A backup camera for $50!!!!!!!!!!!

[Threepoint]

Here is my follow up:

OK, I was sold on the idea and purchased one on EBay from China.
Ordered the 7" and one camera.
Cost me $55. (landed) and about 30 days delivery, but I knew that.
While it has been installed for about 3 weeks now last night was the first 'real time' night test.
It was cold, windy and the snow fairly 'loose' and a moderate wind.
Absolutely no interference from snow on the lens (did mount it high under roof overhang).
Cold did not interfere. (was -14c last night)
My rear work lights made visibility so good that I'd spot twigs etc on the ground, if anything a bit too bright but I can adjust the sensitivity if I want.
Only (slight) downside is that my roof strobe introduces a yellow blinking shadow but that is understandable and could be corrected but not really a problem.

If a person had no roof overhang he could always fabricate a tiny 'roof' over the camera (if needed) .

The only negative comment is that the interconnect wire is super thin and needs careful protection.( I ran mine parallel to heavier wire and used lots of tie wraps)
Because the display on/off switch was rather dinky I left it permanently on and wired a toggle into the +12v line.

But now like a passenger side mirror there is a learning curve as 'objects seem further and smaller'. Also the built in guide lines, while adjustable in width, are narrower than my blower is but one quickly gets used to that and gauges clearances just fine.
LOL, I still twist around when close to a car as I am still in the 'learning curve'.

For sure a very worthwhile addition for rear mounted blowers on cabbed tractors, especially at that low cost.

Piloon, great update. Have you had a chance to actually blow snow in reverse since you installed the camera? I think a number of us are curious as to the visibility in those conditions, and you may be the first to report on it.

 

[Threepoint]

Kneedeep, I second Roger's suggestion for a backup camera on your open-station tractor. A $28 7" monitor on a magnetic base, wired so it is removable, should do the trick. IMO it's worth a try before springing for a $300 weather-proof marine monitor. You can always just cover it with a baggy if you're operating in precip, and still see the screen just fine. I tried that out of curiosity in my cab tractor, as I'm thinking about adding one to my open-station B2150 as well. The $12 cameras themselves are already waterproof.

 

[jix]

Hey, Threepoint. Glad you liked my similes in the maritime vernacular We Maritimers are famous for picturesque speech, Aye.... Sumtimes it fits better than plain speech..and it is plain speech in this neck of the woods.

That's just the way wiffit, as my Bay of Fundy wife would say. She has a whole bunch of these phrases and they do amuse me. A lot.

Tractor comes back this week. It will be wicked good to drive it in the dry...Still no snow here yet. No complaints.

Jix

 

[countrybumpkin]

Anyone tried a camera for a home style security system , I was thinking about trying something like this one for up front on the loader due to all aluminum housing and the adjustable mounting base?

Amazon.com : R-Tech Outdoor/Indoor Security CCTV Bullet Camera DC 12V power 520 TVL Day/Night Vision with 24pcs IR LEDs 3.6mm fixed lens, Weather-Resistant and Vandal-Proof : Security Camera Pal N : Electronics

 

[94BULLITT]

Anyone tried a camera for a home style security system , I was thinking about trying something like this one for up front on the loader due to all aluminum housing and the adjustable mounting base?

Amazon.com : R-Tech Outdoor/Indoor Security CCTV Bullet Camera DC 12V power 520 TVL Day/Night Vision with 24pcs IR LEDs 3.6mm fixed lens, Weather-Resistant and Vandal-Proof : Security Camera Pal N : Electronics

That is not a bad idea. The only problem with it I can see is it is bigger that a back up cam and it would be more susceptible to damage but it is only $15.

 

[George2615]

I did try a home security cam with the monitor. My monitor and cameras came from different places. I had the monitor installed 2 days before the cams arrived so tried a spare security cam very similar to the one in the link. I was not impressed with it. Don't know why but the little cams that Roger suggested had better resolution. Plus they are smaller and less chance of getting hit.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I'm looking to get cams without lines, found these and may try them.

Amazon.com : Esky EC170-06 HD Color CCD Waterproof Car Rear View Backup Camera, 0.86X0.65X0.50-inch : Vehicle Video Products : Car Electronics

 

[countrybumpkin]

Everything is ordered and should be here this week, will post a update when I get them installed.

 

[94BULLITT]

Everything is ordered and should be here this week, will post a update when I get them installed.

Cool!

 

[PILOON]

Piloon, great update. Have you had a chance to actually blow snow in reverse since you installed the camera? I think a number of us are curious as to the visibility in those conditions, and you may be the first to report on it.

Yes but there was not a whole lot of snow and wind was very light.
I ran it at night as well.
Now I have 2 rear work lights so visibility was fine.
Since I mounted the camera up high under the cab rear 'lip' flying snow was no problem, besides who will blow directly at his cab.
The only weird effect was my yellow flasher lighting up the snow so I shut it off. That is to be expected and a directional shield could be made.
The important thing is that you do see where the blower is heading and avoid hitting obstructions, That it does do and with much better clarity than I expected.
As with any new thing there is a learning curve, biggest being actual size ratios just like the passenger side mirror on your car.
I expected flutter from vibration but that did not exist at any RPM.
The next big test will be COLD.