backup cameras

downtheroad wrote:
old guy...
I installed one of these (wired)...works great, fun easy install. Absolutely great for hitching and daily driving. Check it out and if you have questions email me.

Hopkins LINK...HERE

This one is on sale at Northern tool as we speak for only $125.
I put mine in this week. It works great. All you do is plug it in to the rear of the 7 pin. Run the cable to the cab, (I tie wired mine to the wiring harness running along the frame) find a way in, and plug it to the monitor. Clear, perfect picture. I can't recommend it enough. Even has sensors that let you know when you are getting close.

old guy wrote:
...any suggestions on backup cameras, wired or not.

You get what you pay for. :W Several years ago I invested a rather modest $120 in a Peak Wireless Camera system which actually worked quite well for hitching up but the transmitter unfortunately died last year. Also unfortunate was the fact that by then I was also totally dependent on being able to see what I was doing when hitching up so I replaced the Peak with a Swift Hitch SH02 wireless camera system. No, not inexpensive, but unlike most systems in the few hundred $ range both the Swift camera / transmitter and the Swift monitor are totally self powered, meaning there's no need to connect either in any way to the vehicle, so placing either anywhere you want for any purpose is easy. Aside from using it to spot my hitch ball when backing up I've also used it around the house for getting views of areas I otherwise couldn't access ... very useful. The camera / transmitter unit is cast metal, unlike most competing units which are plastic, transmission distance will easily accommodate any TV / trailer combination. Great system, wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone, but if you're looking for "cheap" don't bother. :W

Just a few notes on camera systems.

Firstly wireless.

Only the older or cheaper systems suffer from interference. the latest systems use 2.4GHz digital communications with the cameras actually synced to the monitor. These cannot pick up other cameras and being digital it is all or nothing (like your TV) and, if nothing, it is usually just a matter of adjusting the antenna.

Back up v's rearview

It is important to note that a back up (reversing) camera is different to a rear view camera. Backup systems are usually interfaced with the reversing lights and provide an extremely wide angle (170deg) view with very limited depth of view. Rear view cameras on the other hand and are designed to provide continuous rear viewing while driving. These vary from 45deg to 120deg viewing angle depending on the task (back up viewing or highway viewing).

Cheers
Craig
InnoTechRV.com

Rear View Safety....from Costco on line. The best and most affordable!

I took a chance on one of the cheap ebay wireless ones, and I'm just finishing up the installation. It's only a 23' footer but it seems to work just fine.

If it doesn't last, then I'm out $70 and not $270. Or more.

Obviously, I haven't road tested it and no idea on it's longevity yet. But, I have to admit, so far so good.

The cautions:
- the instructions are worthless. Chinglish at best. But with a little fiddling and a 12V power source, it took about 3 mins to figure it out.
- not an issue of the camera, but I'm spending most of my time trying to figure out a nice place to mount the monitor. I hate visible wires so I'm trying to come up with an unobtrusive spot
- the wireless antenna on the monitor sticks out a bit more than I would have wanted
- I wish that the cable that feed power/video into the monitor had been positioned better

If folks want to know more, I can post pictures of the progress.

with my cheap wireless I occasionally would pick up security cameras from businesses and also every time I went by a corner in Leesburg, a baby monitor.
bumpy

Concerning wireless systems, if you happen to be in an area near other wireless networks the interference will be ever present.

I am using a wireless & having good luck with it, but I extended the cable lengths & moved the Transmitter closer to the Monitor & it now works perfect. I did run the cables along the frame rail & up between the cab & bed with loom & in through the rear slider window, so the transmitter is just inside, mounted with adhesive Velcro. I also connected the hot lead & ground at the left rear tail light assembly. The hot is connected to my "tail/running" lights. I prefer this over connecting to the back-up lights, as all I have to do is turn the running lights on & I have constant power when hitching up. I use the power switch on the monitor to turn it on/off or just turn the running lights off. Cmaera is a Refurb Yada on Ebay for $54


Painted the lip of the TT tongue to help.

You can see the yellow lip of the tongue lines up with the yellow marker on the monitor & that tells me the ball is directly under the tongue perfectly.

old guy...
I installed one of these (wired)...works great, fun easy install. Absolutely great for hitching and daily driving. Check it out and if you have questions email me.

Hopkins LINK...HERE

What you have heard about the wireless systems, tends to get worse with distance and interferrence from road dust and traffic. For hitching only, wireless might work just fine.

I myself, use a wired system, but, that's because I use it for more than just hitching. I have a camera mounted on rear of my truck camper, mounted on rear of my travel trailer, and mounted on an aluminum bracket the I can set up for hitching the trailer, or, loading the truck camper.

for that use any $79 wireless should work.
bumpy