Back up Camera -Worth it?

[cullengw]

Hola Everyone!!!

I was contemplating getting this back up camera for the bus.... Now I know some people out there have started back up camera discussions but What I want to start is a thread detailing the pros and cons of the camera for the price.

I know those really expensive ones produce nice quality video but is it necessary?

And then one at this price? Is this just going to be a waste of time and money in the long run?

What I want to know is how often do you say "gee im glad i have this doo hicky."

Anyone have pics of their back up camera while is on? Another fear of mine is camera lens wont have a wide enough angle to pick up surroundings on the side of the bus...

18 IR LED Wireless Reversing Camera + 7" LCD Monitor Car Rear View Kit | eBay

Thank you for your input!!!

(I probably wouldn't hook camera up to turn on when bus is thrown into reverse rather i would just install it with an on off switch through the existing panel)

[turf]

here is a couple of pics of mine. its a garmin, with wireless cam. the cam is wired to the running lights for power, so they need to be on to work as a rearveiw mirror.

at the bottom of the screen is my trailer hitch, straight behind the vehicle is within the lines on the screen. i was turning around so my trailer is off at an angle.



a 7" screen is small in a bus

and here is the camera:



night time has not been a problem, the camera is still very usable in low light.

[cullengw]

interesting interesting. I'm wondering if i could use a larger screen without stretching the image too much. I have some old flat screen comp. monitors that i could mount up front. hmmm....

also just thought of this...i might set it up so the screen also displays a gps map of some sort

[bansil]

Biggest value to me is ensuring stuff attached to the hitch is good to go, loose items, blown tires etc

I always prefer a ground guide while backing up, old Tanker thing

[austin1989us]

I was thinking about this last night. I'm considering getting a home security system and putting several cameras on the bus. The price on those isn't too bad.

[Tango]

A home system might work but I would almost guarantee it was not designed to handle the vibration and 70mph rain that RV units are made to handle. You can get a top of the line 3 camera RV system for around $400 bucks with full night vision and range indication.

Here's just one company...
RVS-770616N | Three (3) Camera Setup with Side Cameras | Rear View Safety

[crazycal]

Don't want this to sound snotty but this is a silly question. Forget about Tango's fancy pants system. You can get a basic backup camera for well under a hundred bucks. If it saves you from backing into another car, it's worth it. That could easily cost you 20+ times the cost of the camera.

[Tango]

I plan on using one cam as both "back up" and "rear view mirror". Also considering one as the passenger side mirror replacement.

And one other application I saw years ago by an old timer made some sense...one camera mounted on the roof looking forward. He said he'd saved his roof a/c's, vents and tv antennae from low hanging limbs and such numerous times from what "looked like" adequate clearance...but wasn't.

[ol trunt]

I'll have to side with "snotty" Crazycal on this one! My $50 back up camera though very small, shows what is behind me with an acceptably wide view both in daylight and dark and in color. It is absolutely indespensible--regardless of price it is a must have. Jack

The little dot above the rear door is the camera.

I like being able to check on the Toad via the rear camera. Depth perception with a wide angle lens leaves something to be desired. I parked a car at a known distance behind the bus and marked it's position the screen with a magic marker as a reference.

[crazycal]

Sheesh, sometimes you can't win. I was just saying they are soooo cheap, if it saves one little tap, you are money ahead.

[ol trunt]

Just kidding you CC. It's all good! Jack

[M1031A1]

I'll probably use one to monitor whatever I'm towing due to the large blind spot I'm creating called the master bedroom......

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by ol trunt

Just kidding you CC. It's all good! Jack

I was teasing. My skin isn't that thin. Just don't call me late for dinner.

[Ernst]

Most arguments have been posted by now....

I wouldn't want to drive our Skoolie without one, especially when I'm alone. You can't see a playing child behind your bus in the mirrors!

A microphone integrated in the camera sometimes is very useful too! Most cameras, even the cheap ones, have this. Just like IR LEDs to provide visiblity in the dark.

A manual switch certainly has advantages over the reverse switch on the gear box.

A computer monitor isn't going to work (IMHO). To get a consistent picture with your mirrors, the monitor should have a switch position "mirrored".

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

I have one. I'm thinking of adding a second camera though. One aimed straight back and one aimed down.

[Ernst]

Many truckers have a second camera on the right front side, pointing sideways. This one should cover the "dead angle". A simple relay circuit switches on the dead angle camera when the right direction indicator is engaged. (And the other camera when the tranny goes into Rl)

Apart from the (in most European countries compulsory) dead angle mirror, this camera saves lives!

[Tango]

I'm looking at two as a minimum. One rear view (aka; backup cam) and one looking back down the passenger side. I'm even considering a roof mount to double check clearances.

I HATE blindspots!

[bansil]

Wow jack clean install...and you need more switches...lot's more...can never have too many unmarked switches

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

Originally Posted by bansil

Wow jack clean install...and you need more switches...lot's more...can never have too many unmarked switches

Lol. Can even shuffle switched around for even more fun. Press the wiper button and the ejector seat initiated

[Cæleb]

Anyone know how to hook it up for constant power from the running lights? So I can use it as a rear view and back up camera? I have a wireless system.