Wireless Magnetic Hitch Camera for Easy Hitching of Trailers, Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels | RVS-83112

RVS Rear View Safety Wireless Magnetic Hitch Camera - Using Rechargeable 9V Battery from EBL. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072ND49S9/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hzaHaving the camera transmit to the view screen without cutting into my original wiring was my goal.The rear of my vehicle has no viable external metal surface for the camera to attach to, including the door. I did a bit of simple rigging using a Stainless Steel plate attached using command strips to the top of the bumper. This allows me to mount the magnetic camera and remove it, but leave the plate in place for later use. If I buy another car that needs the same thing, the plate can be removed along with the command strips without leaving residue behind or boring holes to screw the plate down. This will keep the vehicle in original condition without a whole bunch of aftermarket changes applied reducing its resale/trade-in value. I can then use the camera on another vehicle with or without the plate as needed. Let's face it, most new cars don't have exposed steel bumpers any longer, so an alternate way to connect it included in the package should be done.Using the same rear power port to keep the batteries charged and then switching out the monitor while still at the back of the vehicle (Lincoln Navigator) eases the camera view alignment/adjustment before heading up front. I unplug the view screen at the back and get into the driver's seat and plug-in the view screen to the front power port. I'm all set because I once again see what I had already lined up while at the rear.During a short test, the battery voltage dropped from 8.4 to 7.6 after two hours usage in the RVS-83112 Hitch Camera but was still going strong. I just didn't want to stay up all night waiting for the camera to die. Two hours time is more than enough for anyone to back up to a trailer.Cons:1. Camera battery door - screws are small so don't forget your tools to open it should the battery die.2. The refresh rate on the view screen could be better for the price, but you just have to take it slow.Pros:1. No wire cutting2. Compact; I put this and the battery charger in a small Igloo "Mini-Mate" Cooler used for lunches for portability.3. I can adjust the camera while watching the view screen up close at the back. It is too small to see while behind the vehicle if it is plugged in up front.Why 4 instead of 5 stars you ask? Because it should include an option for mounting the camera without a viable metal surface for the magnet to stick to. I figured a way to do it, but the manufacturer should have before a customer does.

This is a great portable unit. Mount it for rear view enhancement, to hook up a trailer (ball hitch) or behind a trailer for backup assistance, this cam does it all...and wirelessly! After waiting for wireless backup camera technology, I was so disappointed with all the negative reviews on so many cameras I waited some more. Two years later now, I found a nice deal on Amazon and finally pulled the trigger on this unit from RVS.The unit was drop-shipped from RVS and arrived quickly and well packaged. It took about 10-minutes to read the instructions and install a battery (not supplied). I put the magnetic mount camera on my truck bumper pointed at the hitch ball, turned it on and then plugged in the viewer/receiver into the cigarette lighter. I powered it up...and wow!The imagery is very clear and vivid during the day. Zero interference. It is very exciting. At night the image is not as spectacular, but still it's very nice and it gets the job done: efficiently aiding the connection between truck and trailer. I can't tell you how nice this is to have and how much time and frustration it saves plus less wear on the transmission. It's a pretty good camera system straight out of the box for the price and even includes features like image rotation and zoom. This means you can mount the camera in the best position for installation and make digital adjustments like image-flip and zoom after. It's magnetic mount camera is so easy to place and go, plus the monitor simply plugs into the cigarette plug, it's probably the best fast-portable system out there. "Up and running" just doesn't get any simpler than this. Sure the screen is only 3.5", but the imagery is wonderfully crisp and clear and the unit is ultra-portable.Of course, I wish the unit had a user selectable time-out feature (i.e., automatically shut-off after so many minutes) in addition to its always on/off. For me to connect my trailer, I start by turning on the camera at the rear of my truck, go climb in truck, turn on the monitor, backup the truck to trailer and then go back to complete the trailer connections and then shut-off the camera...if I remember. Otherwise, I get back in the truck, and oh yeah, I forgot to turn off the camera when I look at the monitor, so another trip back. In most cases, I'm connected and done within 3-minutes, so if it had an auto-shut-off in 3-5 minutes that'd be nice to save battery when I forget. User's manual and personal experience say you get 3-4 hours of camera use per 9-volt battery--probably less in very cold temps.Overall, as-is I recommend highly this camera system and am glad I waited for the wireless technology. While this particular unit is not perfect for my uses (cons include: smaller 3.5" monitor, camera requires one 9-volt battery vs. connects directly to and gets power from reverse light wiring and monitor does not come on automatically when vehicle is put into reverse), it's a great, highly-portable unit. If you understand these limitations and they don't bother you, save some $$$ and installation time and go with this unit.UPDATE: Includes comparison with Yada 5" wireless system:After using this RVS-83112 system nearly every day since purchasing it, I realize I prefer a dedicated system where the camera is directly tied-into to the reverse light wiring (for power and activation) and the monitor ccomes on automatically when the vehicle goes into reverse. This is what I need vs. more portability this unit offers.No doubt the digital image quality day and night with RVS-83112 is far superior compared to the Yada cam I purchased recently (just couldn't pass up great deal at Costco for $90 for the Yada system), but the Yada is closer to the dedicated system I need. The biggest complaint with this RVS-83112 is having to turn it on/off manually every time instead of it coming on automatically when I place the vehicle into reverse. The Yada taps into your backup light wiring to power the camera and comes on only in reverse--I really like this. This is a super nice feature and is what factory-installed cams do.As I use this cam daily to assist me in hooking up to my trailer, ease-of-use is critical, so having a system come on automatically is most preferred. Also, it being cold outside, the alkaline 9-volt battery used with the RVS-83112 cam doesn't last super long (on battery #2 already). The Yada uses a vehicle's power, so no batteries are needed. Great! However, the trade-off is Yada's image quality isn't nearly as nice and there are no image enhancements like rotate image or zoom as with the RVS-83112. Mounting the larger 5" Yada monitor is just fair. It comes with one option: window suction cup. I ended up fabricating a custom steel bracket the mounts to the bottom of a CB/weather radio, and this works so much better. I refuse to block even the smallest bit of windshield space, so Yada losses points here, too.So for now, I have installed and use the Yada. It's only average, but it operates closer to a factory-installed automatic system--which is what I need. So while the RVS cam has better, higher-quality imagery (even my wife says...wow! look at how much nicer it is) and is easier and faster to install and is very easy to move vehicle to vehicle, the Yada's integrated auto on/off design is super convenient. But I'm not done with the RVS-83112. Nope. I keep it in the truck and mount the camera to the rear of the trailer for tougher trailer backups where I have no spotter. So RVS-83112 + Yada = pretty happy.Conclusively, if I was looking for a factory-like wireless system dedicated to one vehicle (vs. portable or just to see behind a trailer), it'd buy the RVS-091406 wireless system. The Yada image quality and features just aren't there, so once you see the high quality imagery of RVS, you'll end up wasting time money because you'll have to have it. But for $90, the Yada works ok for me...at least for now. So while all of these wireless cam systems are better than nothing, each has pros/cons and limitations. For example, even the RVS-091406 is not as portable nor as flexible as the RVS-83112. Ultimately, your purchase should depend on your budget, use and preferences.

I purchased this to put on the back bumper of my lightweight trailer for backing into campsites, as I am a solo camper and don't have anyone to coach me as I back up. The camera works fine, though the picture is a bit washed out. However, it would not transmit from my back bumper. I contacted tech support which told me that the signal won't go through aluminium. My camper is not an aluminium sided trailer, like an airstream, but it does have aluminium studs. It seems that is enough to disrupt the signal, so the thing is useless. You'd think they would put this in the description?!? When I tried to return it, the site says it's not available for return because of the need for special handling. I contacted Amazon customer support which got to the original seller (Pep Boys) and arranged for them to send me a return label. Shessh! What a hassle!

When it connects it works, but loses connection way toouch. Also, the video is opposite of what's happening. Very confusing.