In-dash monitor for parking cameras?

People (like theforce) are working on it even as I type.

The low tech aproach is to get a cheap ($12) car cell phone antenna and install it to the front license plate bracket. The tip is just visible over the hood, especially if you add an antenna ball. If people ask, tell them as the car moves the antenna, going through the magnetic field of the earth, helps recharge the battery.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Aug 23 2006, 12:33 PM) [snapback]308308[/snapback]</div>

I used a top section of an old Fishing pole (about 16"). Remove the ferrules and mount it between the front license plate and the plate mounting bracket. Non rusting - Easily removed and damn cheap if you have an old pole.

 

The Costco Back-up camera thread talks about something that may work in this situation. Instead of placing the camera on the rear license plate, simply include it on the front license plate. Not so sure how durable it would be for highway damage from rocks etc.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Aug 23 2006, 12:33 PM) [snapback]308308[/snapback]</div>

I took an telescoping tv antenna and drilled a hole in top of license plate frame and matching hole in bottom of frame for threaded end of antenna with nut. When collapsed for highway travel ,only about 3'"of antenna is visible, for intown parking , I extend the antenna up about 15"

 

Well, after tinkering in my head as to how I can put up a simple camera system on the front end of my Prius, I decided to buy a wireless VR3 camera from PepBoys. I just finished installing the camera (which is intended for rear end use, attached to the license plate holder) to the front of my Prius, just below the bumper. It was simple to attach, just by using a plastic locking strap through two conveniently located holes under the bumper. No drilling needed!

The wiring was simple enough. I didn't want to go through the trouble of installing an in-dash switch (who wants to drill a hole through the firewall? Not me! So, I decided to splice the hot end of the camera wire to one of the front auxillary lights. Therefore, if I wanted to use the camera as I am pulling up a curb that I am weary of, I just turn on the auxillary lights on, and voila! The camera turns on. Well, it's not a seemless operation folks, I still have to turn on the wireless monitor inside the car. It is powered through the auxillary power outlets.

The only thing is, the camera is on during nightime driving (since the lights are on), but at least it isn't on constantly. I seldom travel at night daily anyways.

Hey, at least I came up with something! I'm sure someone will figure out a better solution than I have. For the meantime, I think it is GENIUS! Especially for someone like me who's ELECTRICALLY CHALLENGED!

I'll post more pics of the monitor inside the car and what it looks like through the camera tomorrow.

Vince.

 

Nice looking setup, Vinny. Not terribly obtrusive. Get that to show up on the MFD and you're in business.

I also wonder if there's another spot, like cut out part of the plastic thing just under the bumper and set the camera up poking out of there.

This reminds me that I've always wanted a (yes, I'll admit, super-cheesy) knight-rider light setup for the front of a car. The Prius grill is setup nicely for it!

 

Here's a picture of the monitor from inside the car. The image is the edge of a curb in front of the car. Once I have it in view, I stop and it prevents me from running the car over the curb. Works great!

Now, there are times when the reception is not that good, due to the bluetooth interference, but it works just as well when you move the monitor at certain angles. I decided to place a velcro underneath the monitor and by placing it just at the base of the center divider floor, I can see it quite well and the reception is not that bad from this vantage point.

Vince.

 

Here's a picture of the monitor placed on floor of center floor.

Vince

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(vinny @ Sep 5 2006, 03:27 PM) [snapback]314726[/snapback]</div>

The only thing that would make this better, is if the camera had night-vision. Run that with the EV switch, shut off all the lights, dash lights, and display, and you can drive in stealth. Flick on the little Night Rider lights, and you'd probably scare the crud out of some kid playing in a dark street.

Ok, pretty geeky, but I bet I'm not the only one that wondered if it had night vision.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JJT2006Prius @ Sep 6 2006, 11:56 AM) [snapback]315190[/snapback]</div>

LOL. Ok, that was pretty geeky. I too wondered about night vision, since I drove to the doughnut shop this early morning (it was still dark) and as I pulled up to the parking space, I was having a hard time seeing the approaching curb, BUT I turned on my fog lights and IT HELPED illuminate the curb (due to its low sweeping angle). It worked pretty good in the dark with the fog lights on!

Vince.

 

Here are two pictures of what the camera sees in the front. I usually look to see when the image (curb) appears and occupies the top half of my screen, then I stop. The distance is good enough for the underside of my car to NOT go over the curb.

Vince.