Reversing camera or sensors ?

Have been thinking about getting a reversing camera for our Nuevo, but just wondered what other members considered to be the best option, either a camera or sensors? Having never had either before I'm not really sure what the benefits or limitations of either options are, so any feedback would be helpful?

I recently looked into a wireless camera which seemed ideal, it had a compact 4" screen in a cradle but I was put off by the fact the camera had to be wired to the rear lights to power it, foolishly I presumed as it was wireless it wouldn't have to be wired in, so I've not fully decided yet but think the camera may be the cheaper and easier option and better suited for my needs?

Hi CC,
With our previous Yanks, we had camera's as a very helpful extra pair of eyes (saved running the Wife over ) but i think sensors will be a better option for our 'Clubman' (with a rear window) and parking in small gaps more often.
Hope this helps,
Brian

Decided to save my money and use the wife. If this fails at least the insurance would be good

Hi CC.

I fitted reversing sensors on my Exec, Similar size to your new van. These let me reverse close to walls and fairly solid objects without any bother. Rear ladder ends up about a foot away listening to the 3 stage warning beeper and reversing slowly. However they are not great on sensing vegitation spindley bushes and the like, they also have trouble detecting the low concrete bollards that you sometimes encounter. Not hit one yet touch wood. Its a case of you pays your money and takes your choice. On a cost for convenience basis I'm very happy with the sensors.

Whisky.

Hi I am a great fan of Sensors. I have fitted them to my Trident, Duetto, and now on my Executive. I have fitted them to my last two(new) cars, and I have fitted them to two of our widowed neighbours cars, they love them, (and me) :hugegrins. Bought the kits off Ebay about £20. Great bit of kit.




Andy

Just a thought
Can sensors be set to take account of bikes and bike racks ?
We hardly ever go away without the bikes and our rack is permantly on.
Cheers
Stevo

andygump wrote:Hi I am a great fan of Sensors. I have fitted them to my Trident, Duetto, and now on my Executive. I have fitted them to my last two(new) cars, and I have fitted them to two of our widowed neighbours cars, they love them, (and me) :hugegrins. Bought the kits off Ebay about £20. Great bit of kit.




Andy

Tut Tut Andy

Brian

Hi Brian, Wifes had me fitted with a set to.


Andy

andygump wrote:Hi Brian, Wifes had me fitted with a set to.


Andy

Front and rear i hope

stevomar wrote:Just a thought
Can sensors be set to take account of bikes and bike racks ?
We hardly ever go away without the bikes and our rack is permantly on.
Cheers
Stevo

Hi Steve, I always carry my bike on our trips. If you use the sound and frequency of the beeps you should be safe. So as soon as it starts to beeb, when I have the bikes on, I stop and have a look. I am amazed just how acurate they are for such a simple device.


Andy

deckie wrote:

andygump wrote:Hi Brian, Wifes had me fitted with a set to.


Andy

Front and rear i hope

I kid myself

andygump wrote:

deckie wrote:

andygump wrote:Hi Brian, Wifes had me fitted with a set to.


Andy

Front and rear i hope

I kid myself

Me too (it's what keeps us young at heart )

My tuppenceworth is that wireless cameras can pick up extraneous signals from elsewhere and you end up seeing someone elses car!

I've a hard wired system with a cmos camera - excellent vision - I have it on all the time as a mirror.

The Clubman rear window is just a bit high and cars running close to the rear are obscured with the standard mirror

Thanks for all the replies, do like the idea of using a camera as dandywarhol as an additional rear view while driving as well as a reversing aid.. Will probably wait and see how I get on with the Nuevo before fully deciding as I may be able to manage without it, if I'm honest I hate things hard wired into vehicles and was just exploring my options really

Freznel Screen on the back window, if I cant see with that SWMBO gets out and looks (if its not raining)

There was a magnifying screen when we got the van but found it pretty difficult to use with the rear view mirror.

I hate not being able to see what is behind me and hate being caught out by passing traffic I haven't been able to spot. The camera keeps me in touch as I find the extra body width of the Clubman body doesn't give great rear vision, even with the larger chassis cab T4 mirrors

This is the one I got - used on Ebay - the company are really helpful, even though I bought it used. I had to get an extension cable and they had it to me in a couple of days.

http://www.vision-techniques.com/reversing-camera-systems/VT56AE

I wouldn’t be without the proximity sensors on my car (Outlander) but I would go with the camera option on the motorcamper, although my Symbol also has the sensors fitted as standard.

When hanging bikes off the car towbar the sensors need to be switched off but with the Symbol the bike rack is too high to cause interference.

Keith

Get both!!

Only joking. Our Windsor had both fitted when we bought it, though heaven only knows why!.. Makes reversing a noisy business, what with the auto gearbox beeping to tell me I'm in reverse, and the sensors beeping away. The camera is only switched off for night driving, but when reversing, once I've used the mirror to check the way is clear, I mainly rely on the wing mirrors and the noise from the sensors, using the camera view for the last few inches.

If I could only have one though, it would be the camera, without a doubt.

Tony

Of course you will get conflicting reports, on account of personal preference, quality of eqptment, etc. but I have had reversing sensors on our last 3 vans, the last one had a camera but having tried it, I fitted sensors and ignored it.

On the camera systems how discreet is the wiring, by that I mean what is the usual path for routing the cables? Never ever felt the need for either on our Trident and when I test drove the Nuevo I didn't really feel the need for assistance but maybe when we get it I may feel differently, hence my reason for inquiring about both options.

Peugeot offer a factory fitted reverse camera for the Boxer which looks really neat, understand it flips down somewhere near the rear view mirror from what I could see, contacted them but they say it was a factory fitted option and not available for after market fitting

It's interesting to see some prefer the sensors over the cameras and vice-versa

I used Tigerseal to attach the camera bracket to the top of the van. I then removed the Trauma heater "top hat" on the roof and filed a small groove for the cable in the roof outlet for the flue. I ran the cable (with sealer around it) down the flue, down into the wardrobe and into the cable conduit, under the bed and eventually under the cab carpet to the dashboard. The cable exits the dashboard at the very front by the heater ducts on the T4.

No visible cable and no leaks About 3 hours work

I don’t know about your Peugeot but in the case of my Symbol I partially removed panels to pass the cables behind. This was for both the solar wiring and the camera cabling. It is not too difficult to remove these and it makes for a more professional look.

Keith

Hi CC,
We have one of these fitted:
http://camos-multimedia.com/index.php?content=products&group=RV&cat=cameras&prod=CM-42&langnew=EN&lang=EN

Good rear view vision when travelling and very good when reversing as the camera swivels downwards.

Really good bit of kit.
DG

Thats clever!

I got my dealer to fit one, and an electric step, turbo-vent, mech&hab service inc cam belt as part of the deal !!
Camera good as I have to parallel park against a 2 sided brick wall- one is right up my chuff, just got to adjust the contrast a bit. It also works while going forward so you can see whose about to bite a lump out of your bumper.