To buy or not buy a reversing camera?

Posted on 02/10/2020 04:58 by richardandros

Just bear in mind that reversing cameras and rear view cameras are two different things.  For reversing, you need a wide angle lens to give you the best view possible over a short distance.  However, when used for rear-view purposes when driving, the wide angle means that distances are distorted to the extent that it's not very helpful.  For that purpose, you need a lens with no more than a 90 degree viewing angle and 60 degrees is better.  Most reversing cameras are something like 120 degrees.

I bought the Falcon Technology magnetic / rechargeable / wifi powered camera because it doesn't require any drilling into the van or power source.  You view the picture on your phone.  In reality, it wasn't very good because of the distorted picture and viewing it, even on a large smartphone wasn't very clear and almost impossible to see in sunlight.

It worked OK on our previous Barcelona, but won't work with the present Knaus because it is aluminium clad and the signal won't get through to the car - so it's kicking around somewhere in the garage, doing nothing!

I'm managing fine with my mirrors and regard that particular camera as a waste of money.

Posted on 02/10/2020 12:01 by Mucket

Any device that enables you to see what’s behind you is essential. In France at a toll booth the vehicle in front of us broke down. It was pleasing to look at the camera and see that no one was behind me. In that situation extension mirrors are useless as the vehicle behind is invariably tight up behind you

Posted on 20/09/2021 08:22 by harry1000

You should never be that close to the vehicle ahead, that you cannot pull out and around them if they do happen to break down - taught in Advanced Driving.