backup-camera-systems
- Thread starter leymas
- Start date
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I had a system in my pickup, long WB with no way to see where I am backing, opps.... I mean see what I just hit...
Just kidding
Seriously, I am not using a camera setup from a kit that I have seen at camper world and in catalogs but I bought a bunch of inexpensive cameras on eBay and hooked them up to a simple 5 inch LCD monitor using a toggle switche between two cameras. The monitor cost more than all the cameras and went out a few months ago.
I am going to install the system with more cameras on my cargo van, which should be easy. I am going to use the three cameras, one looking directly behind the van and two mounted on the side facing the outward from the left and right side to make sure I don’t get clipped from someone while I am backing up. I almost got clipped today backing out of a parking spot and a camera would have made me feel safer.
I am going to try an experiment and mount a camera inside top of the front doors looking backwards to eliminate blind spots. I think it would help. I did drive a Chevrolet a couple years ago that they were testing cameras all over the truck and they even had a set replaced the mirrors, pretty cool.
I am bidding on a DVD player with a 7 inch screen and video inputs which I hope to get it cheap to replace the 5 inch monitor that I have. I hope to find a video splitter or maybe plans so I can build one so I can split the screen and have two views at one time.
In England they have a reverse camera system whith replaces the rear view mirror and it reverses the image. It is really a neat but odd way of using a camera system.
My father said he feels I am overdoing it with three cameras, which I replied at $30 a camera; three or even five cameras and monitor are far cheaper than hitting something behind you and costing you a few thousand dollars.
Just kidding
Seriously, I am not using a camera setup from a kit that I have seen at camper world and in catalogs but I bought a bunch of inexpensive cameras on eBay and hooked them up to a simple 5 inch LCD monitor using a toggle switche between two cameras. The monitor cost more than all the cameras and went out a few months ago.
I am going to install the system with more cameras on my cargo van, which should be easy. I am going to use the three cameras, one looking directly behind the van and two mounted on the side facing the outward from the left and right side to make sure I don’t get clipped from someone while I am backing up. I almost got clipped today backing out of a parking spot and a camera would have made me feel safer.
I am going to try an experiment and mount a camera inside top of the front doors looking backwards to eliminate blind spots. I think it would help. I did drive a Chevrolet a couple years ago that they were testing cameras all over the truck and they even had a set replaced the mirrors, pretty cool.
I am bidding on a DVD player with a 7 inch screen and video inputs which I hope to get it cheap to replace the 5 inch monitor that I have. I hope to find a video splitter or maybe plans so I can build one so I can split the screen and have two views at one time.
In England they have a reverse camera system whith replaces the rear view mirror and it reverses the image. It is really a neat but odd way of using a camera system.
My father said he feels I am overdoing it with three cameras, which I replied at $30 a camera; three or even five cameras and monitor are far cheaper than hitting something behind you and costing you a few thousand dollars.
G
guest
Guest
This website has a great selection of backup camera systems at great prices. The fellow who does the business is very knowledgeable about the different components and will talk to you all you want about different camera/monitor options. I bought the $349 system and it's really cool. I haven't seen better prices anywhere.
http://www.rvcams.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RBCARVS&Category_Code=1
If you are thinking about modifying another camera setup (such as a wireless camera or a system designed for security use) be aware that a backup camera has to reverse the image or you will think the car is on one side of the truck when it is actually on the other. Backup cameras take care of this image reversal so that what you see in the monitor looks like you are looking in a rear view mirror.
One of the cool things about a dash monitor is the video feed it receives can be from more than just a backup camera. For example, let's say you have your backup camera, a laptop computer with an S-video cable output, and a DVD player. You could get one of those Radio Shack A/V switchers that accomodate four audio/video components. You hook the backup camera, laptop S-video output and DVD player to the switcher. Now you have access to your backup camera, laptop screen and DVD player on one screen from the driver's seat. Obviously, you don't want to watch DVDs while you are driving, but if you have GPS on your laptop the dash mounted screen would give you a pretty low cost dash mounted GPS unit and you could toggle between the GPS and the backup camera as needed. The switcher I am thinking of is $20 at Radio Shack and can handle RCA or S-video inputs.
A USB camera for your laptop might make a nice accessory for the dash looking out the front of the truck. I am not familiar with how well recording with this type of camera works (I don't know how you do an endless loop kind of video recording on a hard drive or how much hard drive space it takes up). I know the shutter speed is slow, but if you wanted a record of an accident that occurred in front of you this kind of setup might give you a cheap way of making a video record.
The fellow at the website above mentioned that he sells a 12 volt video recorder that will record like 18 hours using a standard 6 hour video tape for around $150. This would allow you to record all day of driving and if nothing bad happened just rewind and record again the next day. If you have an accident, there is no need to try to decide who to believe, just watch the video. Apart from the obvious benefits in a major accident, even in a minor accident showing the police officer the video could save you the hassle of having to take a drug test and argue about what happened. It's good lawyer repellent too.
I know Broompilot has three or four cameras and a recorder, which seems like a really nice setup.
http://www.rvcams.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RBCARVS&Category_Code=1
If you are thinking about modifying another camera setup (such as a wireless camera or a system designed for security use) be aware that a backup camera has to reverse the image or you will think the car is on one side of the truck when it is actually on the other. Backup cameras take care of this image reversal so that what you see in the monitor looks like you are looking in a rear view mirror.
One of the cool things about a dash monitor is the video feed it receives can be from more than just a backup camera. For example, let's say you have your backup camera, a laptop computer with an S-video cable output, and a DVD player. You could get one of those Radio Shack A/V switchers that accomodate four audio/video components. You hook the backup camera, laptop S-video output and DVD player to the switcher. Now you have access to your backup camera, laptop screen and DVD player on one screen from the driver's seat. Obviously, you don't want to watch DVDs while you are driving, but if you have GPS on your laptop the dash mounted screen would give you a pretty low cost dash mounted GPS unit and you could toggle between the GPS and the backup camera as needed. The switcher I am thinking of is $20 at Radio Shack and can handle RCA or S-video inputs.
A USB camera for your laptop might make a nice accessory for the dash looking out the front of the truck. I am not familiar with how well recording with this type of camera works (I don't know how you do an endless loop kind of video recording on a hard drive or how much hard drive space it takes up). I know the shutter speed is slow, but if you wanted a record of an accident that occurred in front of you this kind of setup might give you a cheap way of making a video record.
The fellow at the website above mentioned that he sells a 12 volt video recorder that will record like 18 hours using a standard 6 hour video tape for around $150. This would allow you to record all day of driving and if nothing bad happened just rewind and record again the next day. If you have an accident, there is no need to try to decide who to believe, just watch the video. Apart from the obvious benefits in a major accident, even in a minor accident showing the police officer the video could save you the hassle of having to take a drug test and argue about what happened. It's good lawyer repellent too.
I know Broompilot has three or four cameras and a recorder, which seems like a really nice setup.
Broompilot is traveling without his truck this weekend so I'll try to do his system justice in case he misses this thread.
He has a dash mounted monitor with continuous loop recorder that records whatever is showing on the manually switched monitor. He has a camera in the front windshield to view forward, ala "COPS". He has a camera on the right fender that shows the blind side and aft; he's got a camera above the rear doors for backing up and seeing blindspots behind and he has a camera inside the box that keeps an eye on the freight. This latter camera can alert him to any shifting freight, before it becomes damaged. He also has a rather large sign on the rear door indicating the video surveillance system.
Think of the possibilities. This set-up can provide evidence of any accident caught on tape and determine culpability when and if required. It can monitor and record a DOT inspection and inspector which may be helpful if the inspector is particularly nasty. It can record the loading of the truck and possibly capture evidence of an unrully forklift operator damaging freight or your truck. It could record unsavory activity around your parked truck while you are asleep or in the showers. And, it could provide video footage of lot lizards so you can make your own girls-gone-wild-movie.
He has a dash mounted monitor with continuous loop recorder that records whatever is showing on the manually switched monitor. He has a camera in the front windshield to view forward, ala "COPS". He has a camera on the right fender that shows the blind side and aft; he's got a camera above the rear doors for backing up and seeing blindspots behind and he has a camera inside the box that keeps an eye on the freight. This latter camera can alert him to any shifting freight, before it becomes damaged. He also has a rather large sign on the rear door indicating the video surveillance system.
Think of the possibilities. This set-up can provide evidence of any accident caught on tape and determine culpability when and if required. It can monitor and record a DOT inspection and inspector which may be helpful if the inspector is particularly nasty. It can record the loading of the truck and possibly capture evidence of an unrully forklift operator damaging freight or your truck. It could record unsavory activity around your parked truck while you are asleep or in the showers. And, it could provide video footage of lot lizards so you can make your own girls-gone-wild-movie.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Terry saw this truck three weeks ago. His favorite show on the video was girls gone wild. Thanks Terry when can I have my tape back?
If I can make it to the show I unfortunatly will be unable to bring 326 no, no problems with the truck something else has tightened my schedule that I must take care of and of all the cities in the world. Detroit.
If I can make it to the show I unfortunatly will be unable to bring 326 no, no problems with the truck something else has tightened my schedule that I must take care of and of all the cities in the world. Detroit.
woobergoober
Expert Expediter
I got used to the rear vision camera that we Had to get installed, when I was a contractor for Fed Ex Ground.
When I went to straight trucks, I bought one for my truck, simply because it felt really strange without one.
Lets face it, when you hear story after story about backing accidents making up such a high percentage of accidents, they are absolutely right! As a matter of fact, I just had one a few weeks ago. (My first and hopefully only) I was heading up I75, just South of Chattanooga, and came off the highway. The exit ramp was nice and steep, and of course, I caught the red light at the top. When the light changed, and I pulled forward, the truck rolled back, oh so slightly, and the 16 year old car driving his 3 buddies around, got the business end of my lift gate! Honestly, the clown had to have been screwing around, ie, "lets see how close we can get to the back of the truck." He was so close, that I could not see anything in the mirrors, before I pulled away.
So, I am a firm believer in these little gems. Had I had one anymore, that accident would have never happened, since I had it mounted on the outside of the rear bulkhead, and it showed me the rear bumper, and about 3 feet back.
Oh, where is my little camera right now, you ask? Go to the GM Ypsilanti shipping dock (not 2, but the one on the other side, past 95- Northwest is what I think they call it) and ask one of the clowns that "operate" the hi los. In a nutshell- I backed in after receiving permission, and locked, chocked and dropped the legs.
I came up the ladder, propped my roll up as high as I could get it, and told the hi lo driver, "Please, just push them on- I dont think you can clear the rear bulkhead!" and went and sat down at the picnic table.
After my peripheral vision picked up some activity by my truck, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the idio hi lo driver pushing on a load of 2 rows of baskets (10 total)- BULLDOZER STYLE.
He hit the bulkhead at about a 10 mph clip, and completely mutiliated said bulkhead! I almost got the word "WAIT" out, before he slammed into my poor truck but it was doubtful he would have noticed.
The only reason I was able to drive out of there and continue working, was because when he un-wedged himself, he actually pulled the bulkhead back, and close to its normal position- with one exception- my nifty little camera was in about 10 pieces now.
I waited around for an hour, while they tried to get somebody to come over and file an accidednt report, but like an idiot, I got my gate pass, and stormed out of there. I was on hour 15, and still had to drive from Ypsilanti, to Port Huron, and then back home to the Lansing area.
Anyways, I am getting a new camera as soon as funds allow, and I can gurantee you will wonder why you did not get one before- oh, and you will never have to worry about forgetting to shut your back door again, if you have the camera angled right- sure beats pulling over and getting out to check.
Scott
When I went to straight trucks, I bought one for my truck, simply because it felt really strange without one.
Lets face it, when you hear story after story about backing accidents making up such a high percentage of accidents, they are absolutely right! As a matter of fact, I just had one a few weeks ago. (My first and hopefully only) I was heading up I75, just South of Chattanooga, and came off the highway. The exit ramp was nice and steep, and of course, I caught the red light at the top. When the light changed, and I pulled forward, the truck rolled back, oh so slightly, and the 16 year old car driving his 3 buddies around, got the business end of my lift gate! Honestly, the clown had to have been screwing around, ie, "lets see how close we can get to the back of the truck." He was so close, that I could not see anything in the mirrors, before I pulled away.
So, I am a firm believer in these little gems. Had I had one anymore, that accident would have never happened, since I had it mounted on the outside of the rear bulkhead, and it showed me the rear bumper, and about 3 feet back.
Oh, where is my little camera right now, you ask? Go to the GM Ypsilanti shipping dock (not 2, but the one on the other side, past 95- Northwest is what I think they call it) and ask one of the clowns that "operate" the hi los. In a nutshell- I backed in after receiving permission, and locked, chocked and dropped the legs.
I came up the ladder, propped my roll up as high as I could get it, and told the hi lo driver, "Please, just push them on- I dont think you can clear the rear bulkhead!" and went and sat down at the picnic table.
After my peripheral vision picked up some activity by my truck, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the idio hi lo driver pushing on a load of 2 rows of baskets (10 total)- BULLDOZER STYLE.
He hit the bulkhead at about a 10 mph clip, and completely mutiliated said bulkhead! I almost got the word "WAIT" out, before he slammed into my poor truck but it was doubtful he would have noticed.
The only reason I was able to drive out of there and continue working, was because when he un-wedged himself, he actually pulled the bulkhead back, and close to its normal position- with one exception- my nifty little camera was in about 10 pieces now.
I waited around for an hour, while they tried to get somebody to come over and file an accidednt report, but like an idiot, I got my gate pass, and stormed out of there. I was on hour 15, and still had to drive from Ypsilanti, to Port Huron, and then back home to the Lansing area.
Anyways, I am getting a new camera as soon as funds allow, and I can gurantee you will wonder why you did not get one before- oh, and you will never have to worry about forgetting to shut your back door again, if you have the camera angled right- sure beats pulling over and getting out to check.
Scott