Reversing camera ... WOFTAM

[Snapey]

I finally sold the Alphard & now have a Hilux space cab ute. With the luxury features on the Alfy I've become used to a good reversing camera image and the 2" screen as part of the mirror on the Hilux was useless. So I went shopping on Sunday and came home with another rear view mirror but with a 9" screen.

So it's all hooked up & the picture is brilliant but why have I got a picture at all seeing the car is still in park? The mirror has many other functions so I wasn't concerned. Test in reverse ... beautiful. Put in park ... hang on, I still have a picture. So to get back to being a mirror again I have to turn the thing off. This thing is faulty so I sent a message to the supplier & received the following answer:- No Mr Snape the unit is functioning perfectly. It will take anywhere between 1 and 3 minutes to reset to mirror mode.

FFS Mr Gator, your GRV90MKT 9" super wide mirror monitor with reverse and live stream cameras is a heap of shit & I want my money back.

[grog]

Agree. Money back. Put similar on wifes car, drove us crazy. Still annoyed i drilled hole in rear of car for camera lens. Lens still there, reverse thingo long gone.

[VladTepes]

Integrated reverse mirrors/camera screens are always a bad idea.
I've never seen one implemented well, certainly not aftermarket at any rate.
Mirrors are mirrors and should just be... mirrors.

Reverse cameras ought to be connected to a screen in the dash. Many double-DIN size audio systems have this as a feature/option and that's the route I'd recommend.

[Sweaty]

That is a bloody joke Pete. 1-3 minutes to reset  Money back time for sure.

[Snapey]

Reverse cameras ought to be connected to a screen in the dash. Many double-DIN size audio systems have this as a feature/option and that's the route I'd recommend.

Can you suggest any particular one Mike ... preferably something with a camera, GPS, radio & CD for around $300 or less? As for the mirror ... I'm going to the place I bought it from to test the waters there and I'm waiting for another reply from the distributor. I don't expect any joy from either of them so I'll mount the camera on the front as a parking aid but it also doubles as a dash cam if I insert a sim card.

[Beast]

Seems utterly ridiculous Pete

[Batkwaka]

Sell the camera, sell the car, buy another motorcycle. Problem solved!

[VladTepes]

Can you suggest any particular one Mike ...

Have a look at what Eonon has to offer. Their stuff is half decent.
https://www.eonon.com/

and if you decide  on one check ebay for prices etc.


Do you REALLY need a CD? They are becoming less common in sar systems these days.  If not, this one

https://www.eonon.com/Android-Car-GPS/2-Din-GPS-Navigation/Eonon-Android-9-0-Universal-Double-Din-Car-Stereo-with-Quad-Core-Processor-10-1-Inch-Touchscreen-Support-Bluetooth-5-0-Adjustable-Viewing-Angle.html

or

https://www.eonon.com/Android-Car-GPS/2-Din-GPS-Navigation/Eonon-7-Inch-IPS-Double-Din-Car-Navigation-HD-Full-Touchscreen-with-Android-9-0-2GB-RAM-Quad-Core-Processor-Split-Screen-Multitasking-Universal-Car-GPS-Stereo.html

would be ok if you can fit a double DIN in your hilux (I have no idea on your particular model - what year isit, what spec level)

Seems the deal on these two systems currently includes a backup cam as well...



Edit: The above maybe US prices thus my ebay suggestion.  I've asked on another forum for you too - as a fair few blokes there have Hiluxes).

[VladTepes]

@Snapey ok well I've goit some more feedback from people and their general consensus, advice and info is as follows:

Almost anything would be better than Eonon stuff from what Ive see of reports about it.
If you think you will get "quality" stuff with all of that (at that price) I think you will be disappointed

He needs to spend around $1k to get a reasonable name brand unit supplied and fitted with AA/AC rev cam and voice mike plus warranty with a pro and has to decide whether that's what he wants to spend on a used car.

The chuckle is they've usually got a phone costing that but can't see it spending that on a unit for the car. If he owns a $300 phone then he'll never see the value no matter what the car although one mobile use fine will change his outlook.

Wouldn't install Eonon or similar rubbish in my car if they paid me. Go for established brands, they regularly go on sale at the local retailers.

More constructively -

Going to struggle to get GPS navigation at that price. If he can go Carplay/Android Auto, they do occasionally hit the $400 mark:

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/tag/car-audio
https://frankiesautoelectrics.com.au/android-auto-headunits/?sort=priceasc

I'd stick with Google Maps on a phone for GPS. You can then look out on ebay for genuine Toyota stereos like this one
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Toyota-Radio-Stereo-AUX-USB-6-Stacker-MP3-CD-Bluetooth-Hiace-Prado-Landcruiser/264563504018?hash=item3d9936b392:g:eMUAAOSw3t1d8K-~ and an ebay reverse camera to meet the other requirements.

This last option (above) might be cheapest, but do remember that if you touch your mobile at all while driving, even in GPS mode, you can get fined for mobile use.


I guess it all depends what you MUST have and what you are willing to pay.
Evidently you can't have good quality + feature rich + cheap.

I've asked what they think I so wrong about Eonon though, for my own interested as much as anything.

[Snapey]

Many thanks for the research Mike but wasted on me. From what I can gather most systems have Bluetooth and need a smartphone to use. Pictured is my phone ... I know how to make and receive calls but beyond that I'm lost although I can read messages but can't reply.

The Hilux I bought has Bluetooth along with many other features which are wasted on me. It has a CD player and a radio which is all I really need. I'm going to persist with the reversing camera and try it focussed on the tow ball because I only want to know how far I am from the car behind when parking. Old faithful Tom Tom will continue as my GPS.

[VladTepes]

haha fair enough old man. 

BTW I deleted your photo coz it showed your phone number.
For everyone else's benefit - it is a mobile phone but appears to run on steam and good intentions.

Cheers

[lawrie]

I have a Sony 9" screen that clips over the original mirror on the motorhome, the mirror itself is completely useless as the rear window is 23 ft behind me & 6ft off the ground!!
The camera & monitor are hard-wired to the ign & therefore only come on during startup, its mounted high up just below the roof line & is 2 cameras actually, one points down for backing-up & the second is aimed rearwards to act as a 'normal' rear view mirror.
the lcd picture is very good & the screen has touch buttons to select either camera etc, even has a remote control for some reason, can't imagine ever wanting to use it!!
There is no other option to this system really, since the mirror simply shows the rear interior.
Its very good, but having said that, it was over £700.00. ( in the van when I got it ) 

[Kiwifruit]

Looking at caravans l see many have 'Safety Dave' brand cameras on. Thinking that they are a rear view camera and reversing/parking camera.
Anyone used them or know anything about them ?

[insane1400]

@Snapey ... I wanted a camera for the rear of my xr6 ute, but I was advised to just get sensors. I can understand having a camera pointed at the towball for hooking up trailers as it just makes it sooo easy, but for parking I am very happy with the sensors.