PCMike
Michigan
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Joined: 03/21/2012
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After a year of shopping, we just bought a 2006 Roadtrek RS-Adventurous and we take possession Friday.
One item I really want is a GPS and a backup camera.
I see Magellan has one they sell at Camping World but wonder if anyone has a better suggestion.
I'm not very handy and would need installation.
Any suggestions, anyone?
thanks in advance.
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belairbrian
Alabama
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Joined: 04/18/2005
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For several years I had a laptop and a touchscreen monitor in my truck. Used aditional video inputs on the monitor for rear cameras (bumper and 5er).
Well this weekend I accepted that technology had caught up with me and replaced teh factory stereo with a Kenwood DNX 6160.
It has Garmin GPS, Parrot Bluetooth, Can get audio and video from my Iphone, and has a built in rear camera function.
I wired camera power to accy power. When I shift into reverse the camera appears on the screen, or if driving I can hit a button and have the camera image appear. So I can toggle between camera and nav.
I chose the 6160 for the larger physical buttons. The 7160 uses the touch screen more but does have a slightly larger screen and Garmin lane assist functions.
Oh did I mention it also has a DVD player, CD player and heck, it might even pick up radio stations.
I bought a factory refurb with warranty for $419.
TV 2003 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Dually w Duramax/Allison
2005 Keystone Cougar 314 EFS
Reese 16K Slider Hitch, Prodigy BC, Delorme GPS
USAF Retired
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Davydd
Minnesota
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Joined: 11/27/2005
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Great West Van is installing the Alpine navigation system combined with the Alpine rear view camera that works with the navigation screen. You can check out the various solutions Alpine has here:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/
Davydd
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter B Camper Van
Visited states in an RV
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1775
NY
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There is one advantage to buying separate units rather than an in-dash, all on one unit. if there is a problem with any of the units you are not replacing everything as you would with an in dash unit. Our Roadtrek came with an in-dash Eclipse II radio/GPS/Backup Camera/CD/DVD audio/video player. It is terrible. For one thing neither my wife in the passenger seat or I in the drivers seat can easily see the GPS screen in the dashboard - and if I need to see the GPS I have to take my eyes off the road. This can be a drawback to any in-dash unit. There are GPS RV specific units to look at from Magellan, Cobra, and a truck GPS unit from Garmin. None of these are available in-dash which all have car units. The advantage is that you can put your RT's height and weight and it will not route you on any road you cannot travel on - which is very important when in an unfamiliar area. There are also many wired and wireless backup camera's to install. The backup camera is a great thing to have and very useful in the Roadtrek. It is the only part of the Eclipse that is decent.
You don't need installation with a stand alone GPS and a wireless backup camera does not require much installation and likely easier for a stereo shop to install in a Roadtrek than a wired unit.
Of course, the advantage of an in-dash is that you only have one screen. There are some pretty good in-dash units available. And you would need to have them installed and wires run from the rear for the camera.
Roadtrek 190 Popular 2011
Meryl and Me Hit the Road
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Roadtreking Mike
Michigan
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Joined: 03/24/2012
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Good advice and info everyone...For my Roadtrek RS, I bought a standalone GPS from Rand MacNally.... now I'm looking for just the rear camera.
Just looking for the right model and place to install it for me.
---------------
Mike Wendland
See my blog: See my Roadtreking blog
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NewsW
US
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Joined: 02/06/2012
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There are many models on the market --- here is my experience.
Wireless will work but extreme weather makes for potentially short life for the sensor mounted outside.
Buy one with a good warranty and you can just make them send you replacement sensors.
Wired works best, but is a pain to install.
Instead of mounting it on the license plate frame, consider mounting the sensor high where the 3rd stop light is --- in a Ford. That place also provide you with power and a easy way to get wire inside the vehicle --- either for the transmitter (wireless) or the wired version.
I threaded my wired via the left hand side utility corridor / mounting to the front cabin, then down the side of the seat, cross the floor, and up into the cab --- then into the dash where it needs to terminate.
The sensor should be high, but not so high you can't reach up and clean it at a stop -- it gets dirty quickly.
Consider having 2 or more sensors that are switchable (on my next upgrade) so you can get different views.
Concur to not mix up devices --- GPS gets dedicated, rear cam gets another, etc.
Be sure there is a easy way to bright / dim the rear cam display if it is not automatic, also have a way to switch it off if you find it distracting.
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Horizon170
Jefferson, GA
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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GPS-----FWIW, I just bot a tomtom, VIA 1505. Tiger Direct is running them for 99 bucks. It has a a lifetime map update feature. I'm still exploring the features as it's only a couple of days old. My other GPS is a GARMIN about 4 years old and the map updates are around 79 bucks. I was very satisfied with the GARMIN but for the money the tomtom was better for me. Just plug it into the computer and it checks for updates.
I don't like multi use gadgets such as BU camera and GPS combination. I will admit though that my CB Radio does have 7 weather channels on it. 
EDIT for update-------I see that GARMIN gives free lifetime updates now.
* This post was
edited 03/24/12 06:45pm by Horizon170 *
Marvin
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Roadtreking Mike
Michigan
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Where's the best place to get a wired backup camera and have it installed??? I live in Michigan, northern Detroit suburbs
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NewsW
US
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Joined: 02/06/2012
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No clue where to get it done --- but whatever you do make sure it comes with a great warranty that covers both the camera and installation.
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