Backup cameras and perspective

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Cody, mine is mounted on the top of the rear cap on my 5A which puts it at 9 1/2 ft. off of the ground. I have it set so i can see the bugshield on the front of the jeep and am still able to see way back behind me. I am also surprised at how much of a side view i have. Makes it a lot easier to back up.  If you are going to mount it below the top make sure you have enough room for the camera to pivot to the angle that you want before you drill any holes. Seems to me that is why i mounted it on top.

[BG6]

The perspective problem is because of the wide angle lens on the camera.  You're stuffing 120 degrees of view into 30 degrees of screen.  It's the same thing as a bubble mirror.

Rear view cameras have two uses.  First, to help you back up, IN CONJUNCTION with your mirrors.  They let you see when you are approaching an obstacle or a mark on the ground.  Second, they help you make sure that your toad is still there.

In either case, the perspective issue isn't any kind of issue at all.

The problem comes when you try to use it as a rear-view mirror.  You don't do this with your bubble mirrors, so why would you do it with your rear cam?

Use it for what it was designed to do and you won't have a problem.

[cody]

I've don't recall anyone saying they depend on the back up camera for anything other than an aid, I just can't see where it wouldn't be helpful or where it wouldn't be a good idea to remove any blind spots if we could.  I'm sure we all agree that the mirrors are the best way to keep track of whats around us but I'm sure we all also agree that with any large vehicle there are going to be blind spots and if we can minimize those blind spots we will increase or safety margin.

[JackConrad]

Cody,
  Our side camers is installed about 6" above the door opening and closer the to front edge of the door. This works good for us.  Depending on your camera, YMMV  Jack
PS: 3266 was the number Greyhound assigned to this coach when they took delivery of it in November, 1973

[kd5kfl]

I use 4:

blind spot cams at the top front corners
rear view cam at eye level in the back window
tykes and trikes cam, straight down. looking for things you really do not want to back over

the rear view cam is for spotting tailgaters. as noted above, wide angle lenses make distance determination difficult

[Hobie]

Here is a little trick.  Some systems have this built in but here is a DIY.   

Park the bus on a large flat parking lot.  Then attach a long 60 foot or longer tape measure the the driver side rear bumper and pull it straight out behind the bus. 

Now go inside and view the monitor.  Use a grease pencil and trace the tape measure line on the screen.  (Or, cut a piece of clear acetate to the screen size and trace using a permanent ink pen )  Place a red cone or (or something) on the tape at specific distances ... 10', 20', 30'.   Mark these distances on the screen as well.   

Move the tape to the curb side and repeat.

These lines will form a 'V' shape on the screen and accurately show the sides of your 'footprint' with distances.   This method will be correct for any lens, height and wherever the camera is pointed.

As already noted, your camera should not replace a second pair of eyes when backing but another tool while in the drivers seat.

[buswarrior]

Whatever floats your boat?

The need to see beside and behind the coach is practical in nature.

Rule #1: Don't hit anything.

Being able to see what's beside and behind is critical to Rule #1.

And watching the toad hitch come apart and drag on the ground might be good too...

For the novice reader, the points being made are that cameras may be used along with the mirrors and a helper when necessary to keep rule #1 intact, unless your camera system can match or surpass the view that the mirrors can provide, in which case, give us a shout!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[cody]

Another thing about the backup camera that should be noted is the mic, our wives don't have to carry a small radio if they are being spotters as we back into tight spots and it's even like marriage, with the mic we can hear them but they can't hear us which is sometimes a good thing lol.  I'm in favor of bringing any assist we can that will make our travel safer, with some of the electronics available now it's getting to be gadget heaven lol. 

[John316]

Cody,

Sorry, I haven't measured ours yet. I will try to do it today.

So far I have been able to communicate with hand signals. We use a lot of the same ones that we use for backing concrete trucks in.

God bless,

John

[buswarrior]

And in order to further protect that spousal relationship, some of us have been known to brazenly back it in with nothing but the mirrors God put on the coach at its manufacture.

Campground lets out a collective sigh of unfulfilled anticipation, as there will be no hooting, hollering, hose bib crushing, electrical panel smashing, neighbour's awning clipping, maneuvering entertainment from this campground site...

Pull up, back in, shut down.

Look up high, busnut, look up high....

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[cody]

lol, yep entertainment is a good word for it, I watched a fifth wheel with a boat on the back of it try to back into a site a few days ago, why the guy didn't unhook the boat I don't know but he zigged and zagged for 15 minutes and still couldn't keep it straight (hard to figure isn't it lol), he wouldn't accept any help and I'm not sure who was madder, him or his wife that was spotting for him, all brand new equipment too except for the boat, both the truck and the fifth wheel had the paper tags on them so they had just been bought.

[buswarrior]

Go practice in a parking lot after hours, where there are no spectators/witnesses.

Busnuts have a responsibility to the hobby to avoid embarrassing the rest of us.

No campground driving antics out of a converted coach, eh?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[cody]

I've never had a back up camera before so it'll be a novelty for a while, we've had rv's of one sort or another since 1976 so for us manuvering the bus isn't a problem, we're kind of used to using the mirrors, thats all we've had for so many years, I guess I'm a dinosaur or too poor to keep up with technology, more likely just a dinosaur lol.

[Len Silva]

Go practice in a parking lot after hours, where there are no spectators/witnesses.

Busnuts have a responsibility to the hobby to avoid embarrassing the rest of us.

No campground driving antics out of a converted coach, eh?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

I remember watching mechanics at Central Florida Transit bringing buses into the garage and over a pit. Seemed like they rolled in at 20 mph, and hit the brakes one time before they shut down.  Pretty impressive.  When I had my own pit, it would take me ten minutes of checking every few feet to make sure I was centered.

[BG6]

Go practice in a parking lot after hours, where there are no spectators/witnesses.
Busnuts have a responsibility to the hobby to avoid embarrassing the rest of us.

If you wake up some morning to find that someone has stuffed Winnebago pamphlets under your windshield wipers, you'll know that you failed in your responsibility.