Live streaming camera for the back of the rig

[Trouble_Within]

Hi All,
There have been alot of topics about dash cams and the like for recording road incidents or just general travel data. What I am looking for is a live stream camera to fit to the back of the caravan that streams to a screen in the car to allow me to see what is coming behind. I think it would be a great safety feature to see what is about behind the rig.
Has anyone had/have this sort of camera setup and the other questions is do they find it useful at all? Also, name of the unit and rough price if possible. Thanks

 

[Robert.Smith]

Hi,

I know my old man has one of these setup, and I am looking to do the same. He has the display mounted in a sun visor screen (Used to have a separate dash mounted one). It just feeds form the camera whenever they are towing.

Others I have seen are setup as reversing cameras. If you already have one in-built, you can select which display (Tug or van) you wish to be displaying.

I'll see what I can find out in terms of cost and brand etc.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[Sterlo1]

We have one on our current van and had one on our previous van. We would not be without one now. We went for the clip over rear view type monitor as we found it more convenient because your eyes automatically look to the mirror.
Got all our bits n pieces from = www.brashimports.com.au
All cables cameras, monitors etc are available online and David is very helpful.
Cheers Paul.

 

[Brad]

This post contains the mod for the first expanda
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/730-16-49-1b-mods/page3

And this link shows the mod for my current expanda
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/1595-Our-18-57-5-OB/page8

Both used a screen that goes over the rear view mirror. Theory with that is I naturally already look up in that direction already when I want to see what is behind me.

 

[Trouble_Within]

Thanks Paul and Brad, i think the clip over mirror might be the go. What size mirror have you both used and which camera? Have you found these cameras handy to know what is behind you while driving?

 

[Sterlo1]

Hi,
The monitor I have = http://www.brashimports.com.au/BI70a.htm

and the camera = http://www.brashimports.com.au/Round white.htm

Whichever camera you get, make sure it is CCD as these are the ones for continuous viewing.

We use these in conjunction with the larger outside mirrors and you can see what is tailgating you that the mirrors do not see.
However vehicles approaching in the distance cannot be seen as they are too small an object on the screen.

 

[andrea]

Hi All,
There have been alot of topics about dash cams and the like for recording road incidents or just general travel data. What I am looking for is a live stream camera to fit to the back of the caravan that streams to a screen in the car to allow me to see what is coming behind. I think it would be a great safety feature to see what is about behind the rig.
Has anyone had/have this sort of camera setup and the other questions is do they find it useful at all? Also, name of the unit and rough price if possible. Thanks

Omg you just gave me an idea. I've just purchased a new toy ... A drift hd ghost (like the gopro black). I'd just need to check the wireless distance but we could mount it to the back of the van and control it and view it from my iPhone. It runs 5 min loupes that if something happened you could easily record due to the louping. Battery time is 4 hours (reason we picked it over the gopro) and being waterproof rain won't bother it.

 

[macca]

Thanks Paul and Brad, i think the clip over mirror might be the go. What size mirror have you both used and which camera? Have you found these cameras handy to know what is behind you while driving?

We fitted a repacement rear vision mirror, not clip on but a full replacent head. I fitted it with a camera on the back of the car and run the second wiring loom for the caravan camera. It has a screen that is in the mirror with touch switching/menu to scroll between cameras. When van is not in use it just works as a normal reversing camera.

My set up is a mix of Brash imports for Mirror and car camera and Caravan camera from Safety Dave. Both guys excellent to deal with. I would try Brash first. Took two days from the time I ordered to receive parts. I love the mirror, it just looks like part of the car. I am not a fan of clip on/wireless units.

Edit. Found the post I did a while ago, shows the mirror.
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/1576-Mazda-BT-50-XTR/page3

Geoff

 

[Deano]

We will always have a rear camera on our van. We have a ARB rear view camera in the tow tug and has a 2nd AUX for the van tug which I bought off eBay.
It allows me to see how many cars I might be holding up on tricky bends, hills and Dodgey roads.

 

[Deano]

This is the camera I rigged up on the back of the Expanda. Well a mate of mine installed it. Check out YouTube, there are various videos on how to install them.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-PIN-He...ries&hash=item3a62e866e9&_uhb=1#ht_5055wt_964

 

[Jaybird]

I have just bought this one off ebay, they were a great company to deal with even calling me to query a couple of things, I have seen this set up in action through friends that have them, very clear with good vision, im just in the process of installing mine.

I guess I should say I have no affiliation with this company they are just worth a good mention.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/330688476792?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

 

[Ligedy]

Check out the dual camera at brash imports or Polaris rear vision.

2 x CCD camera unit with a 120 deg wide angle for reversing and 90 deg for constant rear view (generally wide angle 120 to 170 deg are used for reversing cameras and will give a more distorted view at increased distances, cars will appear further back than are). I’m sure won't take long to get used to it...

Someone else on the forum has installed a dual camera on their van - I liked the idea and have purchased one from Polaris system ready to install on my van.

PS. This is closed circuit video feed vs. streaming - I think with a gropro or the like you would also need a Wi-Fi network and associated hardware whilst on the move to connect the camera and iPhone to stream live feeds... I’m sure it can be done I googled it as I thought it would be good for use with the Ipad but then figures the ipad would be used elsewhere (kidlets) whilst driving...

 

[macca]

Mobile wifi (router)will be one of the next gadgets in cars here. Already optioned on lots of cars in the states. Great for internet radio and other stuff. Autonet is one company that does it for GM cars. Similar to hotspot on an iphone etc but more suited to travelling.

Geoff

 

[andrea]

PS. This is closed circuit video feed vs. streaming - I think with a gropro or the like you would also need a Wi-Fi network and associated hardware whilst on the move to connect the camera and iPhone to stream live feeds... I’m sure it can be done I googled it as I thought it would be good for use with the Ipad but then figures the ipad would be used elsewhere (kidlets) whilst driving...

The drift (and I'm pretty sure the gopro black) have their own wireless that your device connects to. Both the POV cameras have brand new technology with the gopro black released in November and the drift in December. They both have apps they work through.

Geoff, the iPhone 5 has a personal hotspot feature that is passworded and you can connect your other devises and use your iPhone data allowance.

 

[macca]

I do that with my iphone already, but like when you stream radio (tune in) to your car stereo, it has blank spots where the signals overlap or drop out, auto wifi will smooth that out so you have a more constant signal.

 

[Moto Mech]

I run a rear view camera on back of caravan and one on back of vehicle that I can switch between anytime by simply flicking a rocker switch. These both send pictures to my in dash DVD/GPS screen. To add the van onto the existing system cost only $100(camera and leads)