My rear view camera is OK for reversing, but hopeless for hwy vision on my van.
Submitted: Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 15:51
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Member - Willie , Sydney.
If I am on the highway, I usually cannot see a vehicle on my screen, until it is 20 yards behind.
I don't need it as a reversing camera, I just back up until I hear a crunch. I need it for that big blank spot behind the van on the hwy.
What I need ( I think ) is a less wide angle lense camera, of good quality. I am prepared to pay good money for good optics.
Can anybody suggest a brand / model number that fills the bill ?
Thanks,
Willie.
Reply By: Tenpounder - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 16:57
Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 16:57
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)
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355158
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 23:06
Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 23:06
Hi Chris
They certainly appear further away in the camera, but you soon adjust to this.
Mh
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Reply By: ruafrood - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 18:06
Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 18:06
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
AnswerID:
355172
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 18:17
Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 18:17
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.
Image Could Not Be Found
Image Could Not Be Found
AnswerID:
355177
Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 at 11:46
Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 at 11:46
Graham,
I will definitely install a sun / rain drop cover on the new camera. I really like your neat design, but it will not fit in
the spot I have.
Thanks for
the tip on infra red - I will avoid them. I do not need night vision as I seldom travel at night and If I do I can see the approaching headlights OK.
Thanks,
Willie.
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