Low costs back up wireless camera kit?

Geo-TH,In · Feb 9, 2015

Looking at a low cost wireless camera kit to assist in low light when backing up trailer hitch. I don't want to run wires under truck. Don't want to fight rain and salt getting in to the wire connectors. Snow and ice hanging on wires

What do you have? I'm only looking for wireless. My concerns: Can the camera batteries be replaced? How long will they last? Are they expensive batteries or cheap AA or AAA's? Can the camera be turned off when not needed? I'm thinking the camera attached to the license plate holder is a good idea.
cheap example, what do you think?

rustyfarmall · Feb 9, 2015

The wired systems have silicon sleeves to protect the connections. No worries about dirt, dust, or moisture.

Lots of folks have tried the wireless systems to see what is behind their campers, motor homes, etc. Those systems usually don't work unless there is a direct line of sight to the monitor.

jCarroll · Feb 9, 2015

I had one for a couple or three years.
Camera wired into back up light circuit -not hard to do.
Monitor plugged into lighter. - just when I was hooking up.

Worked fairly well, except:
Poor depth perception - I had to learn where "close enough" was.
If sun was behind you it washed out the camera - too bright.

My son overshot the trailer into the camera - mashed it.

Have not replaced it

Brad Gyde · Feb 9, 2015

I cannot help much with wireless, but what I can say is the piece of equipment I run at work has a hard-wired Voyager brand camera on it.

I have put nearly 5000 hours on the machine, and the only problem we have had is once the wire was snagged and cut during a mechanical failure (LONG STORY..).

I will agree (at least in our application) it really throws off depth perception, but maybe for trailer hookup (close range) it may not be as bad. Also, it seems like the image it casts on the monitor seem "mirrored", at least to me.

The Voyager works pretty well, day or night. It has something in the camera that will change the display for better visibility if the camera is facing into the sunshine during the day. In the darkness, you can see a little bit without much light, but if there is a light shining into it, all you get is a "white screen". I would think with backup lights on a vehicle, you'd be able to see well enough to hook up, as the lights are not shining into the camera.

Brad

willie in mn · Feb 9, 2015

I have one similar to the one shown in the link, paid about 75 bucks on special at wally world.
Hitch ball shows almost dead center of the monitor screen, can get within 1/8 inch of trailer coupler on first try. Close enuff that it drops right on.
Also when parking with just truck, when the parking space stripe goes off bottom of screen, the bumper is about 18 inches away, just right.
For power to camera, I removed tail light & pulled wire up inside box cavity, tapped into back-up wire, the wire splice is up high & dry. For monitor power I tapped into back-up wire under dash. So both units are powered up only when in reverse.
Willie

ObsoElitist · Feb 9, 2015

Among other things, my partner and I sell vintage camp trailers. Right now we have about 16 trailers on hand , and we will have more in the spring, plus our 6 utility trailers of different types. I use 4 vehicles to move them. Sometimes you have to move 5 to get one out and then put them all back, and I have had some days where it seemed all I did was couple and move.
With one trailer, i can hit the mark consistantly, but with all these variables I had to get in and out a lot, until i bought the "Iball". http://www.amazon.com/iBall-Wireless-Trailer-Hitch-Camera/dp/B0035WSQEC . The camera is magnetic, and the viewer sticks out of the cig lighter on a flexible stalk. It works on all my vehicles, and can be mounted in many other ways, such as sideways to tell me when to stop in-line with other units, in a wheel well to watch the tires, etc. I do mount the magnetic camera at a 45 degree angle above the hitch so i don't smash it. For non-ferrous tailgates I mounted a small steel plate with closed-style pop rivets.

jm. · Feb 9, 2015

I have a cheap Harbor freight wireless on one of our excavators it is not line of site and works flawless.

Hobo,NC · Feb 9, 2015

I have installed 5 of these and its the one I also use... I also wrote up a review Look for my name... BTW I order it from walmart on line...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pyle-PLCM...unt-TFT-LCD-Widescreen-Video-Monitor/23851936

I have also installed the wireless BUT drill a hole and install the transmitter in the cabin anywhere inside the cabin it worked great..
Even behind the spare tire in a covered compartment...

I prefer a BIG screen and one I can switch on when I want to... If you get a good'N you will luv it...

I dunno anything about battery's all I have installed were powered up by the vehicle...

Geo-TH,In · Feb 9, 2015

I was looking for wireless, however after doing
more research, wireless kits aren't really wireless
after all. You still need to wire them into the
back up lights, mount transmitter and receivers. I
think what you posted is hard wired and may be
better..

Low costs back up wireless camera kit?

Geo-TH,In

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rustyfarmall

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jCarroll

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Brad Gyde

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willie in mn

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ObsoElitist

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jm.

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Hobo,NC

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Geo-TH,In

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