Recommended Back-Up Camera System That Has Night Vision

Updated 06/17/2015 | Published 06/15/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins Rear View Camera with Backup Sensors - 2-1/2" LCD

(34)

$216.08

Swift Hitch Wireless Hitch Alignment Camera and Monitor - Night Vision - 4-Hour Camera Battery

(152)

$205.51

Question:

About that Hopkins rear view backup camera: 1. will it work for continuous duty if I hook it up to my rear view mirror 4x8 display for the larger image? 2. How far down the road will I get a clear image and what about night driving images? 3. Does it give you the reverse image correction required for an accurate right and left side image swap necessary and is that done by the camera or by your monitor? I need to know this for hooking it up to my display unit because my display does not do the image swap correction necessary for rear view mirror use and It nearly caused an accident.

asked by: Guy G

Expert Reply:

I called my contact at Hopkins about the Rear View Camera with Backup Sensors, part # HM60195VA.

They told me this system is not designed to work with your rear view mirror. Due to the connector this system uses between the camera and the monitor, you would have to cut the wires to use a different display and that would void the warranty, and there would be no guarantee it would work with your display. If you wish to use this system so that you can control when it is on, you would need to install a switch in-line and connect it to your battery.

They told me that it is intended to provide a clear picture within 5 to 6 feet and any images beyond that range may not be really clear.

The image swap is done by the software in the license mount. If an object is on the driver side of the vehicle it will show on the left side of the screen and indicators will light up to show the distance from the back of the vehicle.

For a back up camera that has night vision you can take a look at the Swift Hitch Wireless Hitch Alignment Camera and Monitor, part # 04928. This is a wireless system that has a night vision distance of about 15 ft. I called my contact at Swift Hitch and they told me the distance the camera picks up is as if you were turned to look back, so you have a very long viewing distance.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L