Bluetooth reversing camera for iPad/iPhone viewing?

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PhantomNVD

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#144075 6-May-2014 21:42

Hi all,

just been nominated as the schools (24 seater) bus driver and busy completing all the P endorsement courses.

I'm looking to buy a bluetooth reversing camera using 12/24V and outputting to my phone or iPad via Bluetooth.

I've seen some videos, but am struggling to find anything locally that might work, so...

Anyone have experience with this?

Really just hoping for any warnings, brand recommendations or local suppliers to share?

Thanks!
Neil

PhantomNVD

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#1038532 7-May-2014 18:56

nobody ever done this then?

blakamin

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#1038551 7-May-2014 19:27

*cough* mirrors *cough*

NZtechfreak

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#1038555 7-May-2014 19:31

blakamin: *cough* mirrors *cough*

Reversing vehicles correctly should involve using mirrors, I agree. That said using mirrors is not effective at preventing toddlers from being run over, so I'm generally in favour of reversing cameras (unknown how much they help here either, but it seems likely there would be some benefit). I'd be interested to know if a solution of the kind the OP is talking about is available.

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PhantomNVD

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#1038677 7-May-2014 22:54

blakamin: *cough* mirrors *cough*

Yes, for a normal Car I agree, but there's a HUGE blindspot on a 7m long SCHOOL bus, and I'll have to maneuver is in a PRIMARY SCHOOL setting where i ca't just do a head count like I do with my kids when reversing at home.

Serious question... Anyone done/heard of this yet then?

kiwitrc

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#1038721 8-May-2014 06:16

I have a wired camera on my Hilux and its great for backing up close into things and not into or over things, I back with mirrors and camera and wouldn't have vehicle without a camera (and reversing sensors) again. Is there any reason you don't want to get one wired in that operates off the reversing switch as it would be a whole lot less hassle than BT etc.

zaptor

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#1038795 8-May-2014 09:56

Curious.

To be honest, I can't recall the last time I saw a bus actually reversing...

I may (possibly) have seen this several years ago when observing the odd bus reverse parking at a depot for the night. But, I think the driver was being assisted by another driver or two.

So, do you actually need to reverse at all during your route?

ghettomaster

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#1038811 8-May-2014 10:05

I'm also curious why the OP wants to use his iPad instead of installing a traditional reversing camera. Sure, there might be some hassle buying some extra cabling for the camera, but 1. Do you really want to be mucking around with your iPad when you should be driving, and 2. Can you guarantee that all drivers of that bus have iPads?

It almost seems to be me this is one of those cases where someone wants to do something a certain way because they can when a more pragmatic approach might be worth some consideration.

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PhantomNVD

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#1039030 8-May-2014 14:14

ghettomaster: I'm also curious why the OP wants to use his iPad instead of installing a traditional reversing camera. Sure, there might be some hassle buying some extra cabling for the camera, but 1. Do you really want to be mucking around with your iPad when you should be driving, and 2. Can you guarantee that all drivers of that bus have iPads?

It almost seems to be me this is one of those cases where someone wants to do something a certain way because they can when a more pragmatic approach might be worth some consideration.

Thanks for all the replies!

1) I'm going to be the only driver (small rural school, just bought the bus)

2) I'm funding the 'reversing camera' myself as the school hasn't a budget for this (and I've seen camera's sold separately for $80ish on Trademe, but want to know they can work with an iPad or iPhone before buying as...

3) I already HAVE both an iPad and iPhone, have mountings I can reuse on the bus if needed

4) I'm also a teacher in the school so will not be able to maneuver the bus before dismissing my class

5) I will need to park the bus at school, and the only space big enough is right between the playground and the main cap-park collection point, requiring it to back in and out before and after school.

6) I easily did this reverse alley dock with just mirrors several times in the holidays when no children were present, but would rather spend $100 of my own money than daily run a risk of hurting a child when reversing!

7) Lastly, I'm still awaiting 'fit and proper person' clearance for my P endorsement so have a few weeks to shop around and sort this before being able/required to drive the bus.

I hope this is a more detailed picture to inform my needs and thanks again for the sharing/caring community that is GZ! :)

richms

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#1040343 8-May-2014 20:55

The $80 ones will be a analog video. There are wifi ones. Not seen a Bluetooth one.

Jump on dealextreme or aliexpress and pick up a cheap analog wireless camera set. Will be fine away from masses of wifi. Friend has one on his trailer for backing up to the house and it seems to cope ok in auckland except for some static occasionally coming on it.

Richard rich.ms

blakamin

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#1040357 8-May-2014 21:12

PhantomNVD:
Yes, for a normal Car I agree, but there's a HUGE blindspot on a 7m long SCHOOL bus, and I'll have to maneuver is in a PRIMARY SCHOOL setting where i ca't just do a head count like I do with my kids when reversing at home.

I'll let you off coz of the kids....

but there's a bigger blind spot behind a b-train :D

Seriously, once you get the hang of it, and find a way of parking that means less reversing, you'll find relying on a camera harder than using mirrors properly.
Also, in a school situation, even relying on a camera would be sub-optimal... I would suggest having another teacher handy to keep the area clear. A camera won't stop a kid running behind your bus and reaction times might make avoiding disaster impossible. And if you are the only teacher, then take 2 minutes of class time to turn the bus around when there are no students.
Edit: By that I mean park the bus forwards in the morning, turn it around when kids are in class during the day ready to go in the afternoon.

PhantomNVD

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#1040391 8-May-2014 21:56

richms: The $80 ones will be a analog video. There are wifi ones. Not seen a Bluetooth one.

Jump on dealextreme or aliexpress and pick up a cheap analog wireless camera set. Will be fine away from masses of wifi. Friend has one on his trailer for backing up to the house and it seems to cope ok in auckland except for some static occasionally coming on it.

Thanks,

Will definitely look into a wifi one, but strangely... The idea of turning it around during class time never really occurred to me and probably makes the bet sense for my situation although totally not about the original idea

blakamin

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#1040396 8-May-2014 22:00

PhantomNVD:
richms: The $80 ones will be a analog video. There are wifi ones. Not seen a Bluetooth one.

Jump on dealextreme or aliexpress and pick up a cheap analog wireless camera set. Will be fine away from masses of wifi. Friend has one on his trailer for backing up to the house and it seems to cope ok in auckland except for some static occasionally coming on it.

Thanks,

Will definitely look into a wifi one, but strangely... The idea of turning it around during class time never really occurred to me and probably makes the bet sense for my situation although totally not about the original idea

Glad I could help! And may the roads always be smooth! :)

PhantomNVD

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#1040736 9-May-2014 11:27

blakamin:
Glad I could help! And may the roads always be smooth! :)

Thanks!