I purchased a cheap quad camera DVR and still deciding if it's the one for me or not.
1 Were is it recommended to install side cameras
2 Has anyone used the javelin elevation solenoid on there rear camera Successfully? Surgically removed.
Scott
Yuck
All behind inside inlet around camera area
I just picked up a mobile DVR as well. It's in my stack of projects. My initial thought was to mount a side camera on the underside of the mirror. I picked up one of these to experiment. The base us just under 1.5 x 2". I've powered it up on the desktop but I need to try it taped on the coach before I finalize configuration.
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I will take a picture tomorrow of my side cameras and post it here.. I can't imagine a better side view than mine provides so it may suit you as well.
I also picked up one of these. I should have it in hand in a few days. I plan to aim one at the hitch/toad and one further back.
Just below the awning arm.. The location gives me a full view with no blind spot.
I am so hesitant to drill holes in any fiberglass. Think it comes from years of repairing and seeing cracks start at holes and corners. I will need to make the hole for the video cable but think for now will use double faced tape for camera mount. Was also thinking behind side blinker ( no hole) but would prefer we're you did. How is that for elevation? Would taller be better?
Thank you for input
Scott
I've no way of knowing if taller would be better. I don't think my side view could be improved on "for me".
I bought a quad "eagle view" setup but it hasn't worked its way up my to do list.
Seems to me that the same view my wife's car has would be great on the coach when backing into the sun or a ahadow with my old guy eyesight.
We have side cameras on our coach. I don't care for them too much as I can see everything in my mirrors.
When you use the turn signals at night the blinkers make them useless due to the flashing light.
I have a right side camera mounted as shown above, a dual rear camera and a very small camera in front pointing straight down so I can see where the front of the coach is right in front of me. All hardwired.
I cut out off the old camera like you did and mounted the new one under the rain deflector.
I used Tadi Bros.
Frank that is a valuable information. I originally had thought of mounting behind side turn signal lens. Was thinking of making a aluminum plate to mount camera on to prevent any new holes. Completely missed thinking of the light itself causing interference with camera operation. That make great sense. Dislike being additional length behind front of coach but that is worthy trade off to delete light interference. Would also be a issue with clearance lights too. Will definitely do a test fit with lights on including flashers before installation. Last night I rejected my camera system. #4 camera would flash a blue box in center randomly about every minute. Too distracting. Splitting post for inlet camera mount and bug screen with deflector.
Scott
The rt side camera on our coach comes on when the rt turn signal is on or when I select it on the monitor. It adds lots of close blind spot help. No matter what you do with mirrors there are some hard to see places on that side. I look in all the mirror sections and the monitor every time.
The left side mirror view is better and I don't want to be looking rt to the monitor when I am doing something to the left.
Rarely use the close view rear camera but the far view is on all the time as we drive. The front camera lets me see immediately in front of the coach. I can drive up to and stop exactly at a line at the very front of the coach not visible from the driver's position.
Mounted our right camera on the mirror.
Ran the wires through the mirror, with the other wires
To be honest, don't look at it much in traffic, too much information. I still use the mirrors.
But is helpful backing in tight spots.
Chris
My coach came with the cameras mounted right in the convex mirrors.
Love my side cameras -
+1 on the useless at night due to proximity to light
WIll get corrected next trip to NAC -
In looking at my coach today figured I could shade the top of the side turn signal with aluminum tape. Same with the front of the upper mid clearance light if I end up mounting higher, I had looked at the side mirrors as a mount but was concerned there was enough room for the additional cable. Sounds like there is, but would have to take wire ends off. The system I'll end up with will also have a 48 hour recording limit DVR to use as a security system when parked. I agree 100% that I'm generally using side mirrors, but between the back up, Additional lane view, security it just seemed like a good gadget to have at a little more cost.
Scott
So I had ordered a different camera with IR. Should be delivered today.
Amazon.com: Backup Camera System, DOUXURY 4 Split Screen 9'' Quad View... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J46P645/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Have been thinking about side camera location and once Frank and Tim mentioned light issues got me thinking that could be a issue with headlights also. Will mount camera initially with double face tape till I decide what works for me. Am now thinking that since this also acts as a DVR for security mounting higher may work better? I'll beta test till I find what works for me. More to come.
Scott
So powered up camera and it has traveling interference lines in three of the four cameras. I'll contact manufacturer but my gut feeling is it will get sent back. Did not operate using extension cords but I can't see how that would reduce the interference. Operated of a optima battery for power. About as clean as it gets. Night vision seems okay for as far as I could tell powered up in the dark shop. Tried swapping cameras around with no change. Really liked the features but poor picture quality killed it for me. Sent it back and ordered
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Will deliver tomorrow and I'll try to get it powered up within a day or two to check it. Does not come with a memory card but uses a max size 256SD card. I have a extra one to test with. Prior camera would record 48 hours on 32 SD Card.
Scott
Keep us informed still shopping around
I will. Lots of other things to do waiting for it to show up.
Scott
Amazon.com: DALLUX Backup Camera System with 9" Monitor Built-in DVR... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08952TZTR/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&tag=foreforums-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957)
Showed up early 5pm. First thing I noticed was the thump of my system at the front door. They are running to, but it's a camera. The box was much larger than the prior two and noticeable heavier. Quite a bit actually. Opened it up all looked good. Got down to my testing area and hooked it up real quick. It didn't just come on like the other two but actually went threw a start up mode. 15 seconds and it was up then blinked one time at me. Crap another bad one possibly. No second blink and picture was by far better. So much better than the other two to even compare is giving the rejected ones too much credit. All cameras were stable and like looking at a new TV. All switch nicely. All positions are adjustable and all ranges work when adjusted and returned to neutral setting. Has automatic dimming and manual dimming for base setting. Back up lines can be on or off. No flickering. I shined my flashlight at the lens and to my surprise the light is reduced and can still see the rest of the image. Prior flooded the image and rendered it unusable. Very happy . It has run for about twenty minutes and will let it run the night to see how it does. Powered with a optima battery. So far its a keeper. Will check tonight after bark to see how the night vision works
Scott
So ran camera system for 13 hours with no issues. IR seems good. Side cameras seem to be brighter than front rear cameras but more than adequate. Will proceed and mock up on coach to see if it will work for me. So far it's looking like a keeper.
Scott
So since my new rear louver has a sun shade water deflector I mounted my camera to it. Removed 1.250 off the height of the mount to help get it tucked in tight under shade
Scott
Looks pretty nice there Scott. I'm looking forward to your review to decid about this vs a Tadi system.
I didn't think Tadi had a DVR? Yes I would like to compare side by side.
Scott
So had night time IR camera placement training tonight. These cameras don't want anything in the close range. They reflect the IR back into the camera. Was way more challenging than I thought it would be. Left side top forward most corner and they need to be shimmed out at least a inch to reduce the reflection off the awning aluminum cover. They also work pretty good behind the drivers window down below the slide awning mount assembly. The mount causes lots of glare and reduces camera reception. The right side is horrible. Same position top forward, but the porch light black forward cover produces glare. You can go behind the porch light but the end of the zip dee awning shines like a flashlight. The perfect spot is above the door entrance grab handle. Camera has no reflections and really works surprisingly better, but getting too busy for me by the door. Usually function over form but I just don't like looking at a camera by the door. Considered on the door itself, just not enough room to mount. Too much stuff hanging on the side of the coach that interferes with the IR. I can make some 1/2 inch shims and stack them up to mount them on a pedestal. Will attempt to figure out tomorrow night. So the forward camera I had decided that I would mount inside the windshield so I could manually set forward while underway or point down for close parking. Really worked well during the day. IR did not play well. I had six foreign lights in view. Took me five minutes to realized they were from the camera reflecting off the windshield. Rotated it a little more and had 18 light in view. Easy fix just rotate till angle prevents lights refracting back at camera. Simple yet challenging installation. Will also have to cover over the front of the clearance lights and turn signals were a non issue mounting up high. Also the side when adjusted you loose the first 2 feet of view next to the coach, but I figure I'll be using my mirrors primarily when driving so that's acceptable
Scott
So searched the web for tricks to hide reflective objects with no good fixes I could find. There is dulling spray, but is not permanent. May try crinkle finish flat black paint, but think will still be in viewed causing fog, Hot spots and reflections resulting in reduction of performance. Guess I never gave it much interest prior. Heading back to extended mounts in a better location that I can tolerate. Will use flat black paint on front of upper clearance lights on the leading edge to shade light or a small strip of aluminum tape.
Scott
Might try aluminum tape
I picked up one of these Rear View Safety (RVS) DVRs on e bay (for substantially less $ than in the link I attached). Normally it's sold and serviced by a US based company, so English manuals and service are available. I had a couple of questions yesterday and even after indicating I bought from a private party, new in box, I got email responses back with 30 minutes. Great service.
I am still setting up and testing it on my desk. It came with one camera and I am discovering some challenges with additional AHD cameras. Pure analog cameras are no problem. I think my AHD problem is I have a 2mp camera and I believe it wants a 1mp. I haven't tested yet with a single IP camera that it can accept too. As it has wifi built in, I am hoping I can connect to it from my house and monitor cameras as it parked in the side yard. The GPS capability will be fun to experiment with too. I believe there is a viewer that will align video with location on google maps. If you had cellular internet in you coach, theoretically you could monitor the video remotely.
I hope to learn from your camera placement experiments before I get to that stage.
MobileMule™ 5 Channel Mobile DVR with GPS Tracking and Live Video Options... (http://www.rearviewsafety.com/safety-solutions/mobilemule-mobile-dvr-video-recording-gps-tracking-live-video-5530.html)
?? What is this "new rear louvre" that is mentioned?
And dumb question perhaps, is the camera setup that Foretravel is now using a bad idea ?
Aluminum stops ligh transmission but acts like a mirror causing IR lights to reflect back to camera causing hot spot or fog. Also causes Ir to turn down reducing range.
Bruce originally thought about WiFi cameras and decided dedicated hard wired is worth it to me.
Robert reply #23 shows photo
Also talked about in post
Engine inlet grate (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=42238.0)
Still haven't got to test yet with all the other stuff ripped out. Camera, CRTs both, forward CRT box size reduction and replacement of insulation behind front clearance lights. But soon.
Anything flat regardless of color reflects IR light back into camera. So caps and awning struts don't play well with the IR if they are in view of the camera. Will also try loop side of Velcro tonight to see if it will loose reflection? Curious about flat black crinkle paint too.
Scott
Three out of four cameras mounted. Rear camera thru louver. To coach right Cut a 1.5" hole in the upper aluminum extrusion and was able to vacuum a string thru to the front cap of the coach. Pulled some parachute cord thru and then the rear camera cable, a spare string for future use and a spare camera cable that I will mount a second camera on the license plate for trailer hook up camera. Will make a four pole double throw switch for camera and have a switch up front in reach of the driver. Mounted front camera ahead of driver seat inside of windshield. Easy to rotate over to see within eight inches of front of coach for close parking. Installed curb side camera aft of window behind front door. No reflection issues at its current location and it's not against the front door. It's closer to the awning lock than I prefer but won't be a issue. Since it's below the awning wire had to go vertical up about four inches in the wall. Cut a 1.5 inch hole in side wall inside of overhead cabinet and another in the same extrusion I drilled in the back and pulled wires forward to front cap like other to camera wires. Used supplied silicone grommet with a dab of RTV to seal outside. Will spray foam were I dropped down to clear awning. Very happy with it's night performance. Will install driver side camera behind the wood trim behind driver were thermostat is mounted. Has to be mounted below the slide awning support because of reflection issues off arm.
Scott
Love the pictures looking forward to the end results
Left camera installed. Couldn't go any taller because slide awning strut reflects too much light during IR use after dark
Scott
Finished camera install today. Hooked up the left, right and reverse sensing triggers. Going down the road if you don't change it has a quad view. Worthless to me, but I believe with more time and the manual I'll be able to have just the rear camera in view. Very easy to touch button 1 on the remote and goes to rear camera. Same with other four cameras. Right turn signal shows right view full screen then when canceled goes back to quad view. Same with left and reverse with the reverse showing backup grid. Note in picture Blazer is about 4 1/2 feet from back of coach. Photo at 19:55 dusk, was in color and next one at 20:10 is IR black and white. Was going to take a comparison photo with my phone but was too dark to see anything. Amazon.com: DALLUX Backup Camera System with 9" Monitor Built-in DVR... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08952TZTR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Was the camera I ended up with attempt #3. Currently I'm happy with the system although the front and rear camera IR is not as bright as the side cameras. Side camera give really good side view blind spot prevention IMO. Currently I would repurchase with the same model. Will need to get some in use to really make a better informed opinion. I did speak with the manufacturer about the low IR function and the said they were sending me additional improved replacement cameras. Who knows?
Many levels better than what I had. Still am planning on adding a hitch camera and manual switch up front. Suspect rear camera is elevated too high. Everything is adjustable.
Scott
This is the camera we have: 170° CMOS Car Rear View Backup Camera Reverse HD Night Vision Waterproof CAM... (https://www.ebay.com/itm/284248927047?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D232334%26meid%3D8d90af492075486e861db64dd79e9f14%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D203167302574%26itm%3D284248927047%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseUnbiasedWebWithKnnNlpRecall%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A2842489270478d90af492075486e861db64dd79e9f14%7Cenc%3AAQAFAAACIFno8pYr%252F9Z7IQxnHawbnlpIkWAUwz1%252FKrC99OMczfH9R1ElRF0CXuN1cjV%252FDPMCeEQFnMyiJUSyj2Z7PvPBf5xvez5wcbRzVRv3q2hlxahonLH9iuICUYEsRAaSJKehXFYkP3cBk1tPtuVseK0%252FeSzFVy5MPwsxrLmneFdrzFc7PmrxjGvw2%252BvYdyFu9Rw8oO%252BP5ruty5JqaJqHi6ZY96H9TRfvpUVeY3Vexi4zprqs%252Fqg3iqTfmETysE39nmDpoolImUPjsMXtAgKGmWMk0SqzBBz%252FJM0Zu0EoEk4xTm4cX2mwLq2NcLB05X5gpy8Pf9Rgsoux94eIUXYWbf0f1pbj2xZrLnwrDbSREAPbK7nXFwRw2s%252Bzt%252B0FopQdmjWuZmHdnPKM0xDVGWA%252BqGlyskBD3korHd%252BtdSMynaHUV5cnZ3TQlTmXyRUVrhzKrEaww7e%252BaZNHHDviXvM9TpejPjC%252B4h%252BIK%252B%252Fv%252FA1wyU3vb3u6gBJSAvymomAlA71yFSWbaf%252FXORAAUzAgJdZDUhKvTbJ4DlpMJlCAa9pSynTSA8lfDaTrmNRf4nJI9ChRGaWucP%252BOdSmWyudAYZZf9wVEQEy6CtlUiFsDQX8t%252BwKX7Y%252Bc%252FWdk0FUuf418ZqklUF8Va1WnSIm%252FhJVvrkqBmfOM1smiwC5cyVjeftlycH0OGljDbhlivIa0w0NU%252FAPcNwSm19KVnIhlL4J8deGJig6UDjo%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675) It came with a kit off ebay years ago. Excellent color image in the daytime and really outstanding at night with the 12 LEDs At $9/delivered, an excellent buy. I expect that this is the camera most kits come with.
Pierce
I doubt it's a 1080p camera .
Scott
It's advertised as 1080p and ours looks great on our monitor. I doubt if you could tell the difference between 1080p, 720p or even 480 on a small screen. Our new dash cam is 4K and really looks good on a big screen. I could use it for a rear view camera but don't need anything that resolves that well.
People don't realize that resellers take a camera that costs them $4 and add $100 to it and sell it. I learned long ago that any product made in Asia or Europe and imported has a huge markup. Bypass the inflated resellers and you pay for what it's really worth. That's why I got into importing many years ago. Others have followed by the thousands and advertise in ebay, etc.
That's also why I research and buy Asian tires and go to Mexico for our dental. Is there any reason to buy Firestone air bags when Conti bags are half the price? Hard for folks to get their heads around the fact that resellers and trying to get rich on products that cost them a tiny fraction of what they sell them for. All you have to do is go to ebay and check the prices for the same exact product. A huge variation on many items. Any difference in quality that a $ sign adds to it?
Pierce
Actually it's not advertised as a 1080p in the spec sheet. It's a 420. It's not compatible with the system I purchased so just a distraction or a mistake if purchased to use with this system. I wish not to confuse someone interested in a DVR system.
Scott
So when I was out running coach to listen to the new resonator I did it after dark to test camera. Works good but was too bright at night. Got home last night and attempted to dim down brightness. I had seen it in settings prior but had difficulty finding again. Have read supplied book multiple times no help. Then I rebooted camera and lost all video inputs from all cameras. Spent hours jacking around with it. Finally got it working again after reprogramming all cameras. Found brightness control on monitor and turned down. Not my field of expertise. Works good now and happy with it. Last thing I need to figure out is how to keep rear camera on as default instead of defaulting to all four cameras with way too much going on at once. I'm sure it can be done but may require some one for versed than me.
Scott
Update to using last three weeks. Drove from Boulder City Nevada to Ann Arbor Michigan and returned several days later. I didn't think I would like the quad view but found myself more comfortable using it than I thought I would. Completely saved me several times do to right blind spot. Couldn't see in mirrors but was in plane view in camera. I hooked up to salesman switch so it records as long as salesman switch is powered up. For me this works well. Can turn indicator screen off and still records. 128g card installed for memory. Would like to have it default back to rear camera and eventually I think I'll be able to figure it out. No issues with headlights or turn signals interference. All in all I'm happy with the last camera.
Scott