best on-board cameras ?

[bcarli]

Hi
We are looking at buying a wireless, battery powered camera to use in helping us dock our new boat. We bought a pilothouse trawler which offers no good viewing while I am at the helm regarding how close we are to the dock and what is behind us. Looking online there are lots of choices and it seems most cameras tie into the cell phone. We have a laptop onboard and wonder if I could get the camera to "talk" to the ipad? I have a 1 inch rail that I would like to attach it to instead of drilling holes in our boat.
Any thoughts?
thanks

 

[Hemi]

By “battery powered”, are your referring to a self-contained battery in the camera or a unit powered by ship battery service? My research has led me to believe the wireless self-contained battery cameras may be impractical for reasons of reliability and safety for my intended use. Your purpose may be different.

 

[RedRascal]

Just a thought but a car backup camera may accomplish the mission. There are quite a few flavors of these, random example from Costco. https://www.costco.com/type-s-6.8"-...less-backup-camera-2.0.product.100681295.html

I am sure you could find something without the full license plate frame that you could bend in somewhere.

 

[Bmarler]

I use a battery powered camera and it works very well. Wireless to its own small monitor though, not to my laptop.
I deploy it out the side of the pilothouse so I can see the dock side of the boat. I find that I don’t need it as much as I thought I would, but it is handy to have.
Battery life is awesome, no complaints.

 

[Hippocampus]

B can you post the specifics?

 

[Bmarler]

this is what i use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TBDH8X4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

i made a little bracket that hangs off the side of the portuguese bridge and the camera hooks magnetically. there a small tether on it just in case the magnet fails. doesn't need it, the magnet is very good, but i'm just funny that way.

 

[ghost]

Why not bring the engine controls to where you can see?

 

[Bmarler]

Why not bring the engine controls to where you can see?

a very good solution, but takes a little more hardware. especially if you have an older cable operated control.
i've thought about installing electronic control, but it's not high enough on my priority list yet. i'd need engine, thruster, rudder. there's a few boat bucks in that.

 

[JD5652]

I installed this system three years ago.... works well enough for ONLY rearview...

https://www.rearviewsafety.com/safety-solutions/rvs-4w-hd-wireless.html

However, I wanted something more comprehensive and have purchased this system... but have not installed it yet....

https://www.rearviewsafety.com/safety-solutions/360-core.html


FYI... neither if these systems have their own battery... you need to power the camera(s) and display(s) with 12 VDC...

 

[Lostsailor13]

I use this one,facing forward,the night vision actually works really good,can see Channel markers with ease,lobster buoys,and any type of reflective light,the zoom isn’t the best,but definitely worth the money,and it’s 12v

https://www.amazon.com/Backup-Monit...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=