No Rear Window / Rear View Camera

[GlennB]

Tesla has petitioned to remove the mirrors from their cars, because their entire dash is CRT screens and rear view cameras in the same place of the reflective mirrors will offer better gas mileage.

http://www.carscoops.com/2014/03/tesla-and-us-auto-alliance-petition.html

 

[Lil4X]

I think it's an idea whose time has come. Of course there is an issue with the lifespan of electronics, while mirrors (barring accident) are simple devices and will survive the life of the car. Chip cameras and LCD screens are relatively cheap - at least for the level of resolution required for the job, but I'm still concerned about their performance in low light.

Electronic cameras do not handle shifts in light levels well; they're nowhere as adaptable as the amazing human eye, especially to variable light. Automatic Gain Control circuits - even auto-iris features - respond rather slowly, producing either a washout or gloom when struck by light. They never seem to get the exposure quite right, usually overshooting the target at every opportunity. (Thankfully, one of my volunteer jobs depends on riding herd on seven broadcast cameras on weekends, manually riding colors and exposures that even a $75K digital HD camera can't manage.) Sensors, processing software, and robotic controls are pretty much at a loss for this - handling changing situations on the fly just isn't in their wheelhouse.

But I do acknowledge the aero-advantages of putting a tiny camera on a short stalk to monitor what's going on behind you. They offer not only aerodynamic superiority over mirrors, but because their monitors can be placed more central to the driver's line of sight, they should provide additional safety in operation as well. Now the problem becomes locating the monitors - and justifying the additional cost. For a Tesla at nearly $100K, burying the cost of two good cameras and a couple of monitors in the sticker price is pretty easy - for a $7K Elio, not so much.

 

[Joshua Caldwell]

I like the idea of installing a camera system myself, but with constant "ignition" power, rather than power from from backup lights. Does anyone know whether these camera systems can be used continuously? Anyone already tried it?

easily done

 

[imageon]

Yep. You can get $300.00 cameras now that do that. They work just like the onboard cameras in police and Russian cars. They just face backward.
MK

 

[Craig]

I like the idea of installing a camera system myself, but with constant "ignition" power, rather than power from from backup lights. Does anyone know whether these camera systems can be used continuously? Anyone already tried it?

This is what I will be getting for my Elio.

 

[Jim H]

This is what I will be getting for my Elio.

Thanks, great technology that is definitely a safety enhancement. Has it become affordable?

 

[Triggs]

Thanks, great technology that is definitely a safety enhancement. Has it become affordable?

this looked like a great thing to have so i found a price for it, 2,500.00 i may have to wait on this. little priceeee.

 

[Craig]

Thanks, great technology that is definitely a safety enhancement. Has it become affordable?

The price is just under half an Elio.
http://usd.flir-direct.com/shop/ite...turer=FLIR&manufacturerItemNumber=421-0034-00

 

[Triggs]

this i know and will take me sometime of saving for it,just gota plan.
thanks Craig.

 

[Jim H]

Guess I'll just have to be more carful driving at night because that is way out if my range