The Dos and Don'ts of Choosing a Reversing Camera Every Buyer Should Know

So you have decided to install a reversing camera in your vehicle. Well, good for you! We all know how challenging reversing your motor vehicle can be. But thanks to this electronic device, you can manoeuvre your car easily and avoid hitting objects that can damage your beloved vehicle. If you're going to buy a rear-view camera for your car, truck, bus, or caravan, here are the dos and don'ts.

Do look for weather-resistant camera, cables, and connectors. It is a given that the camera and its cables will be exposed to the elements, dust, dirt, and road grime. As such, reversing cameras and their parts that will be used in external installation should be weather-resistant. When it comes to choosing connectors, meanwhile, many experts recommend 4PIN cables because they are reliable, durable, and of higher quality.

Don't settle for low quality camera systems. When shopping for a reversing camera, make sure that you go for the best. Always look for higher quality camera systems so you can get maximum value for your money. Also, consider the camera system's features and capabilities to ensure that it is exactly what you're looking for. And if you have a bigger budget, consider camera systems with bigger monitors as they can provide you with better detail when reversing your vehicle.

Do look for monitors with higher resolution. High-performing reversing cameras are practically useless if you're going to connect them to low-quality monitors. As such, if you want to get more detailed and crystal-clear images, you should choose a monitor that has high resolution. More often than not, TFT-LCD monitors have high resolution and they can produce best pictures under a variety of lighting conditions.

Don't settle for the first camera you'll find. There are four common types of cameras out in the market today. They are surface, flush, licence, and side mount type cameras. As such, don't settle for the first camera that catches your fancy. Instead, you should consider the type of vehicle you have and choose a reversing camera accordingly. For example, if you have a 4X4 or any larger vehicle, you should select a surface camera. Because of its mounting position, it can provide you with excellent depth perception.

Do consider a camera system with IR night vision. An IR night vision is perhaps often one of the most overlooked features in a reversing camera. However, it is very important as it is very handy at night. If you're going to invest in a camera system, consider one with an IR night vision. This feature allows the camera to capture clear images in near or even in total darkness.

Reversing Camera 101: Which one are you going to choose CCD or CMOS ?

When buying a reversing camera, one of the questions that pop into one's mind is whether to get a CCD or a CMOS camera. If you're a first-time buyer, you're probably wondering what these acronyms are all about. Also, you're probably thinking what difference it will make if you choose one over the other. Well, if you want to obtain the rear-view camera that meets your specific requirements, then you better read the rest of this article so can learn more about this very important issue.

In a nutshell, CCD and CMOS are image sensors that are present in all types of cameras, including digital cameras used for photography and of course, the reverse camera in your vehicle. CCD stands for "charge-coupled device" and CMOS means "complementary metal-oxide semiconductor." Both of these image sensors start at the same point. They have to convert light into electrons to enable the camera to capture images.

Let's leave that geeky scientific stuff behind and get back to choosing between a CCD and CMOS reversing camera. More often than not, many buyers (especially first-timers) are often confused with these two because their resolutions are usually very similar. However, just because they are similar, it doesn't necessarily mean they produce the same image quality.

In a CCD reverse camera, every pixel's charge is transferred through a very limited number of output nodes to be converted to voltage, buffered, and sent off as an analogue signal. What's more, the image sensor has the ability to transport charge across the chip without too much distortion. As a result, this type of camera is more capable of producing better images. In addition, it is more sensitive to light, thus, allowing the camera to provide users with a clear view of images even at low-light conditions.

In a CMOS camera (including the wireless reversing camera variety), on the other hand, each pixel has its own charge-to-voltage conversion. Its sensor often includes amplifiers, noise-correction, and digitization circuits. However, because a CMOS sensor has several transistors located next to it, its light sensitivity tends to be lower than the light sensitivity of a CCD reversing camera. In addition, it is more susceptible to noise. On the up side, this type of camera generally has longer battery life as it consumes less power as compared to a CCD camera.

If you're going to do a side-by-side comparison of a CCD and CMOS reversing camera, you'll notice the difference in image quality, especially if you test the devices at night. Now you know that differences between a CCD and CMOS camera, it will be much easier for you to identify the one that you want. So, what would you pick? The camera that offers better image quality or the one that consumes less power? CMOS is used more just for reversing, and CCD is used more for to be turned on for a long period of time, like to view the back all the time when driving.

Reversing Camera | Elinz Electronics Heavy Duty Reversing Camera Kit with Powerful Features

A lot of the newer higher end cars come with a built in reversing camera kit system. The camera shows the driver an image from the rear of the car, making reversing into small spaces much easier, and shown obstructions that may not be visible in the mirrors.

Learn more about  the features  of  Elinz Reversing camera

Caring for Your Reversing Cameras: 4 Simple Ways to Do It

Reversing cameras, especially the coloured ones, help ensure your safety when driving. It helps you accurately judge the distance between an object and your vehicle when reversing your car. Thus, it enables you to avoid backing into something or someone and causing accidents or serious damages to your motor vehicle. With all the assistance the camera system can provide you with, it makes perfect sense to take good care of this very useful device.

According to experts, a little bit of care can go a long way. By taking just a few minutes of your time maintaining the camera system every month, you can help prolong the life of your reverse cameras. After all, you certainly don't want them to suddenly die on you with just a few months of use, do you? So even if the camera is heavy duty and durable, you shouldn't neglect it. Here are some maintenance tips to help you get started.

Tip No 1. Always remember that reversing cameras mounted on the exterior of any vehicle will be subjected to more than just water. They can also be exposed to ice, salt, dirt, oil, and road grime among other things. As such, even if your camera is mud-proof, it is still very important to clean it from time to time. Take note that dust, dirt and grime can potentially obstruct the view of the camera and make it difficult to see. And if you leave them just like that for a very long time, it may be difficult for you to remove them. As such, you should break out the dusters and wipe the cameras clean from time to time.

Tip No 2. Constantly check the reverse cameras if they are mounted properly. Make sure they are fastened securely to the back of your vehicle and their bolts are not coming lose. It will be a huge problem if the camera suddenly falls off while you're in the middle of the freeway.

Tip No 3. Make sure the cables are properly connected to the fuse box or the power source of the reversing cameras. Loose cable connection can potentially cause a sudden power outage and prevent the cameras from functioning properly. Be sure to check your connection every once in a while.

Tip No 4. Give the housing or the casing of the reversing cameras a good going over every few months. Check the seals and bushings that make them waterproof and weather-tight. Always remember that damaged seals can let moisture and humidity get into the camera and its inner parts and, therefore, cause damage. As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. As such, take a good look at the seals from time to time to prevent damage to the camera system.

4 Top Advantages of Using Wireless Reversing Camera

Did you know that there is such a thing called a wireless reversing camera? Well, if you think that mobile phones, tablets, and other "cool" personal gadgets are the only things that can go wireless these days, think again. You can now get your hands on this great wireless accessory for your car, truck, caravan, camper trailer, or 4X4. But before you make a purchase, let's take a look at the advantages of buying this cool car accessory.

No 1: No Wires. When you purchase a reversing camera, the first thing you need to worry about is how you are going to install it. And once you get that part done, you have to check if all data cables are connected properly to ensure that the cameras will be able to effectively feed the images they capture to the monitor. But if you're going to purchase a wireless camera, you don't have to deal with all these. This means no wire cutting, connecting, or checking for you. This is definitely a huge convenience on your part.

No 2: Easy Installation. Because you don't have to deal with wires and cables, you can install the product easily. You don't have to bring your car and the camera to a professional installer in case you don't know how to do the installation on your own. As such, choosing a wireless reversing camera for your vehicle can save you time and effort.

No 3: Flexibility. One of the best things about a wireless camera is that it is flexible. You can conveniently pop it in from one vehicle to another. For example, let's say you have a 4X4 and a car. Unfortunately, your 4X4 is at the car repair shop. You want to transfer its reversing camera to your other car so you can use it for the mean time. The problem, however, is that you have to uninstall and disconnect it first from extensive cables and wires before you can fit the camera to your second vehicle.

But if you have a wireless reversing camera, you don't have to deal with such issues. As mentioned earlier, you can simply pop the camera in from one vehicle to another. Just connect the camera to a power source (usually your vehicle's reversing light) and you're done. And when your 4X4 is fixed, you can return the camera to its original place without dealing with a cumbersome installation process.

No 4: Fewer Expenses. Choosing a wireless reversing camera lets you minimise your expenses. For starters, you don't have to buy extra cables as you would when you use a wired camera. And because you don't need the assistance of professional installers when setting up the wireless camera system, you don't have to spend money and pay for their services.