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Wayne M · 07-06-2011, 09:25 PM

I did not want to hi-jack another thread, but here is a quote to a question I posted:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senior Chief

Hmm! I wonder how they get away with back-up cameras that can be on all the time? Think about it. Looking at the camera while driving is just as distracting as glancing at a television while driving.

I imagine its because the back-up camera performs the same function as a rear view mirror. Is there something unsafe about glancing in the side mirrors while driving your rig? Of course not; its a boring view and the driver will be most unlikely to be riveted to the screen or the mirror for more than a second or two...

Of course some people never check their mirrors either; it must be for safety's sake.

The first paragraph is what I posted. Chief, I realize the function of the back-up camera. I also realize that any item used in an improper manner on a vehicle can be dangerous, and some times disastrous. Consider a driver that sees something in is rear view mirror and focuses for 4 seconds, or even longer. He is apt to get in trouble should something happen in front of him. Glancing, yes, alright, follow the 2 second rule. No view in any mirror for more than 2 seconds. Now, if you double the 2 second rule because you are in a motor home, then at 4 seconds even more can happen. Now consider a rear view camera. Behind you is a tow car. You look in the rear view camera and you see something that just looks unusual, like a cable not in the proper position, or any other appearance of unusual, and you keep looking and looking, trying to figure it out. Your rear view camera, used as a mirror, now became a monitor, a TV without voices, and can really cause a disaster. I can personally tell anyone that any view to any mirror on any vehicle, or any rear-view monitor, never lasts more than 2 seconds. I even count to myself when I use them. It's a rub off from motorcycle days.

Happy trails.

Jackm · 07-06-2011, 11:04 PM

We have the option of turning our rear view camera off but my wife likes it on all the time "so she can see if the toad is still there". I've given her the speech about the fact that the tow bar has redundant safety features but...

Besides, if the toad disappears, I suspect that we'll find out about it at some point.

Jack

1ciderdog · 07-09-2011, 03:07 PM

My back up or rear view camera is great option. When I pass another vehicle it is easier to see when to safely move back over to the right lane - the car or truck I have passed can be seen in the rear view mirrors but also on the camera monitor screen. In my case I wait until the vehicle I am passing has only the front bumper visible on the screen. When the big mirror, the little convex mirror, and the rear view camera all show no vehicles I can change lanes. The two mirrors and the camera show different views. I look at it as a great safety option.
Bob

CharlieTwo · 07-09-2011, 03:53 PM

I recently put one on my RV and it works quite well. Common sense is need in driving. I really consider it another safety tool for me to use.

Wayne M · 07-09-2011, 05:46 PM

Bob,
I also use mine when passing, or changing lanes in the city traffic. It is great for that.

I hope no one takes me wrong. It is a great tool. It's just an awareness that things can happen when used in a manner not intended if one spends to much time "looking."

I still can't figure out why they put a microphone on the rear. All I hear is the diesel engine when I crank it up. I'll also hear my wife as she waves at me with one finger and shouts real loud to STOP. (Well, I figured out the Texan's say WHOA.)

frankdamp · 07-10-2011, 08:48 AM

Wayne:

Your post reminded me of an incident back home in the UK. In the early 1950s, our local coal merchant switchd from a horse-drawn cart to a truck. He didn't want to fire the driver, so he gave him driving lessons on the new truck.

About the third day after the change over, the driver hit a wall at the bottlom of a hill. Witnesses reported he was standing on the seat, pulling hard on the steering wheel and yelling "WHOA".

1ciderdog · 07-10-2011, 10:04 AM

Wayne - I agree the volumn control is wasted on the pusher engines. I didn't realize there was a speaker in it until my wife dusted the dash including the back up monitor which turned up the volumn. So I took it to a Cat dealer to find out why the engine sounds suddenly got so loud when driving. Life is full of learning experienes.

Billieg · 07-10-2011, 11:28 AM

How else are you going to know when the mother in law back in the toad has to pee if you don't have the mic on?

Larry Daly · 07-10-2011, 06:25 PM

Keep your camera on. I have a late model supposidly bullet proof tow bar. One pin came out and one of the legs dropped to the ground and I saw it happen in the rear camera. I stopped, the Jeep was still there (amazingly) so I put in a new pin, I always carry extras and away we went. This could have been a diaseter. I wrote to the manufaturer and they never replied? Larry Daly larry@larrydaly.com

mrschwarz · 07-10-2011, 08:27 PM

I use mine for passing, too. It's easy to see when the vehicle I'm passing moves past the toad.

Luckiest Dreamer · 07-11-2011, 09:12 AM

In our State they have made Texting while driving against the law. There are any number of things that can distract a driver if used improperly, your backup camera could be one of them. So can a fly that is continously buzzing you as you drive. Maybe we should make a law against them! Calling it a backup camera may be a mistake as they have more than one use and using them to help clear a car you are passing is one of the good ones.