pgtips
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2009
- Messages
- 85
- Reaction score
- 72
- Location
- Essex
- Year of Your Van(s)
- After 1972
- Van Type
- Westy
Bit of hesitation and questions about rear view camera mirrors so heres a write up about mine. I think this is a brilliant upgrade btw and I'm pleased with it.
I wanted a mirror that was similar in size to my existing one but that's pretty impossible to find, so I opted for a 10.88" Jansite via AliExpress. A newer model with a decent camera. Not too big, some are 12". Cost me £93 incl P&P with a 64gb card.
Less than half what the repair cost me for my reversing into a low post a couple of years ago!.
Its got two cameras, a front and a rear and records both cameras on a loop
Quite discreet.
I read a lot of reviews, a few people say its lame in direct sunlight or rain but to be honest the view out the back of my van isn't great in the same conditions so a camera can't be any worse.
Fitting wise I ran it around the screen rubber so its barely noticeable, I got a 10m cable (option is 6m or 10m) which I thought would be a bit too long but by the time I had neatened up the runs there wasn't that much left. I drilled a hole in my spare wheel well to go into the engine bay and another hole behind the rear number plate to pass the camera cable through. The mirror itself clamps on over your existing mirror using bungee straps. Once I'm def sure about it I might make it a bit more permanent.
There's another "reversing cable" as well which can give parallel reverse lines if you want them, its an option you simply attach it to your reversing light cable and it works when you select reverse (guidelines appear onscreen).
I don't have reverse lights but there's been a cable in my rear loom redundant for almost 50 years, now it has a home !
When I powered up the screen (wiring is 3 wires, ign live, a perm battery live and earth) it was a "wow look at that".
What would be visible normally in rearview mirror
What I actually see out the back behind me is this tiny bit
compare that to the camera, no obstruction in the view
I didn't realise you could do this (no pics unfortunately) but it can scroll up and down as though you are scrolling your phone screen (so imagine a picture and what you see is the middle of the picture on the screen, you have the option to scroll up to the top of the image or the bottom) so I can adjust the view to see close to the floor (low obstructions when reversing) or up higher than the normal view (overhanging tree or something). You just slide your finger up or down on the screen. By default (tap twice) it shows the centre.
Instead of just rear you can choose to see the front camera view or choose split of front and back view. It seems a bit pointless bar setting up the front view for recording, but its there anyway. So 3 view options.
Its really weird adjusting the mirror inside the van, obviously the image stays the same but your mind is used to the reflection moving about when you adjust.
The unit records on a continuous loop both cameras. If you are thinking of getting one make sure you get the camera on the same side you sit, there are options for L or R sided front facing cameras. It has to mimic your view of the road and be on the same side you sit. I like the fact its constantly recording, a dash cam front and rear.
When you turn off the ign the mirror shuts down.
It has a few basic options you can adjust, settings for contrast etc but its not complicated. Bottom line is its a mirror replacement with the added benefit it records. I did at one point start to look into if they come with sat nav options but I use my phone for that and I couldn't really see the benefit of more stuff on the screen.
Even though the mirror is bigger I don't think its obstructive. I think most modern motors have bigger mirrors so its something I'm used to anyway. It looks ok from the outside as well.
Because the original mirror is quite small the camera you can see on the right doesn't have to be extended, it just fits. I read some people said the mirror attachment rubber bands can be a bit flaky, it seems ok at the moment but if I can fix my bus by the side of the road I can stop a mirror wobbling, if it does happen I'll probably use mounting tape behind the unit to adhere it to the mirror more permanently.
Its a decent price and I like it, a good upgrade. If someone else is looking into these I hope this helped.
PG
I wanted a mirror that was similar in size to my existing one but that's pretty impossible to find, so I opted for a 10.88" Jansite via AliExpress. A newer model with a decent camera. Not too big, some are 12". Cost me £93 incl P&P with a 64gb card.
Less than half what the repair cost me for my reversing into a low post a couple of years ago!.
Its got two cameras, a front and a rear and records both cameras on a loop
Quite discreet.
I read a lot of reviews, a few people say its lame in direct sunlight or rain but to be honest the view out the back of my van isn't great in the same conditions so a camera can't be any worse.
Fitting wise I ran it around the screen rubber so its barely noticeable, I got a 10m cable (option is 6m or 10m) which I thought would be a bit too long but by the time I had neatened up the runs there wasn't that much left. I drilled a hole in my spare wheel well to go into the engine bay and another hole behind the rear number plate to pass the camera cable through. The mirror itself clamps on over your existing mirror using bungee straps. Once I'm def sure about it I might make it a bit more permanent.
There's another "reversing cable" as well which can give parallel reverse lines if you want them, its an option you simply attach it to your reversing light cable and it works when you select reverse (guidelines appear onscreen).
I don't have reverse lights but there's been a cable in my rear loom redundant for almost 50 years, now it has a home !
When I powered up the screen (wiring is 3 wires, ign live, a perm battery live and earth) it was a "wow look at that".
What would be visible normally in rearview mirror
What I actually see out the back behind me is this tiny bit
compare that to the camera, no obstruction in the view
I didn't realise you could do this (no pics unfortunately) but it can scroll up and down as though you are scrolling your phone screen (so imagine a picture and what you see is the middle of the picture on the screen, you have the option to scroll up to the top of the image or the bottom) so I can adjust the view to see close to the floor (low obstructions when reversing) or up higher than the normal view (overhanging tree or something). You just slide your finger up or down on the screen. By default (tap twice) it shows the centre.
Instead of just rear you can choose to see the front camera view or choose split of front and back view. It seems a bit pointless bar setting up the front view for recording, but its there anyway. So 3 view options.
Its really weird adjusting the mirror inside the van, obviously the image stays the same but your mind is used to the reflection moving about when you adjust.
The unit records on a continuous loop both cameras. If you are thinking of getting one make sure you get the camera on the same side you sit, there are options for L or R sided front facing cameras. It has to mimic your view of the road and be on the same side you sit. I like the fact its constantly recording, a dash cam front and rear.
When you turn off the ign the mirror shuts down.
It has a few basic options you can adjust, settings for contrast etc but its not complicated. Bottom line is its a mirror replacement with the added benefit it records. I did at one point start to look into if they come with sat nav options but I use my phone for that and I couldn't really see the benefit of more stuff on the screen.
Even though the mirror is bigger I don't think its obstructive. I think most modern motors have bigger mirrors so its something I'm used to anyway. It looks ok from the outside as well.
Because the original mirror is quite small the camera you can see on the right doesn't have to be extended, it just fits. I read some people said the mirror attachment rubber bands can be a bit flaky, it seems ok at the moment but if I can fix my bus by the side of the road I can stop a mirror wobbling, if it does happen I'll probably use mounting tape behind the unit to adhere it to the mirror more permanently.
Its a decent price and I like it, a good upgrade. If someone else is looking into these I hope this helped.
PG
