A backup camera for $50!!!!!!!!!!!

[s219]

Was looking through Amazon yesterday. Ideally I'd like to find one that matched the 800x400 resolution of the screen, but didn't have any luck. Also pretty sketchy whether or not a given camera has the parking assist lines or not. Debating whether or not I want those. Lots around the $20ish range with free shipping though.

I didn't see any cameras or screens with specs that were 100% reliable/believable on Amazon or eBay -- even more so when reading reviews. And whether or not a camera has guide lines is a crapshoot, as some spec'd without guide lines end up having them. I bought three of the same cameras that the OP showed in his first post, and they have different guide lines than the OP's. So my attitude, especially after using on an open station tractor for a while, is to just look for the best bargain and deal with the fact that they might be a little different than specs suggest. I have guide lines on the rear camera I put on my ROPS and the front camera i H ave on my bucket, and just ignore the lines when they don't matter (in some cases they are helpful).

The other thing I noticed is that the screen I got for $26 and cameras I got for $11 are similar (if not identical) to name brand screens and cameras, so I would not pay much more just for a name brand. Seems to be the same stuff (which happens a lot with Chinese electronics -- they make them for an OEM brand and then sell white label versions for a fraction of the cost).

In the end, put good time/effort into the wiring, and let the cameras and screens be replaceable and low cost. If they break, swap in new ones. At $26 for a screen and $11 for a camera, I am not worried about wear and tear at all, since I know I can get replacements. Not even worried about having a non-waterproof screen on my open station tractor. After using it for over a month, no problems. The one time I operated in the rain, I put a ziplock bag over it and had no issues. The rest of the time it's been out in the open and OK.

 

[Threepoint]

I have both the guideline and non-guideline cameras. It's a personal preference, but I find the guidelines distracting. For anyone looking for a non-guideline version of the Esky camera, be sure the model you order is Esky EC170-11. You can find it here: Amazon.com : Esky® EC170-11 World Smallest HD Color CCD Waterproof Vehicle Car Rear View Backup Camera, 170 Degree Viewing Angle Rearview Camera- Size: 0.86*0.65*0.50 inch (No Guideline Version) : Car Electronics

The vendor is Hisgadget Inc (very dependable and excellent customer service), and the order is fulfilled by Amazon.

BEWARE: There is another version by Esky (it, too, is sold by Hisgadget Inc and fulfilled by Amazon) that looks identical but it has guidelines. It is less expensive. Amazon.com : Esky EC170-07 Waterproof Car Rear View Backup Camera, 170 Degree Viewing Angle : Vehicle Backup Cameras : Car Electronics I mistakenly ordered this because the web page is a bit confusing. Hisgadget readily gave a refund.

ALSO: There is another camera by Esky that is a later model with a different design, but it also has guidelines:
Amazon.com : [Rear View Camera] Esky® EC170-08 100% Waterproof Vehicle Car Rearview Backup Camera High-definition Cmos 170 Degree Viewing Angle : Car Electronics

 

[Fallon]

I have both the guideline and non-guideline cameras. It's a personal preference, but I find the guidelines distracting. For anyone looking for a non-guideline version of the Esky camera, be sure the model you order is Esky EC170-11. You can find it here: Amazon.com : Esky® EC170-11 World Smallest HD Color CCD Waterproof Vehicle Car Rear View Backup Camera, 170 Degree Viewing Angle Rearview Camera- Size: 0.86*0.65*0.50 inch (No Guideline Version) : Car Electronics

The vendor is Hisgadget Inc (very dependable and excellent customer service), and the order is fulfilled by Amazon.

BEWARE: There is another version by Esky (it, too, is sold by Hisgadget Inc and fulfilled by Amazon) that looks identical but it has guidelines. It is less expensive. Amazon.com : Esky EC170-07 Waterproof Car Rear View Backup Camera, 170 Degree Viewing Angle : Vehicle Backup Cameras : Car Electronics I mistakenly ordered this because the web page is a bit confusing. Hisgadget readily gave a refund.

ALSO: There is another camera by Esky that is a later model with a different design, but it also has guidelines:
Amazon.com : [Rear View Camera] Esky® EC170-08 100% Waterproof Vehicle Car Rearview Backup Camera High-definition Cmos 170 Degree Viewing Angle : Car Electronics

Cool. I'd come to the same conclusion & ordered the same no guidelines one a couple hours ago.

 

[varmint]

Thanks- I am sure you've helped a lot of interested folks sort thru too many choices! (interestingly, the third choice claims to be a Cmos chip in one place, then further down, a CCD)

 

[Fallon]

Thanks- I am sure you've helped a lot of interested folks sort thru too many choices! (interestingly, the third choice claims to be a Cmos chip in one place, then further down, a CCD)

Most of the ones I looked at had similar discrepancies... Resolution not matching pixels, low light LEDs despite those IR LEDs obviously not being present...

You get the quality you pay for. I'm willing to gamble $20 though. Would be triple that for a name brand one.

 

[mangus580]

So in my quest to make this work on an open station.... could someone provide the dimensions of the screen listed in the original post?

Amazon.com : 7" TFT LCD Color 2 Video Input Car RearView Headrest Monitor DVD VCR Monitor With Remote and Stand & Support Rotating The Screen : Vehicle Overhead Video : Car Electronics

The reason I am asking, is I am looking for a waterproof box with clear lid... I think I have found one, but want to make sure it fits.

BUD Industries NBF-32412 Plastic Outdoor NEMA Economy Box with Clear Door, 7-55/64" Length x 5-57/64" Width x 3-59/64" Height, Light Gray Finish: Electrical Boxes: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[mangus580]

Another option - if you dont need access to it much

BUD Industries PN-1325-C Polycarbonate NEMA 4x Box with Clear Cover, 8-47/64" Length x 5-3/4" Width x 2-5/32" Height, Light Gray Finish: Electrical Boxes: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[George2615]

So in my quest to make this work on an open station.... could someone provide the dimensions of the screen listed in the original post?

Amazon.com : 7" TFT LCD Color 2 Video Input Car RearView Headrest Monitor DVD VCR Monitor With Remote and Stand & Support Rotating The Screen : Vehicle Overhead Video : Car Electronics

The reason I am asking, is I am looking for a waterproof box with clear lid... I think I have found one, but want to make sure it fits.

BUD Industries NBF-32412 Plastic Outdoor NEMA Economy Box with Clear Door, 7-55/64" Length x 5-57/64" Width x 3-59/64" Height, Light Gray Finish: Electrical Boxes: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

I clicked on more product information in the original ad and it shows the following for dimensions.
Product Information
Size: 7.0 inch
Technical Details
Item Weight 15.8 ounces
Product Dimensions 9.8 x 1.6 x 4.3 inches
Item model number BW7MY
Expansion Bluetooth optional

 

[mangus580]

I clicked on more product information in the original ad and it shows the following for dimensions.
Product Information
Size: 7.0 inch
Technical Details
Item Weight 15.8 ounces
Product Dimensions 9.8 x 1.6 x 4.3 inches
Item model number BW7MY
Expansion Bluetooth optional

Yeah, I have found that I can never trust dimensions on amazon. Its much better to ask someone who has it in their hands...

 

[countrybumpkin]

I could possibly get the measurements tomorrow but if not I fir sure will Saturday morning if no one else has by then.

 

[94BULLITT]

The monitor itself is roughly 7/16" thick 4 7/16" tall and 6 3/4" wide.

 

[mangus580]

Thanks!

So looking at it, the second box I posted would work quite well. Granted, you wouldnt be able to operate any buttons, but it sure would stay dry!

I did notice the clear lid has a molding dimple in it, I wonder if that would really effect the view at all. I will have to order stuff here in the next week or 2 and start messing with it.

 

[94BULLITT]

Thanks!

So looking at it, the second box I posted would work quite well. Granted, you wouldnt be able to operate any buttons, but it sure would stay dry!

I did notice the clear lid has a molding dimple in it, I wonder if that would really effect the view at all. I will have to order stuff here in the next week or 2 and start messing with it.

No problem. if you need any thing else let me know.

The monitor comes with a remote. It is not very powerful but it may work through the box.

With the dimple being close to the side I doubt it will hurt anything.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
ALSO: There is another camera by Esky that is a later model with a different design, but it also has guidelines:
Amazon.com : [Rear View Camera] Eskyｮ EC170-08 100% Waterproof Vehicle Car Rearview Backup Camera High-definition Cmos 170 Degree Viewing Angle : Car Electronics

And is on sale at Amazon for $21 NOW as a lightning deal.
Amazon.com : Esky EC170-08 Waterproof Vehicle Car Rear view Backup Camera 170 Degree Viewing Angle : Car Electronics

 

[s219]

That sure doesn't look any different than the camera I paid $12 for from a different vendor/brand:

Amazon.com : Car Rear Vehicle Backup View Camera (Waterproof) : Electronics

Since the cameras both have composite video out, there isn't going to be any real difference in resolution/fidelity (i.e., any claims of "HD" aren't realistic).

 

[sodamo]

This has been an educational thread - thanks.

I'd like to explore a different approach. I have open station tractors. Thinking it would be nice to be able to mount camera or two but instead of a permanent display just watch on my iPhone or iPad. My thinking is cost would basically be the cameras and if it worked well I could mount as many and wherever according to task as long as I had power. I'd likely add to rear of my Tundra for the trailer hitch and backing. Using my iPhone/iPad I won't be concerned with weathering and would only need the one I was using instead of multiple permanent units.
Any thoughts, maybe camera suggestions. 12vdc.

David Sent from my iPad Air using TractorByNet

 

[varmint]

Surely there's a cheaper solution than $32 to protect a $20 monitor? And, what about heat build-up (if any?). Once you set the contrast, intensity, so forth, there isn't any need to access the monitor, so maybe some sort of enclosure is the ticket.

 

[s219]

Surely there's a cheaper solution than $32 to protect a $20 monitor? And, what about heat build-up (if any?). Once you set the contrast, intensity, so forth, there isn't any need to access the monitor, so maybe some sort of enclosure is the ticket.

I think babying a $20 monitor isn't even needed. A zip lock back is all I have been using to protect mine when it's wet out.

 

[mangus580]

I think babying a $20 monitor isn't even needed. A zip lock back is all I have been using to protect mine when it's wet out.

I am kot worried about it during use... it's the times I may get caught unaware, or have to leave the tractor outside for a couple days, or the like that I am concerned about.

Maybe the last box I posted is the ticket, but I do wonder if it might need some ventilation on the bottom.

 

[94BULLITT]

This has been an educational thread - thanks.

I'd like to explore a different approach. I have open station tractors. Thinking it would be nice to be able to mount camera or two but instead of a permanent display just watch on my iPhone or iPad. My thinking is cost would basically be the cameras and if it worked well I could mount as many and wherever according to task as long as I had power. I'd likely add to rear of my Tundra for the trailer hitch and backing. Using my iPhone/iPad I won't be concerned with weathering and would only need the one I was using instead of multiple permanent units.
Any thoughts, maybe camera suggestions. 12vdc.

David Sent from my iPad Air using TractorByNet

When is first started thinking about adding a back up camera I thought about using my phone or tablet for the monitor. I found out there is not an easy way to do this and it would be costly. For the $20 some dollars the monitor costs I'm not sure it is worth trying to make it work over a phone or tablet.

My neighbor put a Hopkins back up camera with sensors on his truck. It is a pretty nice setup. It uses the 7 pin connector on the back of the truck.

Hopkins 50002 Smart Hitch Camera System:Amazon:Automotive