What to use for rear view monitor?

stonestatue · 12-23-2006, 04:48 PM

I intend to purchase a van and put a computer inside it. I figured I would consult the experts here at mp3car.com for advice on how to maintain an aesthetic appearance.

I am presently debating how to setup the rear view system. I have two options. I can either route the rear view camera to the LCD monitor of the computer itself, or I can install a seperate monitor for the rear view camera. My goal here is aesthetics above everything else. The LCD monitor for the computer will be on top of the dog house cover. The white circle shows where I intend to install it:

The other option is installing a seperate monitor for the rear view camera. I observed a sheriff's patrol car recently, and I saw a camera and monitor setup system which looked pretty nice. This is kinda what it looked like:

And if I go with this, I'll mount it where the white circle is:

As I have already stated, the main goal here is aesthetics. If I don't put a seperate LCD monitor in the overhead console, I'll definitely put a CB radio and police scanner radio in that place.

turbocad6 · 12-23-2006, 06:31 PM

I love an overhead monitor for rear view... I use an alpine tme 480, it's smaller at 5.8" & it does mirror flip internally so you could use a high end camera & don't have to use a mirror image camera.... alpine also uses great lcd's so it's good in the daytime too.... especially overhead...

I wouldn't put it in that console though... I'd remove the rearview mirror & put it in that vicinity

stonestatue · 12-23-2006, 08:23 PM

"I wouldn't put it in that console though... I'd remove the rearview mirror & put it in that vicinity"

Why wouldn't you put it in the console?

turbocad6 · 12-23-2006, 08:44 PM

mainly because to me a system like this is taking the place of the rear view mirror, & having both would bother me... that, & it should be in the natural place you would look to see the rear view, & it should be in your periferal vision area... I think the angle would be a bit severe too up there....

just cause I wouldn't put it up there, that may work out well for you anyway...

stonestatue · 12-23-2006, 09:12 PM

I mean why wouldn't you utlize the primary LCD monitor for the computer instead?

turbocad6 · 12-23-2006, 09:37 PM

so it's always there.... if you have to make an effort to use it, it'll go more unused... I could see hitting something cause it was too much of a pita to switch to it....

auto switching would be a decent comprimise maybe..., but then it's only usefull when in reverse....

it all depends what you want from it... if it's more of a novelty then I guess just a webcam on your pc may do the trick for you...

stonestatue · 12-23-2006, 10:17 PM

Oh ok. How much is this monitor?

turbocad6 · 12-23-2006, 10:27 PM

check ebay I guess, I got it a few years ago... don't remember how much it was...

stonestatue · 12-24-2006, 03:17 AM

I saw one of your responses to another thread and noticed that you put a small LCD display in a rear view mirror.

I am currently checking out this place:
http://www.waindart.com/product.htm

What do you know/think about them? As a general rule of thumb, I don't purchase products out of the country, especially when their English isn't that good.

turbocad6 · 12-26-2006, 11:58 AM

don't know anything about them really...

stonestatue · 01-22-2007, 10:27 PM

Would it be possible for you to furnish some pictures of your rear view monitor?

turbocad6 · 01-22-2007, 10:59 PM

I'm sure you could find it cheaper, one just sold on ebay for $99 ...

this is the screen I'm using