Garmin motorhome Satnav and the BC™ 40 reversing camera views (or other reccomendations)

[GoCoeGo]

Has anyone used the Garmin BC40 wireless camera and satnav? I had a quote for a new headunit and camera installed and it was around £900 which I'm struggling to justify. Maybe I'm wrong to think that's too much, so please feel free to say if I'm wrong. It was for a head unit (single din) with android auto and the reverse camera coming through it. Professionally installed, as I'm just paranoid about water ingress..

Its primarily due to the cost of the quote I was considering the garmin option, and using their satnav. Maybe something that accounts for van size is better than Google maps.. But maybe someone has a better option?

Thank you all.

 

[Cookieboy68]

I've got the bc30 and sat nav.
The resolution on the camera is not brilliant.
Not 1080 HD like my dashcam,
It's OK but not brilliant, I use it to keep an eye on my TOAD .

 

[Masman]

I have the BC30 sat nav and reversing camera.It does the job of what it's there for.A reversing camera.Very handy when you are on your own.

 

[Reallyretired]

I had a wireless reverse camera years ago and it had dreadful interference. I put a modern one on my old mini and they are now great, good picture quality and digital and no interference.

 

[GoCoeGo]

I have the BC30 sat nav and reversing camera.It does the job of what it's there for.A reversing camera.Very handy when you are on your own.

Thats good to know. Out of interest, how do you have it mounted? Low down or up high? Presumably it will be affected by a bike rack also?

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[Figaro]

I use the Garmin sat nav and BC-40 camera and I find it works very well.
I takes a few seconds to find the camera and very occasionally it's not found it at all.
But most of the time it's great, no interference once it's connected.
I was concerned about losing the camera over the potholes but so long as it's properly seated in the holder it's very secure.
Mines fitted on top of the number plate

 

[Masman]

Thats good to know. Out of interest, how do you have it mounted? Low down or up high? Presumably it will be affected by a bike rack also?

Mines attached to the number plate.my bike rack is above this so it doesn't interfere with camera.

 

[Lynne Roy]

Has anyone used the Garmin BC40 wireless camera and satnav? I had a quote for a new headunit and camera installed and it was around £900 which I'm struggling to justify. Maybe I'm wrong to think that's too much, so please feel free to say if I'm wrong. It was for a head unit (single din) with android auto and the reverse camera coming through it. Professionally installed, as I'm just paranoid about water ingress..

Its primarily due to the cost of the quote I was considering the garmin option, and using their satnav. Maybe something that accounts for van size is better than Google maps.. But maybe someone has a better option?

Thank you all.

I use the Garmin sat nav and BC-40 camera and I find it works very well.
I takes a few seconds to find the camera and very occasionally it's not found it at all.
But most of the time it's great, no interference once it's connected.
I was concerned about losing the camera over the potholes but so long as it's properly seated in the holder it's very secure.
Mines fitted on top of the number plate

We have one to sell, a year old still got the box. We will have to check we can get the camera off though, not sure how dealer fastened it on. We are in the uk mid February

 

[GoCoeGo]

Thank you all. I think it may suffice then. I see on the classified there is one going for £260, and that's cheaper than £900

 

[CAB96]

We have a BC40 in the top of the rear window in our VW, so that we can see out over our Towbox.

It does mean we have to make sure that part of the window is clean and/or free of condensation.

Useful as a reverse camera, but of course not as a permanent rear view.

Keep an eye on ebay if you are not in a hurry, often you will get the BC40 separately quite cheaply.

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[PhilandMena]

Thank you all. I think it may suffice then. I see on the classified there is one going for £260, and that's cheaper than £900

The one above also includes the 770 LMT-D Camper Sat Nav with lifetime updates

 

[GoCoeGo]

Thank you all for your help with this question. I have now gone for the BC 40 above from the classifieds.

 

[ronboyracer]

Has anyone used the Garmin BC40 wireless camera and satnav? I had a quote for a new headunit and camera installed and it was around £900 which I'm struggling to justify. Maybe I'm wrong to think that's too much, so please feel free to say if I'm wrong. It was for a head unit (single din) with android auto and the reverse camera coming through it. Professionally installed, as I'm just paranoid about water ingress..
Its primarily due to the cost of the quote I was considering the garmin option, and using their satnav. Maybe something that accounts for van size is better than Google maps.. But maybe someone has a better option?

Thank you all.

Sorry to say, my experience of reversing cameras isn't good, especially on your own if in doubt get out and make sure. ronboyracer.

 

[Jacasino]

Has anyone used the Garmin BC40 wireless camera and satnav? I had a quote for a new headunit and camera installed and it was around £900 which I'm struggling to justify. Maybe I'm wrong to think that's too much, so please feel free to say if I'm wrong. It was for a head unit (single din) with android auto and the reverse camera coming through it. Professionally installed, as I'm just paranoid about water ingress..

Its primarily due to the cost of the quote I was considering the garmin option, and using their satnav. Maybe something that accounts for van size is better than Google maps.. But maybe someone has a better option?

Thank you all.

The camera is a good bit of kit, I move it from an MX5 to a Vivaro van and have been thinking of fabricating a bracket to fit it high up on the motorhome.
The motorhome already has a reversing camera and Apple Car Play but the BC40 would be handy for checking the bike rack or the trailer.
You activate it by saying ‘hey Garmin show video’ and it springs to life immediately.
I’ve got through 2 sets of lithium batteries in just over 3 years.
I’ve got the 7” screen Garmin satnav (I don’t bother with the motorhome version) and the picture is very good, obviously the level of lighting plays a part but no more so than any other reversing camera I have used.
Biggest downside is that it’s easy to pinch, if I am leaving the car anywhere that I think may be dodgy I take it off and lock it in the glovebox or reverse up to a wall where possible but it’s so unobtrusive I don’t think it’s that likely to attract much attention.
My overall opinion - it works well.

 

[JamesT@Dundee]

Has anyone used the Garmin BC40 wireless camera and satnav? I had a quote for a new headunit and camera installed and it was around £900 which I'm struggling to justify. Maybe I'm wrong to think that's too much, so please feel free to say if I'm wrong. It was for a head unit (single din) with android auto and the reverse camera coming through it. Professionally installed, as I'm just paranoid about water ingress..

Its primarily due to the cost of the quote I was considering the garmin option, and using their satnav. Maybe something that accounts for van size is better than Google maps.. But maybe someone has a better option?

Thank you all.

Hi
We've been using a Garmin GPS and the BC40 camera for a couple of years. (before that it was the BC30 which usually last 2 years before our winters destroyed the lens).
We find both good - the BC40 gives enough field of view and clarity. It's mounted above the central brake light on our 6.4m van (using it's mount and extra strong magnets). The advantage is that you can just unclip it from the mount when not in use and keep it away from damaging weather.
Only issue is it occasionally needs a couple of attempts to connect - length of van and all metal body!

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[skodaman]

Had Garmin camper satnav and wireless cameras on a couple of motorhomes. The satnav is quite good - gives warnings of low bridges,, upcoming bends etc. A big downside for me was you have to run it off the garmin supplied 12v cigar lighter plug. If you hard wire it in, you lose the ability to increase brightness and it thinks it is plugged into a computer for software update. The cameras were a poor choice - Short battery life even using the very expensive lithium batteries(They were hire vans so getting constant use) and very temperature sensitive - if it was cold the camera would often would take several attempts to connect. Particularly annoying as I later found out the van was prewired for a camera. Doh!

 

[Figaro]

Had Garmin camper satnav and wireless cameras on a couple of motorhomes. The satnav is quite good - gives warnings of low bridges,, upcoming bends etc. A big downside for me was you have to run it off the garmin supplied 12v cigar lighter plug. If you hard wire it in, you lose the ability to increase brightness and it thinks it is plugged into a computer for software update. The cameras were a poor choice - Short battery life even using the very expensive lithium batteries(They were hire vans so getting constant use) and very temperature sensitive - if it was cold the camera would often would take several attempts to connect. Particularly annoying as I later found out the van was prewired for a camera. Doh!

Not experienced the power problem, my Garmin is just connected to a USB socket. I've never needed to alter brightness and it goes into night view automatically.
I'm starting the third year with the lithium battery in my bc-40, and voltage is still ok but I'll replace them if they appear to be failing. But two years of use isn't bad, although not constant use admittedly.

 

[GoCoeGo]

Hi
We've been using a Garmin GPS and the BC40 camera for a couple of years. (before that it was the BC30 which usually last 2 years before our winters destroyed the lens).
We find both good - the BC40 gives enough field of view and clarity. It's mounted above the central brake light on our 6.4m van (using it's mount and extra strong magnets). The advantage is that you can just unclip it from the mount when not in use and keep it away from damaging weather.
Only issue is it occasionally needs a couple of attempts to connect - length of van and all metal body!

I was thinking of some strong magnets also. Have ordered the camper mount from garmin, and just need it to arrive so I can size up magnets. May look at an emergency tether just in case!

 

[CAB96]

I have the number plate mount for the BC40 if anyone wants it.

 

[asmclaren]

I have the number plate mount for the BC40 if anyone wants it.

I just managed to buy a BC40 camera on Amazon for about £90.00, said it was used, it arrived in a couple of days from the states with the customs import tax paid paperwork, was brand new in a sealed Garmin box, came with the aluminium no plate mount (US size plate) all works fine, but not attached to the van yet.