Overkill, but I'm adding an ALWAYS ON rear view camera with additional screen.

18901 Views 28 Replies 16 Participants Last post by zalaj, Aug 3, 2015

Ohm Happy

Discussion Starter · Apr 7, 2014

I've researched all of my options to increase my rear visibility. My Volt does not have the OEM camera installed, no safety packages, no comfort package...nothing. So I found the proceeding thread and I almost went with this option to reprogram the existing radio and streamline the whole shebang into the existing infotainment system. http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...MyLink-equiped-Volt-(not-for-pre-MyLink-cars) That is a sweet, seamless fix!

However, I decided I wanted an ALWAYS ON rear camera, so I'm going to add some sort of aftermarket motorcycle/RV camera to my Volt. I guess people who have large RVs are very familiar with these. I know it's going to be a bit aesthetically 'weird' for a small car, but I don't care.

So, I've looked at quite a few systems. Feel free to add your experiences thoughts, opinions, discoveries, links, etc. I appreciate any observations.

Here are a few I'm considering. I'd like a 7 inch screen and at least a 130 degree viewing angle.
http://www.amazon.com/Rear-View-Trailer-Disconnect-RVS-770613-213/dp/B004AQDJLM
http://rear-view-cameras-review.toptenreviews.com/

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

Elemental

· #2 · Apr 7, 2014

I do beleive that is illegal in some states.

css28

· #3 · Apr 7, 2014

I wouldn't consider it overkill--I'd consider it useless.

The camera has such a fisheye lens that any vehicle more than a car length away is in the barely discernible distance. I never want to be in traffic so dense that the camera will be useful.

Ohm Happy

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 7, 2014

Elemental said:
I do beleive that is illegal in some states.

Yes, I know it's illegal to have your OEM DASH screen reprogrammed to play a movie while driving. What about all those RV people who can constantly see what's going on behind their rigs?

Elemental

· #5 · Apr 7, 2014

What do you need to see behind you other than a vehicle is there? You dont need to see what kind of vehicleis behind you, just that there IS a vehicle behind you, No?

Ohm Happy

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 7, 2014

Elemental said:
What do you need to see behind you other than a vehicle is there? You dont need to see what kind of vehicle is behind you, just that there IS a vehicle behind you, No?

I want to see small children who may be hiding in my blind spot, short pedestrians who are matching the trajectory of my backing pattern and inadvertently hiding in my blind spot, motorcycle drivers who hang out in my blind spot for no reason at all...

Paulacton84

· #7 · Apr 7, 2014

Ohm Happy said:
I want to see small children who may be hiding in my blind spot, short pedestrians who are matching the trajectory of my backing pattern and inadvertently hiding in my blind spot, motorcycle drivers who hang out in my blind spot for no reason at all...

While I want to encourage you to get a backup camera, and I like the idea of making the blind spots smaller, I'm not sure what you mean about the children hiding in your blind spot. I encourage drivers to walk around their cars, volts or other, before they get in and back up. there is no excuse for not looking before getting into the car.

flyingsherpa

· #8 · Apr 7, 2014

I've been wanting to do something similar, except I want to add both a front and rear cam and have them both display simultaneously on a monitor (split screen), kind of like a 2-channel version of Nissan's Around View (or is it Surround View?) feature. But I just want this for parking purposes, though I can understand why you'd want it for rearview full-time. I haven't got very far in my research, though, so I'm not sure I can help you much. But I'm very interested in what you come up with...

Elemental

· #9 · Apr 7, 2014

Ohm Happy said:
I want to see small children who may be hiding in my blind spot, short pedestrians who are matching the trajectory of my backing pattern and inadvertently hiding in my blind spot, motorcycle drivers who hang out in my blind spot for no reason at all...

How is having a camera on all the time going to do this?

Ohm Happy

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 7, 2014

Paulacton84 said:
While I want to encourage you to get a backup camera, and I like the idea of making the blind spots smaller, I'm not sure what you mean about the children hiding in your blind spot. I encourage drivers to walk around their cars, volts or other, before they get in and back up. there is no excuse for not looking before getting into the car.

Oh I look each and every time the recommended 3 times. The camera is for constant surveillance after I've looked. Small animals, kids darting around a parked car out of knowhere...these are unexpected circumstances.

0to60n8

· #11 · Apr 7, 2014

Ohm Happy, your Volt so you do it, period.

Enjoy.

firehawk72

· #12 · Apr 8, 2014

For the sides, I have found this mirror to be fantastic, utterly fantastic.

Autobahn mirror

I purchased mine from Ebay

Mike McG

· #13 · Apr 8, 2014

After driving a Tesla the always on rear camera is a must!

imstew

· #14 · Apr 8, 2014

Sounds to me like you might want to visit dealextreme, dx.com
They have some interesting small screens with great reviews and plenty of cameras, most with lots of informative reviews.
I often thought how nice it would be to have 2 small monitors on the dash for the blind spots on the side, but my better half would never go for it.
You mentioned RVs and I thought of that Rand McNally GPS with the backup camera system, what I liked about it was the fact that it not only told you the speed limit but when it was going to change up ahead. It seemed to be the only one out there that did that. The only other setup that does that is a couple of phone apps.

0to60n8

· #15 · Apr 8, 2014

view from the rear.

I got an "always on" rear view. But if my wife catches me I'm in trouble.

Ohm Happy

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 9, 2014

0to60n8 said:
I got an "always on" rear view. But if my wife catches me I'm in trouble.

Lol. Yep, so do I. I'm always looking for Wrangler butts...and I'm a chick who doesn't like country music all that much. There's something about Wrangler Jeans that make a man's butt look so....round!

0to60n8

· #17 · Apr 9, 2014

Ohm Happy said:
Lol. Yep, so do I. I'm always looking for Wrangler butts...and I'm a chick who doesn't like country music all that much. There's something about Wrangler Jeans that make a man's butt look so....round!

You, are not a "chick" you are the "QUEEN of this forum" after that post.

Think about it, not even Elemental commented: You win the grand prize, you left Elemental speechless.

Ohm Happy

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 11, 2014

0to60n8 said:
You, are not a "chick" you are the "QUEEN of this forum" after that post.

Think about it, not even Elemental commented: You win the grand prize, you left Elemental speechless.

Oh, Heh heh!

Just saw this. Maybe Elemental is out buying a pair of Wranglers?

So, back on topic (sort of)...when I buy the camera I'm buying this license plate frame...

See less See more

Elemental

· #19 · Apr 11, 2014

Ohm Happy said:
Oh, Heh heh! Just saw this. Maybe Elemental is out buying a pair of Wranglers?

So, back on topic (sort of)...when I buy the camera I'm buying this license plate frame...

HOW DID THIS SNEEK PAST ME!

I was out of office in the field during this.

Ohm Happy

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 11, 2014

Elemental said:
HOW DID THIS SNEEK PAST ME! I was out of office in the field during this.

So you were out standing in your field?

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

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