Backup cameras are becoming more and more popular. Some cars come with preinstalled backup cameras, while some people are starting to install them on their cars themselves for safety reasons. Backup cameras have many uses beyond safety for your primary vehicle. You can install the best backup cameras kits on all sorts of vehicles, such as trailers and recreational vehicles that are towed behind a vehicle
Installing a backup camera kit on a recreational vehicle, such as a motor home or other RV that is attached to a truck, can help increase visibility. Extended side-view mirrors can only allow you to see so much when your truck is towing an RV. Installing a backup camera kit will help you see more clearly when you need to back up your RV.
If you install a backup camera kit to a vehicle or trailer that you tow, you will have increased visibility to as much as a 120-degree angle behind you, which eliminates quite a bit of the blind spot that towing a trailer can create. These cameras will also show you how far you are away from objects when you re backing up, which can allow you to see how much room you have before you need to stop and pull forward.
You can install a backup camera kit on any kind of trailer you tow. Flatbed trailers, horse trailers, small cargo trailers and more can benefit from a backup camera kit. These kits are easy to install. You don t have to have it done by a professional, and you don’t need to install a permanent camera.
Most of the RV backup camera kits on the market come with an easy-to-understand instruction manual for installation. Many of these backup cameras are wireless and even temporary, which make them easy to use only when you need them, rather than permanently installing them on your vehicle. This allows you to move the backup camera from vehicle to vehicle as you need it.
Most wireless backup cameras include only a few parts. For instance, you ll have a mountable monitor to temporarily install inside your car on the dashboard. Additionally, you can also mount the monitor to the roof of your car near the rear-view mirror. You ll also have a small camera that you can screw in with the license plate screws so you can remove it later. You’ll also have a few cables to install.
Backup camera kits can add many safety features to your car or trailer. You ll be able to see what s behind you in your blind spots, the distance you have in between you and other objects, and it will help you park the RV or trailer without anyone directing you. You ll also have the added benefit of it being temporary, so you can take it off and use it on more than one vehicle or trailer when you need to. Backup camera kits make it safe for you and those around you when you are driving and backing up.
Your Guide To Buying a Backup camera
By Sharon Lim
Driving can be tricky at times, and parking can be downright dangerous. Even though parallel parking has become mostly a thing of the past, there will still be plenty of times when you’ll need to back into a parking space. In a crowded parking lot, there’s always the danger of backing out of a space and into another car—or worse, a person walking by. Many newer cars come equipped with cameras or other devices to let drivers know what’s behind them, but even if you drive an older car, you can still get the benefit of this technology thanks to the number of aftermarket backup cameras available. Here’s how you can find the best camera for your car.
Wired: With a “wired” setup, as the name implies, the camera is attached to the display via a cable. These kinds of cameras are generally installed, rather than simply attached to the car.
Wireless: Wireless cameras do not require a cable; instead, the image is beamed from the camera to the display in the front of the car. In 2016 a new solution come to market that use your Smart phone/Pad as display monitor instead of LCD monitor, That is very popular, the frontier brand is EsiCam Portable Backup camera.
Rearview mirror display: Rearview mirror display cameras show what’s going on behind the car in the rearview mirror, which is convenient, since that is where most people look when backing up.
Screen display: Screen display cameras come equipped with screens of various sizes, which can be mounted for easy viewing.
Based on reviews, here are some of the things that drivers like (or dislike) about their backup cameras:
Picture quality: This is one of the most commonly discussed qualities of a camera, and for good reason. It’s essential that the camera and display both provide high-quality images, or else they could cause a dangerous situation for drivers who rely on them. The best models provide excellent images, thus promoting safe driving.Dealing with varying light and weather: This is another major factor. No matter how good a picture a camera provides on a clear, bright day, it won’t help drivers if it can’t perform at night or in bad weather. Great cameras provide clear images in all weather conditions.Ease of installation: Some cameras require professional installation, and in those cases, it’s best to rely on the experts. For ones that can be installed by amateurs, it’s essential that it is easy to install the camera safely and securely.Transmitter strength: For wireless cameras, it’s important that the camera is able to send a strong signal that won’t break up before it gets to the display. The best cameras don’t have a problem in this regard, and have consistently strong signals.
Type of display: Think about the kind of display that will work best for your style of driving: are you going to be able to train yourself to look at a display mounted in a new location, or would it be best to go with a display in your rearview mirror?Camera attachment: If you don’t have the time or money to go with a model that requires professional installation, be sure to pick one that you will be able to install using your own tools and technical expertise.Camera distance: Think about the places where you’re likely to be driving, then check out the specifications on available cameras. If you know that you’re likely to do a lot of backing up, be sure to go with a camera that can display images at a sufficient distance to meet your needs.
Rear View Safety: Rear View Safety is an American company that produces backing cameras, dashboard cameras, and other safety equipment for a wide range of vehicles.
iBall: iBall is an Indian company that produces a wide range of digital equipment, including computer accessories, cameras, and recording devices.
Peak: Peak is an American company that manufactures a variety of products for cars. Although perhaps best known for its line of antifreezes and other fluids, the company makes a number of automotive accessories as well, including a line of backup cameras.
EsiCam: Backup camera on Amazon.com: EsiCam produces a wide range of consumer electronics, including a number of different cameras for home and automotive use.They are manufacture that focus on the video surveillance for over 8 years and sell to North America and Europe. They get more market influence with some new model which introduce wifi solution to the backup camera that allow you to use your HD smart phone/ pad as the display monitor instead of a standalone LCD monitor in low resolution. They are the frontier on portable wifi backup camera ,this expand the use of backup camera in many case outdoor to be a versatile camera for camping safety and home security.
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by Dan TennantSEPTEMBER 13, 2016
How to Choose a Rear-View Camera
Rear-view cameras are video cameras that mount on the rear of your vehicle and enable you to reverse more safely. They are built into many new vehicles, but older or less expensive cars might not have them. To learn more, check out our additional articles on rear-view cameras or keep reading.
Although you can buy cameras separately, all the ones we reviewed come with monitors. The picture from the rear-view camera gets displayed on the monitor’s screen. In our review, we looked at systems with monitors 7 inches or smaller. The image is transmitted from the camera to the monitor in one of two ways: through a wireless transmitter and receiver, or through a cable that runs the length of the car, physically connecting the camera and the monitor.
The main differences here are price and ease of installation. Wired options are cheaper, but they require more time and effort to install. Those savings are negated, however, if you opt for professional installation, which typically costs between $80 and $150.
Wireless backup cameras are more expensive up front, but they can save you time on installation. Usually wireless backup cameras require little more than a drill, electrician’s tape and a wire stripper. If you’re looking for the most convenient option, wireless is the way to go.
Installing a Wireless Rear-View Camera
Because the actual picture signal on a rear-view mirror camera is transmitted wirelessly, you won’t need to run a video cable under your car. However, you will need to provide a power source for the camera and transmitter at the rear of your car.
Here’s how to install a typical wireless rear-view camera. Before you follow any of these steps, you should consult the manual of the device you purchase. Also turn your vehicle off, disconnect the battery and consult the owner’s manual to make sure you won’t drill into any wires.
The camera mounts on the outside of your vehicle. It’s typically held in place by the screws at the top of your license plate. You’ll need to use a drill to bore a small hole behind your license plate into the trunk. Then you run the included video cable from the camera to the transmitter, which stays in your trunk.
To power the transmitter, you’ll need to tap into your car’s reverse light power cable by stripping that cable and attaching it to the power cable of the transmitter using electrician’s tape. This way, the monitor and camera will power on when you put your vehicle in reverse.
This installation process takes around an hour. It’s worth noting that a few rear-view cameras require even less installation. If you are unsure of the safety of your installation, consult with a professional mechanic. Wired installations are very similar, but rather than connecting your camera to a transmitter, you’ll have to run a cable the entire length of your vehicle and physically connect it to your monitor.
Rear-View Cameras: What We Evaluated, What We Found
Field of View: Bigger Is Better When you’re reversing, you want the largest field of view possible. The units we reviewed varied in their horizontal field of view from 90 degrees to 180 degrees. To put that in perspective, your eyes have a field of view of about 130 degrees.
You should look for a camera with a field of view of about 100 degrees or more, to ensure you’re getting complete coverage of your back bumper. If you drive a large truck or SUV, you might want even more coverage. Several of the units we reviewed have 120-degree or wider fields of view, so you can find a camera that has enough coverage for your vehicle.
Night Vision: A Must-Have You do much of your driving when it is dark outside. The best backup cameras have infrared LEDs that illuminate behind your car so you’ll see a black-and-white picture on the monitor. Most of the cameras we reviewed have night vision, even some of the more affordable ones around $70.
Wireless Signal Strength and Quality Interference can be an issue for some wireless backup cameras. They broadcast on the 2.4GHz frequency, which is also used by a variety of common electronics such as Bluetooth devices and Wi-Fi networks. When there is interference in your signal, it leads to degradation of the quality of your picture, even to the point where it can be unusable at times.
Some of the best rear-view cameras have a digital signal that is specific to its transmitter and receiver, which combats interference. This ensures that you have the best possible picture quality, but it is pricey: The cheapest unit we reviewed with a digital signal is around $120.
Of course, another way that camera manufacturers overcome interference issues is with brute strength. A powerful analog signal is more resistant to interference than a weak analog signal. So, if you go with analog, look for a backup camera that has a bigger wireless range than you’ll need. The stronger the signal, the less interference will be an issue. Several of the backup cameras in our top 10 have signals rated for over 50 feet.
The Verdict: Our Recommendations
The Rear View Safety 091406, the Top Ten Reviews Gold Award winner, is the best rear-view camera on the market. It offers a wide, 130-degree field of view and a digital, interference-proof signal. Rear View Safety also has exceptional customer service, so you know you’ll get excellent support with this product.
The TadiBrothers Wireless License Plate Camera is our Silver Award winner and another excellent choice. At around $200, it’s about $50 cheaper than the Rear View Safety model. It has a 120-degree field of view and night vision. It lacks a digital wireless signal; however, its analog signal is rated for 65 feet, which means it has one of the strongest signals we’ve seen, so interference should not be a problem in a typical vehicle. Much like Rear View Safety, TadiBrothers has excellent customer service.
The EsiCam is our Top Ten Reviews New Solution winner and the best value on the rear-view camera because of its new wifi solution to market. It is highly recommended because it is versatile , not only a backup camera, but also a camera for camping safe and home security. Benefit from their built in wifi hotspot, it can turn your old phone/pad into a HD display monitor and recorder.
They have a portable model with battery and creative flash for use outside vehicle:
You can buy it on amazon in US and Europe:
They also have a EsiCam EC07 model without battery for use inside vehicle as dashcam/front view/rear view:
While it’s inexpensive at $59, EsiCam Robot wifi backup camera at amazon.com is the best option if you don’t feel comfortable installing a rear-view camera. it’s one of the best cameras we reviewed.
Contributing Reviewer: Caleb Cross