VRBCS300W Wireless Backup Camera

All,
I just bought a VRBCS300W Wireless Backup Camera from Pep Boy for $99. I don't know if it is a piece of dodo or not. But for $99 I thought I'd try it. Has anyone else played with this unit?
 


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I do not have one, but I have been looking at this one as well.  I will be interested to see how it works for you, and what you think!

If you do get one, They come in 2 and 4 button units. The two button has on-off and video flip. The four button has two extra buttons that adjust brightness and contrast. For some crazy reason they both have the same above mod number. Look at the box and get the one you want.
Both units have a very nice picture but it's a 2.5" diagnal. Prety small!
My H3 being shipped to Victoria TX tomorrow, so I won't be able to install it until the end of the month. I can't hardly wait.
The only thing I need now is what wires to tap into. The camera will tap into the reverse light in the trailer hitch. The monitor will tie into +12v , +12v ACC, Reverse +12v, GND. I just need to find them....

i think one of the members here bought one and returned it to walmart..they have it for $89  by the way..
 if i remember correctly his complaint was too much interference....which probably makes sense..
coz in walmart they have shown right next to the reciever so the pics are clear... but i guess when u mount it all the way  to the end thats when u get the crappy pics.
 

Well thatsa about a 9 on the spinkter scale!
That figures. I checked all over and didn't see anything. It figures.
I'll give it a try to see what happens.
Thanks for the input.

http://www.hummerforums.com/m_26532/mpage_3/key_/tm.htm
here ya go..found it..check the 1st page..you (crank) actually put a post in it.. pretty funny..

Yep that would be me!
I guess I didn't read all the way through.
 
I still might give it a try. Just because I already have it. It operates on 2.4ghz. That means it will interfere with wireless laptops, telephones, other cameras, and probably ignition noise. I guess I should have thought this one out more. I guess I can't be good looking and smart at the same time.

let us know how it works out... i would have gladly pay an extra 50 for the wired version..wish they made one..

I;ve been using it for a couple of months now and really like it. I have the camera wired to the wire going to the back-up lights so it onlly comes on when I put it in reverse. After you put it in reverse it takes 3-4 seconds for the camera to come on and adjust to the lighting. As for interference there has been very little for me.

That sounds a bit better! Thanks Bonzaii!
It may work for me if I filter the heck out of it.
By the way, where did you put your monitor? Did you get the 2 or 4 button unit?
TNX.

Yeah saw this at Target also. Had it in hand , then put it back. Cant wait to see your thoughts on yours.

That would be me that returned the camera.  It wasn't acceptable for a lot of reasons previously stated--- and Crank, you are right about it potentially having interference issues with misc other wireless products (including systems in the 900mhz range if it isn't shielded correctly).  My professional recommendation is to choose a hardwired camera / monitor system if you want to go the camera route.  You'll be happy you did.

Then again, doesn't hurt to try it if you can return it... just my 2 pennies worth.

I bought it... I've had it since about a month after I got my H3  (bout 6 months now)  I'm happy with it...  Its wireless so I forgive it when the signal is weak.    I used double sided tape and stuck it on top of my rearview mirror, and hid the power wire along the ceiling and along the interior a-frame molding and down under the dash and wired it to a switched/ignition wire so it turns on/off with the truck.   Instead of wiring it to the reverse lights I instead taped into the license plate light and ran it off the power from there...  2 good reasons why,  1. Don't need to try and run any wires to the interior and make it waterproof     2. The car doesn't need to be in reverse to see whats behind me, the camera is always on    (if I dont want to see it while driving, just hit the power button on the unit and it turns off).  Comes in great when parallel parking and there is a tiny little car behind you.
 
One major downside is that on h3's the license plate is all the way on the driver's side so it can be difficult to see something close to the veh on the passenger side.  Of course the interference and sometimes weak signal I get I don't consider a con since the device being wireless is a major pro and I'm not trying to hide, run and manipulate wires all over the truck and lose some of the waterproofness. 
 
I live in a large metro area and when I'm about town driving it is useless because of the interference but works well enough that I can get that extra help I need when parking.  For price and ease of use/installation I recommend it.

I've had it since Christmas and think it's fine.  I also have it wired to backup lights and it's powered to automatically turn on with the ignition.  First one I got was the 2-button and I think it was defective...didn't work at all.  I returned it (to Target) and go the 4-button although I didn't know that until I got home.  thought I was just doing a straight trade. It helps to be able to adjust the brightness.
 
I never get interference when the camera is engaged but get a lot of random pictures on there while driving.  I see images from in-store video cameras, outside security cameras and a traffic helicopter.  I think it's awesome.  You never know what you're gonna get...
 
In short, I'd recommend it for the price.

Thanks all.... Good input!
When I saw the video setup they had at the store the camera and 4 button monitor was 3" away. The picture was perfect. I guess I wasn't thinking about the distance and hunks of metal between it now.
I feel a little better and will give it a go. If it looks like crap, I may have some other aplication for it.

Great idea,

Guys, is this camera color or B&W? Also, any pics showing the camera mounted on the back and perhaps a pic showing the LCD display in the cab. My wife drives our H3 during the week when I'm on the road (which is a lot). I worry she may whack something..... she did just that on my old Tacoma tht had a camper shell, dinged one of those concrete shopping cart stall posts at the local grocery store. I'd die if she crimped the H3, or me doing it for that matter.

I've got a little CMOS spy camera that is about an inch square, it's wireless and it's color. Has a range of about 300 feet line of sight. It has a small RF receiver but no monitor, it's got RCA jacks to go out to video, no audio. I wonder if this would work? Anyone tried a home made system?

thanks!

Raymond

Try this thread, It has a few discussions on where to mount it, along with some pictures of mine mounted.
http://www.hummerforums.com/m_29816/tm.htm

Thanks for the info.
I just traded in the two button for the four button unit. I don't know if that will be any better or not. I'll install later this month and then we will all know.

By the way....
I wish I could get an interface for my Nav unit. That would be the cat's a$$. But I can't find any H3 interfaces. There are plenty of H2 interfaces out there though.

The camera comes with extra long screws to use and spacers to put between the plate and the camera.  It does obstruct the license plate light some.  I placed extra spacers on the left/driver's side so the camera is angled out a bit and can see more to the right/pass. side.

I've had it for a few months, the four button model. To the guy who asked...yes it is a color screen. I love the unit, only have problems at my house in my drivewy cause my sons baby monitor interferes with it. I have never had a problem with it in any other location. If you are getting interferance then I wuld check the ground and really sand the ground location good, this will eliminate most of the interferance and static.