Back up camera!

[eamarquardt]

A fellow made an unsafe right turn against a red light, ran into me, did more $ in damage than my van was worth, so I'm driving my brand new Chevy Traverse with tow package rated for 5,200#. When life provides you with lemons, one makes lemonade. The lemonade, ie Traverse, is pretty sweet.

The fellow, at the time of the accident, admitted fault (twice) so I didn't think to press for police presence. Now he is claiming that I was speeding, ran a red light, and was illegally trying to pass him on the left. The accident was a mile and a half from my home. The intersection is notorious as two kids were killed there not long ago. I was driving 30 in a 45 zone. I drive the intersection nearly daily. The other driver was late for his wife's dr's appt. He was LOST. He was smoking. He was stressed. He was 40 miles from home and unfamiliar with the area. Who ya gonna believe?

I went out of my way to be kind to the people. I shrugged off the accident as getting upset wouldn't undo what had been done. I quipped that I'd kinda like a new car anyway. The woman thanked me for being so nice and I told her that I kinda feel that what goes around, comes around. She asked if that "was good". I told her: "It depends upon how you behave". I later learned how she and her husband behave. Things will not bode well for them if my "philosophy of life" rings true. Read more.

5 days after the accident, late Friday afternoon, I learn that AAA (the fellow's ins co) has denied my claim. The next Thursday morning, 10 days after the accident, I call the fellow that hit me, learn of his lies, and confront him about them. The conversation was short and did not go well. About an hour later I get a call. The voice on the other end says: "Please don't hang up on me". STF? It is the fellow's grandson. The grandson picked the fellow that hit me up from the accident scene. When the grandson picked the grandfather up, the grandfather said he made a turn against a red light (meaning I had a green light as there aren't any turn arrows at the intersection) and didn't see me till he hit me. The grandson says his grandfather's current story "doesn't add up" now. Yup, because he's not telling the truth. The grandson is gonna try and get him to, again, tell the truth. The grandson says the grandfather is being manipulated by a family member. My insurance company is not buying the grandfather's lies and is not gonna charge me with the accident. They are gonna go after AAA. It ought to be interesting.

Anyway, like my van, the visibility out the rear of the Traverse is very poor and it has been my sad experience that cars deliberately hid below the level of the rear window of my van. I've had a minor "opps" or two over the 11 years I owned the van.

To avoid embarrassing myself, I wanna get a back up camera and display.

Any recommendations or thoughts.

Thanks and cheers,

Gus

[Wolfgang92025]

Gus,

Happy to hear you got new wheels, sorry to hear about the accident.
It's a same about the other party now claiming it's your fault.
Glad to hear the grandson knows what is right.
In my eyes that is what insurance is for. Accidents will happen. The other guy should just own up and get on with life.

Don't know anything about back-up cameras, so it will be good to learn more.

Good luck....

[Nobody]

Another good example of why you should ALWAYS get the police involved when there is obvious damage, & especially if damage is not obvious but impact was felt. Sometimes personal injury may be delayed and/or later full inspection may reveal hidden vehicle damage. The police accident/incident report protects all parties with an official document. Much less opportunity/incentive for someone to 'weasel' afterwards. Hope it all works out for ya Gus!

[Richard Miller]

I don't know anything about backup cameras but I looked this one up on Ebay and I thought the price was pretty reasonable
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-3-Car-Rearvie ... eo&vxp=mtr

[Dale M.]

Not sure about back up cam, as what to get but I can see the functionality of it while coupling up...

Anyway not to dwell on another point, but lesson here is no matter how minor, always get police to do accident report no matter how minor "accident" may be...

Dale

[bigblockbarry]

Friend of mine has a 30 foot trailer that he pulls his race car in. He picked up this at Autozone http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... 51333_0_0_ and we mounted the camera on the trailer license plate. Had to add 30' of wire in but now he can see whats behind the trailer at the track. He loves it.

[pmowers]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Been there when a girl and her boyfriend were a half a block away when the light turned, did not slow down and then tried to claim the we ran the light, if front of witnesses.

As far as back-up cameras go, they can certainly make things easier. My wife's new Tucson has one in the dash and she feels quite comfortable backing up now, with her impaired depth perception. I have installed and used several cameras. Based on that I can give you a few impressions:

License plate vs permanent- I have been using the license plate as it is easy to replace the camera if needed, is not very obtrusive, gives a really good view when backing up to hitch. You can center them on the license, and tilt the camera up and down for the best view. The permanent mount cameras tend to be more expensive, less available and harder to adjust using shims. Not to mention drilling a big hole in your vehicle which will most likely be off center.

Wired vs wireless- Wired cameras will give you the best picture. My next one will be wired. It sort of depends on whether the transmitter is built into the camera or is separate. If separate, you can mount the transmitter where can get a better signal. VR cameras are built-in, Pace are separate. I have had problems with my F-150, full-size bed having interference at inopportune times (VR3 wireless). The Pace system I installed in my friend's truck (same size) with the separate transmitter has not had the problems, because i mounted the transmitter in the fiberglass cap. If you install a wired system, you need to make sure that the cables will reach, or that you can get an extension.

Monitors- The bigger the better! The difference between a 2.5 and a 3.5 display seems to be ahout 50%. Think of putting your digital camera on the dashboard and try to drive only with that screen. You can get 7" displays that clip over the top of our rearview mirror. I modified a sunglass clip and mounted my 2.5 monitor on the visor, running the power down the door post, and clipping it into the backup lights at the fuse panel. That way the power is only on when the truck is in reverse.

Some of the monitors have an approach pattern displayed like landing on an aircraft carrier, with green, yellow and red lines for distance to dent.

Wiring for the most part is pretty easy. I normally splice the camera power leads into the backup lights. The power is only on when the vehicle is in reverse.

I am actually thinking about installing a back-up camera on the back of my cargo trailer, and wiring it through to the truck.

Sources- Pace came from Pep-boys. I am currently looking at some different ones on ebay. If I do get a two camera system (truck and trailer) I will start a thread.

[72FJ40]

Sorry to hear of your accident. Hope everything works out. Glad you know the grandson is aware of the truth; be sure your insurance company is aware of his call to you. Always have the police present and a report written. In some states, you can be fined for not reporting an accident to state.

As to the backup camera: Is your car wired for a camera? Very common option and there is a chance the wiring is there and your car didnt get the camera. I would visit the dealer and chat with service dept. You may be able to get factory parts either from dealer (more $$$) or a u-pull it yard. I am looking at cameras as I want to add to my truck to easy hooking up a trailer

[eamarquardt]

I went to a tattoo parlor and had "call the police" tattooed on my forehead. Lest I forget. I'll have someone take a picture of my new "tat" an post it later. I took a less drastic approach with my wife and two boys. I used, only, a permanent marker. Won't make that mistake again.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look at what Auto Zone has to offer. Also these folks (based upon their area code) can't be that far away and maybe I can go look at their full line first hand.

Will post what I discover after I discover it.

Cheers,

Gus

[8ball_99]

Mine in my truck came from seller Camera source on ebay. I'm happy with it and the camera looks just like the OEM one. Just pay attetion to what the viewing angle of the camera is. Some have very narrow field of views which make them almost useless. I also would avoid the wireless ones. I have yet to see one that worked very well.. They all get static or blink out from time to time..

[eamarquardt]

Hi all,

I've looked at a lot of cameras and most of em are off brands that may or may not be any good or have any support.

I found that Magellen makes a wireless camera that interfaces with several of their GPS units. Having a GPS that shares the screen with the camera is a plus. The transmitter is wired into the back up lights and the display switches from GPS to back up camera "automagically".

If the wireless proves to be a problem I'll just move the transmitter forward in the vehicle so that it is within a couple of feet of the receiver. It it does give me problems, I'll send it back.

Delivery estimate: July 16, 2012 - July 20, 2012
1 "Magellan CPBCKUSGXXX Wireless Back Up Camera" Electronics; $137.04
1 "Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM GPS navigator" Electronics; $187.92

Sold by: Amazon.com

Will post results after installation.

Cheers,

Gus

[dguff]

I have one which came as factory equipment on my 2011 Subaru Outback. It displays in the rear view mirror. Very handy for all kinds of packing, parking and especially lining up my tow ball with the trailer coupler. It is a great accessory.

Jerome

[legojenn]

A fellow made an unsafe right turn against a red light, ran into me, did more $ in damage than my van was worth, so I'm driving my brand new Chevy Traverse with tow package rated for 5,200#. When life provides you with lemons, one makes lemonade. The lemonade, ie Traverse, is pretty sweet.

The fellow, at the time of the accident, admitted fault (twice) so I didn't think to press for police presence. Now he is claiming that I was speeding, ran a red light, and was illegally trying to pass him on the left. The accident was a mile and a half from my home. The intersection is notorious as two kids were killed there not long ago. I was driving 30 in a 45 zone. I drive the intersection nearly daily. The other driver was late for his wife's dr's appt. He was LOST. He was smoking. He was stressed. He was 40 miles from home and unfamiliar with the area. Who ya gonna believe?

I went out of my way to be kind to the people. I shrugged off the accident as getting upset wouldn't undo what had been done. I quipped that I'd kinda like a new car anyway. The woman thanked me for being so nice and I told her that I kinda feel that what goes around, comes around. She asked if that "was good". I told her: "It depends upon how you behave". I later learned how she and her husband behave. Things will not bode well for them if my "philosophy of life" rings true. Read more.

5 days after the accident, late Friday afternoon, I learn that AAA (the fellow's ins co) has denied my claim. The next Thursday morning, 10 days after the accident, I call the fellow that hit me, learn of his lies, and confront him about them. The conversation was short and did not go well. About an hour later I get a call. The voice on the other end says: "Please don't hang up on me". STF? It is the fellow's grandson. The grandson picked the fellow that hit me up from the accident scene. When the grandson picked the grandfather up, the grandfather said he made a turn against a red light (meaning I had a green light as there aren't any turn arrows at the intersection) and didn't see me till he hit me. The grandson says his grandfather's current story "doesn't add up" now. Yup, because he's not telling the truth. The grandson is gonna try and get him to, again, tell the truth. The grandson says the grandfather is being manipulated by a family member. My insurance company is not buying the grandfather's lies and is not gonna charge me with the accident. They are gonna go after AAA. It ought to be interesting.

It's amazing how weird people can be when it comes to accidents. I was sideswiped by a cab who was in a turn lane to my right but decided to go through the intersection than turn as he was obligated to. Anyhow, he admitted fault on the scene because he was driving with no ID, registration or proof of insurance. He offered to pay for the damage, but backed down when I figured on it being around $2000. It turned out to be $2900. The accident happened in Ontario, where if the cars are drivable, you go to a police station or accident reporting centre to report the accident.

Well, I gave my account to the police officer and he gave his account. He claimed that I tried to turn right too (which I could have because it was a double turn lane) and that I overturned into him. While he was getting coached at the scene at what to say, I was snapping photos with my phone. If I drove into him, the cars would have been turned, but I have photos of the crashed cars on the same street that we were both entered the intersection on.

Once I showed that to the police, I was not ruled at fault and he was asked to come into an interview room. I don't know who his insurance company was or even if he was insured. I would assume that he was, being a cab and all. Here, we get paid out by our own company and they go after the other driver's company.

If I can offer any advice at an accident, get as many photos as you can, especially the other driver's car, licence plate, commercial markings and a photo of the other driver. You don't know what they will lie about, but if you zip off enough photos, you might be able to catch the other person in a lie should it be necessary.

Good luck on the Traverse. If I got the lemonade that that you were given, I would go for the Chevy Orlando. The Traverse seems like too much car.

[eamarquardt]

Good luck on the Traverse. If I got the lemonade that that you were given, I would go for the Chevy Orlando. The Traverse seems like too much car.

I had a few requirements.

As I have problems with severe chronic pain it is a real plus to be able to lie down and have someone drive me when I don't feel well. The seats in the Traverse fold down in a few moments to make a flat area where I can place a foam pad (that I carry) and make a nice bed that is both wide enough and long enough for me to stretch out. All the other cross over vehicles that I looked at (Nissan, Toyota, and Honda) could not meet that requirement.

I need a car with as long a wheelbase as possible to get the best ride possible so my frazzled nerves are not bounced around. The Traverse has the longest wheelbase of the bunch.

Also the Traverse, when equipped with the tow package, is rated to tow 5,200#. I towed my utility trailer a couple of weeks ago. It weighs 2,000# empty and I had 3,000# of sand in it.

I took a trip of about 250 miles this past weekend. I got 21.6 mpg which is about the same as my Ford Windstar used to get. I'm happy with that.

Cheers,

Gus

[robertey]

I have two android phones, one of which I am testing as a backup camera, the other as the display camera. They connect over wifi with a wifi camera app, so there's not even a need for either one to have a working data plan. I use a couple of tough rubber bands to hold the "camera" phone onto the rear of the trailer

Works pretty well, very flexible, and the cost was minimal as I had the two phones already. Downsides are it's not waterproof (plastic baggie), not always connected and on (could be wired into license plate light though). The number of frames per second is a tiny bit low, but that may be fixable. You could get one of those plastic cell phone windows mounts with the suction cup to mount it temporarily to the bumper/rear hatch.