Backup Cameras

"prevent horrific accidents"?

Like what for instance?

Gee, I don't know, small kids? A Lamborghini?

Or is it more required software bugs?

One of the things that concerns me is that these systems represent more complex software that will most likely never be patched, exposing drivers to who knows what.

My son seems to have a penchant for picking up older vehicles -- his latest is an 84 Ford F250 pick-em-up truck. Like the diesel Mercedes he has, no computers. Simple, maintainable.

A back-up camera requires the camera itself, a display, and sensing integrated into the drive train so the camera image is displayed while the vehicle is in reverse. That almost sounds simple.

That required display, though, is an invitation to oh so much additional crap, I mean features... Can't be used for something actually useful, like gauges or vehicle condition, as those have to go away when in reverse. That means more "features," complications, and distractions.

We're going to be looking for a vehicle for my daughter to drive; she takes her driver's test Thursday... We know it ain't gonna be anything new, as we don't have that kind of money (and neither does she). Our son is keeping an eye out for something inexpensive, safe, and maintainable -- but not one of the big block V8s he seems to attract.

No back-up cameras, at least not yet.

(End of Sunday night's rant...)

k6rtm

I know what you mean, and agree. The thing is I backed into a unseen post, not much more than a scrape, but even a cheap camera could have prevented it, and been cheaper.
Now I get to hear about my driving ability by the people that have NEVER had a mishap.

Then, no one will get in an accident, horrific or otherwise.

There have been too many tragedies of parents or others backing up on their small children, usually in a big SUV or Mini Van. I know this is not suppose to happen, and the adults should always know where the children are, but it does happen and more frequently than we want to admit. If a backup camera prevents this, it is worth the price. I would not mandate that all cars have them, but I would think the price is minimal on new cars when built into the system.

I have always liked smaller cars, but my wife wanted a large SUV so I went along with her. It is the first time I have had a backup camera, and I like it. Every time I back up now I use it, but I must remind myself to also always check both sides of the car while using the camera. I know it is just one more crutch in our daily lives, but in this case I think it is a useful crutch.

My wife's car has a backup camera. She loves it. I don't have a problem with it at all. It works quite well and has never been an issue.

Our 2014 Accord has a backup camera. It is our first and my husband said it is one of the best things about the car. He also loves the right side camera when the blinker comes on to see if anything is in his blind sight before he changes lanes or turns.
If you don't have a backup camera get one and try it. I bet you will love it. We can now see if our dog decides to visit us as we back out of our garage. NICE.

When I had to buy an automatic transmission car after the arthritis started to hate the old stick shift, my main reason for moving up from the basic Subaru Forester to the premium model was the addition of the built in backup camera. I have no dog or small kids but I still like it!

Just having the backup camera is a step, but it only works if ... you look at it -- which you would not if you drive correctly and look toward the rear of the vehicle. A better protection is a backup alarm system that sounds up if there is an obstruction. My 2 cents.

...or use the backup camera as an initial check while still stopped and before backing up...admittedly better for bikes and trikes than for moving kids or dogs

You're thinking 1970s sedans, not modern vehicles.

Due to aerodynamic design considerations, many mid-sized and larger SUVs have relatively poor visibility through glass to the rear. You can see this for yourself by comparing the tiny rear-view and rear-side-view windows to the large front windshield. You especially can't see anything down low in back, like a child, dog, grocery cart, or three-foot pole. So bouncing your gaze between the three mirrors and looking behind you as we were taught in driving school is arguably much less safe than watching the monitor because the picture you see that way is very incomplete.

Our Murano has not only a rear-view camera but rear-facing cameras on the side-view mirrors so you can see a nice perimeter around the car while backing up. Visibility is also better at night and in heavy rain due to the way the image is lit.

The Murano also optionally has the warning signal inside the cabin you mentioned if something is approaching your path in reverse, even outside the camera view, and yes, it does save your bacon at times.

It's a good system and is safer than trying to spot problems behind you through the glass and mirrors. The manual does warn you not to count on it... CYA/don't-sue-us wording. You still need to back up with great caution, with it or without it, but you'll avoid more incidents using it than not. If you drive one and try backing out in a mall parking lot between a panel van and a large pick-up truck, where you can't see much at all in SUV mirrors and windows, you'll likely see the advantages of it.

I just ordered a camera but when I back up I look in the mirror several times besides every where else.Whatever feels right.

We have vehicles with and without back up cameras and like a GPS, I believe you should use common sense in addition to using the back up camera to provide additional information.

We have a 40 ft motorhome, camera necessary, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, good to have some times, and a 1995 GMC van. I have always been OK in the 95 van, but it would be nice to have a camera from time to time.

It's a little like power steering. My early cars did not have it and I had no problems, but now I would not buy a car without it.

We bought a new van in the 80s and customized the interior for camping. It was beautiful but it was my full time car. Groceries and stuff like that. We loved it but didn't keep it very long because I could not see to back out of parking spaces. A backup camera would have made all the difference. If only we knew about them them.

A couple years ago, my kid bought me a backup camera for my F150. The camera mounts at the license plate and the screen fits over the mirror but is only active when the backup lights are on. I used it for a couple of months but didn't like it much. It also is a constant drain on the battery.

Remember when cars didn't have seat belts.

My kids rode standing up in the front seats when they were little. We also had a chrome car seat that sit in between the front bucket seats in our 92 or 93 Olds Starfire. Thank goodness we didn't have to slam on brakes or have an accident back then. Wish I had that car now.

My car does not have a backup camera, my wife's car does. With her car, I do not think it makes any sense to turn your head towards the rear of the car anymore. I can see a reason to check your sides to ensure cars are not approaching, but the rear is totally covered by this camera.

Now in my car, I have to constantly move my head around to see behind me, and there are still various blind spots. In my mind, the backup camera is no longer just a supplement, but has become the primary mechanism in preventing accidents when backing up.

It is not just big SUVs which have inadequate rearward visibility to support either pedestrian safety or reasonably parking.

I drove a 1987 BMW 3-series car for 15 years before transitioning to my current 2002 Audi A4. The A4 has greatly inferior visibility in many directions other than the forward 140 degrees or such. Reasons include considerably thicker pillars, and headrests which obstruct much more view. I don't expect to see another car with a green house equal to the 1987 3-series, as most likely various safety requirements could not be met.

I am never comfortable with my view backing the 2002 A4, and ever since I drove a KIA small SUV on rental a year ago which possessed a modern backup camera, complete with useful projected sidelines and backing lines, I have happily expected that my next car will have such a thing. The backup camera on our 2006 Prius is greatly inferior--with such a wide field of view as to give a gravely distorted impression, and with no reference lines is of negligible assistance in parking.

Not necessarily. You are assuming that the vehicle has visibility everywhere you need to look, which is definitely not the case for many vehicles today.

In addition, there can be other factors that make a back-up camera a big help. I have had spinal arthritis in my neck for years that limits my ability to turn my head. I work hard to check the side mirrors and the rear-view mirror, and to to turn my head as much as possible, but a back-up camera still adds significantly to my ability to safely back up.

- Tom -

I love my backup camera. Everytime I park a car without one, I find it difficult now.

Can someone confirm whether the rule has changed and doesn't require to look back while going backward? What do they teach now?

From Florida this should be most recent http://pages.citebite.com/o5t0j0s3v8dru .I just read in the paper that side view mirrors may be a thing of the past in the future. Plan was to use cameras with no blind spots etc. That would be good.

I would love to have a car that have a rear view camera and a front camera. Easily one of the safest features, better than all the other electronic gadgets being promoted.

Great for safety, great for determining right of way, instead of he say, she say.

I purchased a back-up camera for my Father In-law, and he really likes having it. The camera attached to the rear license plate, and uses a wireless video link to the dash mounted display. When near other cars in traffic it sometimes receives their wireless video cameras, as the receiver display is always on standby while driving, but the camera only turns on with the back-up lights.

We got cheap in 2008 and opted to not get the backup camera when bundled with a Nav. I am glad to see them separated out now but as someone else mentioned, it would be better to see manufactures factor better visibility in their rear window design too.

Wife's car has one and it is nice to have when backing into a parking spot.

My Jeep's electronics are all wonky and I would only see it as introducing another point of failure on it. The tire-pressure monitoring system went out on it (not the tire end but the car end) and was nice while it lasted. Now, it just gives a error message at every start up for me to ignore.

I don't know what they teach now. The "rule" would vary state-by-state. And other than the behind-the-wheel driving-test standard (like the one Charles linked you to for Florida), a road test many drivers don't have to repeat, I don't know that it's a rule more than a standard. I would hope that even in Florida, a road-test examiner would make an allowance for the vehicle. They don't want you *just* using the mirrors may be the main takeaway. On the other hand, some examiners can be more literal than safe. They've got a checklist. In the test you may have to turn your body around to pass.

Above I said I primarily use the SUV's side- and rear-view cameras when in reverse, and I do prefer it to trying to turn around and look behind out the back windows as I do when driving our sedan with no cameras, because our SUV cameras give a much better view from the SUV than the rear windows.

But I paid more attention this week and noticed that when backing up in parking lots, I still *do* use the SUV front-seat side windows a lot, to see farther than the SUV's side-view cameras show. But if the side view windows are blocked by adjacent vehicles, then I back up slowly using just the cameras. So in reverse, my eyes go between the camera display and the front-seat side-view windows. I don't turn around to look behind, and the view would be less reliable if I did. Your Mileage May Vary depending on your vehicle, of course.

I have the backup camera and love it. It took me a while before I got used to it and stopped looking back when backing up. I wish I had side cameras also. The cameras should be standard in all vehicles.

Our government to the "rescue."

They make it easier for us people who can't judge distance too well with length of car when backing into a stall. Also it helps when backing out when you have a large vehicle parked beside you.

4 of our cars The ones that did not come with them I installed inexpensive cameras to use with the touch screen radios I already had. In conjunction with actually looking over your shoulder when backing they work great. The tech is already proven, touch screen and cheap cameras have been around for a long time with no issues. The wiring taps into the reverse light wiring to turn on the camera when backing so no high tech sensors involved.

nothing is ever easy