Rear View Camera?

[Rick Wood]

Maybe I missed it. Is there a forum where digital "rear-view" cameras are discussed? My wife won't drive when we are in-tow, since she cannot see out the back, and cannot tell when there is enough room to change lanes.

I found some good layman's info at the following web site:

reviews.ebay.com/EVERYTHING-YOU-NEED-TO-KNOW-ABOUT-REAR- VIEW-CAMERAS_W0QQugidZ10000000000708736

I would like to find out what sort of experience the members have had with these things.

[asianflava]

I don't think it has been discussed much. A camera doesn't really give you good depth perception. I have an OEM one on my truck, but it is more for hooking up the trailer. It is basically a top down view of the ball, you can put the coupler right on the ball, but sometimes it's hard to tell if the coupler is above the ball or at the same height.

Towing is a bit disconcerting, but you get used to it with practice. If there isn't much room, the other driver will let you know.

[LGwin]

I have been surfing the cam issue too, but for a different reason.

Like most TD we are blind fore & aft.

Now we are planning our first TD trip to bear country.

I am a little wary of the "Honey! What is that noise from the galley end?" And the ensuing choice of:
Stick your head, or more, out and around to find out; or
Stay buttoned up imagining the worst - only to find that a tarp flap has pulled loose.

Anybody already solved the blindspot?

LG

[GeoDrop]

Wireless version.... nice if it works.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_220ACA250/ ... html?tp=83

I have been surfing the cam issue too, but for a different reason.

Like most TD we are blind fore & aft.

Now we are planning our first TD trip to bear country.

I am a little wary of the "Honey! What is that noise from the galley end?" And the ensuing choice of:
Stick your head, or more, out and around to find out; or
Stay buttoned up imagining the worst - only to find that a tarp flap has pulled loose.

Anybody already solved the blindspot?

LG

[bobhenry]

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1T4GGLD_enUS311US311&q=wide+angle+periscope&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8663574188173347333&sa=X&ei=OdfKTZXxLqmR0QGunOXUCQ&ved=0CEMQ8wIwBQ#

[Rick Wood]

I like the periscope. Especially the "ages 4 and up" part. I think I qualify.


Regarding the depth perception question: The old rule was that you were safe to change lanes in front of someone if you can see its front grill through you rear window. No need for depth perception. My thought is that if the camera is centered, 120degree view angle, you will know that you are safely in front of them if you can see the grill in the monitor. No? With side mirrors only, you MUST use depth perception.

[Mike-n-Britney]

My wife struggles with depth perception, has enough troubles driving a compact car...

I have a cheaper, simpler, heart-attack-free solution: I drive.

[Rlowell]

http://www.chinavasion.com/index.php/cN ... w-cameras/

I found this very interesting.

The issue that I see is whether you need a "reverse" camera or a "rear view" camera hook-up. Most of the rearview cameras are Reverse cameras...You have to have your TV in reverse to activate the camera. Perhaps you are looking for a "Monitor" device; in order to place it in the Teardrop. (To watch those pesky bears. lol)

Rod

[Rlowell]

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_236 ... 77PKG.html

Here is another one I found. Looks like it would solve several issues that were mentioned... Good luck
Rod

[GeoDrop]

Instead of wiring it to the "reverse" light.. you could wire to a 12v supply and install a switch to turn it off/on as needed.

http://www.chinavasion.com/index.php/cName/car-accessories-rear-view-cameras/

I found this very interesting.

The issue that I see is whether you need a "reverse" camera or a "rear view" camera hook-up. Most of the rearview cameras are Reverse cameras...You have to have your TV in reverse to activate the camera. Perhaps you are looking for a "Monitor" device; in order to place it in the Teardrop. (To watch those pesky bears. lol)

Rod

[caseydog]

I have driven a lot of cars with rear-view cameras, and I never feel quite comfortable with them. I drove and Aston Martin today with a front and rear camera. I guess the front camera is to keep you from hitting a curb with the low front end.

I have used a rear camera on a motorhome to back up, and that worked okay.

But, for changing lanes, I wouldn't trust a rear camera. With practice, your side view mirrors should do the job just fine -- better than a camera on the back of the TD, IMO.

CD

[Rlowell]

I have driven a lot of cars with rear-view cameras, and I never feel quite comfortable with them. I drove and Aston Martin today with a front and rear camera. I guess the front camera is to keep you from hitting a curb with the low front end.

I have used a rear camera on a motorhome to back up, and that worked okay.

But, for changing lanes, I wouldn't trust a rear camera. With practice, your side view mirrors should do the job just fine -- better than a camera on the back of the TD, IMO.

CD

CD, I would agree with you. I also have driven many vehicles with different configurations of camera; back-up in a LARGE vehicle is good. Anything else can be dangerous. A inside monitor could be alright for a teardrop/TTT.

Rod

[asianflava]

Instead of wiring it to the "reverse" light.. you could wire to a 12v supply and install a switch to turn it off/on as needed.

http://www.chinavasion.com/index.php/cName/car-accessories-rear-view-cameras/

I found this very interesting.

The issue that I see is whether you need a "reverse" camera or a "rear view" camera hook-up. Most of the rearview cameras are Reverse cameras...You have to have your TV in reverse to activate the camera. Perhaps you are looking for a "Monitor" device; in order to place it in the Teardrop. (To watch those pesky bears. lol)

Rod

10-4 on that! Mine is wired to the reverse lights or something. Sometimes you have to put it into drive if you overshoot or make an adjustment and it shuts off. It would be less annoying if it just stayed on the whole time.

[2bits]

For a year I drove my '71 Chevy truck towing my Teardrop with only a "peep" mirror on the driver's side. Now there is an exercise!

Sounds like the little lady should just enjoy the ride for both of your safety.

[Wolffarmer]

My feeling is that if someone is uncomfortable towing now, a camera probably will be just a waste of money and effort. They may be great for backing up/hitching up. Or knowing what you just backed over without getting out to check to see if you should high tail it to the hills. pronto.



Just think of all those big rigs you share the roads with. No cameras on those to help with lane changes, just proper use of the mirrors, turn signals. It does help to have good mirrors. I have only seen "backup " cameras and frankly unless there are better ones out there, one of them pointed to look at traffic is not going to help much. IMHO.

Also if you put one on a trailer, unless there is some kind of stabilization it will be all over the place and bouncing about. Make "unsteady" camera techniques looks pretty steady.

Mirrors and brains is all we need.

Randy