My rear view camera is OK for reversing, but hopeless for hwy vision on my van.

Hullo Willie,

Sound in Motion in QLD do all the electronics for your BT. I recently asked them the same question.

They do a 1/3" CCD camera (better than CMOS) with a 120 deg field of view. They assure me no fisheye lens.

Site Link

You will probably have to take a photo of the type of connection between the camera and the cable, brand etc to see if they can upgrade it.

cheers

and if you want to flog off your current system I might be interested, god knows how many more dents one would save the back of my ute from.

Hi there. I have similar experiences, but the following vehicle appears soon enough to distinguish it 'in the fog' when it is a hundred metres away (a bit better for semis), and looks like it's a mile away!
I would be wary of assuming all the problem is in the camera, since there's a couple of tiny wires carrying all the signals 30ft from the back of the van to the cabin, and not all connections are 100%. Also, Does the video monitor check out OK?
I like the idea put to you in this thread of talking to a reputable dealer, rather than trying to source the perfect camera yourself, only to find out the limitations lie elsewhere.
In my case, it is also a matter of handling variable light conditions, so again it's not just optical lens quality, tho I share your view about dubious fish-eye lenses. Hope you sort it out.
Regards
Chris (SA)

Hi Willie,
It could it be the position of the camera? Mine is installed at around bumper bar height and gives a much better view than when it was high mounted looking down.
Hope this helps

Cheers
Alex B

Willie
We have the same problem with our Polaris system (3 year old) as the camera on the Caravan is too much of a fisheye.

However it, as you say, covers that space that is directly behind the caravan that the Aussie Truck side mirrors don’t fully cover.

You can pick up those cars that you saw in your side mirrors in the distance but as they are travelling “faster than the speed of light” they are suddenly right up your clacker and out of your side mirrors vision.

I find that the combination of good side mirrors (legal requirement?) and the rear view camera is great, though like you I had hoped for better distance vision from the caravan camera.

Ron

Willie

I have a $24 Ebay colour camera and it is as good as the Polaris one I have on the car.
I can see vehicles from way back on the road and they are quite visible in the screen.

One thing i did find is that the camera works better if it is shaded from direct sunlight on the lens. The same applies to a camera If you shoot into the sun its not so good.
I have also tried an expensive Swann camera with Infra red and it was hopeless. If Flared out and the colour was crap.
Swann told me these cameras are optimised for night light really and arent as good in daylight.
Attached is a pic of the camera on rear of van.
Cover is a 40mm poly bend and trimmed to fit.
Small screen is car cam and 8in one is van cam.


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Hi Willie

We made a mistake selecting the last camera. The el cheapo from Hong Kong on eBay gave excellent distance vision. Then because of flimsy home made wiring we got a set from Brash Electrics - but we chose the wrong camera. Distance vision was not good - all looked well but we couldn't see the car behind us in the camera until it was about to pass. The on the dirt road, dust obliterated any hope of rear vision. The wide F250 mirrors gave us good rear vision anyway, so we unplugged the camera. I am getting a quote from Brash on a replacement camera that will be suitable.

Motherhen

Most reversing cameras are just that, not intended to be used as a 'rear view mirror'. Usually resolution is low which is probably the cause of your problems.

I started off with a camera with 180degree alround view and same problem as you have. Changed to a Weaco which is 120 degree wide and 90 hight and is pretty good. I actually think a 90 degree wide would be be be OK but I was unable to find one.

Neil

Me again,

I need to get a new screen also, as I buggered mine trying to mount it in a bracket using a little bit too much muscle !

What is the highest quality / best resolution available please.

Willie.

Look at this one its a newer model of mine.


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/REVERSE-MINI-REARVIEW-REVERSING-CAMERA-WITH-5m-CABLE_W0QQitemZ390036572417QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item390036572417&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Where did u mount the one on the car.
Mine is under the top half of the tailgate and I ran the wiring back through the loom in the door.
As you will see from my previous post I have a Polaris screen for it and an 8in for the van cam.

Cheers
Graham

Pic of camera on Croozer

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I went hunting on eBay and found a lot of cheap wide angle reversing cameras.

I also found this truck site. They sell rear view as well as reversing. I do not know the prices yet, but they do not look cheap.

I will ring them on Monday.

They have a 40 degree camera . see

http://www.truckrearvisionsystems.com.au/clarion_cameras_details.php?id=3