To buy or not buy a reversing camera?
Hello, everyone,
I'm looking forward to getting my first caravan next week :-) I was thinking of buying a reversing camera as I like the idea of being able to see behind the van when driving and also reversing onto my drive although I've not actually ever done that before. I am going on the caravan handling course at Darling soon.
The caravan is fitted with motor movers.
My question is, what model / make of camera would you recommend, as there a so many out there.
Thanks for any advice you can give a newbie to all of this..
Comments
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I too have motor movers and find that, for me, there is no specific need for a reversing camera. The van can be moved from any point around it so that at all times I have clear visibility of how close it may be to any obstruction. Even when pitching up you need only use the car to get it approximately right, on the pitch, then use the movers to put it in the final position.
Enjoy the course, its the best thing I ever did and learned a lot.
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I would say good extension mirrors are more important when you are driving as you need to see where the sides of the van are rather than what's immediately behind you. You need to drive by your mirrors far more than with a solo car.
The movers will likely be your best aid for reversing onto your drive.
Don't rush into getting a reversing camera but see how you get on is my advice.
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Just bear in mind that reversing cameras and rear view cameras are two different things. For reversing, you need a wide angle lens to give you the best view possible over a short distance. However, when used for rear-view purposes when driving, the wide angle means that distances are distorted to the extent that it's not very helpful. For that purpose, you need a lens with no more than a 90 degree viewing angle and 60 degrees is better. Most reversing cameras are something like 120 degrees.
I bought the Falcon Technology magnetic / rechargeable / wifi powered camera because it doesn't require any drilling into the van or power source. You view the picture on your phone. In reality, it wasn't very good because of the distorted picture and viewing it, even on a large smartphone wasn't very clear and almost impossible to see in sunlight.
It worked OK on our previous Barcelona, but won't work with the present Knaus because it is aluminium clad and the signal won't get through to the car - so it's kicking around somewhere in the garage, doing nothing!
I'm managing fine with my mirrors and regard that particular camera as a waste of money.
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I bought the Falcon Technology magnetic / rechargeable / wifi powered camera because it doesn't require any drilling into the van or power source. You view the picture on your phone. In reality, it wasn't very good because of the distorted picture and viewing it, even on a large smartphone wasn't very clear and almost impossible to see in sunlight.
It worked OK on our previous Barcelona, but won't work with the present Knaus because it is aluminium clad and the signal won't get through to the car - so it's kicking around somewhere in the garage, doing nothing!
I'm managing fine with my mirrors and regard that particular camera as a waste of money.
I did much the same but I used mine initially with and old 7 inch Samsung tablet which also used to host my Sat Nav. I had similar results and thoughts as richardandros. However, when I updated to an 8 inch tablet and tried it with that, it worked fine and is still in use on the back of my 8 meter motorhome today. I put my problems down to using too old a version of Android.
The 8 inch Samsung tablet now hosts my Sat Nav and reversing camera and I switch between the two as necessary.
peedee
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Better from a security point of view to put your caravan nose-in on the driveway.
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The Falcon WiFi model is rechargable battery powered and last about 6 hours. No wiring necessary. Effective distance is claimed at 30 meters but I would treat that as line of sight. I think it is much less when attached to the back of a van.
peedee
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Any device that enables you to see what’s behind you is essential. In France at a toll booth the vehicle in front of us broke down. It was pleasing to look at the camera and see that no one was behind me. In that situation extension mirrors are useless as the vehicle behind is invariably tight up behind you
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I fitted a camera below the entrance door so I could see when entering a tight campsite gate at right angles to road. Wing mirrors do not work here due to car angle.
Driveway parking use motor mover. Having scorned them from old caravans before they existed I now realise how useful they are -
1. You can stand next to caravan and see
2. Bigger heavier caravans are simple to move
3. When engaged the van will not roll away onto a wall.
4. You do not risk burning your clutch.
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Just on the point of the requirement to fit extension mirrors when towing.
Today many lorries are being fitted with cameras rather than rear view mirrors. I have not idea how these compare however I would expect the powers that be have checked them thoroughly before certifying them.
I wonder when if such an option will soone be available for cars towing?
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