Rear view camera field of view

[HRowland]

Hi everyone,

I am planning to add a rear view camera to our R27. This would be primarily to see what is coming up behind us. What angle of view have you found to work well for this? Some of the auto style rear view cameras have as much as 170 degrees, this seems high and I am concerned that anything more than 20-30 feet away will be too small in the display.
I would also install a LCD display somewhere at the helm, I do not think the Garmin 5212 can display a video image while also showing nav/radar, etc.

Thanks,
Howard

 

[dencarst]

Hi Howard

I have a R27 with a camera facing aft.
I am using th Garmine 5212 for display also using for TV Camera, radar, GPS & sounder.
I use the TV Camera for my downriggers and crab pot puller.
Garmin has the capabilities to do this.
Check with Andrew on how to do this.

Dennis
Tug of my Heart 11

 

[SUWANNEE]

Dennis,

What brand of camera are you using?

Is it wired or wireless ?

Thanks

 

[dencarst]

John

The camera is wired and was install by Ranger Tug in the factory.
I don't know the brand name.
I would you suggest calling the factory for this information.

Dennis
Tug of my Heart 11

 

[GulfSailor]

Garmin can supply one:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=37695

However, I went with the Vonnic VCD546w:

http://www.vonnic.com/proddetail.asp?prod=VCD546W

Which is similar and about one quarter the price of the Garmin. it's not yet installed, but I have tested it and it works well.
For rear view use it should be switched to a reverse image. The Garmin isn't switchable, but is available in either regular or reverse view models.

Either will connect to the 5212 with the video cable that should have come with the unit (see the manual), which provides for two video inputs and one output.

I've yet to decide whether to install it on top of or under the rear cabin roof extension, or up on the mast.
I'm tending toward the mast as we may end up with a Weaver Davit installed inflatable on the swim platform which could obstruct the view.

 

[HRowland]

The Garmin is very expensive. The Vonnic looks nice and has variable focal length which would allow changing the angle of view between 20 and 120 degrees. I do not see a reference in the web description to an image reverse switch, is this described in the manual?

I reviewed the Garmin manual for the 5212, I did not realize it could display a video source while in combination display, this is a nice feature.

I know a few others have rear view cameras, what are you using?

Howard

 

[dencarst]

Howard

I am pretty sure my camera is Vonnic.
I only paid $250 for camera and installation.
It works great except backwards. left is right and right os left.
For my use this is prefectly OK.

Dennis

 

[GulfSailor]

......... I do not see a reference in the web description to an image reverse switch, is this described in the manual?

The settings for reverse image, white balance, color temperature, b&w or color, etc., etc., are accessed using a small joystick switch molded into the connection tails coming from the camera.
Pressing the joystick 'in' brings up an on-screen display showing the various functions available. Moving the stick up or down then pressing 'in' selects the appropriate function, then left or right changes the variables within that function.
However, zoom and focus are manually adjusted with a small screwdriver through the front of the camera housing (the focus screw can be seen in the pic).

 

[GulfSailor]

Howard
I am pretty sure my camera is Vonnic.
I only paid $250 for camera and installation.
It works great except backwards. left is right and right os left.
For my use this is prefectly OK. Dennis

Not all the Vonnic models can reverse the image or change the basic functions (see my previous post as to how mine works).

However,not knowing which model you have, it may be worth your while dropping the camera to see if you have the same control on the tails.
If you can reverse the image it really makes a huge difference to how natural the image looks and how your brain responds to it.

Can I ask where yours is mounted?