Technology changes so quickly I thought it worth posting to see if anyone has a higher resolution (1080p) backup camera they recently bought.
Looking for wireless 7" backup only camera to replace failing older model in coach.
Should probably also ask if anyone believes strongly that a wired camera is preferable.
Thanks
Is it the camera or the monitor that is failing? The camera doesn't care what size the monitor is. 1080p in a backup camera system, sounds like a lot of $$$. Components need to be compatible. May have to replace both. Yes wired IMHO is better.
Amazon.com: FHD 1080P Backup Camera and 7 inch Monitor kit for Truck/car/Pick... (https://www.amazon.com/Backup-Camera-Monitor-Trailer-Automobile/dp/B083QV516P/ref=mp_s_a_1_10_sspa?keywords=1080p+backup+camera&qid=1582126578&sr=8-10-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVFo4TEVBMERaVklEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjg5NjEyMlo4M01MNFNLMEVMRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDc3MTE1MlNQREhSUDBCS0FYJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=)
Randy,
Everyone is doing at least 1080P color backup cameras now and they are cheap. Check out the 1080/4K camera/montior combinations here: 1080 or 4k backup camera | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=1080+or+4k+backup+camera&_sacat=0)
Ours was cheap, cheap, cheap (less than $50 for 7" monitor and camera) and works great. Really excellent at night. The OEM wiring works well. If you want to go wireless, I would not count on the sellers to give an honest opinion for that distance.
Consider several cameras with split screen monitor. Not expensive either. Nice to have the side view.
Pierce
I put in a 1080p back up camera 7 years ago. The camera I used was sold as a security camera and used a wired SDI (Serial Digital Interface) as the transmission protocol. My experience working in A/V designing (so called ::) ) smart classrooms, has biased me towards wired systems, mainly because of potential interference from sources not under my control. Plus, wired (using quality cabling rated for the purpose, i.e. gauge of the conductor, shielding material, sweep tested at appropriate frequencies*), is just inherently more reliable, if terminated properly and routed to avoid sharp radius bends etc. Also, latency could potentially be an issue but not necessarily in this application. However, if I were to replace what I have now, I would take a fresh look, though the system still works as it did when first installed. Here is a topic I posted on 7 years ago;
Power Tilt Back Up Camera (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=17430.msg116238#msg116238)
Don
* It means the cable has been tested with a sweep generator that'll test the full range of frequencies to ensure the signal loss for the given length is what it should be and thus proves the cable has no defects, at least a the time of testing.
Randy, we tried a wireless camera, returned it after one trip and replaced it with two wired cameras in back, all new cables and a right side camera. Wireless connection was not stable. My rear camera looking back is on all the time while driving. Screen switches to right turn camera when the turn signal is on that way. It is helpful.
Roger,
Can you please elaborate on how you ran the cables from the back of the coach to the cockpit?
First, in some cases, the old cables can be used with adapters at the ends.
But if you do have to run new once, the "D" shaped beam at the driver's side roof to side wall is open front to back.
Use the existing wires if at all possible. The ceiling D channel is open but with lots of places to hang up a fish down the full length of the coach.
I cut and soldered at the back as I was in a hurry. Adapters are easily available so it's plug and play.
Pierce
I installed a wireless backup camera and monitor in our coach 6 years ago and it is still functioning like new. I do get occasional signal dropouts that I attribute to interference or congestion on the transmitter/receiver frequency. These have always been of very short duration and do not (IMO) diminish the usefulness of the system. I am pretty sure wireless technology has improved over the past 6 years, so I would guess that new systems would work "better" than ours.
That said, If I was installing a new camera today, I would consider the value of Forum member opinions (above), and probably go with "wired".
I installed an Ebay 4 camera system with all new wiring and 9 inch screen. 4 camera split screen is too small to see detail, even on a 9 inch monitor. I'm considering adding another monitor or 2. Right and left cameras, straight back and rear down for tow.
I ran the new wires thru the D channel at the upper corner driver's side. Ran a metal fish thru the channel. Wasn't to difficult, but took 2 of us to run the wire.
Word of advise leave the chase cord in place when you're done. Ask me why. :facepalm:
Cheers Ric 8)
I had a wireless furion camera on my previous truck trailer combo and it worked well. I don't see why it wouldn't work in a class A rv. There are two versions one is for backup only and one for continuous use. You will want the one for continuous use.
We just purchased a 1996 U270 3600 and need to replace the backup camera. It has a dual function in that it monitors the tanks as well so what I replace it with needs to be dual function. Any suggestions?
Your cameras, the display monitor and the system than monitors tank levels and shows them on the same display are all differnt components. When my screen barely readable and the tank levels were no longer correct (not even close) I added a SeeLevel Tank Level system, removed the old B/W display and replaced it with a color display and added a new dual rear camera and a right side camera that I can see on the color monitor.
Lots of good sourses for cameras and monitors, I used Tadi Bros because they had what I wanted.
Backup Camera Systems | Rear View Cameras (https://www.tadibrothers.com/category/backup-camera-systems)
SeeLevel systems
709 SeeLeveL II Tank Monitor | Garnet Instruments (https://www.garnetinstruments.com/product/709-seelevel-ii-tank-monitor-system/?doing_wp_cron=1586007444.8540790081024169921875)
Good prices on these here
Garnet 709 SeeLevel II Tank Monitoring System (https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Garnett-Technologies-Model-709-SeeLeveL-II-p/709-1003.htm)
Also see
1997 u295 - water and lp level indicators (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=39226.msg385279#msg385279)
Mine has the Seelevel 2 and works good on the 4 monitors. Previous owner installed it
Lots of good choices for color backup cameras out there on eBay or Amazon. And relatively cheap as well. Taking out the old camera on my Coach was a real PIA. That was the biggest and hardest part of the project. Running new wiring was not hard at all. As Brett said there is a channel that runs along the upper wall on the driver's side. I went to harbor freight and bought a long fish and used that to bring it through. After that it was just fishing it through underneath the overhead cabinets in the bedroom and then bring it out to the camera. As far as using the existing wiring I felt that after 20 years was time to upgrade it and I'm glad that I did that. At the same time I also installed a pioneer head unit that had the side camera option. I put the side camera on the passenger side mirror and ran the wiring through the mirror and into the space where all the self resetting breakers are and from there over to the head unit. I put the new display with a audit system was. I didn't need the tank monitoring since I have a see level system nor did I care about a compass or the battery monitoring I had that elsewhere. I can run the backup camera while I'm driving to see my toad and that to me is very invaluable. it's also really nice to be able to see down the passenger side dead space for when you're in those tight areas. It really helped out during construction areas. It would be really nice to have a four-camera system to have an all-around bird's-eye view of the coach, and that may be a future upgrade.
Bob
I just used the OEM wiring. Replaced the camera with cheap high resolution color camera and 7 inch color monitor. I soldered at the back but a couple of cheap adapters will do the same thing. Bummer that Radio Shack is gone. Under $50 for something 100x better than OEM. Notice I like the word "cheap."
Pierce