There are many factors you should consider when selecting a reversing camera. One of the
most important of them is view angle, or commonly known as the field of
view. The view angle of a camera basically indicates how wide the camera can cover an area.
The greater the field of view, the farther off to each side the driver can see. However, while
some people think that it is better for the driver to see further off to the side, this is not
always the case. It is because there are problems with both overly wide and overly narrow viewing
angles.
Comparing various view angles
To help you decide which camera should you get based on its viewing
angle, here are the different fields of view mostly available for camera
systems, including Elinz reversing camera kits, these days.
1. 60 degree view angle. This is about the narrowest view angle
available for rear view
cameras. While it can provide a reasonable view straight back, one of
the challenges with this
field of view is that it doesn’t provide sufficient coverage for the
vehicle’s blind spots. Because
of its narrow field of view, it defeats the purpose of helping the
driver better see what’s behind his or her car.
2. 90 degree view angle. A camera with a 90 degree view angle provides
a 45-degree view from
the centreline, offering a decent view to the side and allowing the driver
to see oncoming traffic
and pedestrians in parking lots. However, while such a camera can
provide a good coverage of
a vehicle’s blind spot, it still forces drivers to frequently check between
the camera and mirrors
to ensure that they can see anyone who is approaching the car’s blind
spot.
3. 120 degree view angle. A car rearview camera with a 120 degree field
of view generally
provides the best balance between wide view angle and clarity of view.
Offering 60 degrees of
coverage from each side of the car’s centreline, it allows the driver
to see anyone who might be
in the vehicle’s blind spots and those who are approaching the vehicle.
A simple downside with
this camera is that it usually requires a bigger monitor.
4. 210 degree view angle. While a camera with a 210 degree view angle
may provide the driver
with a wider coverage, it might be too wide to be practical. More often
than not, the image
becomes distorted and compressed, giving a fish-eye effect. This makes
it challenging for the
driver to accurately judge the distance between his car and an object.
When buying a reversing camera, make sure to consider its field of
view/view angle to find the
one that’s suited for you. You should also read reversing cameras reviews. Meanwhile, for
quality rear view cameras, visit Elinz Electronics.
