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Topic: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera (Read 381 times) previous topic - next topic
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replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
I have a '95 RL LD, which doesn't have a rear camera, however it does have a giant window on the back but the rear view mirror only allows for trailers or top of cars to be visible.

When backing up I usually get help by having someone go to the back and look out the window to make sure I don't hit anything.

So I was wondering about installing a mirror dash cam, which the screen (that looks like a mirror) attached covering the mirror and shows the video feed from a camera mounted to the back. Do not only does it work for backing up, but also all the time as a mirror replacement. Also it has a front camera as a dash cam, but less interested in that.

Has anyone tried this kind of product, or any suggestions?

Brands I noticed:
Vantop: Dash Cam - Vantop
Toguard: Dash camera - Toguard camera
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge
Re: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
Reply #1 –
If the camera is adjusted to help avoiding obstacles when backing up (which may fool you anyway into believing you can see ALL obstacles - voice of experience), you will not be able to see very far down the road. Keep the rearview mirror.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
Reply #2 –
To get a better view of the road behind me in the rear view mirror I flipped the mirror upside down.  That allowed the mirror to have two or three degree more elevation which made a big difference in how far down the road behind me I could see.  Given that I generally drive 55mph I consider that rather important.  It was a bigger deal further west, I live in Virginia, in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and the like where speed limits were sometimes 80 MPH and the bigger rigs were driving 90.  Note; when the speed limit is that high I am moving much faster when in traffic of any kind, but once it passes by I return to 55 and keep an eye on my six.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
Reply #3 –
I have used several different Tadi Brothers products over the years and they have all performed just fine. There is nothing special about the equipment and/or pricing but everything I have used(stand alone monitor, rearview mirror monitor, hard wired and wireless set ups)  worked fine and reliably. They specialize in automotive so they have a huge selection that might be worth checking out. Order Your Wireless Backup Camera from Tadibrothers Today!

Matt

2004 26.5 Island Bed. Gumby
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Re: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
Reply #4 –
1) I saw a wireless solar powered license plate rear camera at Costco the other day for $150.

2a) Before backing up get and look to see if there is anything you need to be really cautious about while backing up.
2b) Use your mirrors! Left, right, left right,,,,,
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
1) I saw a wireless solar powered license plate rear camera at Costco the other day for $150.

2a) Before backing up get and look to see if there is anything you need to be really cautious about while backing up.
2b) Use your mirrors! Left, right, left right,,,,,
And I suggest looking up, where the branches are. A backup camera won't see those...
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
Reply #6 –
On my recent drive back from Florida, I used the full array of visual aids available to me. The side mirrors, of course, including the lower ones that verified lane position; the rear view mirror I found was good to see what was behind me a ways back; and the backup camera, which was on full-time, was great for seeing merging traffic. I was a little disappointed in the video quality of the factory installed camera/monitor and hope to upgrade it at some point.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
Reply #7 –
I use the backup camera monitor mounted near the rear view mirror and the rear view mirror while driving. The backup monitor allows me to keep track of the toad while the rear view mirror allows me to see traffic further behind me.  I consider both to be essential.
2018 31' TB
Re: replacing rearview mirror with camera monitor streaming rear camera
Reply #8 –
majortom-

Our MB came with a Fresnel lens mounted to the center-bottom of the rear window. It did reduce the blind spot below the window somewhat. Size was about 10x14 inches and was a self-stick.

I installed a Garmin RV760 GPS with the wireless BC-20 camera. I hung the camera on a swing arm mounted underneath the upper rear window valence. The swing arm allowed us to move the camera out of the way when using the window shade. The "cigarette lighter" socket on the rear wall provided twelve-volt DC power for the camera transmitter.

I like the idea of having the GPS and monitor displays in one package. I expect Garmin offers an RV GPS-with-camera package in its current line-up.

That rig worked well and allowed us to keep the rear-view mirror. After 8,000 miles with that rig, and another 20,000 with the current one, I have learned to drive using the mirrors and back up only after one or more GOALs (Get Out And Looks) and under my wife's expert guidance. The rear-view camera, which was/is by necessity wide-angle, is useful now and then, but not as much as I first thought.

One final note: RV camera owners appear to report more reliability or performance problems with wireless than with wired cameras. If you start down the wireless route, you may want to do so with a company that has liberal product return policies.

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath