Looking at purchasing a reversing camera for the 4WD and van. I would like them to work off the same monitor if possible. Hope someone can assist with a model and where to purchase from.
why not have a chat to the sales people in places like autobarn or supercheap just to get an idea of what oyu can do. Not sure where is best for buying though.
Hi Guys We have just purchased a new van have a Prado Grande with reversing camera and want a camera to double up with the monitor, if anybody has any info we would be happy to hear too. Also would need to use the GPS by switching over.
We purchased a Polaris Rearview Caravan system back in early 2006. http://www.polarisrearvision.com.au/ click on say the motorhome then the product tab at the top.
Seems they have a different camera (a dual one) for the back of the van nowadays. The previous camera (as per their CV-12 GPS system) is a bit too much of a fisheye such that you cannot really see distant vehicles.
The system works well for us, coupled with good side mirrors, giving a good clear view of what is approaching and behind the van.
Making up your own system from component parts is probaly cheaper, if you know what you are doing.
I purchased a dual av input 7" camera off ebay to run a reversing camera on my disco, I need to turn the monitor on manualy but the camera is turned on via the reverse light circuit. I normally run the vidio camera off the other av input when filming whislt traveling. When the van is hooked up I will mount another camera on the rear of tthe van and run a 75 ohm wire to the towhitch,, I will join on to the vehicle here with some fairly waterproof rca plugs I got from jaycar. The completed unit should cost me no more than about $300 cheers blaze
WOW!! You really are out there. Sounds very interesting. Would love to see your set up, probably way out of my understanding but will ask a couple of whizz kids (like the grandsons!!) extremely reasonable cost. May have to come back to you on this one. Many thanks for your comment, talk soon.
We bought a 7" Monitor/Mirror and 2 cameras off Ebay two years ago. Cost less than $200 all up. Came from Hong Kong. I fitted it all up myself in the Hiace, works very well.
Three weeks ago I changed the cameras as they were a bit cheap (about$30 each) not good enough for use reversing at night. Not a problem in daylight. Just fitted a more expensive ($60 from China) reversing camera. Works much better at night. Has more night vision lights (cant think what they are called) like LED's only glow dull red !!!!!!
Because sometimes we had the rear window obscured in the Hiace with gear, I used one camera for "Rear View" and the other for "Reversing". Since then we realised the Rearview for us was not needed. Atered our stowing arragement.
That Rear view picture anyway was a bit distorted. BIG Trucks looked like they were two kilometres behind you. When in fact they were only 100 metres behind.
Specify "REARVIEW CAMERA" or "REVERSING" when buying cameras.
The monitor has two (AV1- AV2) channels so I could switch between Rear View and Reversing views. It it the type that just clips over the existing rearview mirror. When it is not switched on it's, the rear view mirror. It has touch controls on the side to switch on and off. Also changes channels. Plus Zoom, Brightness, Colour, Contrast.
I can use it in mirror mode, and also at the same time, have a little picture on one side of the mirror of the view behind the van. Which for us, is the view of the rear step and area for about 2 metres radius behind the van. We have that camera on the top of the rear door looking down.
The camera picture view on screen is adjustable. That is the picture can be Full screen wide, Half screen, or Quarter screen.
The picture position can be moved left or right on the monitor/mirror. So you can still have mirror view and also a camera view to see how close your rear end is to things, at the same time.
I now have a user friendly auto elctrician. Mobile setup so he comes to you. Specialises in Car Security and Car Audio systems. but he will fit anything. Think I would get him to fit up my next unit, as he is five times faster than me, and worth the $$$$$$ for the good job he does. On the other hand My next vehicle might have a GPS cum, reversing camera, fitted as standard.
The kids just got me a GPS and while reading the destruction booklet noted if I buy the camera it can also be used as a reversing monitor. I suppose it's not unlike those fitted to cars today as standard kit .
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