Back-up Camera Thread

[BobD]

Put together the OEM component backup camera. I ended up using a Polycase weatherproof box. I used 8-32 threaded inserts into the bottom of the camper to mount it and then P-clamps on the wiring harness.

 

[Bosque Bill]

Put together the OEM component backup camera. I ended up using a Polycase weatherproof box. I used 8-32 threaded inserts into the bottom of the camper to mount it and then P-clamps on the wiring harness.

That looks very good. I never did enclose mine, but haven't had any issues… at least so far. What angle did you set the camera? I left mine in a similar angle as when it was in the tailgate and that seems to give an excellent field of view.

 

[takesiteasy]

Yeah, that looks pretty good. I never got around to a permanent solution as my temporary fix has been working fine. Nice work.

 

[BobD]

That looks very good. I never did enclose mine, but haven't had any issues… at least so far. What angle did you set the camera? I left mine in a similar angle as when it was in the tailgate and that seems to give an excellent field of view.

Since the camera was going to be a lot lower than it's stock position I set it so it looks straight out the back. So far I'm pleased with the results. I didn't realize how much of a convenience the camera is.

 

[chnlisle]

I installed the unit (link below) in about an hour. It would have been quicker but I ran a new fused hot line from the driver side battery because I wanted a "fill time" camera not just when I was in R. It transmits on wifi and works perfectly with my Galaxy S3. I use the phone mount in the 2nd link. Freedom from wire and BlueTooth!

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Backup-Reversing-Andriod-installation/dp/B00HMNS780/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400601463&sr=8-1&keywords=4ucam

http://www.amazon.com/Mountek-nGroove-Magnetic-Smartphones-Tablets/dp/B00HMDYH2U/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1400601544&sr=8-7&keywords=cd+phone+mount

 

[hpcbmw]

Chnlisle, that is a VERY cool setup. I was looking for something like that 6 months ago and could not find it, so bought a cheap wired video setup instead. Keep us posted on how well it works.

 

[chnlisle]

I love this thing. I did change it from the bottom of the license plate to the top for a better view. Here's a picture of the view before I changed the camera position.

 

[chnlisle]

I was pulled over by AZ HP a few minutes ago and warned that the camera was partially blocking ARIZONA on my lic. plate. It's a violation here in the state where one can go into a bar with a concealed loaded weapon. So back to the bottom bolts. Oh well I still love this thing.

Ahhhhhh bullets and booze. Is that fun or what.

 

[ski3pin]

Seems like you'd want them to see Arizona so they pass you by for us out of towners

 

[chnlisle]

You're right my friend it's a state to be proud of.




I'd list more but space doesn't allow.

 

[Kokopelli]

Chnlisle,

How does the thing work - hard to tell from the amazon page. Does it transmit a signal over wifi that your phone shows as a network to join? How then do you get the picture - do you need an app? How do you turn your unit on and off since it's wired to the battery, or is it on anytime the car is running?

Sorry for the silly questions - I'm just not sure how the wifi cameras work. It looks like a great easy set-up - something I've been wanting to find.

Thanks!
-Rick

 

[chnlisle]

Rick,

My camera is wired to be on all the time because I'm running it on a hot line directly from one of the batts. I think most people wire it to the reversing light circuit so it's only on when you back up.

There is a free app to down load to your phone or tablet or both. Once you do that you simply open the app. The camera has it's own WiFi transmitter so it works regardless of your location.

 

[takesiteasy]

I think I posted this same info in another thread on this same topic. Anyway, a short cautionary note about the wireless cameras that broadcast to your phone or tablet- as I understand it, many of these cameras/apps do not have even basic security built into them so they basically create an open path into your phone or tablet for anyone (nefarious hackers, electronic criminals etc.) who cares to look for it. Not really an issue in the desert, but might be in town, depending what kind of info and apps you keep on your phone. Similar to the potential issues of using your laptop in unfamiliar coffee shops and hotspots. Don't do your banking there...

 

[Kokopelli]

Curious to see what others have to say on takesiteasy's comment above - is a wifi back up camera a security risk for your receiving device (phone)? Couldn't find a lot of info when I googled this, but there must be some tech types here who have some opinions. The info I found was more of people able to see you camera images, not about the receiving device. I like the simplicity of this install, but I do have a lot of stuff on my phone.

Thanks!
-Rick

 

[MarkBC]

I think I posted this same info in another thread on this same topic. Anyway, a short cautionary note about the wireless cameras that broadcast to your phone or tablet- as I understand it, many of these cameras/apps do not have even basic security built into them so they basically create an open path into your phone or tablet for anyone (nefarious hackers, electronic criminals etc.) who cares to look for it. Not really an issue in the desert, but might be in town, depending what kind of info and apps you keep on your phone. Similar to the potential issues of using your laptop in unfamiliar coffee shops and hotspots. Don't do your banking there...

Curious to see what others have to say on takesiteasy's comment above - is a wifi back up camera a security risk for your receiving device (phone)? Couldn't find a lot of info when I googled this, but there must be some tech types here who have some opinions. The info I found was more of people able to see you camera images, not about the receiving device. I like the simplicity of this install, but I do have a lot of stuff on my phone.

Thanks!
-Rick

I'd be interested in reading some source info on this -- vulnerability of wi-fi back-up cameras to hacking.
If true, seems like it could apply to any wi-fi-connected device -- wireless security cams in/around a house or a wireless printer or a wi-fi-enabled TV -- all have a connection to my home router. So does that mean that they could provide a back-door for hackers into my system?
Seems like a web search looking for wi-fi device security -- not just back-up cameras -- may return relevant info.

Don't want to get too off-topic...but there are settings on a wi-fi client on a computer and/or smartphone that should not be enabled: Don't allow the device (smartphone, tablet, computer) to connect automatically to any available network that it finds. This doesn't stop hackers (criminals) from offering a wi-fi hotspot that looks like a Starbucks connection that you may be fooled into connecting to, but it's a first step towards being careful.

 

[takesiteasy]

I'm just back from a trip and catching up. I'll try to find the original articles I read when I was researching this. It has been a while and I can't remember where I saw it.

 

[takesiteasy]

Ok, Here are a couple of articles from last year on the issue.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2033821/widely-used-wireless-ip-cameras-open-to-hijacking-over-the-internet-researchers-say.html

http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/hacks-turn-your-wireless-ip-surveillance-cameras-against-you

I'm not sure this is the latest information, but it does a good job a laying out the issues. As i understand it, most cameras use the same firmware. Some versions of the firmware have vulnerabilities. Some cameras have the firmware updated to address the issues and some don't, so it is buyer beware. It could be old news and all could be fixed, as this stuff changes rapidly. I couldn't find any real recent articles on the subject. I am not an expert on this issue so if anyone has better information or knows more about this, please chime in.

 

[bryanmichaelmeyer]

Can anyone help with confirm that this will work with my 2013 tacoma that I took the tailgate off of?

They advertise plug and play but a year ago this was impossible to find.

Thanks a lot!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-13-Toyota-Tacoma-Tailgate-Handle-Backup-Camera-PLUG-amp-PLAY-/281329685600?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Bryan

 

[DEnd]

I'd be interested in reading some source info on this -- vulnerability of wi-fi back-up cameras to hacking.
If true, seems like it could apply to any wi-fi-connected device -- wireless security cams in/around a house or a wireless printer or a wi-fi-enabled TV -- all have a connection to my home router. So does that mean that they could provide a back-door for hackers into my system?
Seems like a web search looking for wi-fi device security -- not just back-up cameras -- may return relevant info.

Any and every connection is a security risk, all connections can be hacked. Think of connections as being like doorways into your computer. You can put a door on them and lock them and that will keep out most "badguys" but if someone wants in bad enough they will get in. That's why you need multiple layers of security. And keep the truly important stuff (like bank passwords) in your head. They can't hack your brain, as long as you are in your camper with reflectix insulation.

 

[MarkBC]

Ok, Here are a couple of articles from last year on the issue.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2033821/widely-used-wireless-ip-cameras-open-to-hijacking-over-the-internet-researchers-say.html

http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/hacks-turn-your-wireless-ip-surveillance-cameras-against-you

I'm not sure this is the latest information, but it does a good job a laying out the issues....

Hmmm... Interesting, thanks. Good to know that there are patches to fix the known problems. I think I have one or more of that brand of cam.
This sounds a little different than the wi-fi back-up camera issue, since the articles talk about attack via the Internet, and a recommended solution is to not let them be available via the Internet...that is, the vulnerability isn't because they're wireless, it's because they're open to the Internet. But maybe the risk is worse when they're open to the whole world of bad guys via the Internet, but the same vulnerability could be used by a hacker standing next to your cam directly via the WiFi....I wonder..