Front view camera, good idea or not?

Donstar · May 1, 2019

I've ordered a two camera system. It also records. This is a stand alone wireless unit with the primary purpose to provide rear-view behind my travel trailer. I was planning to use the second camera to add parking vision to my front grill. This was a plan I had since this truck was new but regularly gets sidelined due to other financial priorities. Now that I've purchased this system, I'm having second thoughts about the value of a front camera. To access and mount a camera behind the grill is appearing to be a significant challenge especially when I'm questioning the benefit. This is not a tiny glue on type camera. It is box shaped c/w led lights and an antenna. I am debating whether I should just use the second camera as a dash cam and simply have it facing out my windshield? A dash mount will optimize my recording view but will be no help in those tight parking situations. A grill mount will assist in those tight parking situations. (I usually try to avoid these but they do happen!) The grill mount would be a poorer placement for the purpose of recording. What are your thoughts and/or experiences with front cameras?

STRMTRPR · May 1, 2019

I had a front camera on my last lifted F150.. they are fantastic for parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces.. I will add one to my Silverado down the road but as my truck is only a few months old and as I haven't leveled or off roaded it yet I just avoid the tight spaces and family sedans!

jaxcam02 · May 1, 2019

I see the benefit of the front camera but to be honest, if i am uncertain about how much room I have, I just get out and look.

Now I do have a front and rear facing dash cam set up that is hardwired to power. I love it and it sees a lot. I can hook it up to my cell phone wirelessly and view the live feed if I wish. Its mounted up high behind the rear view mirror so it has a pretty good angle on everything happening up front.

If you can connect the camera to the OEM screen, I would for sure mount it correctly in the grille, otherwise if you have to use a secondary monitor for it, is it really worth it.

Bash74 · May 1, 2019

I see no benefit in adding the front camera. A dash cam like you say has some benefit if in an accident and turns into a blame game. Before all these cameras these days people were driving trucks in tight spaces and parking with no problems.

davester · May 1, 2019

I don't know about "Before all these cameras these days people were driving trucks in tight spaces and parking with no problems"...

I know I had to get out and look to make sure I didn't bump something with my extended cab longbox F150, it was worse with my current '3500 Sierra extended cab, cab&chassis. But once I installed a backup camera (Pioneer avh4000nex, NC-BD6 camera), then backing into a stall became relatively easy.

SwisherSweets · May 1, 2019

My personal input, I just got 4 cameras installed since my truck only had the rear camera and tbh, I rather have the 8" monitor used only for music and Google maps/Android Auto.

Initial thought for the front camera because parallel parking is a pain and not able to see if I'm going to hit a vehicle in front of me (again I have the lower end truck and it didn't come with proximity sensors like the high end trucks most of u guys own).

Now I have it, there are some cons. I have the license plate style...it just sits way too low. You can pivot up another 5 or 10° but it's not the way to go. The camera should sit below the M of GMC, or have a lifted truck to abate the height difference. Also at this height at night you just see the glare of rear lights of vehicles.

The rear license plate height is just Okay..I wish I had it sit a little higher.

The sides are not typical but it's set up for my benefit. Most of u have these on the mirrors.

I am still testing the cameras. It's on a trial run..the rear view monitor has passed my test..the cameras I am definitely switching out in a week. Going to see how it holds up

Donstar · May 1, 2019

1 hour ago, davester said:

I don't know about "Before all these cameras these days people were driving trucks in tight spaces and parking with no problems"...

I know I had to get out and look to make sure I didn't bump something with my extended cab longbox F150, it was worse with my current '3500 Sierra extended cab, cab&chassis. But once I installed a backup camera (Pioneer avh4000nex, NC-BD6 camera), then backing into a stall became relatively easy.

Yes, I owned a couple of SuperCabs with the 8' box and they could be a real treat to park! I once was in the camp of older drivers who thought that we did fine for decades without camera assist. This was until I bought my '15 and it came with a rear camera and sensors. Now I would love 360 degree cameras! I don't see adding cameras as a sign of poor driving skills. I believe this is using technology to make me an even better driver!

Bash74 · May 1, 2019

I don't know about "Before all these cameras these days people were driving trucks in tight spaces and parking with no problems"...

I know I had to get out and look to make sure I didn't bump something with my extended cab longbox F150, it was worse with my current '3500 Sierra extended cab, cab&chassis. But once I installed a backup camera (Pioneer avh4000nex, NC-BD6 camera), then backing into a stall became relatively easy.

Honestly I have never seen anyone get out of there truck to check anything. Even growing up I would drive a 3500 dually and never got out and checked. My kids use to drive full bed truck and a dually to work and school with no problem. None of these ever had cameras. The truck I have now has a camera and the wife always asks if I am ever going to use it, I say no. It's like the whole manual transmission thing and more and more people couldn't drive one to save there lives.

davester · May 2, 2019

I find backing into a stall with a small car behind me, where I can't see it out my drivers side mirror, that it's difficult to just how close you are to it. Can't see the hood of it in the rear view, and the passenger mirror is curved, so that throws off the distance, if it's visible there. And with such a long truck, you want it as far back as possible... And a hitch makes it worse, as it sticks out a fair amount...

SwisherSweets · May 2, 2019

There are always those with the opinion I've never had to use it, therefore it's not necessary or needed.

I dunno. I'm close to my 50's. I have a grandchild, safety comes first. Kinda like having a seatbelt.

To the OP, having the front camera should be used only for the blindside of the front windshield. Area below hood..perhaps u might accidently run over a sleeping pet etc.

Edit: grammar..it's late

Donstar · May 2, 2019

13 hours ago, Bash74 said:

the wife always asks if I am ever going to use it, I say no. It's like the whole manual transmission thing and more and more people couldn't drive one to save there lives.

LOL My wife says the same thing as I still park in much the same manner that I have done for decades. She does not notice me scan the screen to check for obstacles prior to backing up. The camera is particularly useful for those times when a few inches matter or when hooking up my trailers. A rear camera is invaluable when backing out of angled parking into traffic, particularly when you have a truck/ van parked to the right of you! Comparing the gains from video assistance in not analogous to a move from manual to automatic transmissions, imo. You and I can drive a truck with a manual transmission just as safely and effectively as one equipped with an automatic transmission. However, neither of us will ever be able to see the blind spots inherent in the design of a pickup without video assistance, guessing, or getting out and looking.

Ravenkeeper · May 2, 2019

On 5/1/2019 at 1:38 PM, SwisherSweets said:

My personal input, I just got 4 cameras installed since my truck only had the rear camera and tbh, I rather have the 8" monitor used only for music and Google maps/Android Auto.

Initial thought for the front camera because parallel parking is a pain and not able to see if I'm going to hit a vehicle in front of me (again I have the lower end truck and it didn't come with proximity sensors like the high end trucks most of u guys own).

Now I have it, there are some cons. I have the license plate style...it just sits way too low. You can pivot up another 5 or 10° but it's not the way to go. The camera should sit below the M of GMC, or have a lifted truck to abate the height difference. Also at this height at night you just see the glare of rear lights of vehicles.

The rear license plate height is just Okay..I wish I had it sit a little higher.

The sides are not typical but it's set up for my benefit. Most of u have these on the mirrors.

I am still testing the cameras. It's on a trial run..the rear view monitor has passed my test..the cameras I am definitely switching out in a week. Going to see how it holds up

I'm looking for a good forward/aft facing dash camera and a rear-view camera for my trailer (to act as a rear-view mirror, needs to be wireless/bluetooth). Cameras will have to be able to tolerate the heat/cold of the desert, looking at a range of -40ºF - 180ºF (or more). Suggestions, so far?

SwisherSweets · May 3, 2019

~ -40° to 200° F? God, that sounds almost military specs. LMK where you find these cameras.

I purchased my setup from Amazon. Of course be careful, most electronic purchases are like "Harbor Freight" quality (not dissing HF because I own a Daytona 3 ton floor jack that I love and crapload of impact sockets), but you know what I mean. It's like, if you want rock lights or flood , buy ProComp, Rigid, KC HiLites , etc don't buy Amazon knockoffs...however I went the cheaper route on the cameras because it's still experimental for me..

As far as monitor I decided on RCA connection method. To me, I initially thought this connection is more "trouble free" than wireless/bluetooth. This is from reading reviews from others who installed this method. However maybe those products have improved in the last 4 to 6 months, I dunno.

Here is the list of what I purchased. I can tell u how I feel about these items.

Master Tailgaters Frameless Rear... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D8J14WB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I originally wanted the Master Tailgaters rear view mirror with the Onstar button but they didn't have any in stock on Amazon so I went with this rear view monitor BUT I lost the Onstar button. That is one of the cons of this mirror. I like the fact I can have 2 views at the same time. Video quality is dependent of the cameras. For what it is, it does look OEM. Good quality.

Master Tailgaters License Plate... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLFTMT2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Camera view should be as the same as our 8" monitor in REAR.

What a POS. I bought 2, for front and rear. Camera sits too low for our trucks. I had to modify it and I remount it to my Go Rhino step guard. See pic. It now sits just as high as the one in the rear of truck. View quality is just horrible to view during the day and night. It's not comparable the 8" screen. I'm assuming any license plate cameras around the same price range (~$30) are of the same quality.

Reverse Camera,Front,Side View... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074P17ZLF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

For a cheap a$$ camera I'm really surprised. I already took truck at a car wash and I did spray hard right at it..i also own a professional steam pressure washer as well and shot 100° C water straight at it..still works fine. Lens are rotatable (Be careful not twist outer cap from shell threads or it will break). For $17, let's see how well it holds up..

Video 1 and 4 are the Master Tailgaters license plate frame cameras. Video 2 and 3 are the sides.

Sorry for the long write-up. I'm sure I missed something and grammar messups..I'll fix later.

SwisherSweets · May 3, 2019

I just got back around tonight just testing the difference of front video camera quality now that it sits higher than before. It looks better now that it sits higher. I am assuming interference light coming from the headlights. The rear camera looks the same, blurry. But now that I am thinking, it's prolly because light interference from the LED license plate light.

The side cameras I have since moved to positions where they get cover from the top so that is probably a reason why the view quality seems better.

Tomorrow morning I will fabricate a "helmet" for the front and rear cameras hopefully solving that issue. If it doesn't work going back to Amazon and checking out other cameras.

davester · May 3, 2019

I like my camera (Pioneer NC-BD6), it has a nice wide FOV, cable is sealed to the camera housing, and goes all the way to the cab, where all connections are made (power/ground/enabling signal/video signal). Looks nice both during the day and at night, gets the usual flare if the sun is pointing at it. It's a small cube, so it's not that easy to find a good spot to mount on a regular pickup, but I've got a cab&chassis, so it wasn't a problem to get a nice centered spot where it's unlikely to be damaged and can show the hitch and edge to edge of the rear of the deck so I can back up to within inches of most anything behind me.