With all of the high tech gadgets available to today's consumer, it can be difficult to figure out which gadgets are of real benefit to us and which ones are nothing more than toys with large price tags. Just look at all of the camera systems we can get for our vehicles. I mean, do you really need to watch "I Love Lucy" reruns while you're driving 80 MPH on a crowded freeway?
While you may not need satellite TV in your car, there is one type of camera and video system that can really get you out of a jam or tight spot, as it were. It's called a rear view camera; the most convenient of these are hitch mounted, and they can literally save your life and vehicle. What the rear view hitch mounted camera does is feed live video into the cab of your vehicle of your trailer, RV, or anything else you are towing. When you are not towing, the hitch camera can be used as a back up camera. As you can imagine, this system can prove to be invaluable.
There are several different types and styles of hitch cameras. Most are priced under $250, but there are some pricey ones on the market. Roadmaster has a compact system with a small, 3.5 inch monitor that can quickly be set up on your dash or console. There is no heavy installation involved with this system, and the price is a little over $180. SkyMall has a less expensive trailer camera. The monitor for this system attaches easily to your visor. There are even some systems available that have two cameras: one for the back of your vehicle and one for the front of your trailer.
The installation for each type of camera differs somewhat. Some cameras install directly above the license plate which requires a little drilling and cutting. Other cameras only take a few bolts and attach directly to your trailer hitch. After you have mounted the camera, it's only a matter of running the wiring into the cab of the vehicle. With most systems, there is not a whole lot of installation that is involved with the monitor. The monitor for most systems is removable and merely sits on or attaches temporarily to a surface near the driver's seat.
Remember; knowing what is going on behind you while you are carrying a heavy load can save your life.
I have always been intrigued by all the gadgets that people stick on or fit into their cars, whether it was the basic orange on the aerial (I never to this day understand what it was meant to do), the GT stripes down the side of the car. I can sort of appreciate the installation of an amp, 6 x 9 speakers, and a subwoofer, having passed through that stage.
I can understand the need for a SatNav if you are on the road as part of your job but I as already know where the Pick’n Pay is and the airport, and where my friends live, this seems a gadget that seems to be a total waste of money. The other item of course is the in-car DVD player, I certainly can’t watch it, I’m driving!. What must I do? – park in a lay by and turn it on to watch with all the others in the car. I am fortunate to have a home and can watch the DVD there on a reasonable size screen.
Now what I think is excellent and extremely useful is the rear view camera and monitor. In fact it is going to become a ‘must have’, with this you look in your rearview mirror and you can see whatever's at the level of the mirror. What you (actually, me, in this case) might be wondering is if there's something--or someone--where you can’t see it, him, her, or the pet.
It is a known fact that we cannot see small objects just behind their car while sitting in the driver's seat. The line of vision of the human eye follows a straight path and the height of the car, along with the distance between the object and your eyes, makes it physically impossible to view them. It is in situations like this one that a rear view camera comes handy.
Of course the cheap alternative is to get the wife, boy/girlfriend, sibling, out of the car to do the job!
Don’t even try it!
There are proximity sensors that beep when you back up too close to an obstacle. The problem is, the device doesn't tell you what's back there, and only some indicate just how close you are to hitting something or, even worse, someone.
A rear-view camera is actually a better alternative. Not only does it let you see what might be blocking your rearward path, but also can serve as a security measure for spotting intruders lurking behind your vehicle and a safety measure to help avoid hitting a child or animal.
I bought my kit from an online company http://www.web-aid.biz/camerarearview.html. What I liked about them was that it (the Site) explained what the difference was between the different cameras as well as providing wiring diagrams and a wealth of information. I did not know that one type of camera does not work at night, now I know. It also stopped me buying a cheaper model that would not work at night.
Looking at the wiring diagrams I thought, yes, I can do this, after all I set up the computer, printer, and installed programs. Well after fiddling for 30 minutes and getting stressed out; snow blind reading the instructions, I decided to get the car audio people to do the job. Unless you're handy, I suggest you factor that cost into the price.
The rear view camera can be configured to work `all the time' or only when you are reversing. It is a matter of personal opinion as to how it should be configured. Personally, my opinion is that it should be configured to work only when you are reversing, since it might cause a problem to focus one's eyes into the monitor and also into the sight-screen of the car at the same time. The power for the camera can either be sourced from the cigarette lighter adaptor or one can draw the same directly from the fuse box of the vehicle.
In the end, I’m very happy with the rear-view camera and so I’m glad that I had it installed. One of the best buys in my life (for the car).
Both Emily Sandberg & Cando58 are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Emily Sandberg has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wedding Bells, Camping and Recreation Vehicle RV. Emily Sandberg is a camping enthusiast who spent many a happy weekend camping in her family's used travel trailer. When she's not towing anything, she covers her hitch with a. Emily Sandberg's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Cando58 has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation Vehicle RV. . Cando58's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.