Backup cameras are becoming increasingly popular. It seems that nearly every new car commercial features a backup camera or some other device for making backing up safer. If a backup camera is something you are looking for, you might not be able to afford a new car. And most of us don’t want to wait until it is time to replace our current vehicle to gain the safety and convenience that a backup camera can give.
If you go to specialty auto store and ask them to install an after-market rear camera system, the price could easily reach $800-$900! If you go to a big box store and ask for a similar system installed by their tech crew, you might find big savings and get the installed system for $350-$600. Or, you could be really frugal and buy the system and install it yourself. Components will typically run between $100-$300, and you will save on installation costs.
Wired vs Wireless
When you begin shopping for a system, you will find two categories: wired and “wireless.” In wired systems, there are wires connecting the camera (at the back of the car) to the monitor (on your dashboard or console). Installation requires finding a way to route those wires from the camera to the monitor. This may require drilling holes, removing panels or carpet or headliners, and other challenges. The typical car owner who takes the challenge may spend a good part of a weekend on the installation process.
In most “wireless” systems, the camera sends signals from the camera to the monitor by radio signals, eliminating the need to route wires from the back of the car to the front. However, these so-called wireless systems still require wires to get power to the camera and to control when the camera is on and off. You must run wires from the camera to the reverse light cabling and splice in to the electrical system. In this way, when the vehicle is in reverse, the camera is powered on, and when not in reverse, the camera is off.
With both wired and “wireless” systems, you have to run wires to the reverse light cabling, often requiring you drill a hole to get the wires inside the car. If the camera is mounted on a hatch-back or rear door, you will also need to route the wires along the hinge to get to the reverse light. Even without routing wires to the front of the car, installing a “wireless” system can take you several hours. If you get it wrong, you risk blowing a fuse or otherwise damaging your electrical system. If you get it right, you cheer that you did it yourself and saved installation fees!
It seems that even the “wireless” camera options aren’t truly wireless.
Actually Wireless
QuickVu™ is different. The QuickVu™ Wireless Backup Camera has no wires. None. It is battery powered, so you don’t have run wires from the camera to the reverse light or anywhere else. You simply bolt it on like you would put on a license plate frame. For most vehicles, you just use the same screws that are already holding your license plate. In some cases, those screws are too short, so you just use longer screws. If you can change your license plate, you can install the QuickVu™ Wireless Backup Camera.
And the QuickVu™ receiver and monitor are simple to install, too. Mount both on the dash with Velcro™ or double-sided tape. Plug the monitor into the receiver, and plug the monitor into the auxiliary power outlet (or cigarette lighter receptacle). That’s it!
Most people can do this in less than 10 minutes. You don’t have to wait for an appointment. You don’t have to leave your car at the shop. And you don’t have to splice into your vehicle’s electrical system and void the warranty! You can see the entire process in our video.
If you are wondering how the camera gets turned on without being hooked to the reverse lights, the answer is simple. The receiver turns on when it gets power from the battery (in most cars, that’s when you turn your key) and when you press a button. When the receiver starts, it sends a signal to turn on the camera. This means, for most cars, when you start your car, the camera starts automatically (right before you back out of your parking space or garage). When you need the camera at other times, like when you want to back into a space or back up to a trailer, just press the button. The camera will stay on for 30 seconds. (You can also adjust the timer to 15, 30, 45, or 60 seconds.)
So what do you think? Do you want “wireless” or truly wireless?