WigBilly Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Have encountered several brands of domestic wire-free camera systems & wondered if any exist for motorhomes yet?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsandywhite Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 B-) http://tinyurl.com/23oxxp http://tinyurl.com/25ypba http://tinyurl.com/3a2e5k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 What's the point of fitting a wireless camera to a motorhome? you still need to wire a power feed for the camera so you might as well fit a hard wired system anyway. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred grant Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 hello dave - if its wire-less why does it need wires my biddy. this one is beyond fred, or is it just the bank holiday amber necter. flyingfred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 That's precisely my point Fred, wireless camera systems simply replace the wires that carry the picture (and sound) signals to the monitor with a radio transmitter and receiver but the camera still needs power so although the signal transmission is done wirelessly you still need to put a power feed in for the camera. I've seen some where the power for the camera has been taken from the reversing lights. This is ok but you can only use the camera when reversing. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest caraprof Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Most reversing cameras are for reversing! Mine will only show anything within about five feet of the rear of my motorhome and it does only come on when I engage reverse. So to me it seems absolutely obvious that it must be simpler to wire the camera to a reversing light and send the signal to the monitor by radio.The other option, as happened with my 'van, is to have to dismantle a large part of the upper kitchen to feed the camera and then somehow, hide a wire along the entire length of the 'van, through the cab before finally connecting it to the monitor.Or am I missing something obvious? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Fitting reversing cameras is something I do fairly regularly Frank and yes it can be a bit of hassle routing the wire but many people want to use their camera system for rear view while driving and if it only works when in reverse then it can't be used while driving. I would respectfully suggest that if your camera only shows about 5 feet behind the 'van then either the camera is too low, has too narrow a viewing angle or is adjusted poorly. Most camera systems I fit give up to 45 feet of rearwards vision (depending on height the camera is mounted at) at the top of the monitor screen and the bottom would typically be about 12"-18" from the rear bumper. Most people find this is just right as they don't need to get closer than 18" to any obstruction behind them. I have seen some dealer fitted systems where the lower half of the monitor shows nothing but the back of your own motorhome. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Git Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 What do they cost Dave, give or take a few quid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 A good quality system from a reputable brand such as Waeco or Camos with a colour camera and a 5" LCD monitor with sound is around £300-£350 plus fitting. This might sound expensive, especially when compared to items available from Ebay but these systems have seriously robust cameras rated at up to 10 G shock loading and IP64 weather and dirt protection. IP ratings are a measure of the systems resistance to dirt and water ingress, the first digit refers to water and the second to dust. 64 means its good for anytihng up to a close encounter with a high pressure jet wash. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest caraprof Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Dave Newell - 2007-08-28 8:58 AM Fitting reversing cameras is something I do fairly regularly Frank and yes it can be a bit of hassle routing the wire but many people want to use their camera system for rear view while driving and if it only works when in reverse then it can't be used while driving. I would respectfully suggest that if your camera only shows about 5 feet behind the 'van then either the camera is too low, has too narrow a viewing angle or is adjusted poorly. Most camera systems I fit give up to 45 feet of rearwards vision (depending on height the camera is mounted at) at the top of the monitor screen and the bottom would typically be about 12"-18" from the rear bumper. Most people find this is just right as they don't need to get closer than 18" to any obstruction behind them. I have seen some dealer fitted systems where the lower half of the monitor shows nothing but the back of your own motorhome. D. I can only assume then that some are more wide-angle than others. Mine shows everything from about 18 inches from the rear of my 'van to about six or seven feet away and it was originally wired to be on permanently. I found this constant moving image of the bit of road behind me totally useless and distracting and had it rewired to only come on when in reverse.I know that some people have two cameras, one for close-up and one for normal rear view, so not all cameras are suitable for close to distance viewing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Git Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Dave Newell - 2007-08-28 9:21 AM A good quality system from a reputable brand such as Waeco or Camos with a colour camera and a 5" LCD monitor with sound is around £300-£350 plus fitting. This might sound expensive, especially when compared to items available from Ebay but these systems have seriously robust cameras rated at up to 10 G shock loading and IP64 weather and dirt protection. IP ratings are a measure of the systems resistance to dirt and water ingress, the first digit refers to water and the second to dust. 64 means its good for anytihng up to a close encounter with a high pressure jet wash. D. Thanks Dave. My van is only 5.6 metres long, so I guess I almost don't need one. Since having to wear the varifocals however, I find judging distance in the rear view mirror quite a problem, so I may pop over and see you one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 My van is a little over 5 metres but I have a reversing camera. Its not the length of the van that matters really its the big blind spot behind you. :-) D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul2 Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Dave what do you think of Brigade ? I work in a fleet workshop and one of our suppliers says he can do a Brigade reverse camera kit for £300. (i also think wireless is not worth having) Here's the specifications Monitor 5 colour TFT LCD screen Colour and tint controls 10G mechanical shock Brightness and contrast controls 5G mechanical vibration -10°C to +60°C operating temperature 12vdc (direct or from control module) CE and e marked (EMC) Integral speaker with volume control Camera 18 infra-red LEDs Ultra-low light performance Automatic electronic iris 100G mechanical shock Waterproof (IP67) 10G mechanical vibration Sun shield 12vdc (from monitor) -20°C to +70°C operating temperature CE and e marked (EMC) Horizontal viewing angle: 88 Degrees Vertical viewing angle: 66 Degrees Control Module Two camera inputs (to add an extra camera) CE and e marked (EMC) VCR output please let me know what you think as it's not something we fit on our vehicles at work Thanks Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hi Paul, I have fitted a brigade system as supplied by a customer and although the technical specs are good I found it a bit fiddly to fit with the extra control unit. Both the Waeco and Camos units have just the monitor, camera and wiring to deal with but £300 is not a bad price. I'm intrigued by some of the specs though: 10G mechanical shock but only 5G vibration, aren't they one and the same thing? D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred grant Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 Dave Newell - 2007-08-28 4:38 PM Its not the length that matters really its the big blind spot behind you. :-) D. you got alice worried now dave fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 I totally agree with Dave re wireless rear view camera systems, the wireless link is pointless and anyway a good rear view camera system is far to valuable to be used just for reversing. Have a look at http://www.motts.dsl.pipex.com/REAR%20VIEW%20CAMERA.htm For the system I use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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