I know lots of GT racing cars have rear view camera displays in the cockpit. This is for visual only, not data recording. I really struggle with the small Radical side mirrors. I can see when cars are close, but would prefer to see if/when cars are coming from further back. Have any of yall installed this type of camera display in your Radical? If so, can you share pros/cons of your experience? Any camera setup suggestions?
Thanks, Dan
Update;
I received a recommendation of the following VDO system from another forum.
I’m interested in getting something too. Looking at What Tadibrothers has to offer. Their RV cameras may be the best for seeing a significant distance behind the car.
It seems that many of the camera systems are wide angle, good for reversing, but seeing anything half clearly at a distance is challenging.
I bought a dual camera system recently for a large vehicle eBay link for £45. To be fair it was very good for the price, and to switch from one camera to the other was useful. The view on the factory one on my Radical (from 2009) isn't any better.
The mounting point for the camera is important. Ideally there would be two cameras, one wide angle for parking mounted on the hoop or rear body, and the other narrow angle, slightly zoomed and mounted on the upper leg of the spoiler, end plate (RHS on RHD cars) or similar, so that it gets a good unobstructed view. I'm thinking road use here!
Getting a waterproof or water resistant screen may prove a challenge. I'm tempted to go for another one of the eBay type, and try to source the right narrow angle camera. At least it is cheap to replace the screen etc.
I just checked there now what my car has, it's from this company http://www.comatra.eu/index.html
I've got the 5.6" monitor, which is waterproof (and shockproof) as it turns out and fits nicely on the left of the dash. They seem to offer a HD one now http://www.comatra.eu/pdf/Product_sheet_CMT5600HD_EN.pdf
There is a wide angle 130 degree camera http://www.comatra.eu/pdf/HEAVY_DUTY_CAMERA_EN.pdf
Also a narrower angle 78 degree version http://www.comatra.eu/pdf/Product_sheet_CMT77-HD_4KLIFT_EN.pdf
The screen accepts up to three cameras. I guess that's the updated original Radical solution right there.
I just read a thread from 2012 on them here. It looks like a screen and camera is about £500 - £600.
I've just found a YouTube video showing their system on a Radical, it uses the CMT45-HD camera which is a discreet(ish) flush mount camera, and appears to have the 130 degree view.
Be aware that a bright sky (which the 130 degree camera can see lots of) or headlights for that matter, can make the auto light balancing darken or brighten the image too much. It can be locked to a certain setting though.
Wow, that Comatra system looks like a good solution. Any idea who might retail it here in the US?
I think I read that if you contact them for a quote they will either quote, or refer you to the dealer in your country.
After talking with Peter Kraus (aka ProCoach), a well known professional racing coach, that most of the cars he is aware of use the VDO system noted above. He is aware of numerous Radicals, GT cars, and other formula racers using it. He said the camera is top notch and the display is much better than competitors even in bright outside conditions.
