Portable Tractor Camera System

[Complete Turf Care]

After searching a bit more, I found another camera with a 4.3" monitor for $175.00. https://www.amazon.com/EWAY-Wireles.../B07QM4JMKK/ref=psdc_1253823011_t3_B00O513V8S

I might try this one because it has a larger monitor than others. I'm not sure if I would prefer a model that comes with a monitor, or one that would pair with my phone via wifi? One that would pair with my phone, would mean I only have to move the camera when I switch tractors, since I always have my phone in my pocket.

But, I'm afraid the wifi would be slower to connect than the model with it's own monitor.

 

[OzKioti]

4.3" is pretty small. Would it be big enough to be useful?

The benefit of using one which wifi's to your phone is
(a) bigger screen; and
(b) you already have the phone*

*The camera I bought ( WiFi Wireless Car Truck RV Trailer Rear View Backup Camera CCTV For iOS Android | eBay ) is cheap enough, low latency (delay) and built like a brick, but so far I have found only one Android device/phone it works with (Samsung S6). There may well be others, but it's a bit hit-and-miss.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

4.3" is pretty small. Would it be big enough to be useful?

The benefit of using one which wifi's to your phone is
(a) bigger screen; and
(b) you already have the phone*

*The camera I bought ( WiFi Wireless Car Truck RV Trailer Rear View Backup Camera CCTV For iOS Android | eBay ) is cheap enough, low latency (delay) and built like a brick, but so far I have found only one Android device/phone it works with (Samsung S6). There may well be others, but it's a bit hit-and-miss.

Both issues you bring up are concerns, and I'm not sure which would be best.

Yes, the 4.3" is small, but it's bigger than others I saw that come with a 3" screen. And it most likely will work with the camera it comes with.

Using my iPhone would be convenient, but what if it doesn't pair to the camera? And I'm afraid that using the phone would require opening an app, and logging in, in order to pair with the camera. I know this would only take a few seconds to do, but the dedicated screen should be instantly connected to the camera.

I think I am confusing myself...

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have a small portable camera that works via WiFi to a smartphone and it's ok for some work operations. The main problem I have is I often work in locations without WiFi.

There is also a delay between the image the camera sees and the one displayed on the screen. It can be as much as a full second which makes it awkward when doing certain work operations.

 

[TractorGuy]

I have some wifi dash cameras that were designed to work with a app called final cam. Problem is the app hasn't been updated and doesn't work with the android version on any of my phones. I have to keep an old phone to go in and update the time and date or live view.

I have a cheap backup camera on my truck mounted on the tag bolts. When the light is right I can align my trailer ball perfectly with it.

 

[JethroB]

I’ve held onto a couple of older 9” iPads with the hopes of using them one day as wireless or Bluetooth dash-cam or security camera monitors. They can be set to ‘always on’.

7” Amazon Fire tablets start at $50 but I know nothing about them.

 

[bunchgrass]

My backup camera on my tractor is cheaper and of lesser quality than the OP's. May be why it isn't that useful to me. I do use the backup camera on my truck to aid in hooking up my trailers.

The backup camera on the tailgate is worthless for hooking up a gooseneck trailer. Should be on the 3rd brake light on the back of the cab. Otherwise you can hit your tail gate on the goose neck post ..... how do I know.

 

[TractorGuy]

I have a small portable camera that works via WiFi to a smartphone and it's ok for some work operations. The main problem I have is I often work in locations without WiFi.

There is also a delay between the image the camera sees and the one displayed on the screen. It can be as much as a full second which makes it awkward when doing certain work operations.

The "wifi" cameras I have provide a wifi signal. I connect the phone to the camera's wifi signal then interface with the camera through an app.

I am looking for an app that will work with Android 10. I have to use an old S4 running android 5 to interface with the cameras I have. Once connected there is no lag since the camera and phone are in close proximity.

I think I might be getting off topic so sorry.

 

[OzKioti]

...I am looking for an app that will work with Android 10. I have to use an old S4 running android 5 to interface with the cameras I have. Once connected there is no lag since the camera and phone are in close proximity...

Similar sort of situation with mine, however I think the my camera's data output might be proprietary - ie can only be interpreted by the Android app written specifically for it. The app specified in the camera's manual is W-Car, and my Samsung S6 is the only Android device I've found so far in which the app works properly.

I'd very much like to find an app for that camera which would work with my Android v10 phone too.

As for the speed of light/radio signals in your area? Ummm...

 

[Bearsixty7]

The backup camera on the tailgate is worthless for hooking up a gooseneck trailer. Should be on the 3rd brake light on the back of the cab. Otherwise you can hit your tail gate on the goose neck post ..... how do I know.

My F350 has that option. It has 6 cameras and an optional Rear trailer one can be purchased that attaches to the rear of the trailer, would be really handy on the TT at times. Don't have a gooseneck yet, been watching for a 30-32' flatbed for just the right price.

 

[JohnnyMX]

WiFi is just a transport method to connect two devices. Think of it more like Bluetooth in this case, but with better range between the two devices. From the seat of the tractor to anywhere on the tractor you would mount the camera is well within range for both. For example, I have a Deeper fish-finder that I can tie to the end of a fishing pole and cast or drag behind a boat that can link to my phone over wifi or Bluetooth to display depths, temps, sonar etc. and I do not need internet to use either. Wifi in your house is between your wireless router and your device OVER the WiFi connection which is why most people think Wifi means internet. One of the most common connection protocols is Wifi.... can you think of a phone with WiFi ability that cant' connect to the internet if an available connection exits?

 

[scootr]

Good info here. Picture quality is paramount to useability. 1080p is a must. Also pay attention to the camera view angle when ordering. And lastly get a monitor that can switch between 2 or more views so you can have a front and a rear view. There are such cameras and screens on Amazon for around $100. I installed one on my skid steer. And I use 2 rear cameras one low 140º view for distance and one under the roof 180º for close work. I can now back the Bobcat down the barn isle etc without too much worry.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Good info here. Picture quality is paramount to useability. 1080p is a must. Also pay attention to the camera view angle when ordering. And lastly get a monitor that can switch between 2 or more views so you can have a front and a rear view. There are such cameras and screens on Amazon for around $100. I installed one on my skid steer. And I use 2 rear cameras one low 140º view for distance and one under the roof 180º for close work. I can now back the Bobcat down the barn isle etc without too much worry.

I would like to see your camera setup in your skid steer. Can you post pics? I have a Kubota skid steer, and backing is always an issue.

 

[newbury]

This system sell for $350 and comes with a rechargeable camera and a monitor. Handy 7 Wireless Hitch Camera

Here is another smaller, cheaper model that uses a 9 volt battery instead of a rechargeable battery. Wireless Magnetic Battery Operated Portable Car Rear View Reverse Backup Camera 6973765 | eBay


How does this compare in cost to buying all the components separately?

I'm assuming you would need to buy:
1. camera
2. monitor
3. battery
4. battery dock to connect to the camera
5. magnet
6. any brackets and hardware needed for mounting.

Did I miss anything?

I would assume buying the components separately would cost less, but how much less?

Don't remember why I skipped thread but:

For an easily moved system only needed occasionally where you have cell signal -
Camera - $30 - Wyze V2
monitor - my phone
Battery - inexpensive battery bank $10
1 gallon ziploc bag - $1
magnet - $1 (Neodymium Disc Magnet N52 Dia 5/8x 3/16" w/ #6 Countersunk on N or S Pole

So total is about $50 or less.

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The camera has a magnetic base, I use the magnet in case I have to hang the baggie.
I set the phone up as a "hot spot"

 

[scootr]

I would like to see your camera setup in your skid steer. Can you post pics? I have a Kubota skid steer, and backing is always an issue.

Description and links here >

Skid steer back-up camera

In the 1.5 years I've owned my Bobcat S 185 skidsteer I have put on about 63 hours plowing our driveway, which has 3 houses. Rear visibility is very poor, and I plow in the dark most often. The bottom of the driveway goes along high tide, and the upper end meets a state highway. I plow up...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[bdhsfz6]

You can make a portable camera system from almost any wireless camera & monitor you have around. The trick is to power them with cordless tool batteries and use magnetic mounts. That way, they can be placed anywhere and even moved from tractor to tractor with no wire connections at all.

In post #29, I linked a thread on how I made one:

Portable Tractor Camera System

I have a fairly cheap wireless camera system I use on one of my tractors. I occasionally need to use a camera on other equipment as well. Rather than buy multiple cameras, I converted the one I have into a portable rig. Although the camera video is wireless, both camera and display require...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[shooterdon]

You can make a portable camera system from almost any wireless camera & monitor you have around. The trick is to power them with cordless tool batteries and use magnetic mounts. That way, they can be placed anywhere and even moved from tractor to tractor with no wire connections at all.

In post #29, I linked a thread on how I made one:

Portable Tractor Camera System

I have a fairly cheap wireless camera system I use on one of my tractors. I occasionally need to use a camera on other equipment as well. Rather than buy multiple cameras, I converted the one I have into a portable rig. Although the camera video is wireless, both camera and display require...

www.tractorbynet.com

I tried that and it killed my cordless battery. Too easy to forget to remove the battery. It will drain to nothing and then it is done. Tried to "resurrect" the battery as shown on some YouTube videos but the battery was never the same and I junked it. Dewalt LI-Ion batteries are not cheap.

I went with a camera that can be charged via USB and solar charger.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I tried that and it killed my cordless battery. Too easy to forget to remove the battery. It will drain to nothing and then it is done. Tried to "resurrect" the battery as shown on some YouTube videos but the battery was never the same and I junked it. Dewalt LI-Ion batteries are not cheap.

I went with a camera that can be charged via USB and solar charger.

Certainly a consideration, and important to know.

To avoid this, I never leave the batteries connected to the camera and always use a freshly charged one when I use the system. A 5AH DeWalt battery will power my camera and / or monitor for around 3 days of continuous operation, more than is required for most work operations. By putting a fresh battery in every morning, I've avoided any battery damage.

Of course this can vary depending on the camera and what you're doing with it.

 

[shooterdon]

Certainly a consideration, and important to know.

To avoid this, I never leave the batteries connected to the camera and always use a freshly charged one when I use the system. A 5AH DeWalt battery will power my camera and / or monitor for around 3 days of continuous operation, more than is required for most work operations. By putting a fresh battery in every morning, I've avoided any battery damage.

Of course this can vary depending on the camera and what you're doing with it.

Most people do not use a tractor that often. The setup you have works for you but may not be the best for most folks.

BTW, it was your original post that had me try using a cordless battery and it worked great...until it didn't. If someone goes down that road, I suggest getting a cheap knock off battery. A 5 amp Dewalt is $70, the knock offs are 1/2 that.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Most people do not use a tractor that often. The setup you have works for you but may not be the best for most folks.

BTW, it was your original post that had me try using a cordless battery and it worked great...until it didn't. If someone goes down that road, I suggest getting a cheap knock off battery. A 5 amp Dewalt is $70, the knock offs are 1/2 that.

Anyone who uses DeWalt batteries in non OEM devices should be aware that there is no low voltage cutoff in the battery. That circuit is in the DeWalt tools. There are many aftermarket devices on the market that will damage DeWalt batteries by over discharging.

Other brands, like Makita, have the LVC in the battery and are not subject to this problem. Always a good idea to check first.