reversing camera or sensor - what do you think?

[despot67]

Well here is the dilemma - I have now got very dark rear windows restricting my view when reversing (I know ive got mirrors but im a wuss).

I have a brand new reversing sensor kit for the the rear bumper - brought it a few years back but never used it, so do I fit it or mount a camera in the rear bumper and put a screen in the front. I have fitted these in previous motors and like them - always handy to check your trailer is still attached when going on holiday lol?

What do you think?

 

[jims-terrano]

Im a cheap skate so use the sensors cos you have them:thumb2

Think about upgrading reverse light too as the stock unit is pants

 

[despot67]

Im a cheap skate so use the sensors cos you have them:thumb2

Think about upgrading reverse light too as the stock unit is pants

I can get a reversing screen (4.3") and camera for about £25 so pretty cheap but the only thing I have found with cameras its hard to judge distance and where is best to mount the camera? whereas the sensor tells you distance exactly as its a kind of radar.

Or use both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[makeitfit]

Camera. Far more versatile and can be linked up to a dashcam recorder etc

 

[Sweety]

You could always fit both:augie my parking sensor never fails if you get to close it makes a nice loud noise that is what a tow bar is for isn't it:nenau:lol:lol

 

[AlexD333]

Camera all day long.

Pros for camera

1 camera vs 4 sensors
No paint code to match
No horrid sensors on display
One wire vs 4
Can wire camera to turn on when you like

Cons for camera

Need a screen
Limited space on dash
May be distorted against certain light at night?

I'd go for a camera defo

 

[makeitfit]

Rear view mirror screen combo

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

I love my Waeco camera system. The only down side is this time of year, as the Terrano throws so much crap up the back, the camera is a haze in just a couple of motorway miles.

I have a third camera on the back of the caravan, and switch to that when towing, which you can't do with a mirror.

I have just spent the evening researching how to make a lens washer for the camera, then it will be perfect.

 

[Sweety]

I love my Waeco camera system. The only down side is this time of year, as the Terrano throws so much crap up the back, the camera is a haze in just a couple of motorway miles.

Only thing I could think of Clive is to T into your rear wash & mount an old style Mini washer jet (single jet) onto the spare wheel cover or on a bracket under your camera so when you wash your rear window you do the camera at the same time:thumbs
I've removed my rear mudflaps & TBH the rear window hasn't got dirty any faster & the spray off the tyres look just the same:augie

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Only thing I could think of Clive is to T into your rear wash & mount an old style Mini washer jet (single jet) onto the spare wheel cover or on a bracket under your camera so when you wash your rear window you do the camera at the same time:thumbs
I've removed my rear mudflaps & TBH the rear window hasn't got dirty any faster & the spray off the tyres look just the same:augie

I'm looking at that, I have a permanent board over the back window, and have slide in side curtains for when I carry tools in the rear, so never use the rear window anyway. I was thinking of disconnecting the rear wiper, and washer, and just using the washer feed direct.

I was also looking at the option of putting a small washer bottle inside the hollow in the read door, and giving it's own washer system completely. The professional ones then blast a jet of air over the lens to dry it off.

I still have my flaps, but I am sure since I put the spoiler on the back it is actually worse than before it was there.

 

[trophymick]

Would the camera not go inside, on the rear window in the wiper swept area?:nenau

Or is that too simple and I've missed the plot.

 

[despot67]

Would the camera not go inside, on the rear window in the wiper swept area?:nenau

Or is that too simple and I've missed the plot.

I would imagine as long as the camera doesn't have infrared emitters this would work as if it did you would get reflection on the glass. I thought of a bullet type lens wide angle drilled into the middle of the rear bumper.

I thought of mounted on the top but the rear spare wheel would block the view also as stated the only downside to rear bumper placement is the build up of dirt.

Just thought I cant mount mine inside now due to my darkened glass and dont want to remove any of it.

 

[Blocky10]

I'd go for a camera defo

mmmmm. Is that because you don't have any bumpers? [emoji11]

 

[despot67]

well I have ordered a camera and 4.3" screen - new toys to put in:clap

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Would the camera not go inside, on the rear window in the wiper swept area?:nenau

Or is that too simple and I've missed the plot.

That was the idea when I first got mine, but you don't realise how much the rear of the T2 slopes away, and how far the car sticks out further than the rear tailgate.

Inside the rear window, the angle of view of the camera meant you have to get it right up against the glass, other wise all you saw was the demister lines, and spare wheel. Also the spare wheel gets in the view, so you can't see anything down directly behind the car, so no good for reversing. The biggest problem was when it got darker, the infra red LEDs come on and just glare the camera out from the reflection of the glass.

If you put it on the roof, again it can't see anything directly behind the car as the spare wheel gets in the way, even out on the spoiler, it's down view is blocked buy the spare wheel.

Down in the Bumper, in my case I tried where the numberplate used to be, seemed good at first, but when using it as a rear view on the actual road, rather than just as a reversing camera, you just do not get good rear visibility, as you can only see the grill of the car directly behind, rather than looking over or through and being able to see several cars back. Plus it gets really dirty down there, and where my car was still burning the oil at the time, it soon got a greasy layer on it, which everything stuck to.

After having run it for a couple of years I am looking to fit 2 separate cameras, rather than the current one, which is 2 cameras in one housing. One would be just under the rear break light, inside the rear window, with no night LED's, as the rear view camera, and the the second one would be the type with an electronic sliding cover, down in the old number plate area, which would just be used for reversing and hitching the caravan.

 

[Mav96]

trouble with most reversing sensors is they dont really work under 12" or so .
so for tight maneuvering not that good. my last motor was a Bongo (if you know what that is :lol) I had a camera mounted under the roof spoiler looking almost straight down, over 5' from the ground, i set it so i could see both corners of the bumper so i could then get within 1/2" without hitting. the terrano is more awkward with the spare wheel, I will be looking at maybe mounting on the bottom of the spare wheel cover somehow ? with a waterproof quick connector in case i need to use the spare. tip get as wide angle as possible as there are different specs. option 2 fit 2 cams one each side :nenau

 

[despot67]

Thats where I plan to mount mine - just above the rear number plate but I haven't bothered with night vision as a few led's wont give off much illumination. I only plan to use it to check nobody is behind me when I reverse for safety sake not so much for parking.

 

[micktheshed]

I fitted sensors 3 years ago when I 1str bought my Terrano & have found them a godsend. Once faith in them has been obtained they are a 'fit&forget' & not subject to weather fouling, reflection problems, lighting conditions or thieving hands. If fitting a camera anyway, I would advise both.

BTW, I had front sensors as well on my previous Astra which were a total nuisance until I fitted an on-off switch. Every little drain cover etc. set them off for some time after they were energised by the brake circuit!

 

[Sweety]

I'm looking at that, I have a permanent board over the back window, and have slide in side curtains for when I carry tools in the rear, so never use the rear window anyway. I was thinking of disconnecting the rear wiper, and washer, and just using the washer feed direct.

I was also looking at the option of putting a small washer bottle inside the hollow in the read door, and giving it's own washer system completely. The professional ones then blast a jet of air over the lens to dry it off.

I still have my flaps, but I am sure since I put the spoiler on the back it is actually worse than before it was there.

As the rear window is blanked off & you can't see out of it would make things easier Clive. Remove the old rear wiper motor & fit a grommet where it comes through the rear door then you could re-route the washer hose to come out of the grommet & just use the rear wash function to squirt water onto the camera. It would save you all of the hassle of fitting another washer bottle, wiring, switch etc:thumbs

 

[SNH]

How about a sunvisor screen mounted to a reverse camera? Kits can be had on ebay for decent money or if your pretty capable a 4.3" screen can be had for £15, just strip it down and mount it in your visor. It's a mod I plan to do once all my stereo install is done.