John.N Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I'm thinking of installing a reversing camera on my Autosleeper Legend. I understand that the standard system requires a wiring connection between the camera and the monitor which will obviously need to be professionally fitted at considerable expense. However, I am told that there are DIY wireless units now available. I would be grateful for any recommendations together with details of cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 IMHO wireless camera systems are a waste of money on a motorhome. you need to run a power feed to the camera so you might as well hard wire one in anyway. Also wireless cameras are very susceptible to interference and you can bet a pound to a pinch of summat you don't want to tread in that it will get the interference just when you need it most. Get the best quality system you can afford from a reputable dealer who will give you decent support in the event of a problem would be my advice. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshague Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 maplins have one at http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=224282and it works . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Recently bought and fitted one of these wireless units. Works a treat. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WIRELESS-BACKUP-REVERSING-CAMERA-SYSTEM-LCD-MONITOR-VR3_W0QQitemZ270379943316QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3ef3e68594&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1683|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliB Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Wireless reversing can work well but may not work all the time or produce the results you expect. I work for a CCTV company and we stopped selling wireless reversing cameras because of too many dissatisfied customers. Wireless cameras will usually operate on the 2.4GHz band. This band is also used by wireless broadband routers, cordless phones, baby monitors, some Bluetooth devices and many more. The transmission output power from the camera is usually quite low as the signal has only to propagate a short distance. This means the signal can easily be swamped by stronger signals in the area. If your neighbour has his wireless broadband running when you are reversing up your drive it is perfectly feasible for his signal to wipe out the signal from your camera. Wireless baby monitors are notoriously poor quality and often do not give results as expected. Consequently people buy additional antennae to boost the signal. The regulations only allow these to be fitted to the receiver to “pull in” the signal. People do fit them to the transmitter, despite our warnings when we sell them. So don’t be surprised if you suddenly see a baby in your reversing monitor. You are not going to run it over it is simply a spurious transmission from a nearby baby monitor. Wireless cameras are usually low in price because they reduce performance in other areas. They may not have night-vision so you will be relying on the power of the vehicle’s reversing light to see anything. Without getting too technical they are often based on CMOS image sensors which give grainy images in poorer light compared to the better quality CCD sensors. There are plenty of wired reversing kits on the market which include a camera, cable and monitor. All the connectors are pre-fitted so it is fairly “plug-n-play”. You just have to pick up power from the vehicle reversing light which only comes on when reverse is selected. If your budget is low then go for the Maplin type wireless camera but I always believe a high value motorhome should have similar quality accessories fitted. Once you’ve drilled the holes you don’t want to be changing the product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John.N Posted June 16, 2009 Author Share Posted June 16, 2009 Many thanks to all responders particularly to AliB for his excellent semi-technical explanation. I think I'll abandon the wireless idea and explore the cost of fitting the more convential system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 If I change my van I will probably need a reversing camera as well. Currently use waeco reversing sensors which work well, but as I will probably have a tow bar mounted bike rack on smaller van I will need to see this for reversing........ Do they always only work when in reverse? as it would be nice to have a view of the road when driving along.... would be interested in an approximate fitted cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Depending on how the power supply is sourced, they can be either always on or just when in reverse gear. I have mine on always as I have no rear window and the mirror effect is useful when driving. Its also handy to check the car is still hanging on the back too. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 JudgeMental - 2009-06-16 1:22 PM If I change my van I will probably need a reversing camera as well. Currently use waeco reversing sensors which work well, but as I will probably have a tow bar mounted bike rack on smaller van I will need to see this for reversing........ Do they always only work when in reverse? as it would be nice to have a view of the road when driving along.... would be interested in an approximate fitted cost?We have a Waeco one with two lenses, one for reversing and the other for permanent rear view. It works very well, but is a bit pricey. One snag with bike racks is that they obstruct the look down reversing view, especially if the bikes are covered. You really need a camera that is rack mounted, or one you can move to the rack when using it. Such items are available, but not generally from the "normal" reversing camera suppliers. You'll probably need to speak to a CCTV specialist, or maybe a firm that does HGV installations, many of which now include multiple cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 AliB - 2009-06-16 11:22 AMOnce you’ve drilled the holes you don’t want to be changing the product. Two small holes through the top of the number plate is no big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Hi John, just a little idea for you as I have a Legend. I fitted the camera inside the back window under the top locker, goes there easy as it is a 45 degree angle and aims quite well to where you need to see for reversing saves making a hole in your van to fit it outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John.N Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Thanks for the tip Ranger. Such a simple idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo3090 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Here's a non invasive, non technical foolproof way of reversing safely that I use when reversing my van or if I'm driving a truck into a loading bay or some such place. Pull over, get out walk round the van checking for obstructions, (especially overhangs and low level guttering), in your intended path, work out your manoeuvre, lower your drivers window, or both if electrical ones, if possible, get someone to watch you back, then reverse the vehicle looking in the two shiney things attached to the front door posts of the van! I do have a camera fitted to the van but have used it twice, once when the dealer showed me round the van and once to impress my neighbour when I got it home. I think they are a distraction and don't give you a width perspective, or if the mirror is pointing down, a height perspective of the place you are reversing into. Most reversing tends to be into pitches or drives and they are fairly simple manoeuvres anyway. Or should be if you are a capable driver! If you are unsure of reversing then why not take one of the training courses offered by the clubs, or go out and practice on a car park on a Sunday afternoon. Then the money for the cost of the camera and fitting can be spent on something more useful like beer, wine or cakes! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliB Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Ranger - 2009-06-16 10:04 PM Hi John, just a little idea for you as I have a Legend. I fitted the camera inside the back window under the top locker, goes there easy as it is a 45 degree angle and aims quite well to where you need to see for reversing saves making a hole in your van to fit it outside. I'd be interested to know how well the camera performs when it is dark. If it is good please tell us the make or model. Expert drivers like Tomo can reverse without a camera. I need to get the rear of the vehicle within 2 inches of the end wall to just allow room for the car to turn into the drive. Just looking in the side mirrors does not allow this degree of accuracy. Brian's Waeco dual camera is one of the nicest on the market but I cannot comprehend why it is so expense. As a CCTV company we supply all sorts of HGV cameras. If anyone wants details they can PM me as don't want to use the forum as an advertising platform Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 The only reason I have a reversing camera is to ensure there are no little children out of sight around the back, they move so fast and squash very easily. Regarding in the dark, wire the camera to the rear fog lights, with them on ( Legend has two ) lots of good bright red light which is good in the dark and does not effect your eye sight when you look else where, like into your mirrors. If you need a bit more light switch on your hazards too they are quite bright. Hope that helps a little? I am a bit " belt & braces " I have sensors too ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I have put a a square of acetate on the screen which has marked the width of the M/home (plus 150mm each side) and a series of lines which show the distances to the rear of the m/home. It was set up with a couple of 4X2 lengths and drawn with a marker pen. It helps !! Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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