twoshoes

That's very helpful, thank you. And thank you to Tom and Tweak for your help, too. So, it looks like this will be my backup package, with the camera mounted up high... http://www.tti-plus.com/CNB-1-3-Sony-SuperHAD-CCD-380TVL-IR-Bustop-Camera-p/tti-cnb-cn258ir.htm http://www.mobilevideozone.com/product_view.aspx?product_ID=E3E03A66-4FEA-498F-A099-FBB74277A0F9 Last question, that camera I listed above has 380TVL resolution. They make an identical one with 550TVL... http://www.tti-plus.com/CNB-550TVL-IR-Mobile-Video-Backup-Camera-12VDC-p/cnb-cn330ir.htm Would that monitor I have selected (resolution: 1440 x 234) be able to take advantage of the higher resolution or would the 380TVL be sufficient? I know they calculate and measure resolution in different ways. Thanks again.

I think that might be the ticket... http://www.amazon.com/Power-Acoustik-PT-727MSV-7-Inch-Monitor/dp/B0007YYG18?tag=gpse-20 There seems to be some debate about the pros/cons of mounting it up high vs. down low. Again, I primarily need something that can clearly see the area immediately behind my bumper, extending out 10-15 feet for aiding in parallel parking and making sure I don't hit anything while backing up. Being able to see further back (for driving in reverse) would be great but isn't critical, especially at the expense of being able to see right behind me. I would love to mount it up high for the "big picture" perspective but not if the image gets distorted and ugly in the critical area I need to see directly behind me because of the added 4-5 feet of distance. And I would love to mount it on my bumper for the clarity of the image of what's directly behind me and the direct line-of-sight it would provide (the camera would be pointed "out" rather than "down"). Is there some sort of camera/location combination that gives the best of both worlds?

Why? I will be using my side mirrors mostly for lining things up in reverse. I would like to see traffic and more distant things behind me, but if I had to chose one over the other, I'd rather have the ability to see the space more immediately directly behind me, for parallel parking and making sure I'm not about to hit something when backing up. Would a camera mounted up high or down low be better for this? Should I consider getting a bullet camera and mounting it lower (near the bumper)?

Just to be clear, this is where I want to mount the camera (see red circle)...

The eBay camera I posted says it has a 120-degree view but, according to the lens calculator posted above, it should only have an 81-degree angle (1/3" sensor, 2.8mm lens). What gives? I hear the argument for B&W. I have read a few things from people that say color is nice because it allows you to more quickly and easily identify vehicles and objects behind you...which makes sense, because color is another tool for identification. So, one could argue that color is a safety feature (which is why I am interested in it), not just a pretty picture. In any case, I am having difficulty finding a B&W backup camera. The B&W cameras I am finding aren't dedicated backup cameras and lack things I need, mainly waterproofing and reverse picture. I just found this camera, which may be good because at least the LEDs are outside of the shield that protects the lens, possibly minimizing reflection. But it doesn't have a sun shade above the lens like the eBay one does... http://www.tti-plus.com/CNB-550TVL-IR-Mobile-Video-Backup-Camera-12VDC-p/cnb-cn330ir.htm

I'm kinda confused now. What kind of camera should I be looking for?

Thanks for the info. I would love a 7" screen (or bigger) I just can't think of a way to mount it so it wouldn't be conspicuous. So is the smaller the size of the lens, the wider angle it is? I don't understand the significance if the number 6mm you mentioned. And do you have a link to a camera you can give me as an example? That would help me get a better idea of the kind of unit you're talking about.

Thanks for the replies. I am purchasing this 4.2 inch LCD monitor... http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/ref=mp_s_a_1?tag=gpse-20&qid=1264214068&a=B001TE0HS6&sr=8-1 It fits my needs exactly because I live in an area where cars are frequently broken into. Which means I can't have an expensive looking monitor mounted anywhere (or video unit in my stereo) and I don't want to pull out a monitor and put it away everytime I back up. The mirror monitor just looks like a mirror. I also want to stay away from wireless because I get a lot of interference in the city. I may consider B&W but I really would like color so I can more easily reference vehicles behind me. I would like to use the camera for driving in reverse, not just for seeing what's behind my bumper. So it's good to know that the wide angle is probably just horizontal angle and not necessarily verticle angle. Ideally, I would like a camera that could see from my bumper to the horizon. What are truck cameras? Do you have a brand or a link? Any other suggestions?

First post.... Great forum. I've been looking through the posts for the last hour and I have learned a ton. I am looking for a backup camera for my Ford cargo van. I want to mount it up high (see attached photo) on the bottom part of the frame for the utility light that is on the rear of my hightop. I can run the wires through the fixture for the light. I will angle the camera down to get a bird's eye view of everything behind me. I did some research and decided I wanted: - small, color CCD camera - wide angle somewhere between 100-150 degrees - good low-light performance - waterproof - rugged - less than $150 I know that most cameras for less than $150 are probably going to be considered to be crap by most professionals but, unfortunately, I can't spend more than that and I just need something that has a decent picture day and night. I found this one on eBay... http://cgi.ebay.com/CCD-NIGHT-VISION-HQ-WIDE-ANGLE-REAR-VIEW-BACKUP-CAMERA_W0QQitemZ250510552178QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a5397ac72 The specs are impressive but I have some concerns, mainly about the IR LEDs....28 of them seems like overkill. I like the idea of the high number of LEDs having a farther illumination range but, from what I have read on this forum, I'm concerned the high number of LEDs will just create blown-out white areas in the image, especially under street lights and that kind of thing. And I have read that IR LEDs in the camera (epecially a high number of them,) can create a spotlight effect if they don't have the proper throw and are not properly aligned. I'm also concerned about LED reflection off the shield with that many LEDs. Essentially, my question is, what do you guys think about this camera for my needs? They also sell one with 18 LEDs...would that be better? Any other advice/ recommendations? Thanks in advance. Jim