When given the chance to test out Waeco’s new PerfectView Reverse Camera system, we jumped at the opportunity. After all, who hasn’t had issues reversing their car into tight spots, let alone a large caravan into a campsite? Which is why the Waeco setup suited us perfectly, allowing us to install a camera not just on the rear of the car, but also the rear of the caravan, with full operability from the one monitor inside. A life saver? Maybe. A divorce saver? Quite possibly!
FEATURES
- Switches on automatically or manually
- Automatic day/night switching
- Normal or mirrored picture function
- Two or three camera inputs – can be controlled separately
- Picture settings can be saved for each camera
- Loudspeaker
- USB connection for charging MP3 players etc.
- LED background lighting
- Monitor easy to remove thanks to Easylink mount (think safety while your car is parked somewhere for long periods)
- Optimum picture quality even at low temperatures
- Compact extra-slim colour camera
- Viewing angles of 100 degrees horizontally and 70 degrees vertically
- Up to 80% more view than conventional systems
- Motor-operated shutter for automatic closing of camera lenses
- Infrared LEDs for improved night vision
TECHNICAL DATA
Dimensions: W143 x H112 x D118 mm (incl. mount)
Diagonal screen dimension: 5″ / 127 mm (visible picture)
Operating voltage: 10/30 volts DC
Power consumption: max 10 watts
Resolution: 337,000 pixels
Video standard: PAL/NTSC auto
Operating temperature: –20 to +70 °C
Vibration resistance: 4g
Weight: 350g
Picture brightness: approx. 400 cd/m²
Dimmer: Automatic via LDR
Camera inputs: 2 with signal recognition
Mirror function: Can be set
Certification: E11
WHY WE LOVE IT
This isn’t just one of our favourite products to use while travelling, it’s also a fantastic safety check both when driving and reversing into your campsite. Our dual setup means we have a camera fixed to the rear of the car and the caravan, allowing us full vision on the road and when it’s time to park up for the night. The wide angles give excellent vision coverage, and the handy infrared LEDs work like magic at night. It’s a great system even when not towing a caravan, and we find the large screen handier for rear-vision checking than using our rear-vision mirror, with the full colour screen being true to life.
It’s an affordable system for any car owner, and really is a must-have if you own a caravan as well. Easy to install, the cameras are also equipped with microphones, so as well as great vision, there’s no need for nasty hand signals or use of handheld radios. While you can decide to have it activated manually, our setup engages automatically as soon as the car is placed in reverse gear, so there’s one less thing to think about.
Travelling to a number of remote places, safety of items left in the car is also an issue. You should never leave objects within sight of potential thieves, and Waeco have made this setup nice and simple. There are no cables coming out of the monitor, the base can either be firmly attached to the dashboard or mounted to your windscreen, and is detached and reattached from the monitor with a simple click. Out of sight, out of mind.
We also love the adjustable distance markers on the screen, so you can personalise just how close you want to be to an object and set your monitor marker at your chosen distance. No more guesswork or hand signals from behind the car!
Use of Extra Cameras
The installation of an optional extra camera will greatly improve your viewing, especially when towing a large caravan like we are. As well as the camera just above the numberplate on the rear of our vehicle, we also had an additional camera installed on the read of our caravan. With full-colour vision as well, we have no dramas while towing with full vision behind our caravan. If you are towing a caravan, it is well worth the extra cost to have this additional camera installed.