Rear Camera Question

Two points:

1. The camera is not adjustable.
2. The camera is not essential.

The "wow" factor is fun for first time passengers. I find the only time I use it is to see if I am parked in far enough to close the garage door without hitting the rear bumper. Its not that big of a deal, really. You have three mirrors, just like any other car out there. Use them.

 

I agree with Subarutoo. The rear view camera is just to let you know whats directly behind you.

 

Each to his own, I suppose. There's no doubt we can live without a rear-view camera. We also could live without speed limits. I just see both as valuable safety features. I just happen to use the camera on a daily basis, because our neighborhood is filled with young children who will have no compunction about standing, sitting or laying down behind any parked car. Of course, they'll always leave scooters, bikes, etc. anywhere on a driveway!

It isn't an essential, but if you have it, I suggest taking advantage of it -- for safety's sake.

 

Right after I got my '07, I measured the field of view straight out from the camera. I recall being able to see everything except the last six inches from the point directly below the bumper to the starting point of the field of view. You could do this experiment: Tape a dollar bill to the floor of your garage, and set it perpendicular to your car. Back toward the dollar bill (set length-wise to the car at its center point. At the moment the dollar bill disappears from the screen, the closer end of the bill is directly below (plumb) the center-point edge of your rear bumper.

While I don't recommend taping dollar bills in all of your parking places (bread crumbs may be a smarter bet), you should be able to better judge your position with such knowledge.

 

I wish my Chevy Aveo had a back up mirror. One time I got in my car, hit the garage door opener, looked in the rear view mirror, once it was open, and saw the car of my wife's friend that was visiting. I wouldn't be able to back up as far as I usually do, but, I would be able to go back far enough, turn the wheel, pull forward, you get the idea. So I put my car in reverse, and half way out of the garage, I hear clunk. I get out, and my daughter had parked her bike in the drive. All I did was knock the bike over, bike is fine, not a scratch on my car. So I move her bike out of the way, mutter a few choice words to myself about the kids not ptting stuff away,get back in my car, and back into wife's friend's car.