Reverse camera illumination

Many trucks come fitted with a moveable wireless rear view camera now...technology catching up.

Hi Bigfish,

Yes, fully aware of this. However, learning to reverse using side mirrors only is something that is good to be able to do, it really only takes practice. Reversing cameras are a relatively new idea. It is still a requirement for a driver of a heavy vehicle to be able to do as part of getting the heavy endorsement on their license.

Macca.

Cameras are great when in shopping centre carparks with other people doing silly unexpected things and also when out in bush offroading of which we do quite often with hunting and fishing. Cameras help keep repair costs and insurance premiums down that are already through the roof for P platers. The point of practicing reversing and side mirrors is not what I was asking about but thank you anyway for your reply

Hi Boris,

Don’t get me wrong, I am a great believer in having additional aids such as cameras particularly for reversing. Thinking of the number of tragic accidents that occur in driveways or carparks where young children are concerned. I have reversing cameras for both the car and the caravan, and would not consider buying a caravan without one. However, my point is that we should not just rely on cameras. Being able to reverse a vehicle some distance using mirrors is something that should always be taught to learner drivers. Sadly it is not.

As for illumination, I think you will find that just replacing the tail lights and reversing lights with an LED equivalent will not really suffice. My experience is that you will need a stronger/larger light than those built into the standard taillight configuration.

Macca.

Yes mate, this will be perfect. I used STEDI ones on my Navara and it's better than a flood light. To the point I too one out, and only used the RHS one, because I didn't want to make the neighbour's bedroom light up at 5am in the morning!

Lachlan, my own Colorado dual cab came with two floodlights either side of the reverse camera. Its was too much light that lit up any dust and exhaust that you couldnt see past on the screen. I took those lights out and put a small flood light on the roof rack far away from the camera, which improved vision. I also added a yellow tint film to the light to reduce glare. Hence my question here whether just a pair of good LED tail lights will be enough.

Some people say you can never have too much light, however as others have found, too much light can “flare” on the camera. It more about the positioning of the light relative to the camera. I have found lights mounted up high on the vehicle such as on the roof rack or canopy tend to not throw as much light onto a camera that is mounted low down on the rear bar or low down on the tailgate. Positioning the light so that the actual “throw” of light is angled in such a manner so as to miss the lens of the camera is the way to go.

Macca.