Reversing Camera Buyers Guide
Fitting into tight spaces or parallel parking can be tough, but you can make life easier with a reversing camera.
What is a reversing camera?
Instead of relying on your mirrors or turning your head to look out of the rear window as you back up, a reversing camera captures video footage of the space behind your vehicle, before transmitting a live video feed to a screen inside the car. You should still use the traditional checks with mirrors and checking your blind spot, but a reversing camera is there to cover the areas that you can’t see.
How do reversing cameras work?
With a variety of options available, the camera can either replace your reverse light or boot handle, or be attached via a number plate bracket. The live feed can then be displayed on an additional screen on your dash or rear view mirror, or can link directly into your car's existing or upgraded stereo screen.
Reversing cameras help drivers to avoid obstacles behind them, sometimes even providing virtual lines that act as guides for the rear wheels. Reversing cams are typically powered by the vehicle’s reverse light circuit or fuse box, with wires hidden inside the car’s bodywork and panels for a clean installation. The display inside the vehicle is automatically triggered when the car is put into reverse and remains switched off when travelling forward.
Why should I get a reversing cam?
Reversing cameras have been proven to increase driving safety, helping to prevent low-speed collisions and other incidents by giving drivers a much clearer view of the space behind their vehicles.
While many modern vehicles now come with reversing cameras or parking assistance systems as standard due to increased safety regulations, they are not legally required on every new car model. However, manufacturers widely fit them because of the clear safety benefits.
If you have a reversing camera installed, you’ll stand a much better chance of avoiding potential accidents before they happen, and you’ll be able to spot low obstacles like kerbs, rocks, walls, or posts that may be difficult to see using mirrors alone.
Which reversing camera is best?
The key things to consider when buying a reversing camera are:
Screen mounting location
Screens can be mounted on the dashboard or windscreen, or integrated into your rear-view mirror using a compact display. For both options, the screen will only turn on automatically when your car is put into reverse, so you won’t be distracted while driving forward.
Viewing angle
Just like any other camera, the viewing angle is an important feature as it determines how much you can see around the rear of your vehicle. A wider viewing angle gives drivers a better overview of not just what’s directly behind the car, but also anything approaching from the sides while reversing.
Camera mounting location
The camera itself will need to be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, and there are several options available. You can choose a small camera that fits behind or above your number plate, a camera that replaces your existing boot handle or reversing light, or a pedestal camera that sits just above the number plate.
The main benefit of a boot handle reversing camera is that it is discreet and blends into the vehicle, whereas pedestal or number plate cameras remain visible externally.
Number plate reversing cameras use a small camera mounted below or above the number plate, or attached to a bracket behind it, to provide footage. Most wiring can be concealed behind trim panels, leaving only the camera visible.
Boot handle cameras are fully integrated and are often designed to match the vehicle’s original handle and paintwork, making them difficult to spot once installed.
Dynamic or static parking lines
Some reversing cameras display guidelines on the screen to show where the rear wheels are likely to end up based on the steering angle. These are known as dynamic parking lines and are particularly useful when manoeuvring into tight spaces.
Other cameras feature static parking lines, which provide a fixed visual guide to help with alignment but do not adjust as the steering wheel turns.
Our top pick is the Motormax Universal 4.3" Monitor & Reversing Camera Kit with 110° Viewing Angle, as it provides essential parking lines and a 110° view from the rear of the car as well as being small and discreet.
What’s the difference between a dash cam and a reversing cam?
Despite sounding similar, rear-facing dash cams and reversing cameras perform different functions.
A reversing camera provides a live video feed specifically to assist with parking and reversing, activating when the reverse gear is selected. A rear-facing dash cam, on the other hand, is designed to continuously record footage for security and evidence purposes rather than assisting with parking manoeuvres.
Reverse camera fitting
If you want to get a reversing camera, then we recommend having it fitted by one of our experts. Removing your boot handle or fitting a reversing camera underneath your number plate can be a difficult job. Plus, you’ll also need to feed the cameras connecting wires through your vehicle and into the car's fuse box, this is where the camera will source its power.
We offer a free fitting assessment to determine if we’re able to fit your chosen reversing camera in your vehicle. We can then give you a quote for the job, starting from £175/€210. By letting an expert fit it, you’ll avoid potentially damaging your car. Fitting takes around three hours and is available at most Halfords stores.
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