Side view cameras

[Attero]

My road leads out onto a main road and is the only way out. Unfortunately the junction is impossible to see out of due to the Supras large bonnet size.

 

What I am planning for my Supra is to add at least one camera onto the front bumper to at least see to the right. Although I would like a two cameras to view both sides at the same time.

 

Has anyone got any suggestions on how to do this and what camera systems would be good with the best disguise? I have no video player in the car as of yet, so I need to buy a camera system with video output (including night vision) and I would really like it to support the two cameras.

 

I don't want to connect this to large monitors or a laptop because it will have to be used daily and so eventually I will connecting it to a double din video player.

 

I was thinking of possibly drilling into the bumper and placing the small cameras into the sides (so they are completely invisible). Is this possible?

 

The image below will explain the drilling into the front bumper. Red spot 1 or 2 are just possible areas although I think spot 2 is the more suitable.

 

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/3289/blindspot.jpg

 

I've never done anything like this (obviously I would get help), so I really need suggestions from you guys.

[steely]

couldn't you just mount one of the big domed mirrors on the other side of the road to give you a better clearer view of whats coming?

 

cos i recon those cameras would get dirty quickly and become useless?

 

i know what your trying to do and its for a good reason. maybe you could mount a small tv in your sun visor.

[Geo]

why cant you just turn left, then double back??

[Attero]

couldn't you just mount one of the big domed mirrors on the other side of the road to give you a better clearer view of whats coming?

 

cos i recon those cameras would get dirty quickly and become useless?

 

i know what your trying to do and its for a good reason. maybe you could mount a small tv in your sun visor.

 

I contacted the local council about it and they said it's against traffic safety regulations. Basically, they don't give a damn if you own a sports car. They'll only put one up if a smart car can't see around difficult spot. Which is absolute tosh tbh. We are known for having one of the most useless councils I suppose.

 

why cant you just turn left, then double back??

 

I have no idea what you mean.

[Geo]

I contacted the local council about it and they said it's against traffic safety regulations. Basically, they don't give a damn if you own a sports car. They'll only put one up if a smart car can't see around difficult spot. Which is absolute tosh tbh. We are known for having one of the most useless councils I suppose.

 

 

 

I have no idea what you mean.

 

Is it a one way road?? if not turn left and then turn around and go the way you want.

[Attero]

Nah, it's a two way road. I can't see what's coming either way and you get very large vehicles down that road. One slip-up and you and your Supra = goner.

[Suprab1]

My road leads out onto a main road and is the only way out. Unfortunately the junction is impossible to see out of due to the Supras large bonnet size.

 

What I am planning for my Supra is to add at least one camera onto the front bumper to at least see to the right. Although I would like a two cameras to view both sides at the same time.

 

Has anyone got any suggestions on how to do this and what camera systems would be good with the best disguise? I have no video player in the car as of yet, so I need to buy a camera system with video output (including night vision) and I would really like it to support the two cameras.

 

I don't want to connect this to large monitors or a laptop because it will have to be used daily and so eventually I will connecting it to a double din video player.

 

I was thinking of possibly drilling into the bumper and placing the small cameras into the sides (so they are completely invisible). Is this possible?

 

The image below will explain the drilling into the front bumper. Red spot 1 or 2 are just possible areas although I think spot 2 is the more suitable.

 

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/3289/blindspot.jpg

 

I've never done anything like this (obviously I would get help), so I really need suggestions from you guys.

 

 

I think this is a very good idea. I'm in the same bout where i live, could you let me know if you get this to work?

 

Some lexus & merc have this as a stock item, so i'm sure you will be able to get something like this from somewhere.

[Stan]

Alpine do some really good cameras for their systems, although they probably come at a price since the upgrade (front) camera (HCE-C200F) is about £270 and the normal control box with their rear view camera (HCE-C200R) is about £300

 

 

More info on the front camera:

 

http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/products/details/camera/hce-c200f.html

[Attero]

That's a ridiculous cost. It says I require the rear view camera aswell and it doesn't mention any monitor included. What am I too expect of this?

[garethr]

I know this one has been used as a reversing camera on some Soarers (connected to the factory fitted TV screen).

 

http://shop.reversingcamerasuk.com/epages/es106294.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es106294_shop/Products/CAM025

 

Apparently cheap cameras don't work in low light.

 

There seems to be plenty of choice, even from this one supplier.

http://shop.reversingcamerasuk.com/epages/es106294.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es106294_shop/Categories/%22Reversing%20Cameras%22/%22CCD%20reversing%20cameras%22

 

Since you'll be interested in seeing a fair distance, I suppose you'll have to avoid cameras with wide-angle lenses.

Edited April 5, 2010 by garethr (see edit history)

[SteveC]

If you're not looking to spend much, you could do it for under £200 for new gear courtesy of eBay:

 

DVD head unit with video input £136 delivered

 

3 x cameras (£10 each) £30 delivered

 

Video switch box £13 delivered

 

The 3 individual video inputs (left & right front & reversing) would be manually switched into the DVD head unit via the switch box.

 

Personally I'd spend more on the head unit and the cameras. The point is you don't have to look for a head unit with three video inputs if you use a video switching device - which doesn't have to be expensive...

 

...and if you are - or know someone who is - electrically competent, then with the addition of a few relays it could be made to switch to the appropriate camera when you signal left or right, or go into reverse.

[Attero]

Aren't switch boxes quite large? This is what I need, but I can only find quite large switch boxes.

 

Anyone have any suggestions for a good switchbox for the car, which I can easily use from the drivers seat.

[Guigsy]

id go with location 1. 2 is more noticeable and would look a bit odd. 2 is more tucked away.

[Attero]

id go with location 1. 2 is more noticeable and would look a bit odd. 2 is more tucked away.

 

Your right, it would be more tucked away. I thought position 1 would be too thin to hold the camera, but I just had another look and it seems fine. So position 1 it is!

[SteveC]

Aren't switch boxes quite large? This is what I need, but I can only find quite large switch boxes.

 

Anyone have any suggestions for a good switchbox for the car, which I can easily use from the drivers seat.

 

You could use one like this for £12.95 delivered.

 

Take everything out of the box and mount the switch through the dash. Just use the left channel connections and you could possibly cut the right channel connectors/internal wires off. All that you'll see is the switching knob itself.

[Attero]

You could use one like this for £12.95 delivered.

 

Take everything out of the box and mount the switch through the dash. Just use the left channel connections and you could possibly cut the right channel connectors/internal wires off. All that you'll see is the switching knob itself.

 

Sounds good. Thanks. Although I think I have an idea. This pioneer dvd set holds several ports for video input. Although I'm not sure how quick it is to switch between the two (because obviously taking 30 seconds to switch between the cameras would defeat the objective here) using this unit but I could always use that switch you mentioned and add it to this head unit.

 

I could buy two of these that garethr mentioned:

http://shop.reversingcamerasuk.com/epages/es106294.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es106294_shop/Products/CAM025

 

And then buy this:

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-pioneer-avh-p3100dvd_p-24037.htm

 

If the switch over between cameras takes too long, I buy this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-WAY-PHONO-RCA-STEREO-AUDIO-INPUT-SELECTOR-SWITCH_W0QQitemZ200292363569QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ConsumerElectronics_VideoSwitches_SM?hash=item2ea25aed31

Edited April 5, 2010 by Attero (see edit history)

[SteveC]

Sounds like a good plan.

 

You're definitely better spending that bit more on the head unit rather than one of those cheapo jobs off eBay. The Pioneer you linked to looks decent. £55 a camera seems quite a lot, but you will get slightly better video quality.

[Attero]

I've just noticed that the RCA switch is actually just an audio switch. I need a video switch.

 

They can easily be found anyway.

[SteveC]

I've just noticed that the RCA switch is actually just an audio switch. I need a video switch.

 

They can easily be found anyway.

 

It would work perfectly well as either.

[Attero]

How? If they only have inputs for audio then surely it can't work for video.

[SteveC]

How? If they only have inputs for audio then surely it can't work for video.

 

Both the video camera and audio switching box use phono connectors and screened cable. An audio switching box will work for video, and a video switching box will work for audio.

[Attero]

So your all the inputs work for both audio and video? What's the point of the colours then? Just to keep it tidy?

 

I've now bought the Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD. I will buy the cameras when I next get paid at the end of the month.

[SteveC]

So your all the inputs work for both audio and video? What's the point of the colours then? Just to keep it tidy?

Yes.

 

I've now bought the Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD. I will buy the cameras when I next get paid at the end of the month.

Looks good.

[Attero]

Got the Pioneer DVD head unit. Plan on installing it sometime this week (if my wound from the operation heals nicely enough for me to get low down).

 

[Attero]

Tried fitting the head unit today with the new ISO adapter that came through and it worked well... HOWEVER, the only place I can install the side-view cameras are in the aux-2 socket at the back and when I connect up to that using a test subject (a Fujifilm camera) it doesn't seem to do anything but show some background image.

 

This is the only test subject I currently have, so do you think it's the camera or do you think there is something I'm missing? I've switched around with the settings for hours, and nothing. The user manuals have nothing and there is nothing about it on Google.