Updates on Wireless back-up cameras?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, This morning I revamped my backup camera. With my sensor mounted inside of my left tail light housing, the signal was just too weak. I moved the sensor to my home made generator inlet and ran my camera wire through the conduit to the rear of my trailer. I wound up the extra wire and left it in my bumper storage compartment. I re-routed the camera wires down and to my generator outlet. Since there is no easy access to a running light wire, I added a two wire connector and I will just plug my backup camera into my Battery Tender lead. I now get a good signal.

[leedav]

I ended up with the Costco wired. Welded a little bracket for the wire and ran it underneath.

[W4NT3D]

I'm going to use my GoPro camera. It looks like it will work just fine. Will use the inverter plug under dinette table to power while driving. I will view camera from iPad in cab of TV.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, in the past few days I have painted the coupler ball area bright yellow so it can be seen better than the gray. I also was able to pull my trailer forward so I could adjust the back-up camera alignment lines. I re -adjusted the alignment lines because I lowered my camera's angle.

[GCinSC2]

Robert,

Great minds think alike. I put a traffic cone out as a target too and put down a length of pvc pipe as guide. Still wish the resolution was better.

[teagues]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, in the past few days I have painted the coupler ball area bright yellow so it can be seen better than the gray. I also was able to pull my trailer forward so I could adjust the back-up camera alignment lines. I re -adjusted the alignment lines because I lowered my camera's angle.

Really great idea. Any paint suggestions?

[teagues]

Last month, a couple of pages back, I kicked out the idea of using an old, deactivated cell phone as a rear camera and another as a monitor. I ultimately decided to use both old phones as cameras. Mounted each inside the rear window, with one facing straight back (for rear-view while driving) and the other pointing as far down as I could (for backing, if needed). For the monitor, I used my current phone mounted to the dash, where I could select either or both cameras as desired.

Just back from a 5,000 round mile trip to Montana using the new "system". WOW! I cannot believe how much more fun it is to drive when you can see behind you.

Not bringing this up because I would necessarily recommend doing what I did -- you'd need to be a bit of a tinkerer, have an old phone laying around, and be willing to deal with some potential bugginess -- but it does now seem clear that we should all have some sort of rear view system.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by teagues

...it does now seem clear that we should all have some sort of rear view system.

Based on our own experience, we completely agree. 😊

[wildwoodrver]

Hey W4NT3D
I like the idea of using a GoPro and viewing with the iPad, which I use for navigation. Seem to remember that GoPro told me the image would not always be in real time. How is your experience with this set up?

[dougandlori]

I installed the Garmin BC30 on my 28. The reviews were so so but I am happy with the result. I bought the extension and ran the wire inside and mounted the transmitter on the front of the propane cover. It is wired to the running light and while not high definition suits my needs for backing and checking while passing other vehicles.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by teagues

Really great idea. Any paint suggestions?

Hi, this is what I used.

Rust-Oleum
Painter's Touch
2 X
Ultra Cover
Paint + Primer
Gloss / Sun Yellow

[W4NT3D]

Originally Posted by wildwoodrver

Hey W4NT3D
I like the idea of using a GoPro and viewing with the iPad, which I use for navigation. Seem to remember that GoPro told me the image would not always be in real time. How is your experience with this set up?

Wildwoodrver,

i was very pleased, I used it this weekend. I suction cupped my GoPro to the table instead of hanging from overhead storage. I plugged it in the inverter outlet under the dining table. I used a iPad mini to wifi to camera. I noticed some lag(less than a sec) at times and other times it would freeze up, but not that often. This setup works for me, I like it.

Oh, by the way, just remember the camera is facing backwards, don't freak out when it looks like there passing you on the right at 70+ mph, like me.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, well today after some thought, I modified my camera bracket and mounted it in the middle of my trailer. I don't know why I didn't think of this in the first place. No holes, just two sided tape.

[AStreamNerds]

I had a Voyager system installed by dealer on our Airstream before we picked it up - top video. Then I recently was sent a new "not yet released" model from the manufacturer that I reviewed - bottom video. Both work great. I use the stock reverse camera on my 2013 Ford F150 Raptor to hitch up. Been very happy with the Voyager and have had no video connection issues at all in the year we have been using.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E42rZexdE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk0oxZ4A9EU

[switz]

In the truck, we just screwed the suction cup to the top of the dash and remove the adjusting screw to remove the unit. Did the same to the base in the Mercedes. They don't fall down any more.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by switz

In the truck, we just screwed the suction cup to the top of the dash and remove the adjusting screw to remove the unit. Did the same to the base in the Mercedes. They don't fall down any more.

I hated the suction cup holder on the Voyager screen. I replaced it with a suction cup (100x better for to windshield) with a magnet setup that has worked perfectly for me. I think it was this model:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-MA...&wl13=&veh=sem

[Home-N-Tow]

I recently purchased Garmin RV 760LMT w/Wireless Backup Camera. My next road trip kicks off in a few weeks. Lookiing fwd to posting some postive results.

[JamuJoe]

I just installed the Pearl RearVision system and am quite impressed. This dual HD camera wireless system in a license plate frame is super wide angle, pans vertically and horizontally, has proximity alarm, and uses the iPhone as a monitor. Power and CPU are in a small module that plugs into the vehicle OBD port. Cameras are solar powered - not a single wire to connect. Installation and setup took less than 30 min. Very crisp image with instant smooth motion. Camera to CPU to iPhone communication is via WiFi and Bluetooth, and is working fine from the rear of our FC23FB to the dash of our Grand Cherokee. I've tested it while hitched up in our driveway, and will take it out for a longer road test in a few days.

Details at PearlAuto.com. Purchased via Amazon with Prime delivery. It is not inexpensive at $500, but I've tried and returned several less expensive camera systems. It is not assured to work on a travel trailer, but with a 30 day return, I gave it try and am pleased. The quality and technology of this start-up product by ex-Apple engineers is impressive.

Safe Travels,
JamuJoe

[Rocinante]

Sounds very cool. Don't want to seem negative, but what about using the cameras after dark? We don't like to drive at night, but sometimes have to.

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by JamuJoe

I just installed the Pearl RearVision system and am quite impressed. This dual HD camera wireless system in a license plate frame is super wide angle, pans vertically and horizontally, has proximity alarm, and uses the iPhone as a monitor. Power and CPU are in a small module that plugs into the vehicle OBD port. Cameras are solar powered - not a single wire to connect. Installation and setup took less than 30 min. Very crisp image with instant smooth motion. Camera to CPU to iPhone communication is via WiFi and Bluetooth, and is working fine from the rear of our FC23FB to the dash of our Grand Cherokee. I've tested it while hitched up in our driveway, and will take it out for a longer road test in a few days.

Details at PearlAuto.com. Purchased via Amazon with Prime delivery. It is not inexpensive at $500, but I've tried and returned several less expensive camera systems. It is not assured to work on a travel trailer, but with a 30 day return, I gave it try and am pleased. The quality and technology of this start-up product by ex-Apple engineers is impressive.

Safe Travels,
JamuJoe

When I called this company their customer service told me that this system was designed (only) to be used as a back-up camera. They indicated that it would not function above a speed of something like 5 MPH. The person I spoke to said they did not want the system to be a distraction and that is why they put the speed control in the software.
Have you had a chance to try the system while driving? Can you confirm if it will work at higher speeds?
Thanks in advance

Doug