Our Guide to the Best Backup Camera with Night Vision

Why get a backup camera with night vision capabilities? Well, according to the federal government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), backup cameras will be mandatory in any new car purchased in the United States. This rule will go into full effect by May of 2018.

But that news doesn’t explain why you may want one of these for your older car, or even a new one.

If you’re curious (or in a hurry):

Rather, what I found most interesting were the statistics that NHTSA released on why they are requiring the installation of back up cameras now as well as and satisfying the mandate of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007.

The first statistic was that there are over 15,ooo “backover crashes” per year just in the USA. And out of those, 267 (estimated) were fatalities. But the saddest part of these statistics is that out of the fatalities, it’s estimated that 31% of those were children under 5 years old.

So do you really need a backup camera? I guess it really depends. But if you have children, or even elderly people living around you as they were the second largest group of fatalities coming in at 27%, it might be a very wise decision. I mean, if you have kids, why wouldn’t you? They are completely affordable.

So why get a Backup Camera with Night Vision that can see at night?

[toc]
I was wondering the same thing when a reader of FixUrCars asked me to write on the subject. And here’s why I feel if you’re going to get a camera, then why not spend the few extra bucks to get one that sees in the dark? The difference in cost is really minimal.

And unless you have fantastic vision, seeing in the dark can be tough for anyone. Especially when looking behind you. And if you have a high car or SUV, it’s about impossible to see what’s behind you in the rear-view mirror or even your side ones.

But one with night vision lets you see things that you’re just not going to see otherwise. The picture may not be as clear as if it were daytime, but you WILL see there is something behind you. Even if it’s only your kid’s bicycle, which is another thing that the NHTSA’ data doesn’t reveal. The damage done to personal belongings and vehicles for backing up accidents that don’t involve a person. I’ve run over a toy or two, so I bet this happens an awful lot.

Which is the Best Backup Camera with Night Vision?

So if the above has convinced you to grab one of these, I do have a short list of the gear that I think would best suit your needs, be affordable and last a while. Hopefully never needing to be replaced.

AUTO-VOX M6 Dash Cam Backup Camera Kit

First up is the AUTO-VOX M6 Dash Cam Backup Camera Kit. This is definitely an affordable option and the one I purchased myself at Campad Electronics, but not the cheapest on my list of great cams. But it’s worth every penny. And here’s why…

Of course this has nigh time capability.

This unit has a motion sensor which is great if you can’t see something even as small as a cat that’s behind your car.

Not only that, it doubles as a kind of security camera and is able to record the video of your rear view even if you’re not in the car. And the motion detection will automatically turn on the recording if your car is bumped or motion is detected up to three meters away. Perfect for parking lots. (As long as you wire the cam so that it gets continues power.)

There are both a front and rear lens for this. And the front lens is 1080P which means a really clear picture, HD quality here and has audio as well.

You have the option to turn of the touch screen after a few minutes if you don’t always want to see it. But it can still record even with the touchscreen off.

Here’s a video that I found really helpful explaining exactly how to install this unit. It’s not hard at all and can be done in under an hour even if you’re not a mechanic or even technical.

One of the down sides to this is that it is not a wireless unit. So there will be wires which can be hidden from view if you do it correctly. I have a video under this to show you how to hide the wires if you need help.

The other “con” is although it has a micro SD card slot for recording and saving your video, the kit doesn’t come with one. So you’ll need to buy one yourself.

LeeKooLuu Backup Camera and Monitor Kit

My second choice is a less expensive kit that does many of the same functions as the AUTO-VOX, but not quite. But still very “acceptable” for those on a tighter budget.

Choice number two is the LeeKooLuu Backup Camera and Monitor Kit.

This unit also is a nighttime unit that can see in the dark. But unlike the previous kit I reviewed, there is only a single backup camera and nothing more.

It still comes with everything you need, it just doesn’t have a front view camera as well.

The LeeKooLuu can be plugged right into your cigarette lighter for a quick and easy install.

Smart Car’s Rear View Safety RVS-83112 Backup Video Camera Review

Rear-view cameras can significantly help with reversing; they are especially helpful when you are driving a vehicle that is really long and visibility behind you is poor. This Rear View Safety Camera is an amazing backup camera with a display combination that greatly enhances the driver’s vision while reversing you car, truck or RV.

It really doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you drive, this backup camera can function with pretty much any type of vehicle. Heck, you could put it on a quad if you really wanted to!

So are you looking for a camera that doesn’t have all those wires that can end up looking messy and unprofessionally installed that come with installation booklets that seem as though they were written for a NASA electrical engineer?

Then this may be the exactly what you have been looking for. This is a completely wireless camera with a fantastic display, so there are no wires to install or worry about. Pair this with FIXD and you have every techie option you could want.

You don’t even have to worry about how strong the signal is; the signal is so strong that the camera can connect to the monitor as far as up to 70’ away. This makes it perfect for longer vehicles such as RV or trucks and trailers that are usually more difficult to reverse because of decreased visibility.

If you need assistance when reversing, or you are just interested in having a reverse camera installed on your vehicle, this is a great option for you. It is not ridiculously overpriced and should be able to provide you with many years of service.

You should definitely consider purchasing this product, especially since it has a lot of great features that you can benefit from. In addition, insurance companies note the value of having a rear-view safety camera, and will usually offer you a reduction on your insurance premiums if you have such a camera installed in your vehicle. Depending on how much you spend on insurance each year, the camera can literally pay for itself. And you’ve got to like that.

So, why do we like this particular camera so much? Let’s take a look at the long list of features to get a better understand of the power of the RVS-83112…

Features

• Wireless connection
• Signal strength up to 70’
• Magnetic mounting base
• Waterproof camera
• Infrared night vision
• 3.5” LCD display
• LCD monitor requires 12V
• Easy to install
• Color: black
• Weight 1.1 lbs.
• Battery-operated camera
• Comes with 1-year warranty

Pros

• You don’t have to worry about unsightly wires stretching all over the vehicle because the connection is wireless
• The signal strength is very good so you can use this back up camera in larger vehicles and you won’t have to worry about connection issues
• It is easy to mount and dismount the camera because it sits on a magnetic base. The magnet is quite strong, so you don’t have to worry about the camera falling off
• Since the camera is waterproof, you won’t have to worry it will stop working when it gets wet; it will continue to work perfectly well in the rain
• The LCD display is a very good size so you can easily and clearly see what is being displayed on it
• The camera will display very good images at night so it won’t be difficult for you to see behind you when it is dark
• Because it doesn’t require a wired connection, it is pretty easy to install. You should be able to install it by yourself even if you are technically challenged
• You can easily move the camera from one vehicle to another since the camera mounts by magnetism and the display is plugged into the 12V power supply in the vehicle

Cons

• Since the camera is attached by a magnet, it may shift out of place. However, it wouldn’t be difficult to realign it so you can have the perfect view of behind you.

Summary

The Rear View Safety RVS-83112 Video Camera is a very solid product. It has a variety of great features that all drivers can find advantageous.

One of the features that many drivers may find extremely beneficial is the exceptionally good wireless connection between the camera and LCD display. The camera can connect to the display even when it is 70’ away.That’s actually pretty far. And it shows how strong the signal really is which is important especially when it’s raining or there is some sort of weather condition that can interfere with the signal.

If you are a truck driver or you drive a vehicle that is longer than the average vehicle, you will love the wireless range on this device. This is especially true for you RV owners who like to tow your cars with you when you’re on long trips. Or if you’re super cool and are a NASCAR driver living in your camper and towing you car and gear along, then this is truly a MUST have!

Since the camera is installed on the exterior of the vehicle, it is great that they have made it waterproof. This means that you won’t have to unmount the camera when it is raining or if you take the vehicle to be washed.

It is pretty easy to install as it comes with a magnetic base that is solid and strong enough to stay on your car even while going through a car wash. And having a magnetic base also means you don’t need to permanently damage your car or truck due to drilling holes to screw in the camera.

Plus since everything is wireless, it’s easy to move to any spot you want, and it looks a lot better than a wired camera ever could!

Once you attach the camera, you should have no issues with it falling off even if you’re off-roading it.

Wondering how well this camera works at night?

Well, it has built-in infrared lights that provide amazing visibility when it is dark. In many cases, you will be able to see even 30’ behind you and the LCD display is large enough so you can easily see.

You don’t need extra cables and connections for the screen; it plugs into the 12V power port that is in your vehicle. Talk about smart.

If you have been looking for a backup camera that can work perfectly with a long vehicle, you should consider getting this one. For the wireless range and incredible night vision that it offers, it definitely seems to be worth the price. You can even set it up yourself, so you won’t have to spend additional money on an installation.

Conclusion

There are a lot of rear view cameras on the market that claim to offer a lot of features and have affordable price tags. However, a lot of these products are just a big waste of money. One minute they seem to work fine and the next, they have gone haywire.

This Rear View Safety RVS-83112 Video Camera is quite the opposite. It has many remarkable features and should last you for a very long time. The camera has a long range of sight; you can see a good distance behind you when reversing as long as window tinting doesn’t interfere.

With all these great features and a price tag that is just as incredible, why would you hesitate to purchase this rear view camera? You can even move it from one vehicle to another—now, that’s something great; it would be like you’re buying several cameras for the price of one.

And if you’re looking for a dashcam, check out our Street Guardian Review here.

I hope you found our review of the Rear View Safety RVS-83112 Backup Video Camera helpful and informational.