid you drive down a corrugated road. But if that's your thing pm me it will be going cheap. .
I think the style thank fits to the number plate might be a better option as those others will end up ripping your rear view mirror off IMO

Horses for courses TD. I haven't had any problems with needing to frequently readjust it, have you tried tightening up your mirror clamp a bit? I have also never been concerned about the the cameras being stolen. On our bus a thief would need a step ladder & on the patrol they are not very noticeable as they are quite small (& would still require someone to climb up with the right sized allen key anyway), ....... but then I don't ever have my vehicles parked in the midst of the metropolis where everyone knows all the hoodlums & thieves live! ;-)

[Drewboyaus]

Hey Guys,
I really like the look of those cameras. How do you view the image from the camera in your rig? I was thinking about getting one of those mirrors with the radar detector, GPS etc. etc. but can't quite wrap my head around how to get the video from both those cameras to display on the screen. It seems it only has one video input....from what I can tell anyway.
I'm already running an iPhone and ipad in the Q so really don't want anything else cluttering up the dash.....hence the mirror option looks a good one.
Any thoughts?

[Cuppa]

Hi Dba,
To be honest I can,t recall how I installed them in the patrol, but I can switch between cameras using one of the monitor controls. I'll have to check, I know I didn't use a splitter box. In the bus I only use one of the two cameras. I'll have a look tomorrow & get back to you.

Cuppa

[Drewboyaus]

Sensational! Thanks mate.


Tap this.........

[Cuppa]

Hi Drewboy,
I had a look at my monitor connections. The monitor is supplied with a short cable terminating in a DIN plug. Also supplied with a longer cable with a din plug to connect to monitor, & with RCA plugs on the other end to plug both cameras into. Easy. See pic below. I haven't used the red & white RCA connectors (they may be for audio - can't recall). Two yellow RCA connectors - one for each camera. Black & Red wires for power & Blue if you want camera to come on automatically when putting vehicle into reverse (I didn't use this either). My camera comes on when I switch the ignition on & I can toggle between the images from either camera with a push of a 'button' on the monitor.

These two monitors have the same connectors as mine.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-TFT-LCD-Car-In-Car-Rear-View-Mirror-Monitor-for-Backup-Reversing-Camera-/180993388029?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a240bedfd&_uhb=1#ht_3953wt_1141

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-Inch-TFT-LCD-Color-Display-Car-Rearview-Headrest-Monitor-DVD-VCR-Reversing-/200691642429?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eba27703d&_uhb=1#ht_6698wt_907

Hope this helps.
Cuppa

[Drewboyaus]

That's great thanks. Very helpful.
Was also wondering where you ran the cables from the monitor (assuming you use the mirror type)?


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

[the evil twin]

That's great thanks. Very helpful.
Was also wondering where you ran the cables from the monitor (assuming you use the mirror type)?


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

I ran mine along the mirror arm then above the roof lining, and down behind the trim of the pax A pillar... virtually invisible wiring and heaps of room. Takes maybe 1/2 hour tops to access the roof lining and remove/replace A pillar trim

[Drewboyaus]

Evil (how I enjoy the idea of addressing someone as Evil), is yours a Q or U?
Mine ain't got any a pillar trim.
How did you get into the headlining?
Cheers,
Drew


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

[the evil twin]

Evil (how I enjoy the idea of addressing someone as Evil), is yours a Q or U?
Mine ain't got any a pillar trim.
How did you get into the headlining?
Cheers,
Drew


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

My latest ride is "U", Cobber.

The easiest way into the head lining is drop it on the pax side and fish any wiring across.

[Cuppa]

I did the same as Evil. The headlining in mine (GU) has a slight gap at the front. It's not noticeable, but was just enough to pop the monitor cable into. I did all the connections underneath the plastic door sill protector on the passenger side. (Cab chassis), which makes them easy to get at.

[boots]

Thankyou Cuppa for this post . Got my kit with the mirror monitor and better camera as you suggested all from chinavasion . 115$ total landed . Real happy with it , cheers .

[threedogs]

Has it dropped down yet, or let us know next time you use 4x4 for a reasonable trip

[Irvs]

Good timing for me with this post, My rear view cam is starting to clap out. It keeps changing everything to shades of green or partial static.
May just be the cable to the camera but I never really liked the quality in the first place. It Doesn't feel right when using it to reverse.

Cheers for the info Cuppa