Rear veiw cameras - pros & cons

[dave 911]

I bought a new car recently that has a rear view back up camera, the first one that I've had. I always thought they were gimicky, but now that I've been using it for a couple of months, I can definitely 'see' the advantages (no pun intended ). It is definitely a good tool for safety.

But, I can already feel myself growing accustomed to it, to the point where I no longer turn around to look behind me (unless I'm in one of my other cars). It got me thinking, with all of this technology we have now like parking assist, lane departure, assisted braking, etc...are we as a society slowly losing our driving skills? The thought of a future of driverless cars doesn't seem so far off....ugh....

And what happens when the technology doesn't work and we are so reliant on it that we aren't sufficiently trained to react manually? You mean I may actually have to turn my head around when backing up?? Or pay attention and hit the brake pedal????

Like in the scene from I Robot when Will Smith freaks the girl out by taking over manual control of his car....

[Holger]

In my opinion the driverless cars are only reliable if all cars are driverless.
But it is not possible to force everybody to buy a new car. So it will take a LONG time until we get there! I hope!

[DaveE]

The Luxury Car for People who can park themselves - YouTube

I think this commercial came out after Lexus started advertising their parking assist. I thought it was awesome.

[john70t]

They are another thing to look at.
So now you're looking left/right/up-mirror/left/right.
Add down-display to that mix.

The Prius camera is worthless:
-if displaying high-contrast situations (bright sun+shaded),
-if the touch screen is not perfectly clean,
-if there is any direct sunlight is on the dashboard. A totally bad GUI design from japan.

It won't see that nutso doing 30mph through the parking lot, or the kid whizzing down the sidewalk on his bike.

[jyl]

The camera is great for showing what is immediately behind your car, including stuff you cannot see by turning your head (little kids, things low down). You still have to scan for things (cars, bikes, etc) approaching from the rear sides. I think the rear vision cams are great, and plan to retrofit one to my van that doesn't have it.

[GH85Carrera]

I drove my 911 out to Monterey, CA and back last week. After 10 days of constant driving a 911 it was weird to get into my El Camino with automatic transmission. I kept reaching for the shifter.

While in Monterey I went to Fisherman's wharf and I had to park the 911 on the street. That is the first time I have had to parallel park in many years. My first try was too far from the curb. Like any skill I that is not practiced I was rusty. Second try was perfect.

I suspect with the current crop of cars as just an appliance more drivers will never learn the basic driving skills. With traction control and ABS keeping millions of people out of ditches it will just get to where a driverless car makes sense.

[Rot 911]

My 4Runner has one. The one GREAT thing it is good for is backing up to attach a trailer. No longer need a helper or to keep getting out to see if I am close!

[Scott Douglas]

My wife's CR-V has one, which is great because the rear view isn't that great looking out the window from the driver's seat (especially since I can't seem to turn my head as far around in my old age). I do get bugged though when I jump in my Accord and expect to see the same view in the screen on the dash and it isn't there.
I'm one of those with the opinion that all the tech help they're putting into cars now days isn't 'helping' further the driver skill level.

[Holger]

I think (not sure though) in Europe the Toyota Avensis has a rear view camera as a standard because it is impossible to see anything through the rear window (to small).

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by dave 911

But, I can already feel myself growing accustomed to it, to the point where I no longer turn around to look behind me (unless I'm in one of my other cars). It got me thinking, with all of this technology we have now like parking assist, lane departure, assisted braking, etc...are we as a society slowly losing our driving skills?

And what happens when the technology doesn't work and we are so reliant on it that we aren't sufficiently trained to react manually? You mean I may actually have to turn my head around when backing up?? Or pay attention and hit the brake pedal????

Yes, We are all domed... domed I tell you!

I surprised no one in the car industry can't see the huge lawsuit/train wreck this inevitably will cause, there will be a system failure and someone will run someone off the road "but the car didn't warn me that there was a vehicle was next to me!" someone will be automatically parking and a child will run behind the car... I think you get my drift.

I know this sounds luddite but I would not be surprised to see a anti technology trend in the future... oh we will still have faster/smarter tech... but also cars with stick shifts and crank windows... and cell phone that you just call and text with.

[intakexhaust]

govt. mandated by 2018
arghhhhhh.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

govt. mandated by 2018
arghhhhhh.

This sucks - more crap stuffed into a car that I don't want and can't choose to delete.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by KNS

This sucks - more crap stuffed into a car that I don't want and can't choose to delete.

You can thank the insurance lobby for this, as well as for all the other distractions that are cropping up in cars these days. The thing is, no one really cares about how many automobile accidents are happening out there...except the insurance companies that is. They want to reduce their pay-outs, and will pressure lawmakers to force new 'safety' technologies down everyone's throats. Everyone who buys a new car is paying the price for their efforts by being charged for all these new gizmos whether they want them or not. Some of this stuff is actually helpful...ABS, traction control, etc. but many are of questionable value...TPMS, lane-monitoring, self-parking, active cruise control, and yes...back-up cameras too. All of these technologies serve to disengage the driver from the job at hand...driving the car! And it's only going to get worse too. Soon, most new cars will have internet access built in too, and will 'read' your e-mails, texts & tweets to you as you attempt to drive. God only knows why people can't wait 'till they get out of their cars to see what's up with the Kardashians, or to see what your friends had for lunch today

[nota]

more heavy amp sucking chit
that adds costs
both up front and over time

blow up the mommyvan
and get a real car

I wish you could still buy a basic car no radio no heater
or the other ton of krap they want to load on today

options I want are a/c air bag anti-lock
no power anything lite is faster and better mpg too

and no spys in the cpu to report on me
I guess a golf cart is about it

maybe cross breed the Arial-adam with a golfcart

[onewhippedpuppy]

We have one in our F150, it is invaluable in a full sized truck.

[rick-l]

Did you notice that looking at the display is like looking in a mirror?

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

govt. mandated by 2018
arghhhhhh.

arghhhhh what? Its fantastic. My wifes 2004 Lexus came with it, and its fantastic. Glad to see the rest of the industry is being forced to catch up.

I wish my 997 had it.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

we have one in our f150, it is invaluable in a full sized truck.

+1

[slodave]

Some of you really need to get out of the dark ages and accept that life moves forward.

I've have been lucky to be driving a Tesla for the past week and will be driving it for about another two weeks. I live in a townhome/apt complex. TH's are on one side of the driveway, the apt's are on the other. All of my cars up to this point have been without a camera (okay I drive an S550 from time to time and it has a backup cam, just never used it). It was a pain at times to back the S550 out of my spot, especially when the car parked on the apt side behind me is long. I've had to pretty much back the car out the same way I drove in.

With the Telsa, it's long and I have the same problem, but I got smart and started to use (and trust) the camera and proximity sensors. I back the car out looking over my shoulder, as I have a huge blind spot due to a wall and have to watch for people and cars. When that is clear and I can back up I do so looking over my shoulder until I get uncomfortable and then I have started to use the camera. It's brilliant! It makes backing up that much easier when things get tight. I can now see how far I am from the cars bumper behind me and it also helps with the turning, so I can cleanly miss the wall with the front right fender and get on my way without having to do 5 pt turns.

It's actually a very useful tool/aid.

[Baz]

I always back in when I park so when leaving I'm not backing up.

The difference is when you first arrive at a parking spot you are going forward and can see where you are backing into ahead of time. When you have to back out of a spot (or drive) you cannot.

Unless you have a cam as discussed.