[robmir]

Originally Posted by Brian894X4

Well....I'm almost emberrassed to say this......but....

I'm not sure it was worth it.

I intended to use the system in backing up, especially on rough trails where I needed a better view to see where I was going.

What I found after several months of use is that you can't rely on just the camera system in reversing, because a) the image is only 2D and you don't get an accurate depiction of what's really behind you and b) it's a bit distorted by the wide angle view, but has to be wide angle or you really wouldn't see anything at all and c) the resolution isn't all that great and d) when the camera lens get wet or dusty or muddy, which is pretty much all the time off road, you can't see anything without stopping and getting out to clean the lens.

You definately can't use it to judge how far things are behind you if you're backing into something, because of the inaccurate view...same as the mirrors.

The system does work very well in at least giving you a picture of what's behind you, so if there is something major like a huge hole, a person, child or vehicle if gives you an extra margin of safety. This is actually what these systems are meant for in the first place. I was asking too much from it and they aren't designed to be used in motion.

The night vision, or at least higher light sensativity is nice to have at night as well. Especially if you don't have good back up lights or don't want to kick them on, such as driving around in the city.

But to be frankly honest, the absolute best bang for the buck for reversing is the largest mirrors you can find. This system came with a larger rear view mirror than stock and mirror itself actually helps a lot. But more than anything, I've come to appreciate the large mirrors on the Land Cruiser 80. My mini-truck has small mirrors and I had major issues backing up. The larger mirrors of the Land Cruiser give me a better rear view and I'm able to more safely back using the edges of the road.

I would still recommend a system like this, especially for anyone who doesn't have a clear view rearward, such tire carrier or lots of gear in the back, but reconize the limitations and don't go overboard on buying a really expensive system like I did. Knowing what I know now, I'd probably opt for something much cheaper and simplier. This system is best used for a quick reference to see what is directly behind you in your blind spot as you use your side mirrors, a spotter or looking directly back yourself to do the actual backing up.

That said, I haven't used it on a major off road trail and I'm sure there are benefits to seeing directly behind you on a regular basis when back downa trail, where Land Cruiser swallowing holes might be outside the view of the mirrors, however, the 2D view makes it extremely difficult to judge the depth of holes and obsticals, but hopefully since you drove forward over them, you can rely on your memory of the trail and act appropriately once you know where they are.

That´s why I went to Camping World and did a close look at those big RV whales, with expensive rear view camera/monitor systems as to learn how they managed and unfortunately found that their best wide angle cameras were enclosed in big ugly rear housings which I couldn´t imagine bolted in my 80 cruiser rear roof, breaking it´s nice, elegant and smooth body as to clear my rear tire carrier and had my desired more precise rearview

Brian: you made me cry because you were my last chance to find the perfect setup

Do anybody have an idea in how install a rearview camera housing with a windshield type wiper and liquid pressure cleaner as our rear wiper work but of course on a small scale to fit the camera housing and avoid Brian´s agony