I'm thinking about having a reversing camera fitted to my Colorado and the new van when my wife and I buy it in a few months. Are they a must have if you own a van or are they just another accessory you really don't need.
brian said
06:51 AM Mar 15, 2014
Whilst not a must have, they are certainly helpful. The one on the back of the car is a definite assist for one person hitching, and the one on the van is good for reversing and knowing what is close behind you in traffic.
Good idea to steer clear of the wireless ones as they can be temperamental.
-- Edited by brian on Saturday 15th of March 2014 07:22:28 AM
freehazzas said
07:20 AM Mar 15, 2014
Yep def a big help. We have one on the truck and another on the back of the 5ver. You can manage without them if you have your partner help direct, but there is always the chance somewhere down the line you will have to do it yourself, so they are worth the small expence.
GaryKelly said
07:36 AM Mar 15, 2014
Brian's right about the wireless ones. Mine has died after 6 months and I have to replace it. This time with a non-wireless one. However, they sure are preferable to braille reversing. I have mine wired through the ignition so it's on permanently while the ignition is turned on.
_wombat_ said
10:19 AM Mar 15, 2014
you do not want a reversing camera you need a rear vision camera, one on the tug the other on the van
GraemeL said
02:45 PM Mar 15, 2014
In my opinion, they are the best money you can spend. You may only want a reversing camera on your car, for the van, have a rear view camera, one that stays on all the time.
Another option to have is audio, makes it real easy to know what the copilot is trying to tell you when reversing.
rosco532 said
02:50 PM Mar 15, 2014
Wombat.....ANYTHINGS gotta be better than receiving instructions from my missus..........
Reversing cameras / Rear vision camera....Whats the difference
SnowT said
03:10 PM Mar 15, 2014
Yes they are a good thing to have..
I can't wait till I have my one wired in..
It's a combo unit..
Reversing and Rear vision combo unit..
2 camera's..
I'll give a report once it's installed..
Juergen
_wombat_ said
03:23 PM Mar 15, 2014
rosco532 wrote:
Wombat.....ANYTHINGS gotta be better than receiving instructions from my missus..........
Reversing cameras / Rear vision camera....Whats the difference
I'll go along with that
aussietraveller said
04:40 PM Mar 15, 2014
I have been using one on the van for the last 5 years and believe they are an essential safety device, they enable you to see semis and other large vehicles coming up behind you and you don't cop a potentially nasty surprise as they start to overtake. They can also save a marriage too, with one on the tug as well I can hook up without any difficulty, so certainly worth the investment but don't touch the wireless ones they are nothing but trouble.
brian said
05:39 PM Mar 15, 2014
_wombat_ wrote:
rosco532 wrote:
Wombat.....ANYTHINGS gotta be better than receiving instructions from my missus..........
Reversing cameras / Rear vision camera....Whats the difference
I'll go along with that
Believe it or not, there is a difference.
1. A reversing camera is normally wired into your reversing light circuit so that it only comes on when you are actually in reverse gear, and there is a good reason for this..read on.
2. A simple reversing camera is normally just a cheap Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) camera which has a poor image when compared to a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera, which is the type usually used for rear view work.
3. The CCD camera can be left on all of the time when driving, a CMOS camera will generally get hot if you use it for this purpose and so should be restricted to reversing work only.
4. The CCD camera will give better colour rendition and a higher quality image especially in low light, and especially if coupled with infra-red LEDs, and it will show better images in high light conditions and over longer distances.
Kiwi-as said
08:46 PM Mar 15, 2014
Rear view cams on both tug and van are a necessity in MHO. Like others have said lets you see what is going on behind the van, not only on the road or in van parks. I find it good to see any pedestrians behind when manoeuvring in supermarket car parks, or in towns.
Had the van camera installed at manufacture, very neat with a plug on draw bar and flexible coil to cruiser. I wired the cruiser camera and screen myself. Works a dream.
_wombat_ said
09:04 PM Mar 15, 2014
Kiwi-as wrote:
Rear view cams on both tug and van are a necessity in MHO. Like others have said lets you see what is going on behind the van, not only on the road or in van parks. I find it good to see any pedestrians behind when manoeuvring in supermarket car parks, or in towns.
Had the van camera installed at manufacture, very neat with a plug on draw bar and flexible coil to cruiser. I wired the cruiser camera and screen myself. Works a dream.
sounds like the same as mine
Kiwi-as said
09:21 PM Mar 15, 2014
Oh, would also stop backing over wombats I suppose. Gotta look after them, aren't they an endangered species.
D and D said
09:47 PM Mar 15, 2014
My reversing cameras provide a wide angle view (120 deg) while the rear-vision camera provides a standard vision using a 90 degree lens. The wide angle does not provide an accurate view for rear vision because objects are closer than they appear.
_wombat_ said
10:17 PM Mar 15, 2014
Kiwi-as wrote:
Oh, would also stop backing over wombats I suppose. Gotta look after them, aren't they an endangered species.
there are not many of us left, Dougwe has been using his wombat scooper again.
ShortNorth said
10:24 PM Mar 15, 2014
I've got two totally separate wireless camera systems on my combination:
Tow car - has a camera above the rear number plate wired via the reversing light circuit - the monitor is a 'picture in rear-view mirror' type, but wired via a manual switch. This gives me two options - reverse without camera assistance (most of the time) or reverse with camera assistance (when moving back to the van to couple-up) - system has been in nearly 3 years without any problem - very occasionally get a little bit of interference, but nothing too bad.
Avan Aliner - has a camera above the rear mounted spare wheel wired through the numberplate light circuit - the monitor is a small suction-mount type in the middle of the dash run from a cigarette lighter plug. Again I get two options - only do 'spot checks' by switching car lights on and off when required, or leave running continuously (I normally drive with my lights on when towing anyway) - I have driven for over 3 hours with the van rear camera on continuously without problem. Again, just a minor bit of interference now and again, but nothing too bad.
Both systems are by Response (Jaycar house brand) and are always operated separately, not simultaneously - this is no cross interference from the two systems by using this way.
Then on top of that I have a third (wired) camera system - I have a dual front/rear BlackBox drive recorder camera system installed - the front camera is just in front of my rear-view mirror and the back camera at the top of the hatchback window - when towing the van I unplug the back camera and only use the front one, otherwise I'd just be continuously recording the white front of the Aliner, but otherwise run both cameras at all other times.
I installed that dual recorder system a couple of days after a Main Roads tractor slasher driver tried to kill me and my wife by turning straight across my path (car only) when I was legally doing 108kph on the Bruce Highway - if I'd had the cameras at the time I'd have had irrefutable evidence to get him charged with dangerous and reckless driving. My violent swerve only cleared him by barely one metre - a fraction of a second earlier or later, I'd have either t-boned him, or he'd t-bone me at high speed, resulting in all three of us ending up dead.
Gerty Dancer said
10:26 PM Mar 15, 2014
_wombat_ wrote:
you do not want a reversing camera you need a rear vision camera, one on the tug the other on the van
Yes, we agree with you Wombat!
19bruce54 said
12:09 AM Mar 16, 2014
Once again thanks for all the feed back, looks like I get a hard wired
camera. Now all I need to do is reserch for the best.
Regards Bruce.
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 12:10:53 AM
_wombat_ said
09:04 AM Mar 16, 2014
19bruce54 wrote:
Once again thanks for all the feed back, looks like I get a hard wired
camera. Now all I need to do is reserch for the best.
Regards Bruce.
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 12:10:53 AM
love them got them on the van and car love to see what is going on behind van when traveling
_wombat_ said
10:13 AM Mar 16, 2014
you will also get good prices at caravan & camping shows
NeilandRaine said
02:37 PM Mar 16, 2014
Bruce pop over to Precision Vision at Erina. They supply a lot of camera stuff to the mining and transport industry. I bought a rear view camera from them. Didn't get a reversing camera cause Raine likes to tell me where to go daily
rosco532 said
09:22 PM Mar 16, 2014
Some times I really wish this site had a ''like'' button...
Thanks for all your info for me as well, especially Wombat....
I've been watching the adverts from Waeco who are now doing cameras as well...looks like good gear...(just a pity they are now associated with Dometic.)
Will have to check them out further before we head off on this years holiday.
Cheers & Thanks.
Rosco
19bruce54 said
11:49 PM Mar 16, 2014
Thank you Neil & Raine will pop over.
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 11:50:54 PM
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 11:51:37 PM
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 11:52:00 PM
19bruce54 said
12:01 AM Mar 17, 2014
Thanks Wombat you always seem to take the time to help. Much appreciated.
_wombat_ said
08:44 AM Mar 17, 2014
19bruce54 wrote:
Thanks Wombat you always seem to take the time to help. Much appreciated.
I like to help whenever I can, this site is very good for that sort of thing, I know if I post a question here I will get a reply and usually a solution to my question, enjoy your time on this site and your travels around our great country.
Pr2cv said
07:28 PM Mar 26, 2014
I got mine from "Safety Dave" in Melbourne. ---2cameras 1 to rear of van the other on the bumper directly above the towbar.
Very reasonably priced compared to Polaris & his back up is second to none.
I see "Polaris" have a 10 inch windscreen rearview Monitor/Mirror.
What is the Legal requirements for rear view windscreen mirrors re actual Dimensions.
Anyone know.
Deliad said
05:14 PM Apr 12, 2014
Purchased Safety Dave Reversing Camera system for our car & caravan. We needed to change initial purchase as we ordered the incorrect camera for back of car. Safety Dave was more than helpful with advice and sent us correct camera. He also enabled us to return our incorrect purchase. We highly recommend this product and follow up customer service.
I'm thinking about having a reversing camera fitted to my Colorado and the new van when my wife and I buy it in a few months. Are they a must have if you own a van or are they just another accessory you really don't need.
Whilst not a must have, they are certainly helpful. The one on the back of the car is a definite assist for one person hitching, and the one on the van is good for reversing and knowing what is close behind you in traffic.
Good idea to steer clear of the wireless ones as they can be temperamental.
-- Edited by brian on Saturday 15th of March 2014 07:22:28 AM
you do not want a reversing camera you need a rear vision camera, one on the tug the other on the van
Another option to have is audio, makes it real easy to know what the copilot is trying to tell you when reversing.
Wombat.....ANYTHINGS gotta be better than receiving instructions from my missus..........
Reversing cameras / Rear vision camera....Whats the difference
I can't wait till I have my one wired in..
It's a combo unit..
Reversing and Rear vision combo unit..
2 camera's..
I'll give a report once it's installed..
Juergen
I'll go along with that
Believe it or not, there is a difference.
1. A reversing camera is normally wired into your reversing light circuit so that it only comes on when you are actually in reverse gear, and there is a good reason for this..read on.
2. A simple reversing camera is normally just a cheap Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) camera which has a poor image when compared to a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera, which is the type usually used for rear view work.
3. The CCD camera can be left on all of the time when driving, a CMOS camera will generally get hot if you use it for this purpose and so should be restricted to reversing work only.
4. The CCD camera will give better colour rendition and a higher quality image especially in low light, and especially if coupled with infra-red LEDs, and it will show better images in high light conditions and over longer distances.
Had the van camera installed at manufacture, very neat with a plug on draw bar and flexible coil to cruiser. I wired the cruiser camera and screen myself. Works a dream.
sounds like the same as mine
Oh, would also stop backing over wombats I suppose. Gotta look after them, aren't they an endangered species
.
My reversing cameras provide a wide angle view (120 deg) while the rear-vision camera provides a standard vision using a 90 degree lens. The wide angle does not provide an accurate view for rear vision because objects are closer than they appear.
there are not many of us left, Dougwe has been using his wombat scooper again.
I've got two totally separate wireless camera systems on my combination:
Tow car - has a camera above the rear number plate wired via the reversing light circuit - the monitor is a 'picture in rear-view mirror' type, but wired via a manual switch. This gives me two options - reverse without camera assistance (most of the time) or reverse with camera assistance (when moving back to the van to couple-up) - system has been in nearly 3 years without any problem - very occasionally get a little bit of interference, but nothing too bad.
Avan Aliner - has a camera above the rear mounted spare wheel wired through the numberplate light circuit - the monitor is a small suction-mount type in the middle of the dash run from a cigarette lighter plug. Again I get two options - only do 'spot checks' by switching car lights on and off when required, or leave running continuously (I normally drive with my lights on when towing anyway) - I have driven for over 3 hours with the van rear camera on continuously without problem. Again, just a minor bit of interference now and again, but nothing too bad.
Both systems are by Response (Jaycar house brand) and are always operated separately, not simultaneously - this is no cross interference from the two systems by using this way.
Then on top of that I have a third (wired) camera system - I have a dual front/rear BlackBox drive recorder camera system installed - the front camera is just in front of my rear-view mirror and the back camera at the top of the hatchback window - when towing the van I unplug the back camera and only use the front one, otherwise I'd just be continuously recording the white front of the Aliner, but otherwise run both cameras at all other times.
I installed that dual recorder system a couple of days after a Main Roads tractor slasher driver tried to kill me and my wife by turning straight across my path (car only) when I was legally doing 108kph on the Bruce Highway - if I'd had the cameras at the time I'd have had irrefutable evidence to get him charged with dangerous and reckless driving. My violent swerve only cleared him by barely one metre - a fraction of a second earlier or later, I'd have either t-boned him, or he'd t-bone me at high speed, resulting in all three of us ending up dead.
Yes, we agree with you Wombat!
Once again thanks for all the feed back, looks like I get a hard wired
camera. Now all I need to do is reserch for the best.
Regards Bruce.
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 12:10:53 AM
have a look here http://www.polarisrearvision.com.au/
also this may help http://rear-view-cameras-review.toptenreviews.com/
love them got them on the van and car love to see what is going on behind van when traveling
you will also get good prices at caravan & camping shows
Some times I really wish this site had a ''like'' button...
Thanks for all your info for me as well, especially Wombat....
I've been watching the adverts from Waeco who are now doing cameras as well...looks like good gear...(just a pity they are now associated with Dometic.)
The .polarisrearvision system also looks like good gear
Will have to check them out further before we head off on this years holiday.
Cheers & Thanks.
Rosco
Thank you Neil & Raine will pop over.
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 11:50:54 PM
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 11:51:37 PM
-- Edited by 19bruce54 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 11:52:00 PM
Thanks Wombat you always seem to take the time to help. Much appreciated.
I like to help whenever I can, this site is very good for that sort of thing, I know if I post a question here I will get a reply and usually a solution to my question, enjoy your time on this site and your travels around our great country.
Very reasonably priced compared to Polaris & his back up is second to none.
www.safetydave.com.au
I see "Polaris" have a 10 inch windscreen rearview Monitor/Mirror.
What is the Legal requirements for rear view windscreen mirrors re actual Dimensions.
Anyone know.
Purchased Safety Dave Reversing Camera system for our car & caravan. We needed to change initial purchase as we ordered the incorrect camera for back of car. Safety Dave was more than helpful with advice and sent us correct camera. He also enabled us to return our incorrect purchase. We highly recommend this product and follow up customer service.