Rear View Cameras Review

These days, few cars roll off the assembly line without the latest in technology built right into the dashboard. The new toys in today's cars include in-dash GPS, integrated MP3 players and rear view cameras. The latter feature is an invaluable piece of technology that assists drivers in several ways. The best backup cameras eliminate dangerous blind spots. This makes backing out of the driveway much safer if you have children, small pets or obstacles at your house and neighborhood. Sometimes you simply can't see these things in your conventional rearview mirror.

Other benefits rear view cameras offer include an improved view for parallel parking. With a rear view camera installed in your vehicle, you know exactly how close you are to the other cars parked on the street. Additionally, rear view cameras make changing lanes on highways and freeways easier. Every car has a blind spot. When you augment your rearview mirrors with a camera, it provides an extra layer of awareness that reduces the likelihood that you will sideswipe another car while changing lanes. Furthermore, if you drive a large vehicle such as a motor home, RV or camping trailer, seeing what's behind you is nigh unto impossible. Rearview cameras provide drivers of these vehicles the crucial information they need to drive safely.

Rear view cameras are a relatively recent technological development. Only the newest cars have them preinstalled, and some automakers haven't caught up with the times yet. Therefore, there is a burgeoning aftermarket for these cameras. We've rated and compared car rear cameras. When all was said and done, the Clover TFT7001, Rear View Safety RVS-770613 and Safesight SC0302 earned the top three spots on our side-by-side comparison chart. We also created informative articles on rear view cameras, which will help you compare the best rear view cameras.

Rear View Cameras: What to Look For

There are many things to consider when you're shopping for a rear view camera. Chief among them is integration with your vehicle, simplicity of installation and quality of video received from the camera. If any one of these elements is weak or absent, the usability of the device falls apart. Further considerations include accessories such as remote controls and anti-theft functionality. Some devices are plain-Jane cameras, but superior devices provide bells and whistles that add to the versatility and value of the unit.

The biggest question on your mind when buying a rear view camera should be "How much can I see?" The answer to that question lies in the resolution of the picture taken by the camera and the size of the screen that displays the image. The old adage "you get what you pay for" rings true in this category. Purchasing a rear view camera with poor capture capabilities or a low-resolution display renders the unit almost unusable.

We used the following criteria to rate and rank the best rear view cameras.

Video Quality
Just because the rear view camera you bought comes with an included monitor doesn't necessarily make it better. Of the rear views cameras we reviewed, just more than half have a monitor in the box. However, we found that some of the models that required you to purchase a monitor separately provide superior resolution and detail. Additionally, some of screen-less cameras are compatible with the in-dash screens already installed in your car. The quality of the picture, not the hardware, reigns supreme in this category.

Camera Features
A wide viewing angle, sharp focal length and weather resistance are the main functions we looked at when we examined cameras in this category. Make sure the rear view camera you choose is capable of not only capturing a clear picture, but also an image wide enough to see everything you need to see to drive, park and back up safely.

Accessories
Many times, the small things give products an edge on our comparison charts. In the case of rear view cameras, these small things include remote controls, mounting racks and installation kits. These extras make installing and operating your rear view camera easier and safer.

Help & Support
Whenever you install something on your car yourself, you must be absolutely clear that you are doing it correctly. The best rear view camera manufacturers provide not only precise instructions, but also robust help and support resources, both online and on the phone. Additionally, they stand by their products with a solid warranty in case you get a defective unit.

In the final analysis, rear view cameras make parking, driving and backing up a safer experience for everyone. If you are in the market for this type of product, we highly recommend that you purchase one of the fine products we have researched and reviewed.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To. ™