Rear-View Mirror Cameras for Cars and Their Effect

A Car Backup Camera

The most common type of rear camera used on a car today is the backup camera. This camera is optimized for rear view safety and is installed as a license plate backup camera essential. The camera is mounted low on the vehicle and gives you a good look at anything directly behind your vehicle.

A backup camera generally offers guidelines to help you park effectively as well. When you use one of these cameras, you'll enjoy an interior screen to determine how to maneuver your vehicle as you back up and try to position your ride properly. After you get used to using one of these cameras for parking, backing out of your driveway, and other purposes, you will begin to depend on it. These cameras are much more effective than a standard rear-view mirror is, because they get rid of your blind spots for you.

Another characteristic of a backup camera is that it automatically turns on whenever you put your vehicle in reverse. If you have a camera that shows up on your vehicle's media screen and shows the rear view to you, then you have a backup camera. It's a useful device, and more vehicles are coming with these upgrades as standard features today.

A Rear View Mirror Camera

Backup cameras are the most common device for seeing behind your vehicle, but they aren't the only ones. You can also have a rearview mirror camera. These specialized cameras give you a view of the rear end of your vehicle, but the view appears in your rearview mirror. The mirror will display the image when you want it to, and it will toggle back to the standard mirror view when you want it to. You have complete control over what you see when using one of these cameras, but many people prefer to use the camera view most of the time.

Just like with a backup camera, the mirror camera removes the blind spots and gives you a clear view of what is behind you. Some drivers feel a bit strange when looking at the rearview image displayed by the mirror camera because the view has a different depth than the standard mirror view. The change of view can make drivers feel like their depth perception is off, and can be difficult to swap between and then looking out the front of the vehicle. This is why the camera view can be toggled off when you don't want it and turned on when you need that extra bit of unobstructed vision. Usually, a knob or button near the rearview mirror allows you to swap between your views.

It's difficult to say what the best rear view mirror camera is, and most that you encounter will come installed on your vehicle already. It is possible to get an aftermarket rearview mirror camera, though. You can add a camera to the rear of your vehicle and replace the stock mirror with a display mirror that gives you this technology. Installing one of these kits requires technical and mechanical skill, and it's best to leave the work up to trained professionals for the best results.

Adjustable Rear Cameras

It's important to note that some rear view cameras are adjustable while others are not. If the camera that comes with your vehicle is adjustable, you'll see controls, knobs, or buttons near them. It's common to be able to pan the camera view around slightly and to be able to turn the brightness up or down on your camera so you can see your surroundings better on your in-car display. If the camera is a stock feature on your vehicle, you can find instructions about making adjustments in your owner's manual. If it is part of an aftermarket kit, you will have to read the instructions that came with the set to help you learn how to configure your new camera.

Look for Low-Mounted Cameras

If you have the chance to choose a vehicle with cameras, along with looking at the car history report for the vehicle in question, you should also look at the position of the cameras to be sure they will be as effective as possible. Cameras that are positioned low down give you a better view of the body of your vehicle. Try to avoid vehicles with cameras positioned on the upper portion of the body because they are more difficult to use. If you are careful about what camera setup you go for, you'll enjoy a better experience backing up with your vehicle.

Keeping Your Camera Clean

Some cameras come with built-in spray guns to clean them, similar to how you clean your windshield while driving. Others must be manually wiped off. Learn how to spray off your camera if you have the option, and if not, you should spend a few seconds wiping any dirt and grime off your camera each time before you drive. If you travel over dirty roads regularly, you will have to clean the camera lens often to maintain a clear view when you drive.

So many vehicles come equipped with backup cameras or rearview mirror cameras today that you have to think about which technology you choose and whether it's implemented well or not when choosing your vehicle. Compare vehicle history reports and try to get a vehicle that comes with a rear camera if you can, but think about the different options that are available and select the one that you enjoy most for the best user experience. You can quickly check for rear cameras on a vehicle by looking at the rear end for a small camera lens. They are normally located near the rear hatch on SUVs, under the trunk of cars, or below the tailgate on trucks.