tyronetpt":2bs17ke7 said:
Which backup camera do you recommend?. I’ll be mounting Portland Pudgy on Weaver Davits for the season and need better rear view
I just completed the installation of Garmin's GC200 wired IP camera and highly recommend it. Installation onto my 2022 R-29 CB was more difficult than any of the other modifications I made so far, but worth it.
There are many options and selection came down to the totality of requirements. I had some general reasons to select this camera along with some that are/were specific to my needs. Your requirements may be different. Here are mine in no particular order:
- Rugged, made for the marine environment
- High resolution to have good detail
- No additional things (e.g. display, switch) to mount on either helm station (or holes to drill into the dash as required by the Admiral); integrated with MFDs
- Low light capabilities at decent distances (e.g. full width of a fairway); often not possible in a combo of wireless and long battery life
- Low, low, low latency; I wanted a real-time view that is often not possible with wireless
- Impervious to wireless interference (prior, observed issues with backup cameras on RVs and trailers)
- No batteries to exchange and reliable availability (i.e. small battery charged with a small solar panel)
- Great warranty & service; reputation of company
- Possible future integration into my Vessel Monitoring System, at the core of which is the Garmin OnDeck system.
- Field of view to cover the entire sim platform and dinghy motor mount from available mounting locations (i.e. not mast)
- Theft deterrent (mounting location, visible LED that is always on)
My requirements did not include that the camera view is available on the command bridge, but it is a nice benefit to have the view available on any of my chartplotters. I also did not consider the difficulty of installation as I was willing to spend the time required to make it work.
I also had to install a GSM 10 Network expander (Ethernet hub) since I had only one port available on my chartplotters and also needed a port for the OnDeck system. It all integrated well. When I turn on a chartplotter, the GSM 10 and the camera switch from standby to "On". Pretty slick. Power consumption with the IR off is only about 3W and negligible when in standby. Configuration only required the camera to be selected in the "Video" section of the Garmin menus. Additional steps would be required if you select a different orientation.
In regards to security, where I live, police recommends cameras as the #1 deterrent for theft prevention. Even if they are not connected to a security system. Thieves won't evaluate their actual risk and rather go to the next place (boat).
