Rear View Camera

[Builder]

I have the WalMart rearview camera in my GMC truck. Overall, I'd give it a mixed-bag of results.
Good:
It's cheap (under $100).
It's easy to install-no wire from camera to monitor (remote reciever).
It has a color monitor.
The monitor can be adjusted for brightness.

Not so good:
Screen takes too long to activate after putting truck/tractor in reverse.
Screen is too small for my liking, but better than nothing.
Unit seems to be affected by other radio waves and won't work in some commercial parking lots, like Home Depots.
Not installed as a unit to be left "on" all the time (only "on" in reverse).

IMO, the perfect unit would have a 4"-6" monitor. It would have a switch to leave it on all the time (for something like mowing or bottom plowing) or only when reversing (like backing a truck to a trailer) and have a little better electronics.
Another nice option would be a "beeper" to warn you when you might back into something.

 

[BearKiller]

I have the WalMart rearview camera in my GMC truck.

Not installed as a unit to be left "on" all the time (only "on" in reverse).

A little confused here; are you meaning the Walmart camera should not be wired to be "ON" continously ??

If the camera can be wired to come ON with REVERSE, then it can also be wired to a switch and turned ON constantly; is the camera capable of constant use ??

I have been bush-hogging quite a bit and my neck is about stiff as a poking-stick from the constant looking both ways; I think a rear-facing camera would be a wonderful addition.

 

[Builder]

It could be wired to be on continuously, but it's designed so that the power wire is spliced to your backup lights.

The walmart unit is set up so when the rev lights come on, they send power to the camera and then to the monitor. You could simply clip the power wire for the camera to a wire that is constantly hot, then the camera would run all the time.

The way you want to do it would be perfect for mowing, but the screen is so small, you'd probably get a headache from squinting at it.

 

[newbury]

Check this thread
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/137550-anybody-use-back-up-balls-5.html

and
Portable Wireless car backup magnetic camera color monitor RV Hitch Truck Trailer Rear View Swift Backup Wireless Camera RVCam Day & Night Vision

I went with the small screen, but they have a 3.5" screen.

 

[JoelD]

I have one on my truck. You can't imagine how handy it is to hook up a trailer. You put the hitch right over the ball and you are done.

This is exactly why I want one, sick and tired of in and out and in and out of the truck, the tennis ball magnets help, but camera would be perfect.

Can easily take from truck to truck.

Waiting for huge sale and I'll pounce.

Joel

 

[sellercreek]

I hear these are good but have not tried one myself.

Page

 

[DanielAlexander]

I have one from Sams club, well made and works beautifully.It is difficult to see backing up my truck, it is such a blessing.It also has A additional av port I have a rear seat camera on so I can see my baby in his car seat. It has a bigger screen than walmart model and it was less expensive.

 

[JoelD]

I found a system on ebay with 7 inch screen and ports for video game or other type device input to the screen. The entire system delivered for 79 bucks.

Seems like a good deal.

Joel

 

[4shorts]

I tried the wireless ones at Wal-Mart and was not impressed. It actually was a P.I.T.A I used to loose the signal at times and I couldn't use it at all if I was using the bluetooth feature on my cell phone. I think it may have worked better if I put rabbit ears on it.

I researched as much info as I could and purchased the "Cab Cam" system. It has a 7" LCD color monitor. It comes with everything you need to install it on your machine. I added to the rear light bracket of the tractor so I could mount the camera. The camera is color and inferred at night and has a microphone in it as well. The body of the camera is all cast aluminum and all the connectors have the weather pack system to keep the elements out. It can be left on 100% of the time and not only while it's in reverse like the Wal-Mart ones. It's great to have on the tractor seeing I have my blower back there.
After using it in the tractor all last winter I bought the same set up and installed it it in my truck but with two cameras. I put one up on the back rack and the other on the bumper. This system can take up to three camera's and it's more of an industrial system than the Wal-Mart ones. The picture quality is very clear although you loose it if you snap a hoto of it. I'm pleased with this set up. Last two pics are the one in my truck

 

[Builder]

That is a far better system. They sell them at my local CASE dealer.

There is another one at sams club with a MUCH bigger/better screen. I bought one of them, but the mounting base for the video screen is very weak and eventually, the base actually broke because the screen is too heavy for it. It also suffered from interference problems from other electronics in the cab. It always had "snow" on the screen or would not come on at all. I finally gave up on it. You can mount the video unit with elastic band to the back of your sunvisor, but I found this to be unsatisfactory for my liking. That didn't solve the interference issues, either.