You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
There's lots of different kits available but having never fit one, I'm looking for any recommendations. I looked at the rear view mirror types but they look a bit naff.
Car is a 2019 Berlingo which has rear parking sensors. I'd like to fit a camera that will work with the current screen but not sure how easy it is to access the wiring behind it. Happy to have the camera inside as I don't really want to drill any holes.
You can get wireless ones on ebay. I have one, just not fitted yet..
I've fitted two Boscam ones now.
Absolutely brilliant.
Mine were the wired ones, and they have their own screens.
Fairly easy to fit really. Hardest bit is cable routing and getting the trims off.
Bent coat hanger wire and tape are your friends.
I'd like to fit one to my van which doesn't have rear windows or a mirror. I'd like to put the screen where the mirror would be. Wiring will be easy as there's no interior trim and I'm not scared to drill holes in it!
Unfortunately I've never done one before so I'm similarly clueless. Watching with interest.
Technically it’s not too difficult but can be daunting when you have to start taking lots of trim off to route the cables and get behind the dash to route video to the existing screen. Helps to find a forum for your vehicle as they will usually have a guide from some one who has done it before.
Some cars have a proprietary system for video so it’s not practical to plug the camera feed into them. Eg my Renault Trafic 2011 has the Renault Carminat Tom Tom navigation system with a little screen but this uses component video rather than the usual composite format that’s pretty universal from the aftermarket cameras. A convert box costs £200 making it not feasible. Just better to use a different screen for the reverse camera rather than integrate it in with the existing one.
An aftermarket radio with a screen should be a doddle they pretty much all have composite video inputs and it should just be case of plugging the camera into the back.
Maybe a separate screen would be much easier then. They seem relatively cheap and mostly have good reviews. The tricky part if finding a suitable location for the screen; don't really want it on the windscreen or ontop of the dash.
I have one with a separate wired screen on the back of. 7.2 m long van. Great thing for reversing up to the trailer with the tow ball in the right place.
I also drive a 2015 Peugeot partner.
I'd be thinking about it being necessary to the point of the hassle of fitting it. An easier vehicle to reverse there isn't. It's flat backed backed and has massive mirrors for the size of it and reversing beeper.....unless of course your using it to hitch up a caravan with ease 🙂
I have a cheap twin camera dashcam in my van. It's positioned where a rear view mirror would go with a long wire to the rear camera. It works brilliantly as a mirror and reversing camera, recording both front and rear views too. I wouldn't be without it.
£15 for screen AND £15 for a camera... main decision os if you want a rear view or reversing.
I think rear views are illegal (weirdly you can have no mirror/rear windows but putting a rear view to see behind)... but you can hack a reversing camera so long as it doesn't have LED's by just completing the circuit. you also want one you can mirror (so left is left)
Still deciding where to put mine .. I got 2 cameras and the £15 screen does both inputs... currently doing one high and one low and thinking to wire the low into the reverse lights so it switches over when you put it in reverse.
A twin camera version would be nice. The windscreen is very high so looking from the very top down would help. That's a good 30cm higher than the top of my head. I'm short so can't see the bonnet.
The windscreen is very high so looking from the very top down would help.
Cameras are tiny and mine are currently just fitted with some neodymium magnets .. these are stack to get the right heights...
It works brilliantly as a mirror and reversing camera, recording both front and rear views too. I wouldn’t be without it.
Are you legally allowed to use it as a reversing mirror? I thought they were only allowed to display when reversing.
I'm using this camera.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WPYJMSQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
with this screen
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006MPY198/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(cheaper on ebay but wanted delivery)
I just replaced the supplied wire so I can see behind me when going forwards... the camera doesn't have a light like some so you aren't going to get pulled over if you prefer being able to see behind you when not in reverse.
Are you legally allowed to use it as a reversing mirror? I thought they were only allowed to display when reversing.
I use mine alot for monitoring over hang swing in tight spaces when going forward.
Legal or not.its better than hitting something.
But it's on a switch and turned off at all other times. And thus never been commented on.
Can't imagine having it on while driving along. Major distraction at night would drive me nuts. Assuming you have the legally required two mirrors it would be unnessecary anyway
If you get one for reversing it's worth checking if the image can be flipped, otherwise it's much - much - harder than just using the mirrors.
Interestingly, dashcams with a rear camera are cheaper than dedicated reverse parking cameras.
Any reason why I can't just use a dashcam with a rear camera, then switch to the rear cam when parking?
I’ve fitted a few of these types for people including one in a Berlingo
AUTO-VOX V5 Mirror Dash Cam 1080P Dual Dash Cam Front and Rear with Night Vision, Sepcial for RHD Cars, 9.35'' Full Touch Screen Rear View Mirror with Reversing Camera, Parking Mode, GPS Tracking https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081134XR2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_FC2YR9GAEZN0WT7C1KSY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Still working a couple of years on fine.
You can get similar types for less on EBay, again, I’ve fitted these and as far as I know they’re still working fine.
I use mine alot for monitoring over hang swing in tight spaces when going forward.
Legal or not.its better than hitting something.
Of I agree completely.... but hence why I got the non illuminated one.
But it’s on a switch and turned off at all other times. And thus never been commented on.
Can’t imagine having it on while driving along. Major distraction at night would drive me nuts. Assuming you have the legally required two mirrors it would be unnecessary anyway
doesn't bother me, its pretty dim unless a car headlights are right up your arse.
For some reason the traffic III lower wide angle mirrors (so I'd assume vivaro and nissan) don't adjust so I lose 1/2 of that in the bodywork.
However its also good to see if for example someone has rolled up right behind you at the lights on a hill.
It's worth doing a quick search online to see if anyone has documented the procedure for your car and radio. It could be easy it could be really hard? Eg some cars may already have the wiring for a camera pre installed as it would be common optional extra people go for. So might just be a case of attaching a camera to the existing wires and job done.
But yes second screen is usually the easier method, as the revering camera system is independent of other systems in the car, so it less likely you mess something up and now the fog lights don't work etc ...
Depending on the size of the screen you go for. you might be able to mount it in the sun shade. Just fold it down when ever you need to see whats going on.
There is a kit I can get for my car but its expensive and lots of wires. I'd give it a go on an older car but don't want to be drilling holes in anything on a 1 year old car.
I've fitted a couple now, 1 to a Honda Accord fitted into the factory sat nav screen and one in my van to a Pioneer double DIN touch screen radio. Both just composite video. I think all the touch screen stereos support rear view cameras, auto switching when you select reverse.
Honda did a full set of instructions telling you step by step what trim to remove etc. Invest in some trim removal tools and take your time as you go. Use grommets and protect cables as they pass through the bodywork + panels. You don't want to have to go back and repair anything! No drilling required both times. Nowhere near as scary as drilling the bumpers for sensors 🙂 Honda wanted £300 for the kit, I think my camera was £15 off ebay.
Both cases I used cameras that replaced a number plate light. Worked well enough, but it would be nicer if they were dead centre on the car.
Like some others have said - there will be an owners forum and a step by step guide somewhere.
I started off reading this thread, now I've decided I need an Android head unit. Then I can cure my lack of DAB, Spotify, Google maps etc. Then all I need then is a tiny camera to plug in somewhere. Expensive month coming up I think.