Tom Tom 720 with a Reversing/Rear Caravan Camera connection
Submitted: Friday, Aug 01, 2008 at 11:09
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PeterInSa
I understand that the 720 can take a Rear Van camera, if you have such a set up could you tell me whether its worth going this way. I do not want separate Rear Van Camera Screen set up and and a GPS Navigation system as
well.
Is there are better GPS/Camera system available at roughly the same price.
Peter
Reply By: chisel - Friday, Aug 01, 2008 at 15:14
Friday, Aug 01, 2008 at 15:14
Does the 720 really have a camera input? I've looked at the specs and can't see it.
There are a few gps units with camera input but apart from an expensive Garmin I don't know of any "big name" units ... eg. Garmin, Tomtom, Navman.
There's an Accura with a big 7" screen which goes for about $450 (WOW stock them) that could be a good option but I couldn't vouch for the quality of it.
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Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Friday, Aug 01, 2008 at 16:25
Friday, Aug 01, 2008 at 16:25
chisel,
Will
check the specs on a friends Tom Tom 720 tonight looking for an AV socket.
FollowupID:
584970
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 09:32
Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 09:32
Sorry to rain on your parade Peter, but there is no AV socket on the 720 to connect a camera to.
"I do not want separate Rear Van Camera Screen set up and and a GPS Navigation system as
well."
Why not?....
A rear view camera should be permanently mounted IMO. There is more practical uses for a camera that one just used when towing a van. I use
mine purely for safety issues when reversing the Jack.
As far as the TomTom 720 goes, I wouldn't leave it mounted in the vehicle all the time either because it wouldn't stay there very long:-)
Bill.
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318617
Follow Up By: Off-track - Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 09:54
Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 09:54
Why not?
Well so that there is only one screen in front of you, instead of cluttered by 2.
Some other GPS navigators allow input from a rear camera with a connection to the reversing light circuit so that it automatically flashes up the camera view.
Much better IMHO.
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Follow Up By: Off-track - Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 09:57
Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 09:57
Just to add that you can also wire up a switch to 'fool' the GPS that the reversing light circuit is energised sreens.o that you can flash it up whnever you wish.
However as someone else pointed out if you always want the reversing camera view on and a GPS on then you pretty much need to have 2 sc
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 11:41
Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 11:41
No clutter at all.
The TomTom sits on the lower right corner of the windscreen.
The PDA (for country travel) sits at the bottom centre of the windscreen.
The rear view camera screen sits over the top of the rear view mirror which is a natural spot for the reversing screen. It comes on automatically when reverse gear is selected, or can be toggled on full time if desired. (until ignition is turned off that is)
Another button selects the second AV channel if a second camera is connected.
All good mate.
Also, if using the one monitor for everything, you have one view or the other. There wouldn't be much point having a rear view camera to see behind the van, if you are using it for navigation purposes, or vice versa.
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Follow Up By: Off-track - Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 13:49
Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 13:49
Yeah you are right it certainly does come down to personal needs/preferences.
We have our gps at the bottom centre of the windscreen which we use for street nav, oziexplorer maps and reversing camera. Also for bluetooth for handsfree mobile.
As we have a camper trailer we dont have the requirement to have the reversing camera on at all times (only reversing normally) but if we had a caravan we probably would need the extra screen.
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Reply By: PeterInSa - Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 18:55
Saturday, Aug 02, 2008 at 18:55
Tom Tom 720 cannot accept another input. However there are other GPS Units on the market that can function as a Reversing Screen /Camera combo and cheaper to.
However even with an electronics background of some 45 years I am now reluctant to buy something that is not recommended so will buy a 720 and a Viscom Screen/camera the same as a mate has. Having a friend that has similar equipment speeds up the learning curve (you may not even need to open the instruction booklet).
I have changed my mind based on comments above ie in a strange capital city you want the GPS and rear camera to work at the same time.
Thanks for your input
My initial thought(GPS/Rear Camera/Screen) was to cut down on the electronics gear in our LC. When travelling we can, depending on where we are going, have 2 phone/carkits,(his/hers), Sat Phone, 2 CB's, Ipod in Ipod Transmitter to the in vehicle FM Radio, now GPS and 7' Screen connected to the rear camera.
Once we left the Ipod transmitter in the vehicle (6' from bedroom window) after coming back from a trip to find the drivers door lock broken and various pieces of gear stolen. Police say the Ipod transmitter attracted the
young tea leaves. So the GPS etc will be something else we will need to remove.
Peter
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