DAFs now available with cameras instead of mirrors, its coming to a motorhome near you

[Apache]

I like the idea although it would make the typical large A class with the bus mirrors look quite naked and would take some getting used to visually, I understand that their is quite a fuel saving running the cameras on truck so with the miles they do I can see the advantages for them. I am sure they will be on our next van

Martin

You’re not looking already are you ?

 

[rod_vw]

The words in the specialist camera trade are that although by fitting cameras, and many of them, on HGVs all of the blind spots can be covered an image on a screen cannot be assimilated by the human brain as quickly as looking in a mirror. Maybe humans will get used to that but in the mean time there could well be accidents.

 

[nicholsong]

Cameras not for me. I do not even want conventional mirrors with electric adjustment and indicator lamps - all stuff to go wrong, either cameras, wiring or screen, and expensive to replace.

I cover the blind spots with additional parabolic mirrors fitted atop the normal ones, cost me about £30

Geoff

 

[maison]

We bought our present motorhome last November. The factory fitted rear view camera wasn’t working on pick up. It was replaced under warranty but failed again in March this year. Unable to get it repaired because of the lockdown.

Not a problem you would experience with mirrors. Sometimes simple is better.

 

[funflair]

I think that you still have to carry a spare mirror, is that right jongood

Martin

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[The Coops]

Regulation 33 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) regulations 1986 says that vehicles with a rear windscreen must have at least a rear-view mirror and an offside mirror, unless a rear-view mirror is not fitted by the manufacturer. In that case, you must have both a nearside and offside mirror.17 Dec 2009
So are they illegal in the UK if the cab has a rear window?

 

[jongood]

I think that you still have to carry a spare mirror, is that right jongood

Martin

Don't know sorry, I havent heard any mention of it, but I havent had cause/opportunity to drive one without mirrors. I would love to know the regs on retro fit but can't find anything atm

 

[swiftsteve]

We have mercs at work, they have them. I still have mirrors on mine atm. I've driven the vehicles that have them, they take a bit of getting used to as the screen is inside. After 30 years, when reversing you get used to looking at the same place.
They still get knocked off by trees and telegraph poles etc. At least with mirrors you still have some distorted view rather than being completely blind.

 

[nicholsong]

We have mercs at work, they have them. I still have mirrors on mine atm. I've driven the vehicles that have them, they take a bit of getting used to as the screen is inside. After 30 years, when reversing you get used to looking at the same place.
They still get knocked off by trees and telegraph poles etc. At least with mirrors you still have some distorted view rather than being completely blind.

Yep. Those fast moving trees and telegraph poles are a real danger, even to statioary traffic.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

We have mercs at work, they have them. I still have mirrors on mine atm. I've driven the vehicles that have them, they take a bit of getting used to as the screen is inside. After 30 years, when reversing you get used to looking at the same place.
They still get knocked off by trees and telegraph poles etc. At least with mirrors you still have some distorted view rather than being completely blind.

Brilliant
Them pesky trees And telegraph poles ......

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[Coolcats]

Who else, suspects this to be all about "added value"?. replacing the physical with the electronic. I would guess that the Cameras and motors are generic?. The Monitors like wise?. The whole thing costing peanuts ex factory (compared with the big (say) Bus mirrors.) BUT the added cost will be greater?. Cynicism rules OK!

Electric door mirrors were a factory option on one car I purchased @ £350. I did not go for it. However when I took delivary of the new car I purchased a door switch that operated the electric door mirrors for £10......and they worked. The manufacture had placed the wiring on the car included the mirrors on all vehicles and was just charging £350 for a £10 door switch.

it’s not wrong a manufacturer does this as it increases the profit margin.

 

[jongood]

We have mercs at work, they have them. I still have mirrors on mine atm. I've driven the vehicles that have them, they take a bit of getting used to as the screen is inside. After 30 years, when reversing you get used to looking at the same place.
They still get knocked off by trees and telegraph poles etc. At least with mirrors you still have some distorted view rather than being completely blind.

Fair point but I would imagine the cameras are less likely to be hit because they are smaller but can you see the camera from the drivers seat? so you can see how close to the tree they are?

 

[PeteH]

it’s not wrong a manufacturer does this as it increases the profit margin.

"Commercialism" at work Eh?. But I know what you mean. I`ve seen that in "company" vehicles in the past, They "leave out" stuff, from a "rep-mobile". But if you look, everything but the actual item is already fitted!. BMW, where noted for it in the 80`s. Edit- And I understand that just about everything on a Hymer is a "cost" extra?.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I thought that mirrors were a legal requirement for motor vehicles and internal Video screens were illegal????

 

[Ivory55]

Fair point but I would imagine the cameras are less likely to be hit because they are smaller but can you see the camera from the drivers seat? so you can see how close to the tree they are?

Tree branches is usually when you come around a bend , an uncut hedge and a car coming in the other direction. Other times are like reversing in to tight sheds , all you can see is a black hole, as your coming from bright light in to darkness. Just some times it happens.

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[jongood]

Tree branches is usually when you come around a bend , an uncut hedge and a car coming in the other direction. Other times are like reversing in to tight sheds , all you can see is a black hole, as your coming from bright light in to darkness. Just some times it happens.

Both can be an issue where I go but really it occurred to me as I was typing that could you actually see them and if you clack them reversing do they spring back or rip off?

 

[Ivory55]

I have nothing had anything to do with them so don’t really know how it’s all set up. No need for me to have anything that new as I don’t do London so Euro 4/5 is plenty good enough for me.

 

[Coolcats]

"Commercialism" at work Eh?. But I know what you mean. I`ve seen that in "company" vehicles in the past, They "leave out" stuff, from a "rep-mobile". But if you look, everything but the actual item is already fitted!. BMW, where noted for it in the 80`s. Edit- And I understand that just about everything on a Hymer is a "cost" extra?.

Indeed a basic car has almost zero profit both for manufacture and dealer most do not buy the most basic and this is where a manufacture and dealer make their money and after all we all like to be paid and go shopping at the end of the week

 

[Headrush]

Regulation 33 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) regulations 1986 says that vehicles with a rear windscreen must have at least a rear-view mirror and an offside mirror, unless a rear-view mirror is not fitted by the manufacturer. In that case, you must have both a nearside and offside mirror.17 Dec 2009
So are they illegal in the UK if the cab has a rear window?

Has the manufacturer fitted a rear view mirror in the cab? If not, then no.

 

[haganap]

When I bought my new Audi a few months ago. I was contemplating the Audi Q Etron. It came with these camera mirrors and I thought looks really flash.. On the long term test I had with it, I could not get used to it. It almost gave me a headache... Sure you would get used to it but in 48 hours I couldnt

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[Ivory55]

I wonder what the vision will be like as they get older, when they get dirty getting wiped with the old gloves used for filling up with diesel etc.

 

[SuperMike]

They are so behind and just playing catching up. We bought our Winnebago in 2010 and that had factory fitted cameras then, feeding a screen in the centre of the dash console, it also had mirrors. Fitted either side to the side of the body you can see the little bulge just below the mirrors.

Jim I can insert a full image only these thumbnails which you can't click on to expand. I'm using Windows 10 ?