Wolfbox Camera April 17, 2024, 12:02:30 pm I installed a Wolfbox rear view camera (rear view mirror replacement) awhile back but I am disappointed in it. In low light conditions the image is beautiful but during the day it is very washed out. I thought maybe the issue was the fact that I didn't have a shade for the camera so I wrote Wolfbox. They replied that they didn't make one but sent me a brand new system instead (can't complain about that kind of customer service for sure!). So I installed a temporary shade (photo) but it really didn't help much. It's a bit frustrating because this little guy is otherwise really great with its recording capability, compass and wide angle lens. You can even see vehicles about to pass you almost as well as with your convex mirror. We're traveling now but when I get back I'll take another stab at it. Maybe an enclosure of some kind? I have corresponded with Andy who has a similar system and is very happy with his so it must be my installation. QuoteI bought the Wolfbox, but haven't installed it yet.Get busy, Ron! I'm anxious to read about your install and experience with the Wolfbox.jor
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #1 – April 17, 2024, 12:09:52 pm Any opinions on how the camera would work mounted on top of the spare tire cover? I'm considering getting one and using that as a mounting location.Some obvious (and probably already considered suggestions) - Is there a plastic protective shipping film on the camera lens? - Are there software based adjustments for brightness and contrast that might help? - Could the large dark window directly under the camera be causing issues. A temporary test would be to tape a large piece of cardboard over a portion of the window and see if anything improves.In the end, there is only so much a camera with a tiny lens can do. Modern image processing chips (in the camera) and software are amazing, but I wonder it a larger aperture camera could be the solution.Thanks for sharing your observations, as I'm (and probably others) thinking about a similar system.Curiously, Car and Driver likes the wolfbox camera. Best Backup Cameras of 2024, Tested – Car and DriverRich
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #2 – April 17, 2024, 12:24:57 pm Quote - Is there a plastic protective shipping film on the camera lens? - Are there software based adjustments for brightness and contrast that might help? - Could the large dark window directly under the camera be causing issues. A temporary test would be to tape a large piece of cardboard over a portion of the window and see if anything improves.Plastic Covering: Removed the plastic covering. (in low light the image is perfect).Software: Tried that. By the way, you can simulate moving your rear view mirror up and down by dragging your finger on the image!Window Glare: Never thought of that one. Thanks. jor
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #3 – April 17, 2024, 06:17:26 pm The rear-view camera/mirror/dashcam I own, which I mentioned elsewhere, is a Vantop H612T, but it appears to be nearly identical to the Wolfbox except for some added vents in the case back. As John mentioned, I also bought a Wolfbox camera outfit as a backup--I'm so dependent upon this capability that I wouldn't want to be without it if my Vantop setup failed. But I won't install it unless I have to replace the Vantop unit.From my correspondence with John, I believe he's experiencing the same thing I am, and I'm pretty sure I know the cause. The mirror/display is half-silvered -- that is, it has a partial reflective coating, like a "one-way" mirror. I'm guessing that the manufacturer did this so that if the display fails or loses power, it can still function as a conventional mirror, albeit not a very bright one.That sounds like a good idea, but it has two undesirable side effects: it reduces the display's brightness, as John noted; and any bright objects behind the driver may be reflected, distracting from the display.I solved the second problem by draping a couple of cheap black hand towels over the light-colored objects in the back of my truck's cab. But the brightness issue is something I don't see a way to improve. I find it still usable even on a sunny day, but it could be better.For me, the bottom line is this: these rear-view camera/mirror products aren't perfect, but the alternatives are so much worse that I'm happy to have this setup. The alternatives (a couple of these apply to truck + trailer RVing, but bear with me): 1. Using a conventional rear-view mirror to see through the tinted back window of my midbath. Extremely limited angle of view, and I couldn't see objects or vehicles that were closer than a dozen feet or so.2. Using a conventional rear-view mirror to see through three tinted back windows of my pickup truck (when not towing): the rear cab window, the topper's front window, and the topper's rear window. Same limited angle of view as #1, plus three layers of tinted glass.3. When towing, of course the trailer completely blocks the view from the rear window. So I used extendable side mirrors that still didn't let me see close to the rear of my Airstream. No help at all when backing into a campsite.4. Voyager camera and monitor. Bright image, but very low resolution (640 x 480 pixels). No dashcam recording capability to front or rear. Needed to find a place in my Lazy Daze's crowded cab for the bulky Voyager monitor--not easy.5. Vantop/Wolfbox rear camera + mirror/display/dashcam. Extremely sharp (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) display, very wide camera angle, can see objects immediately behind RV, simultaneous dashcam recording of both front and rear cameras, including date/time/GPS location stamping. Display fits over rear-view mirror, so no need to find room for a monitor. (I mounted a second camera on the back of my Airstream, and when towing, I connect that instead of the camera on the back of the truck.)Yes, the display could and should be brighter. But compared to the alternatives, it's a big step in the right direction. That's why I recommended it. 2 Likes
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #4 – May 03, 2024, 08:32:53 pm Bought and installed the Wolfbox camera system on our Honda Fit. The combination of reflective screen and dim rear display with the camera mounted high INSIDE the tinted rear hatch makes this system worse than worthless in this configuration - the resulting mixed images in daylight create a danger. Mounting the camera outside near the license plate would aid safe backing up and be brighter, but useless as a rear-view mirror substitute. Based on the reports of others here, I think I will simply return this item.Steve
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #5 – May 05, 2024, 05:32:32 pm "The combination of reflective screen and dim rear display with the camera mounted high INSIDE the tinted rear hatch makes this system worse than worthless in this configuration..."That's understandable, because that camera (or any rear-view camera) wasn't meant to be mounted behind tinted glass. It goes on the outside of the vehicle."Mounting the camera outside near the license plate would aid safe backing up and be brighter, but useless as a rear-view mirror substitute."I see that Wolfbox does supply a license-plate mounting bracket, but as you pointed out, that's not a good location. The best place for a rear-view camera is above the rear window, where it will have a good view of following vehicles and can show obstacles when backing up. As this installation article says, "We looked online and saw that every rear view camera on a motorhome was mounted below the clearance lights, so this is how we mounted ours." Right. I've seen plenty of RVs with rear-view cameras, and in every case the camera was mounted high on the rear wall. That's where Lazy Daze mounted theirs, when buyers chose that option. That's where the factory-installed camera on my Airstream is mounted. That's where I installed one on my Lazy Daze.So rather than give up and send back the Wolfbox camera, why not mount it where it will do some good: outside the rig, high on the rear wall?
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #6 – May 05, 2024, 07:24:40 pm I think Steve is mounting it on the Honda Fit, not his rig. — Jon
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #7 – May 05, 2024, 10:57:34 pm Thanks for pointing that out, Jon!--although it was in the very first sentence of Steve's post, somehow I overlooked it. Duh.But the same principle applies: mount the camera outside and high. From what I remember of my 2009 Fit, and from photos of more recent Fits, it seems as if the camera could be mounted atop the rear spoiler, and the cable snaked in around the gasket at the top of the hatch. That's basically what I did when I mounted one on my pickup's topper. This photo of a 2020 Fit shows the spoiler, with plenty of room for that tiny camera--no?
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #8 – May 07, 2024, 01:14:59 pm Andy, our 2013 Fit is the base model - no spoiler. It would need to be mounted below the hatch window, fine for parking, but again a confusing view with the optical image also in the mirror. Opted instead for conventional dashcam - the rear camera now is much brighter and higher resolution image in the same location I had the other one. Not useful for viewing, but records both front and back, at 1440p or better. It can optionally also set up to record low-rate while parked, but considering the motorcycle-size battery in the Fit, I decided to forego that. It will image to phone via built-in wifi.Amazon.com: Vantrue E2 Dash Cam Front and Rear with Voice Control, 2.7K +...Requires the purchase of a very fast microSD card.Steve 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Wolfbox Camera Reply #9 – May 07, 2024, 07:37:07 pm "our 2013 Fit is the base model - no spoiler"Ah, that makes things trickier. Well, the Vantrue camera setup you bought looks like a winner."It can optionally also set up to record low-rate while parked, but considering the motorcycle-size battery in the Fit, I decided to forego that."Wise choice. I remember that little battery. ;-)
The Wolfbox Camera is Better than I Thought Reply #10 – October 03, 2024, 02:10:32 pm Well, I have to retract my earlier comments on the Wolfbox rear view mirror camera image being washed out. Turns out it is excellent. Here's the deal (thanks, Joey). We've been trapped here in Tucson for the summer for some medical stuff. Namely, I had to get the geezer eye operation for cataracts. Well, I finally got a chance to drive the LD day before yesterday and whatdoyouknow, that mirror image was GREAT! The Wolfbox was fine; the eyes were not. The funny thing is I complained to Wolfbox early on and they sent me a whole new setup. Now I have two. Might put one in the car. The taste of crow really ain't bad! jor 2 Likes
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