Look in your rear view mirror and you can see whatever's at the level of the mirror. What you (actually, me, in this case) might be wondering is if there's something -- or someone -- where you can't see it.
I've been intrigued with advertisements for cameras that mount on the rear of the vehicle ever since I bought a used Roadtrek. The Roadtrek's a small RV and it's longer than an average van. Seeing out the back window isn't easy.
I had the chance to try Roadmaster's VR3 Wireless Backup Camera and even though it was a pain to install, I'm glad I have it.
Roadmaster's promotional photo of camera and monitor
(with an monitor image that makes no sense...)
The Color CameraThe outfit comes with a 2.5-inch LCD wireless color monitor that you mount on the dashboard or sun visor. The monitor has controls for brightness and contrast as well as a toggle that lets you change the view from a normal image to a mirror image. The mirror image is best because it replicates the view from your rear view mirror.
The kit comes with a small holder for the monitor with double-sided sticky tape. I still haven't decided exactly where to mount it, and I suggest you try it in a couple of spots before finding a permanent home. Once I know where it goes, I'll probably drill holes on the mounting device and screw it to the dashboard rather than use tape.
Making the Power Connection
The camera gets its power in one of two ways: You can plug it directly into what was once known as a cigar lighter (that changed in the 60's to cigarette lighter; now it's a power outlet) using a 12-volt adaptor. A better way is to grab power directly from the vehicle's fuse box. I thought I could do it, so I took the manual and the wiring, and dropped under the dashboard. After fiddling for ten minutes, I decided to trade Mike the mechanic $20 and an answer to any one of his computing woes to do the wiring. Unless you're handy, I suggest you factor that cost into the price.
The License Plate Camera
The camera mounts along the top or bottom of the license plate. Power for the camera also has to be hard wired, something I left for Mike.
When you or the mechanic install the camera, you have two options: Have the camera and monitor operate only when you shift into reverse or have it working all the time. Mine's set for shifting into reverse, but if you ever tow another vehicle, you'll probably prefer it be on all the time.
The Good and The Bad
I've used the VR3 Wireless Backup Camera for a few months. It definitely gives me another, better view of the back end of the Roadtrek.
But my fantasy was that I'd have a very wide view behind the van, so if I backed into a parking spot or camping site, I'd see everything. With a 110 degree horizontal viewing angle and an 80 degree vertical angle, it's adequate, but not spectacular.
Another problem is the image will occasionally act like, well, a wireless device. The gizmo picks up interference and I'll see horizontal lines rolling across the screen; every so often the image will just disappear.
You can pay full retail for the Wireless Backup Camera -- $140 -- on Roadmaster's site, but I've seen it as low as $60 at Costco.
Slightly blurry image of the camera on the dashboard of my
van sitting in the driveway
Camera mounted on the license plate. The arrow's pointing to the camera.
Is is the image clear enough at night and under rain?