Reversing Cameras

[khisanth]

I can see this has probably been addressed i am looking for an easy to install Reversing camera. I am not very technically minded on cars getting better worked out how to take the grill of my 1999 model the other day. I know wired solutions are always better. I am getting a double din radio than can show the reversing camera. It is only going to be used for reversing or maybe when parked look whats outside (Twitching).

Are wireless Options really that bad. Was looking at one that attaches to the number plate. My Bongo has a side conversion so would probably require a lot of work threading the cabke to the front which is why i am considering wireless. Any Ideas and pictures of yours be great

[the laird]

Give stuc a pm ,he's just fitted a nice cheap one

[jimmo62]

running a cable to the front is easy, just did one for an alarm. You can easily push it down behind the plastic trim at the top of the walls just below the ceiling then run it down the pillar just behind the passenger seat (again just push it in behind the plastic covers)

[khisanth]

So run it on the opposite side of the conversion.

Dont suppose you know how difficult it would be wiring it to the reverse lights and getting cable inside vehicle

[dave_aber]

Getting the wires inside the vehicle is the tricky bit - feed then through the rubber pipe which connects the tailgate to the body using a wire coathanger etc.

You can pick up a reverse signal to power the camera from the tail light cluster (no use for twitching!), or feed a signal along with the video cable from the front.

The best place at the front for the reverse signal is down at the infernal beeper box, to the right of the accelerator pedal, behind the triangular trim panel.

I can't remember off the top of my head which wire it is, but orange/white in the big white plug which is in the blue box rings a bell. If you look up Geoff's BWM pages (search on here) you should find the right one easily enough. Without this, it should only take to mins with a multimeter to work out which one it is.

This will trigger your double-DIN to switch it into reverse mode (this is exactly what I have). If you want to 'twitch' as well, I'd wire a switched 12v into the same line. Probably worth putting a diode in line so you don't confuse anything else in the Bongo making it think the gearbox is in reverse!

As for the wireless - I have tried one, and it wasn't great. It always seemed to drop the signal (and picture) at just the wrong time! I was also using a clip-on mirror/screen which was a poor mirror, and a poor screen. The double DIN is much better.

[spud350]

I have a wireless one and it works fine. I wired mine to the head lights so when I'm towing my bike and trailer I can have a peek to see if it's still there.

[stuc]

You could also just run the cables the full length underneath and come up at the front into the passenger footwell. It's very easy to find the live and earth feed at the off side rear light cluster. If you are stuck I could easily take the light out and give you the colours of the wires.

[stuc]

Also put where you are in your profile, someone may be able to pop round and keep you right.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Going back to your enquiry, and use for "Twitching", I have an idea.... ...I've just got a helmet camera from a guy in the USA, and I'm going to use it instead of my current forward view overtaking camera...and it's de-mountable via a screw ring....so if you mount it on the stand provided, you could mount it inside at the rear, and view through the rear window, and it's spot on for twitching, as it's adjustable from wide angle to telephoto, and it has zoom facility....right up your alley , purpose-wise...I'll give you the guy's details if you like!....he has a superb range!
Cheers
Helen

[khisanth]

Cheers helen

[helen&tony]

Hi
Here you are , then:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5-16MM-HELM ... 58846edb50
It's a natty little job with 2 adjusting rings for zoom and wide-angle / telephoto, and a lens cap. You could use the mounts provided, and a spacer if needed, to mount it in the rear in the roof, and point it through the rear window. It's demountable, and would make a good hobby cam, with the 8-AA battery pack...Ideal for snapping some vids of dicky-birds if you get some small recording gear
I'll be testing mine later this week...
Oh...the post from the US is pretty darned good...I got mine in 4 working days!
Good Luck
Cheers
Helen

[helen&tony]

Hi Klisanth
I didn't get a chance to test the cam over the weekend, so I'll try during the week...It was cold, dank and misty over the weekend...not nice to work in!!!! BBBbbbrrrrr
Cheers
Helen