Backup Sensors or Cameras

[duffer18]

Does anyone know of a good aftermarket backup sensor?
Or a good backup camera that comes with a small screen that could be mounted either above the review mirror or to the overhead console. I have looked around and all that I have seen discussed are either factory models or stuff to splice into a nav/video unit.. I havent had any mishaps yet but it is tough to know how much room is left when backing this beast up...

[WazzuCoug]

I couldn'g agree with you more! My truck is so much harder to judge distance when backing up than my car. I am going to buy a new flip out face single din alpine, and use the reverse camera as an input for the screen. However, it isnt a very cost effective way to handle your dilema. Are you opposed to displaying the reverse camera over your nav? It seems like a decent alternative to me.

[llajumpvid]

Originally Posted by duffer18

Does anyone know of a good aftermarket backup sensor?
Or a good backup camera that comes with a small screen that could be mounted either above the review mirror or to the overhead console. I have looked around and all that I have seen discussed are either factory models or stuff to splice into a nav/video unit.. I havent had any mishaps yet but it is tough to know how much room is left when backing this beast up...

You might check into something like this mirror and add a camera. I see they have cameras as well. Sam at Avelectronic.com has a couple of cameras for $200-$300. Check on ebay too for mirror monitors (make sure its a tft monitor or you'll be wasting your money).

[TitanicSE]

I'm having the rear sonar installed by the dealer this Friday. It's $299 installed. A rear camera seems like major overkill to me.

[JAOHN]

I've started looking into the sensors/cameras myself, and there was a backup camera comparison in the oct 2004 issue of Consumers Reports. I tend to lean toward the camera solutions, because I *almost always* back into parking spots. I'm already looking backward, and I size up both sides and the back of a parking spot before I chose a spot, so a TFT on the rearview mirror is just not for me. As far as the sensor solutions, I just don't feel too comfortable with a set of different paced tones telling me range information.

Did I mention that I'm an engineer? That might just seem obvious though--- I tend to be a bit anal.

In the CR article, the best rated is made by Hitchcam, but the cost listed is about $800. OK, for me, that is WAAAY too much for the cost/value ratio. Heck that's 2/3 of the price for the RF radio!

I've started looking into separate 12V components, and I was quickly reminded that backup camera solutions are regularly integrated into Motorhomes. So I'm looking at both separate components and RV systems.

My thought, for the way I back up (since I'm already looking back), is that I might like to mount the backup monitor (probably <5") from somewhere in the roof/headliner area on the passenger side in the BACK of the cab.

What do ya'll think about the monitor placement????

--JAOHN

[WazzuCoug]

I like that idea! I had never thought about it, but I always put my right arm on the passenger seat and look backwards when I backup too. Doesnt make much sense to place the display in the dash if you look backwards while backing up...

[JAOHN]

One of my thought is looking at RV backup systems is from this page....

http://www.nvsystems.com/rvsystems.htm

...where they have a complete color video backup system with a 4" lcd starting at $249. A whole lot less than than the close to $800 for the internet prices for the hitchcam systems.

Everything takes investigation though, and I haven't done too much yet.

any other opinions on me proposed monitor placement?

[billaku]

Rear bumper sonar

[Jeostang]

I'm debating buying two of those. Why did you return the other? One for the front would be nice also, just set it to activate by parking lights.