How do you feel about back up cameras?

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Baz

Different take for me on the trailer thing - I enjoy the challenge of backing up just right just using the mirrors and my own eyes. Do I always get it the first time - no. But I do get very close most of the time and at times - yes - spot on. But then again I love Jeopardy because it stretches my brain.

My truck is an extended cab with 8' bed so it does take some skill.

Regarding human children putting themselves in harm's way - I have 2 outside cats and they love to lay on the driveway late in the day around the time I usually get home. They always move out of the way as I begin to back in. Always. I wonder why children don't do this. Seems to be an instinctive survival technique to me.

I've never in my life ever backed into anything living or otherwise in all the years I've been driving. It's a very serious business and should be taken that way.

Spoken like someone who's never had kids... They will move if they see or hear you, but they can get in their own little world and then all bets are off. Nice to have another level of safety around kids.

And its still nice to have a backup cam on a truck for hooking up trailers. I learned in a 4wd Ext Cab long bed Dodge, and then we had a megacab... I did it daily for several years without, and yes I can get it spot on, but its a helluva lot easier with a camera.

[oldE]

Originally Posted by Z-man

HOWEVER, it bothers me greatly when I see someone changing lanes on a highway at highway speeds turning their head to look over their shoulder to see if someone is in that lane. If you are constantly checking your mirrors, and you are aware of your surroundings (special awareness), then you shouldn't have to physically turn your head.

When you are travelling FORWARD at a healthy rate of speed (55mph or greater), you have no business looking at what is BEHIND you! Set your mirrors up correctly - be aware of the blind spots, know your surroundings, and you won't have to turn your head in that situation.

I've been driving for many, many years, and I very rarely turn my head to look behind me when changing lanes. I admit - I had a couple of blind-spot related close calls - but those were when I wasn't aware of my surroundings and should have known better. But never hit or side-swiped anyone - ever. -Z

Z man

I am right there with you on the practice of being aware of traffic around you. Part of my brain is always trying to predict when I will catch that vehicle or when that one will overtake me and what will the traffic conditions be in 90 seconds or whenever that happens.

However for the very reason you mentioned, getting caught out once or twice, I will always check the spot with a head turn. Yes, I have my mirrors adjusted so I can see in lanes on other side, but there's no harm in being sure. As for taking attention away from the space ahead, I try to maintain a space to give me room to react when I get back to "eyes front".

Back-up cameras? One more tool to use or ignore. I have to agree, it would be handy when hooking up a trailer (something I did zero times last year). Maybe as this neck gets stiff I will welcome it if there's one on the next vehicle. Will I go out and buy one to add to the present ride? No.

Best
Les

[SilberUrS6]

My wife likes them, I don't care either way.

[jschmidt63]

never really felt the need other then having one to help hook up a boat trailer, thats until I bought a Ford Focus ST as a daily driver and that little hot hatch with a high rear is very, very hard to judge the back end when reversing. Wish I had one.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Baz

Different take for me on the trailer thing - I enjoy the challenge of backing up just right just using the mirrors and my own eyes. Do I always get it the first time - no.

I appreciate a positive attitude and I wish I shared yours, but I don't take much pleasure in connecting a trailer, especially when it's 4:30 AM, 10 degrees out, the wind is blowing snow, and I have to haul the tractor into town to clear my parking lots. At those times I don't find much joy in the challenge of backing the truck.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Z-man

Side note: I understand folks turning their head when backing up into a parking spot, or backing out of a spot. HOWEVER, it bothers me greatly when I see someone changing lanes on a highway at highway speeds turning their head to look over their shoulder to see if someone is in that lane. If you are constantly checking your mirrors, and you are aware of your surroundings (special awareness), then you shouldn't have to physically turn your head.

When you are travelling FORWARD at a healthy rate of speed (55mph or greater), you have no business looking at what is BEHIND you! Set your mirrors up correctly - be aware of the blind spots, know your surroundings, and you won't have to turn your head in that situation.

I've been driving for many, many years, and I very rarely turn my head to look behind me when changing lanes. I admit - I had a couple of blind-spot related close calls - but those were when I wasn't aware of my surroundings and should have known better. But never hit or side-swiped anyone - ever.

-Z

It's required for the driver's test here in Cali. If you do not turn your head and check the lane, you will be dinged.

I am enjoying limited use of the back up cam. The Tesla has major blind spots and during the day, while backing it out of my parents odd driveway, it is very useful to see if anyone is coming up the hill, before entering the street. I also use it when I borrow the Tesla and need to charge it at their house, but not put it in the garage (as my car is in its spot). Using the camera and proximity sensors - which were checked and very accurate by my dad - back right up to the garage door. With my town hoe parking, it's very useful when backing out of my spot and again using the camera and sensors to back up to the parked car behind me. My spot is tricky with longer cars, such as the Model S and S550.

Would I put it in reverse and drive down the street via the camera, probably not... Though, to test...

[2.70Racer]

I have a backup camera and proximity indicators on my Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I especially like the way the camera works with the backup lights at night to illuminate what otherwise would be hidden in the darkness.
I still have my head on a swivel when backing up.

[aigel]

I think they are very useful. HOWEVER - let's not make them an excuse for cars designed without visibility. Nothing beats as window you can see out of in your peripheral vision and rear view mirror. I hate driving modern cars with the visibility of a tank. I notice this when getting into the 993 - it is wonderful how much glass there is - I can see everywhere ...

The old bimmers are exspecially pretty in this regard ... I guess it isn't crash safe and has poor aerodynamics?

G

[WPOZZZ]

Is that your E9? What about the Bauer cab?

[aigel]

I wish!!! I just always look at that car and say "damn -that's when you were able to see out of the cabin!" It looks so light and bright.

G