Backup, blindside and perimeter safety cameras??

[breeze]

I thought I had a better handle until I started investigating websites that had no US address and just emails and 1-800 telephone numbers. Rearviewsafety, Roscovision, Realtruck... all seem to be questionable businesses originated somewhere North of the Canadian/US border or UK. I have been stung a couple of times lately, even if it is just all of my time wasted by babysitting conmen on a 4 day delay (once is too many instances to talk about), until I call my credit card to get 100% of my money back: the party's over!

Vision systems is going to be the base of my road safety, roadside evidence, personal safety, and vital security. Is Amazon and Ebay $30 systems as good as it gets? I have seen no warranties over 30 days or 3 months max unless they are 10x the cost for the same ebay/amazon units for truckers, lol.

What a time suck! I hope I am just missing this information behind the $5/mo Verizon 3g threads. I'm not sure where vision systems would be at, but I assumed Safety. Has anyone had experience with reliable value vision systems with more than 30 days warranty? These overnight internet sensations don't seem too reliable from their confusing garbled presentations alone. From surveys, they all seem about the same: good for 30 days most of the time if you don't use them constantly. I have not done an exhaustive research even on this site about this particular subject, camera systems: I'm just exhausted.

Thanks for any leads! Do you just feel lucky? If so, don't go to Longbeach, CA or mid-Gulf, Florida! Even Security Guards know cameras = security, evidence, and real-time defense. Dang it, I guess I'll have to go to BestBuy for their warranties.

 

[BradKW]

You are certainly right, there's an amazing amount of total BS one must wade through if you actually want to understand the options and make an informed choice. I've gone a few rounds so far and feel like I have a pretty good handle on the questions at least, and a folder of useful links. In no particular order, here's some info:

1) CCD technology is much better than CMOS. CMOS cameras are the cheaper ones, and you have to be wary of CMOS being sold as CCD. Here's an excellent short guide you should read: 
How to Choose Vehicle Rear View Backup Video Camera

2) Wireless (wifi) cameras can be convenient, but aren't to be trusted for real-time traffic decisions...a little bit of lag can make a big difference if you're relying on it to make a lane change.

3) Avoid cameras that operate off of independent batteries.

4) The number of IR bulbs and nightvision distance claims aren't necessarily commensurate. Or accurate.

5) There is a vast sea of cheap chinese cameras that get re-labeled as 100 different things, but are basically the same.

The system I want that provides 4 camera, 360 viewing, DVR recording, CCD hard-wired, and cloud monitoring doesn't quite exist yet, but the guys at DieselBoss are working on it...They were very knowledgable and patient. I stopped shopping after a couple conversations, deciding that's who I wanted to buy from when I'm ready.

Here's the guy who wrote the guide I linked, it's his ebay store: Yanlabonline . He responded to email questions and I'd buy from him if he had exactly what I wanted.

And finally, in general, go with a company that services fleets. No guarantees I suppose, but I feel like that definitely tilts the odds in your favor.

 

[breeze]

http://dieselboss.com.hypestat.com

That is one of the best site stats I've seen so far, but they all can be manipulated. I remember a little from home security systems from what you said. I just know wireless is unsecured, (most are) unreliable, and (wifi) microwaves are unhealthy on top of that.

My requirements are like yours except more for driving and home security separately somewhat, so I don't know if I can do it in 4 cameras only. I wouldn't need blindside cameras sleeping or 360 viewing driving due to distractions: safety first! And RearViewSafety has 6 cameras on their 360 view, but they are not exactly fulfilling the security function when parked. It gets confusing looking at multidimensional requirements. And I'm also not sure about RearViewSafety's song and dance advertising (and 14 to 30 day warranty?)

And then secure camera placement is another issue. There are only so many places, so these locations are 'secret.' Of course, knowing the physical limits of perception would help consumers from buying obsolete camera equipment :-(

Thanks for the links and I'll digest those asap. Good luck on Dieselboss.com. I'll take another look myself based on your research 

 

[sometimesido]

check out this guy too for ideas:

 

[breeze]

check out this guy too for ideas:

Yeah, the Bug Out Van is a good series, but I don't think he lives in his van; although who knows? He is a real smart guy though and I've watched his build series more than once. He's an entertaining and funny guy to watch too: he makes me laugh a lot. His whole build was $7,500 (minus engineering time), so he packed many good deals, ideas, and consumer technology into his van.

Bob and him are my consistent starting point references, since they are so well documented and show  complete system vans: one for living and one for sporting about.