Cheap backup camera

Lin · February 10, 2008, 04:28:58 PM

I just got back from Costco where I purchased their Vehicle Back-up Camera (item# 202791) for 69.99. Of course, I have not tried it yet, and I know it will not be perfect. It is 12 volt so I will have to get the camera a power source back there. I have plenty of 12 volt supply in the front for the monitor It is wireless, so I am not sure if it will work at almost 35 feet but am hoping that giving it extra height will help. Maybe there is a way to attach an external antenna. They suggest taking power off the back-up light circuit so it cuts on whenever you go in reverse. I would rather be able to turn it on at will. I'll have to think on this a bit. Although I do not feel like running a wire just for this, maybe it is time I run a harness of wires for this and other things that will come up. Anyway, I just wanted to alert any of you that, like me, depend on divine grace when going in reverse.

Lin · February 10, 2008, 05:03:20 PM

By the way, it is a Winplus model #13107a.

kd5kfl · February 10, 2008, 05:19:09 PM

I run 2 hard wired backup cams.

1 in the back window as a rear view mirror.

1 on top, pointed straight down, to see tykes on trikes and pets. Would be very helpful if I had a trailer hitch.

DO NOT waste money on CMOS cameras. They are junk. No night vision. CCD cameras, or better yet, Super HAD CCD.

An expensive but worthwhile candidate:

http://www.supercircuits.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4222

My monitor:

http://www.supercircuits.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3984

That camera can be set up as normal or mirror image. Very wide field of view, it could see the ground below the motorhome and the front of a vehicle parked 10 - 15 feet behind it. You have to be creative about mounting it, that ball and socket mount is not suitable for road use.

Lin · February 10, 2008, 06:23:35 PM

Well, I just ran a test. It was supposed to have about a 30 foot range, but it did not get a stable picture even at 15 feet. I guess this was not a day for Santi Claus. The link that you sent is not all that expensive. I was hoping that this would be something easy and usable until I got around to something better. No such luck.

David Anderson · February 10, 2008, 06:58:04 PM

Lin,

When I was looking for a system I read somewhere (Woodalls, maybe) that the wireless systems just wouldn't work well in a motorhome application. I bought a two camera system off Ebay from some ebay store importer. Color, reversible, hardwired, and works well so far. I bought it in November, so haven't had it too long, but I'm pleased so far. Paid $340 for the system

David

boogiethecat · February 10, 2008, 07:00:40 PM

Supercircuits has been my choice for cameras for a looong time. They have top quality cameras and reasonable prices. BUT until now, they never had a camera that would reverse. The one kd5kfl posted is way neat- if you look at the PDF that accompanies it, it actually has a wire that selects normal/mirror. I may just have to get one... the camera I'm now using is a normal one, and I have a weird box called a "video mirror" that I got on ebay that reverses the image. But it's clumsy.
Thanks kd5kfl !!!

A cool trick I use for my monitor is a little box I get from ebay called a "VGA box" (example: Item number: 230219737519 )
This little wonder has 4 analog video inputs, a VGA input, and a VGA output. Buttons select which input will be active, and whatever comes in gets converted to VGA. As I remember it runs fine on 12 volts.

SO first off, you can use as large of an LCD monitor as you'd like- you get an LCD VGA computer monitor, and make sure you get one that has a 12-14 volt power adapter so it'll run on your coach's 12 volts, hook it all up and away you go... the bonus of doing it this way is that you now have a GIANT monitor as compared to the video ones you usually find, and you can select any one of 4 cameras, or your computer. Mine? I have two cameras, a DVD player, and a PC with GPS.
I got into the VGA box and brought the select button wires out to buttons that I mounted to the side of me as I drive, so I can select at will.
So one monitor does it all, it does it BIG and it's really cool. I use it as a rear view mirror when I drive....
cheers
Boogie

coachconverter · February 10, 2008, 07:04:04 PM

I also bought a Wireless deal, from Crutchfield for almost $300 to put in a Sprinter conversion.

After wiring in the the camera in the rear and testing the rearview mirror/monitor which checked out inside my shop, it all went down the tube on the road. This is about a 20 foot vehicle with no interior yet and it still failed.

I agree with what was mentioned earlier, although it sounds great, the wireless outfits are not great. Luckily I was able to return it.

Todd

DrivingMissLazy · February 10, 2008, 07:08:37 PM

Quote from: coachconverter on February 10, 2008, 07:04:04 PM
I also bought a Wireless deal, from Crutchfield for almost $300 to put in a Sprinter conversion.

After wiring in the the camera in the rear and testing the rearview mirror/monitor which checked out inside my shop, it all went down the tube on the road. This is about a 20 foot vehicle with no interior yet and it still failed.

I agree with what was mentioned earlier, although it sounds great, the wireless outfits are not great. Luckily I was able to return it.

Todd

Maybe he should do a quick temporary install test to see how it works while he can still return it.

Richard

boogiethecat · February 10, 2008, 07:13:47 PM

oops, hit the quote button instead of the edit button... $:-\$

DrivingMissLazy · February 10, 2008, 07:19:27 PM

Quote from: boogiethecat on February 10, 2008, 07:13:47 PM
oops, hit the quote button instead of the edit button... $:-\$

I was just getting ready to send a response and find out if you really wanted that as a quote or not. I could have removed the quote for you. But it is all gone now. Hope you did not lose all that typing. LOL

Richard

Lin · February 10, 2008, 07:26:39 PM

As mentioned, this was from Costco. That is the only reason I bought it since there is never any problem returning things. I gave it a fair test, and it's useless, so back it goes.

H3Jim · February 13, 2008, 07:59:28 AM

I've seen Boogie the Cat's setup and its slick. In fact its so slick I just ordered one of these boxes from ebay. thanks!

I already have a 15" LCD monitor mounted on my dash, so this will work perfectly!

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · February 13, 2008, 10:01:11 AM

Hi Lin,

I dislike "Cheap" Cheap always pays Twice....

"It only costs a little more to go First Class" "Rodger Penske"

Good Luck
Nick-

Lin · February 13, 2008, 10:27:43 AM

Nick,
No doubt, it is better to go first class, but I have found that often people pay first class prices for things that are not substantially better. I am primarily into function in things like this. Since my intention was to try it out without installing it, power up the camera and monitor and see if they worked at any distance, I was done with it in 20 minutes. It's one of those things that I feel drawn to try out of unreasonable optimism. But I have to say, that when one of those gambits works, I sure feel good. Right now, there is a 45 foot semi trailer for sale nearby. It looks like I am going to buy it and have our earthly possessions hauled about 500 miles to move there. If it all works out, I will have a reasonably priced moved and a great storage shed/shop when I get there. If not, I will have a new understanding of the glory of professional movers.

I agree with you about disliking "cheap" like Harbor Freight screwdrivers, but "cheap" like just-as-good-for-less is fine with me.

Dallas · February 13, 2008, 12:43:42 PM

Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on February 13, 2008, 10:01:11 AM

"It only costs a little more to go First Class" "Rodger Penske"

Good Luck
Nick-

Isn't Roger Penske the guy who was too cheap to develop the 2 cycle Detroit into an engine that could and would be viable as mandated by the EPA far into the 21st century? Instead he went with the 60 series 4 stroke that took over 10 years of on road trial and error to become a decent engine.
In the early 80's I operated a test bed vehicle with the "New" 60 series in it, ... ceramic bearings, ECM/solenoid operated valves, variable waste gate Turbo, a truely loverly engine, if you liked stopping for a couple of days every 3000 miles for repairs, adjustments and replacement parts.
I actually gained more respect for the Cummins Triple Nickel and the Cummins 903VT.

Now we have companies like Don Fairchild's that can pull the same power and epa ratings from the 2 strokes.

Just as a point of information, the largest, most efficient engines in oceanic shipping are 2 stroke, based on the original Detroit designs.

Just my pair o' pesos,

Dallas