I have installed a monitor in place of the rear view mirror, and have a camera at the back of the ute, plus a camera at the rear of the van. Having used it for about three months, I can say that the exercise is pretty well a waste of money, the cameras have a 92' angle, and still anything behind gives a false indication of their distance, what angle of lense would give the same view as the side mirrors, I don't know.
The cameras have the night UV ability, which is handy when backing, but any vehicle approaching in the rear is just a blaze of two white lit circles. During the day the view in the monitor can change from good (late afternoon with the sun in the right direction), to completely useless with the sun up and shining on the monitor.
If you wear sun glasses the picture in the monitor disappears, end of story.
Used as a reversing camera, i.e. to see if there is anybody behind the car, e.g. shoppers at a supermarket for example, then it is quite handy, backing and judging distance, not very good.
In my opinion, if you are considering going down this path, spend your money on extendable side mirrors, and if you need to see behind the van while traveling, just give a little wiggle to the van and you will see behind. The cost would be about the same.
In my case I can't see out the rear of the vehicle, so its a sort of help, but money would be better spent on mirrors.
Dickodownunder said
09:27 AM Nov 8, 2017
I totally agree iana.
Recently fitted a rear view camera to compliment the reversing camera which was already installed on my van.
The reversing camera points down to the rar bumper and is a reasonable guide for reversing but the rear view camera is virtually useless unless the vehicle following is closer than approx 200 metres and even then the picture is distorted and not very clear at all.
I have a factory fitted reversing camera on my tow vehicle which does its job and is a reasonably guide also for reversing and hitching the van.
I have Clearviews and as you said, just a slight "wiggle" and the view to the rear is much clearer.
Maybe their are better cameras available but I got the one that was recommended by the dealer.
iana said
10:30 AM Nov 8, 2017
I have fitted S-Dave, Axis, Gator and NESA camera systems. The first three I think all come out of the same factory, same remote control but different plugs. NESA is much more expensive, I think it has a different type of monitor and that was the one I was going to buy, how ever at the caravan show, and in ideal lighting conditions the one I have 7", x six camera capability was too tempting to resist - dam.
Another thing that I am picking up, is, I am now long sighted, so close in things to see well I need glasses, with mirrors, I can see fine, but with the monitor mounted where the re-view mirror used to be, I am finding it is a little out of focus.
So in short don't waste your money, if you want to, go this way then 40 degree or so cameras or near that maybe the way to go, there is a dual camera set up with wide and telephoto, but the std camera is no good to use as a rear view mirror substitute, in fact by the time I see a vehicle behind the van, it is already starting to pass. The quality of the monitor is another factor, and you will pay to get quality, if you can find someone who stocks them.
Before buying look at the monitor with sunnies on, picture is not there.
Hope I have saved someone some money!
rockylizard said
10:38 AM Nov 8, 2017
iana wrote:
SNIP~~~
In my opinion, if you are considering going down this path, spend your money on extendable side mirrors, and if you need to see behind the van while travelling, just give a little wiggle to the van and you will see behind. ~~~SNIP
Gday...
I haven't had a reversing camera on the tug or van - but have sat in and talked with others who have.
My opinion agrees with your opinion
For reversing the van, I find I just get out and reconnoitre the area I am going to reverse into, and then slowly execute the manoeuvre - sometimes getting in and out a cuppla times to make sure all is OK.
Cheers - John
Dougwe said
11:46 AM Nov 8, 2017
How, Ian,
I have a factory fitted 'reverse' camera on tailgat of Collie and love it but agree if sun hits it the wrong way not much help. I also have a Reverse hitch guide that fits behind the tow ball to assist with hooking up the Aluminium TeePee. I find all works in that department then for this solo hookerupera.
The Aluminium TeePee has a Safety Dave rear view camera with SD fittings to Collie with screen where the inside rear view mirror is and I am very happy with that and wouldn't like to tow without it now. Not the best of pics but enough to see what is going on.
moamajohn said
01:33 PM Nov 8, 2017
Totally agree with Doug here.I have a S/Dave on the van and a factory fitted job in the tug.When I first got them both I marked out distances in my very long driveway on the ground so as I backed up I am able to know at certain points on the screen exactly how far away from objects my van or tug is.I am able to back up within 6 inches from a tree or whatever from the rear of the van and ditto with the tug.I find them a wonderful asset and as Doug says no need for outside assistance .I mean who needs an additional blue with the wife !!Cheers
iana said
03:11 PM Nov 8, 2017
Yes but! I am not discussing a reversing camera, but a rear view camera, i.e. a substitute for the interior rear view mirror. This is to see traffic behind you when traveling along the road. Which in road rule term is called a drivers aid.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:32 PM Nov 8, 2017
Yep canāt have enough of these safety things to make it easier and safer ! Some times your negotiating on your own .
I had a 160 degree camera on my truck, it was great as a reversing camera but exactly as iana says, useless to spot a vehicle behind even only 300 meters behind it was a dot.
Night time forget about it and in the rain was hopeless.
iana said
09:09 PM Nov 8, 2017
Yep one drop of rain on the camera lens, and all over red rover.
30' angle, would be as rare as hens teeth, thanks for that.
macka17 said
12:12 PM Nov 9, 2017
Iana.
Your glasses are probably Polarised.
Turn them 90deg and try again?.
IE. Drive down road with cheek on right shoulder.. OK.
Chuckle.
Why not measure the length of the lines the camera puts on the road behind you?.
At least you'll know when somebody INSIDE that radius then.
It's a starter.
I had a 160 degree camera on my truck, it was great as a reversing camera but exactly as iana says, useless to spot a vehicle behind even only 300 meters behind it was a dot.
Night time forget about it and in the rain was hopeless.
Do you have one of these 30° cameras MD, I would like to install one but really don't want to fork out the money and find it is not any good
iana said
12:04 AM Nov 10, 2017
Pretty certain Safety Dave has a duel camera set up, one camera is a wide angle and the other is 40 degrees if my memory is correct. So both cameras fitted to the same mount.
My sunnies are non polarised, makes no difference. I may try making up some rubber shades to go about the screen to help shade the screen from the sun.
The other issue is heat, some sort of insulation to keep the sun off the monitor. Same with the scan gauge, in the scan gauge instructions, it says that the screen may go blank if it gets too hot.
Joe50 said
04:18 AM Nov 10, 2017
I probably have the same dual camera setup from Safety Dave as Iana, and 40 degrees sounds about right if 30 degrees is equal to normal sight. Vehicles approaching from the rear appear only slightly smaller than the view with my mirrors, easily visible when still 200-300 metres behind and a lot of times farther back than that, depending on viewing conditions. However, I'll generally spot a car with its headlights on approaching from a long way back in the mirrors before I can see it on the monitor. I might have an advantage in judging distances to vehicles close behind as I can see the rear roof of the Daihatsu Terios I tow on the monitor, which gives me a reference point.
Cheers Joe
-- Edited by Joe50 on Friday 10th of November 2017 04:21:32 AM
Tony Bev said
04:31 PM Nov 10, 2017
I have a rear vision camera, pre installed by Jayco, I assume
I started looking for a better model
I stopped looking when more than one manufactures, mentioned that the vehicle behind, may appear closer, or further away, than they actually are
Ge said
07:40 PM Nov 10, 2017
OK I have read and digested all, conclusion, Mrs stays strapped to rear spare with hand held CB to warn me of enemy, approaching at 6 o'clock.
Cheers.
Bello said
12:23 PM Nov 14, 2017
I have a camera on the 4b and the van. I have the one on the van turned on all the time when I am travelling. Even with the mirrows very wide it is amazing what you can see with the camera. I never use it for reversing, only to see that nothing is behind me.. I generally use the Minister for Everything with a handheld CB to "help" when reversing.
I have installed a monitor in place of the rear view mirror, and have a camera at the back of the ute, plus a camera at the rear of the van. Having used it for about three months, I can say that the exercise is pretty well a waste of money, the cameras have a 92' angle, and still anything behind gives a false indication of their distance, what angle of lense would give the same view as the side mirrors, I don't know.
The cameras have the night UV ability, which is handy when backing, but any vehicle approaching in the rear is just a blaze of two white lit circles. During the day the view in the monitor can change from good (late afternoon with the sun in the right direction), to completely useless with the sun up and shining on the monitor.
If you wear sun glasses the picture in the monitor disappears, end of story.
Used as a reversing camera, i.e. to see if there is anybody behind the car, e.g. shoppers at a supermarket for example, then it is quite handy, backing and judging distance, not very good.
In my opinion, if you are considering going down this path, spend your money on extendable side mirrors, and if you need to see behind the van while traveling, just give a little wiggle to the van and you will see behind. The cost would be about the same.
In my case I can't see out the rear of the vehicle, so its a sort of help, but money would be better spent on mirrors.
Recently fitted a rear view camera to compliment the reversing camera which was already installed on my van.
The reversing camera points down to the rar bumper and is a reasonable guide for reversing but the rear view camera is virtually useless unless the vehicle following is closer than approx 200 metres and even then the picture is distorted and not very clear at all.
I have a factory fitted reversing camera on my tow vehicle which does its job and is a reasonably guide also for reversing and hitching the van.
I have Clearviews and as you said, just a slight "wiggle" and the view to the rear is much clearer.
Maybe their are better cameras available but I got the one that was recommended by the dealer.
Another thing that I am picking up, is, I am now long sighted, so close in things to see well I need glasses, with mirrors, I can see fine, but with the monitor mounted where the re-view mirror used to be, I am finding it is a little out of focus.
So in short don't waste your money, if you want to, go this way then 40 degree or so cameras or near that maybe the way to go, there is a dual camera set up with wide and telephoto, but the std camera is no good to use as a rear view mirror substitute, in fact by the time I see a vehicle behind the van, it is already starting to pass. The quality of the monitor is another factor, and you will pay to get quality, if you can find someone who stocks them.
Before buying look at the monitor with sunnies on, picture is not there.
Hope I have saved someone some money!
Gday...
I haven't had a reversing camera on the tug or van - but have sat in and talked with others who have.
My opinion agrees with your opinion
For reversing the van, I find I just get out and reconnoitre the area I am going to reverse into, and then slowly execute the manoeuvre - sometimes getting in and out a cuppla times to make sure all is OK.
Cheers - John
I have a factory fitted 'reverse' camera on tailgat of Collie and love it but agree if sun hits it the wrong way not much help. I also have a Reverse hitch guide that fits behind the tow ball to assist with hooking up the Aluminium TeePee. I find all works in that department then for this solo hookerupera.
The Aluminium TeePee has a Safety Dave rear view camera with SD fittings to Collie with screen where the inside rear view mirror is and I am very happy with that and wouldn't like to tow without it now. Not the best of pics but enough to see what is going on.
www.nassecurity.com.au/30-viewing-angle-sharp-ccd-caravan-rear-view-camera.html
They are very expensive.
I had a 160 degree camera on my truck, it was great as a reversing camera but exactly as iana says, useless to spot a vehicle behind even only 300 meters behind it was a dot.
Night time forget about it and in the rain was hopeless.
30' angle, would be as rare as hens teeth, thanks for that.
Your glasses are probably Polarised.
Turn them 90deg and try again?.
IE. Drive down road with cheek on right shoulder.. OK.
Chuckle.
Why not measure the length of the lines the camera puts on the road behind you?.
At least you'll know when somebody INSIDE that radius then.
It's a starter.
Do you have one of these 30° cameras MD, I would like to install one but really don't want to fork out the money and find it is not any good
My sunnies are non polarised, makes no difference. I may try making up some rubber shades to go about the screen to help shade the screen from the sun.
The other issue is heat, some sort of insulation to keep the sun off the monitor. Same with the scan gauge, in the scan gauge instructions, it says that the screen may go blank if it gets too hot.
I probably have the same dual camera setup from Safety Dave as Iana, and 40 degrees sounds about right if 30 degrees is equal to normal sight. Vehicles approaching from the rear appear only slightly smaller than the view with my mirrors, easily visible when still 200-300 metres behind and a lot of times farther back than that, depending on viewing conditions. However, I'll generally spot a car with its headlights on approaching from a long way back in the mirrors before I can see it on the monitor. I might have an advantage in judging distances to vehicles close behind as I can see the rear roof of the Daihatsu Terios I tow on the monitor, which gives me a reference point.
Cheers
Joe
-- Edited by Joe50 on Friday 10th of November 2017 04:21:32 AM
I started looking for a better model
I stopped looking when more than one manufactures, mentioned that the vehicle behind, may appear closer, or further away, than they actually are
Cheers.
All the best.
Bello