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Post Info TOPIC: Rearview mirror camera


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Rearview mirror camera


Wondering if anyone has experienced the reversing camera embedded in the rearview mirror? Playing with various options for a caravan camera and wondering if the replacement mirror s with inbuilt camera are any good.
How good are they as a simple mirror when the camera is not running?
Do they need power to be used as a mirror or just as a camera?

Would like to use the std rearview mirror on my Ranger when the caravan is not connected but then use the rearview mirror camera when I have the van connected. Any other experience or comments welcome- I have read the other threads on the forum but not read about actual mirror experience.

 

Cheers

 

Sean



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We have one that we got from Safety Dave on our Landcruiser, it is an excellent very clear monitor with the rear view camera on and the mirror functions as well as our standard one when the camera is off. We love it as it feels very natural when using it as a monitor, much easier than a separate monitor. We had one previously as well on our Pajero which we had until 3 years ago, but that one didn't have the same resolution as a monitor and didn't give such a good view, particularly if there was any sun glare, so do check carefully which one you buy, that one still worked fine as a mirror though.

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Hi Sean smile

I had a mirror/monitor in my previous MH and found it unsatisfactory. It was hard to see the image and there was often too much reflection as well. After trying a few shades and other tweeks i ditched it and put a seperate small monitor on the dash. I was happy with that and found it much better all round.

In my current MH I am planning to do the same and have purchased the monitor to do that.biggrin The mirror/monitor do work OK as a normal mirror.

Cheers Jaahn

 



-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 13th of September 2018 07:35:57 AM

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I have mounted a "Safety Dave" monitor in our BT50 alias Ranger, in place of the cabin rear mirror, this was because we have a tradies canopy on the back and no rear view anyway. There is an issue with doing this, when you look in a mirror, the distance your eye sees, is the distance to the mirror PLUS the distance to the rear object or vehicle. In other words your eye focuses on infinity. When you use a monitor, the focal distance for you eyes becomes only about 70cm.

If your eyes are young, you may not have a focusing problem, but if you are long sighted, and need glasses for reading you will have a problem. The way to over come this is by mounting the monitor low on the dash, that way you can wear Bi-focals. I now know that this is the reason why the Reversing cameras on cars are mounted in the dash.


From my experience now, I can only say that the benefit that I get from the rear camera is with backing, the one on the rear of the ute is good for when in super markets or backing when there are pedestrians or other obstacles. As far as a rear view when on the road I find it useless, when it rains, it is more than useless, and at night same.

I would advise anyone now to spend their money on "Clear view" type mirrors first, its the side mirrors I use 95% of the time. PS I don't have "Clear views, wish I had.

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Thanks for the replies. I had not even contemplated the focal length concern and as most of our age I DO wear reading glasses. I liked the ClearView mirrors except they really need to be permanently on the vehicle and need manually folding in shopping centre etc. As the Ranger is not just a towing vehicle I am really concerned about the size of them on the vehicle full time.
I suspect the is a question about the legality of having them on full time as well but that does not seem to be a question that is enforced currently. I don't know why they had to make them so wide in the closed position but I guess it was for strength or something. They are about 100mm wider each side than standard mirrors i believe. I understand towing mirrors are probably a requirement even with a camera.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same focal length problem with the mirror/monitor.

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Just to add, I went into this a fair bit, for after spending considerable time and money on the setup, My visit to the optometrist confirmed the focal length problem, and we went ahead and had a special set of driving glasses made up, while helping a bit, they have not improved the situation all that much.

Another point that has never been mentioned, and I am only guessing here, but with my standard mirrors, plus the add-ons, plus the rear view monitor also giving a different view, my mind gets a bit addled when backing. I am suggesting that the one big mirror on each side of the vehicle would make it much easier for backing.



-- Edited by iana on Thursday 13th of September 2018 09:01:03 AM

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seanandvicki wrote:

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same focal length problem with the mirror/monitor.


 We haven't found it a problem.   I'm short sighted and wear glasses to drive anyway, none for reading, and for me there is no issue.   My husband is far sighted and does wear reading glasses and he also says he doesn't have any issue with it.       We also have Clearview mirrors which are great, but they give a view down the side of the van, which is different to the rear view you get from the camera.     Maybe you need to find somebody who has one and try it, we had somebody ask about ours in a caravan park at Urunga recently, we were happy to let him sit in the car and check it out before he bought one.        We wouldn't be without our rear view camera personally.



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seanandvicki wrote:


I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same focal length problem with the mirror/monitor.


 Hi smile

I wear multi focals all the time. So I just move my head to get focus correct, close, medium or far. It is automatic so no problem really. I have worn them for years now and they are sooooo much better than having bi-focals or two pairs of glasses. biggrin

Jaahn 



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If you have vision problems with a screen mirror, unless that mirror is much smaller than your OEM mirror, should you be in charge of a vehicle ?

I've been thinking of this route and switching between car reversing camera and van rear camera. Tidier and fewer errant cables.

m.banggood.com/Intelligent-Control-Two-Channel-Car-Camera-Video-Switch-Connect-Front-or-Rear-p-1013643.html

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Our new van came with a safety Dave set up and a monitor that clips on the mirror. Although it is something I would never have bought If it had not come as part of the package I find it extremely good, rear vision in the mirror/monitor is so clear and natural it would be easy to forget you have a van in between. now thinking of buying another camera for the back of the truck when not towing. Landy

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We have a safety Dave rear view camera fitted to the van,what appears to be a long way off on the camera is right on the bumper . Very dangerous,so it only serves at the moment for seeing whats behind your vehicle,might Have to buy another lens one day,but be warned I found out the hard way nearly caused an accident....



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Ron-D wrote:

We have a safety Dave rear view camera fitted to the van,what appears to be a long way off on the camera is right on the bumper . Very dangerous,so it only serves at the moment for seeing whats behind your vehicle,might Have to buy another lens one day,but be warned I found out the hard way nearly caused an accident....


 We have a dual camera, one view is for when reversing and the other view is the always on rear view, they both have different views, and our rear view shows things fairly close to the right distance behind.

 



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great feedback and obviously a variety of thing to consider. I am keeping a list and going to se Safety Dave next week to see what they recommend. Keep all comments coming as they add to my list

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i have a camera on back of van    would not buy again    cars- trucks behind  look lke ants coming   when they are very close behind 

only good if you need to change lanes gives you a wider vision  very rarely turn it on



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terrola wrote:

i have a camera on back of van    would not buy again    cars- trucks behind  look lke ants coming   when they are very close behind 

only good if you need to change lanes gives you a wider vision  very rarely turn it on


 You need a 90 degree camera terrola, I am still looking for one at a reasonable price.

Aussie Paul. smile



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i bought from safety dave   going on his advise   it would be greatdisbelief



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For true rear vision as opposed to reversing you need a 30 degree camera, but a 45 degree is not to bad. A 90 degree camera would produce a much reduced image size compared to both of these.

Alan



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Brenda and Alan wrote:

For true rear vision as opposed to reversing you need a 30 degree camera, but a 45 degree is not to bad. A 90 degree camera would produce a much reduced image size compared to both of these.

Alan


I think I may have may be incorrect (I am never wrong)biggrin with the 90 degrees. Most advertised are 170 degrees, as is ours, and the view is the vehicles behind have to be up your clacker (technical termbiggrin) to see them. So, what is the  better lens angle?

Aussie Paul. smile

 



-- Edited by aussie_paul on Saturday 15th of September 2018 12:33:10 PM

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Our rear view camera is 30 degrees and gives a really clear and true rear view. Our reversing camera is a much wider angle, not sure exactly what but the view is quite different.

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Well there you go.... reading this string has certainly improved my knowledge about rear view cameras.

Back to seeing what is available out there with a lot more confidence in regard to buying the right one.

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I am thinking I will talk to him about this dual camera. Not seen any reviews or feedback but it sounds lie the type of lens angles that could be interesting https://safetydave.com.au/sd-dual-camera/



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Have a look at Elintz and Digioptions as well as suppliers of both screens and cameras.

Alan



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Like many others I have a Safety Dave camera fitted on the rear of the van and a monitor fitted on top of the dashboard (low enough not to obscure the view through the windscreen. The camera is tilt adjustable so that I get a good view of the road behind and a reasonable view immediately behind for reversing. My only complaints are that the resolution of the camera/screen is such that vehicles a long way back are invisible and a fast moving follower is almost about to overtake before I see them. With direct sun behind and in heavy rain, the view behind is almost non-existent. However, despite those complaints, I highly value the camera set-up and would be lost without it. Another dubious bonus is that the camera has a microphone and I can listen to instructions from SWMBO when reversing the van.

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