The 1956 Buick Centurion prototype was the first motor vehicle to show off a backup camera at the General Motors Motorama that took place in January that year. The rear vision camera sent images to a TV screen in the Buick’s dashboard.
AUTO-VOX M1W Wireless Reversing Camera
Our Pick
Benefits
- IP68 water resistance
- 170°-wide view greatly reduces the blind spot
- The 360-degree rotating suction mount provides extra stability
- 6 self-activated led lights for clear night vision
Drawbacks
- Can’t operate below -20 C
- Electrical interference may cause image degradation
- Installation may present certain challenges
Yada BT53328 Digital Reversing Camera
Premium Pick
Benefits
- The monitor can be installed in various places
- Does not use batteries
- Features a reliable signal amplifier
Drawbacks
- Sometimes, the image appears to be out of focus
- No audio warnings
- Some users have reported issues with the snap connectors
Garmin BC 40 Wireless Backup Camera
Best Value
Benefits
- Seamlessly pairs with wi-fi enabled Garmin navigators
- Sturdy ruggedized design
- The IPX 7 water protection keeps the camera operational even in heavy rain
Drawbacks
- The camera can be easily removed from your vehicle with bare hands
- BC 40 shuts off automatically as soon as the vehicle starts moving forward
- The batteries run out of power rather quickly
Best Smart Wireless Car Reversing Cameras
Who are rearview cameras for?
Wireless rearview or reversing cameras have evolved from an extravagant luxury into an everyday necessity. Large goods transporting vans, trailers, and motor homes are just some of the vehicles that are almost always equipped with Bluetooth rear vision devices.
In 2018, the U.S. Congress passed a law that made rear vision cameras mandatory for all new vans, trucks, and passenger cars less than 10,000 pounds (about 4.5 tons) to be fitted with a backup camera.
Advantages of Wireless Rearview Cameras
The most obvious advantage of having a rear vision camera installed on your vehicle is that it can prevent reversing-related accidents, especially in densely-populated parking lots, near playgrounds, or in natural parks.
Second, smart wireless car reversing cameras make reversing less stressful for not so experienced drivers, or drivers of oversize vehicles who would otherwise need an assistant to park backward.
Finally, some insurance companies offer lower third-party liability premiums to motorists with rearview cameras installed on their vehicles.
Disadvantages of Wireless Rearview Cameras
First, wireless rearview cameras tend to have some performance issues in adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or fog.
Second, if your vehicle is particularly long, the signal from your smart wireless reversing camera may drop even in fine weather. Other wireless devices may also mess up your camera’s signal.
As a rule, wireless reversing cameras tend to generate inferior quality images than their wired peers. Unless you buy a model that uses solar energy, you’ll have to regularly replace the camera’s batteries.
FAQ
Yes. Realistically, installing wireless reversing camera can work on almost any vehicle as long as you have all the right tools. The overall difference will be whether the vehicle supports a display area for you to see the feed. With many also connecting directly to smartphone apps, you can overcome this issue and use your phone for the feed should your vehicle not have any suitable space for a display to be installed.
Very much so. Smart wireless reversing cameras give you the benefit of seeing directly behind you allowing you to see everything is hidden from your mirrors. It’s always difficult knowing what is hidden in your blind spot so using a reversing camera to increase your view will ensure that you never hit anything that might be lurking in your path.
Not in all countries. Some places like the USA have made reversing cameras a legal requirement as a way to reduce the possibility of accidents as have some European countries. In areas where is not a mandatory law, they are still recommended as they significantly decrease the risk of damage to your camera when backing up. Alongside that, they can also be a vital piece of evidence should you have an accident and need to show police or insurance companies exactly what happened.