Reversing camera options

[Bart]

Hi I would like to upgrade or change my reversing camera / screen that came with our Autosleeper kingham , possibly without spending a fortune.
The system comprises of a small reversing camera mounted up above the rear doors , then in the cab the image is displayed on the Garmin Camper 660LMT-D once reverse gear is selected.
The image is crap to say the least , especially at night , so I'm not sure if I'd be best replacing the camera for a better one , or replacing the screen ( which also is our Sat Nav. )

Camera ..

Sat Nav

Sat Nav connection ( not sure is the camera connected via Bluetooth ) ??

 

[Vipar]

Mine show rear view on mirror

 

[fat haggis]

Looks like a standard satnav power connection so I would presume the camera is wireless I have a more recent garmin satnav and the camera is wirless like yours.

 

[Bart]

Looks like a standard satnav power connection so I would presume the camera is wireless I have a more recent garmin satnav and the camera is wirless like yours.

Is your camera image good , especially when a bit dark , are you happy with it ? If so what camera do you have

 

[Bart]

Mine show rear view on mirror

We don't have a rear view mirror , I removed it as we cannot see out of the back easily.

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[Speve]

You will probably improve the image with a hard wired camera and screen.
I bought one for a side view as we are lhd and it works fine about £30 on flebay

 

[Bart]

You will probably improve the image with a hard wired camera and screen.
I bought one for a side view as we are lhd and it works fine about £30 on flebay

That is what I am wondering , if the quality suffers because it's not hard wired , do others here get a great picture when using Bluetooth ?

 

[Marmite]

Have twin rear view cameras .. parking camera to 2-DIN unit and nomal rear virew camera to clip on screen over rear view mirror. ... both hard wired. Works a treat.

BTW .. I thought that a rear view mirror was a legal requirement, irrespective of whether you can see anything at the rear?

 

[StephDeLux]

I have a Garmin BC40 camera on the front, it connects wireless with the Garmin Camper 780 and the image is very good, including at night albeit then in black and white.

It also looks like I could add more BC40 cameras, which is pretty tempting for side views and even a view on the grey water pipe.

When I say wireless, I'm not sure if it is bluetooth or an ad-hoc wifi network.

 

[cmcardle75]

Have twin rear view cameras .. parking camera to 2-DIN unit and nomal rear virew camera to clip on screen over rear view mirror. ... both hard wired. Works a treat.

BTW .. I thought that a rear view mirror was a legal requirement, irrespective of whether you can see anything at the rear?

I understood you legally needed 2 rear view mirrors. One must be on the right (wing or door), the other on either the left or on your windscreen. I've driven many vans that have clearly never had a window mounted mirror (for obvious reasons).

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[Camdoon]

I understood you legally needed 2 rear view mirrors. One must be on the right (wing or door), the other on either the left or on your windscreen. I've driven many vans that have clearly never had a window mounted mirror (for obvious reasons).

No windscreen?

 

[Landy Andy]

Rear bulkhead In way, or no glass in rear doors, I would think. Fairly normal for commercial vehicles.

 

[Bart]

Rear bulkhead In way, or no glass in rear doors, I would think. Fairly normal for commercial vehicles.

Yip I've driven quite a few "white vans" where there has been no rear view mirror as you just have the full bulkhead behind the front seats.

 

[68c]

I fitted a dual camera reverse/rear view mirror setup. In truth I rarely look at the reverse picture when backing up, either use the wing mirrors or one of us gets out to guide if a tight spot. The rear view mirror function is handy, often see a car close to me that wing mirrors do not show. As mine is an old van I get sorely tempted to brake hard when I see an expensive car tucked in there. It was not the cheapest kit but I have found the display not bright enough in the sun, tried mounting mirror in the conventional mirror position but unusable on a bright day especially when against white clouds. Now mounted to the right on the dashboard but still too dim. Playing around with brightness, contrast etc has not helped much. When riding as passenger I sometimes use the remote control to select reverse camera to check the bikes are secure.

 

[Bart]

I have a question that will help me decide what path to take.

Is there anyone here who uses the Garmin 660 who has a good image from their reversing camera , and are happy with it?? If so what camera do you use ??
, as from reading up on the camera that I have ( the Garmin BC 30 ) the resolution of it is only 680 x 480 , however if I did just change the camera I would still be limited by the screen resolution of the Garmin 660 which is 800 x 480.
I have looked at upgrading the camera to the Garmin BC 40 who's resolution is up to 720p ( Sat nav dependant ) , but unsure what it's resolution would work out at when connected to my Garmin 660.

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[StephDeLux]

I have looked at upgrading the camera to the Garmin BC 40 who's resolution is up to 720p ( Sat nav dependant ) , but unsure what it's resolution would work out at when connected to my Garmin 660.

According to Garmin, the BC40 is not compatible with the 660.

 

[Bart]

Thanks for the heads up , where did you read that info please

 

[AndyPK]

The Garmin website has a list of compatible sat navs......

 

[StephDeLux]

Thanks for the heads up , where did you read that info please

I included the link in my post

 

[AndyPK]

I have a BC40 and Garmin Drivesmart 55 for reversing, and a wired camera linked to the rear-view mirror monitor for driving.

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[Bart]

I have a BC40 and Garmin Drivesmart 55 for reversing, and a wired camera linked to the rear-view mirror monitor for driving.

Hi Andy , yip I just seen that at the Garmin website there , my guess is that the camera will connect to the Sat nav as it's just a Bluetooth connection , but whether it will display a picture due to the camera resolution of the BC 40 being higher that the resolution of the 660 Camper Sat nav.

 

[Bart]

I included the link in my post

Yar I clicked on it after asking cheers