Enthusiast I
Changing out factory radio for a new double din alpine but should I really install a back-up camera?
Anyone actually use back-up cameras?
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FishinCrzy
Rank V
Advocate I
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Handy for hitching trailers and backing in parking lots. Oh, and seeing if you left your tailgate down. I still use my mirrors for most things.
Enthusiast III
I go out alone so I like having one as an extra viewpoint when having to back out of a predicament. Stopped me from hitting a rock that jumped out from behind a bush one time.
PirateChuck
Rank II
Contributor III
Using the camera is honestly the only way I back up now. In my truck and work truck. Once I clear my surroundings. Put it in reverse. And then onto the next location. I also utilize an anytime switch so I don’t have to be in reverse to use the back up camera in certain scenarios. It’s a good safety net in some scenarios.
Enthusiast I
Much appreciated, thank you all. Just wanted to ask if they were really worth buying with radio.
Pathfinder III
I have found the backup camera on my Jeep Wrangler to be more useful than expected. The view back is much more clear than the standard mirror and the field of view is close to 180 degrees which provides the ability to see both down the left and right as I backup allowing me to ensure there is no oncoming traffic.
Enthusiast III
I spent many years driving trucks on the highways across America. (Using my mirrors constantly.) My KL is the very first vehicle I've owned in 40+ years that has a back up camera, blind spot warning and lane departure controls. I must admit, I've gotten pretty spoiled to the back up camera. What surprised me is ho much I use it on the trail. (It's become invaluable to me.)
Advocate I
many injuries happen in driveways, you will usually injure a close family member, or your dog, etc. If you have a vehicle with poor visibility in back, like most pick ups or even classic 4x4 when packed full I would go for back-up camera.
I am sure all of you are super drivers and can park with just the mirrors.. but some added safety for your kids and animals will not hurt.
At least for the new vehicles they should be mandatory by law...
I saw a statistic, I think it was Australia, where most injuries for kids related to car traffic were in driveways.. parent backing out.. kid not careful running arround.... bam... ..
I am sure all of you are super drivers and can park with just the mirrors.. but some added safety for your kids and animals will not hurt.
At least for the new vehicles they should be mandatory by law...
I saw a statistic, I think it was Australia, where most injuries for kids related to car traffic were in driveways.. parent backing out.. kid not careful running arround.... bam... ..
im sure some of those were accidents....
Enthusiast I
Influencer I
Yep.....with a large vehicle and multiple blind spots they help you see the edge!
Off-Road Ranger I
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I run a dual camera setup in my little JK. The rear area is packed with my Overlanding gear and it really comes in handy when backing off road and on switchbacks. It is all in the rear view mirror and is activated whenever the vehicle is on, I can have just front, just rear or any combination of both cameras on at any time. I use the rear camera as a rear view mirror all the time. When I actually go in to reverse the camera angle changes and I can almost read my license plate it gets so low. 
Off-Road Ranger I
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That isn't a Tigre version is it? I read that they only use 1 ton chassis for the motorhome conversions.
It's one of the orginal ones built in Colorado.....1995 Provan Tiger on a Chevy 3/4 Ton/light duty/6 lug/4wd/V8. I've completely restored/rebuilt it and its taken us to some incredible places but, you do have to pay attention and know its limits
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Off-Road Ranger I
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Member II
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not only is the answer to your question of "is it worth it?" a resounding yes...
in my Tacoma, once the budget allows, I am going to be adding a 4 camera set with a 7" display (I do not think I can fit a 9" display) tucked into the left corner of the dash.I have a bed cap on my truck, but if you have a typical overlander set up with a bed full of gear and a roof top tent mounted to a low profile rack, you are going to loose rear vision... the camera set up I want includes the factory camera being replaced with a bumper mounted camera hooked up to the radio for backing up and trailer connection, but also a camera mounted higher (near the third brake light) attached to my monitor, plus right and left side cameras mounted to my front bumper (I have designed modifications for the bumper to mount them to the side and armor them.) used in conjunction with my side mirrors I will have very li'l in the way of blind spots :) the 4th camera I plan on mounting up front and using in conjunction with IR spot/driving combo lights as at night this will give me extended visual range without blinding oncoming trafic (unless they are wearing NVGs in which case it is their fault) it won't have much value during the day or if I am using off road lights, but at night the IR will cause reflections on signage, people, and critters on the side of the road a significant distance further than I could see them with the headlights alone.
in my Tacoma, once the budget allows, I am going to be adding a 4 camera set with a 7" display (I do not think I can fit a 9" display) tucked into the left corner of the dash.I have a bed cap on my truck, but if you have a typical overlander set up with a bed full of gear and a roof top tent mounted to a low profile rack, you are going to loose rear vision... the camera set up I want includes the factory camera being replaced with a bumper mounted camera hooked up to the radio for backing up and trailer connection, but also a camera mounted higher (near the third brake light) attached to my monitor, plus right and left side cameras mounted to my front bumper (I have designed modifications for the bumper to mount them to the side and armor them.) used in conjunction with my side mirrors I will have very li'l in the way of blind spots :) the 4th camera I plan on mounting up front and using in conjunction with IR spot/driving combo lights as at night this will give me extended visual range without blinding oncoming trafic (unless they are wearing NVGs in which case it is their fault) it won't have much value during the day or if I am using off road lights, but at night the IR will cause reflections on signage, people, and critters on the side of the road a significant distance further than I could see them with the headlights alone.
Enthusiast III
Yes.
Personally I prefer the camera in the mirror, but the backup camera is the only thing I upgraded in my bare bones Nissan Frontier. So nice for towing and hooking up the trailer. Also nice for not accidentally backing over toys and little people.
Member III
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I cannot see anything without my rear view camera. Lots of kids where I live even my own kids and street cats lol.
I never really cared for them before but after getting the Subaru with one stock, I get it.
I still rotate my head around, but day-to-day it's nice to have a much better idea of where the edge of the bumper is, and when out in the thick it's come in handy for reversing up roads.
I still rotate my head around, but day-to-day it's nice to have a much better idea of where the edge of the bumper is, and when out in the thick it's come in handy for reversing up roads.
