Experience with the Furrion Vision S Camera System

[bryanwwelsh]

The following is my experience with the Furrion Vision S Camera System if anyone is considering purchasing one. Has anyone else had a different experience with it and in particular are there any workarounds for the odd "features" the system has?

The camera system connects well and produces a good clear image. My (one) tech support experience was excellent. However, the user experience and functionality of the system has some significant oddities and limitations in my opinion. In quick summary the two most important things to note are:

1. If the system is in full-screen rear-camera view, it will NOT switch to the side camera when the corresponding turn signal is activated. It will only switch to the side cameras when the turn signal is activated if the system is in one of the multi-camera views (quad or tri).
2. If the system is in one of the multi-camera views (quad or tri), when the brakes are pressed it will switch to either the right or left camera randomly (because the side cameras interpret that as a turn signal activation).

My application is on a 2025 Outdoors RV travel trailer and the camera system was installed at the factory including a rear camera, two side cams and a 5" monitor placed in the tow vehicle. Note, I contacted the Furrion support line to confirm that I wasn't misinterpreting anything, so everything stated here is accurate per my discussion with them. FYI, the tech support guy, Josh, was awesome and very helpful in answering my questions.

With the LED version of the Furrion Vision S, the side cameras can be wired (yellow wire) such that the corresponding side camera activates when the turn signal is activated. My trailer was wired for this function. Unfortunately, this only works if the Auto Display mode is turned off (more on this later). And they specifically don't recommend turning it off (with no explanation as to why it is not recommended). The user manual, and a warning on the touch screen, indicates "IMPORTANT: Quad view mode is not recommended for observation while you are driving." Note that Quad Mode includes a Tri-View and two variations of a Quad view, H Split and Quad Split. They all behave the same and I will refer to them as Quad/Tri view.

Of note is that the user manual provided with the system only hints to the functionality of the side camera trigger using the turn signals. They show the (yellow) wire, but do not discuss the operation of this functionality in any way that I can see. I downloaded the full literature from their web site and it doesn't discuss this functionality either, other than showing the yellow wire under specifications.

With the Auto Display mode turned on (default and recommended by manufacturer) the unit automatically switches from the Quad/Tri view screen to the rear view only screen after 10 seconds. The purpose of the Auto Display mode seems to be to discourage you from using the Quad/Tri view. Quad/Tri view seems like a perfectly normal and legitimate use of the system while driving so it is odd that it is discouraged. With Auto Display on, any time you want to see the Quad/Tri view you have to touch the screen twice then choose "View All", then after 10 seconds it goes back to single view. This is less safe than running in the "not recommended" Quad/Tri view mode. This all seems to be a contradiction. With the Auto Display mode turned on and viewing the rear camera, the turn signals do not activate the side cameras. This is a major issue in my mind.

With the Auto Display mode turned off and the Quad/Tri mode selected, when the turn signal in the vehicle is activated, the monitor changes from the Quad/Tri view to a full screen view of the associated side camera as one might expect, and it occurs fairly quickly. If you select the rear-view only mode while Auto Display is turned off, the turn signals still do not activate the side cameras.

Having the system switch from a full rear view to a full side view is one of the most basic, obvious and useful ways to use a camera system like this. Any motorhome I have ever owned with side cameras has the option to work this way and this is a significant limitation of the Furrion system in my opinion.

In the Quad/Tri mode, when the brakes are applied, the monitor changes from the Quad/Tri view to a full screen view of either the right or left camera. On a trailer, brake lights are activated by turning on both the right and left turn signals. The camera system interprets the simultaneous signal to the two side cameras as a left or right turn and can only choose one so uses whichever ones electronics fires first in the communication protocol. This seems like something that could be easily programmed around and display the rear camera when both side cameras are activated during braking.

It is stated that the system can be used as a "security system" (motion sensors to trip cameras) by bringing the monitor into the coach/trailer. This seems impractical if the system is wired with the power sourced from the running light circuit. The running lights would need to be on in the case of a motorhome, and in the case of a travel trailer the light circuit to the trailer pigtail would need to be powered somehow since the trailer would typically be disconnected at the site.

Per my discussion with Josh at tech support, the not recommended Quad/Tri view is because they feel the reduced image size/resolution impairs the operators view. So they discourage it, but you can choose to use it. Regarding not switching from a full screen rear view to the side view when the turn signal is operated he indicated that is just the way it is. Regarding displaying left or right camera when braking, he confirmed this is what would happen. Regarding using as a "security" system, he mentioned there is a second option to power the cameras directly from the battery.