Car cameras (CCTVs: closed circuit TVs) increase a driver's field of view, and therefore safety. While one camera can suit more than one application, drivers should realize that cameras are optimized for specific uses.
A camera (plus monitor) can cost from $80 to a few hundred dollars. Popular brands include Peak, Pioneer, Audiovox, Roadmaster, Voyager, VR3, 4UCam, XOVision, Shift-3, Clover, Bravo and Winplus.
How to Use Automobile Cameras
Vehicle cameras are used for:
- Backup safety: checking that there are no children or pets behind the car when reversing. This needs a wide-angle view camera.
- RV and truck rear-view: acting as a rear-view mirror when the vehicle is on the road. A camera that is too wide makes it difficult to judge distances: whether the car behind is too close for safety, whether there is enough space to safely cut back in from the overtaking lane.
- Trailer hitching: positioning the vehicle to hitch up a trailer. The camera is only used occasionally. It can therefore be battery-powered (no installation required) and temporarily stuck on to the vehicle or bumper with a magnetized base. The camera is removed after use, keeping it safe from thieves.
- Parking: judging distances to walls, drains and other obstacles. As with rear-view use, a camera that is too wide makes it difficult to judge distances.
Cameras typically have a horizontal field of view of 120 to 180 degrees. They wider the field of view the more the distortion: straight lines are curved (fisheye). Zoom and pan/tilt cameras are difficult or impossible to find. It's also probably not a good idea to distract the driver with too many controls.
Posted by Admin on January 08, 2012 - 4:30 pm
Posted in the traveled