Front Facing Camera Suggestions Please

[WanderlostOverland]

Often when we're offroad or on a 4L trail we have difficulty seeing over the hood to see what's over a drop/ hill, or exactly where that rock is we need to line up on.
We want to install a front facing camera and would greatly appreciate your suggestions if you have any experience with them.
Here's what we're looking for:
It will be permanently mounted on top of our Slimline bumper, or just behind the grill.
It needs to be Bluetooth. We want to use our iPad Pro for the viewing screen.
It needs to be, much like our Toyotas, durable and reliable. We don't want to spend a small fortune, but we don't want cheap junk either.
It can't be "mirrored" like a rear facing camera is.
Is there anything we're missing?

 

[Okieflyr]

Front camera

Do you own a Go Pro or a Yi action camera?

They both have apps (with some latency) that would let you see what is missing.

Wouldn’t be best for full time use, but can work for special occasions when expecting the need. Both come with waterproof cases as most are familiar with and lots of mount accessories,and if you decide to record the action it can be done within the 4R.

Lens focal points are a consideration for correct understanding of proximity.

Power cord can be run for beyond the battery life if desired.

I’ve done this with other vehicles I own.

Kevin

 

[ElectroBoy]

This doesn’t meet all of your requirements (Bluetooth), but here’s the closest solution I know of. Lots of folks on this forum have used this.

Anytime Backup Camera/Front Camera Group Buy ***LIVE GB***

Anytime Backup Camera

 

[Daikon]

Often when we're offroad or on a 4L trail we have difficulty seeing over the hood to see what's over a drop/ hill, or exactly where that rock is we need to line up on.
We want to install a front facing camera and would greatly appreciate your suggestions if you have any experience with them.
Here's what we're looking for:
It will be permanently mounted on top of our Slimline bumper, or just behind the grill.
It needs to be Bluetooth. We want to use our iPad Pro for the viewing screen.
It needs to be, much like our Toyotas, durable and reliable. We don't want to spend a small fortune, but we don't want cheap junk either.
It can't be "mirrored" like a rear facing camera is.
Is there anything we're missing?

I think something that can be universally mounted (grill) is ideal since not everyone has an aftermarket roof rack!

 

[mrblah]

This doesn’t meet all of your requirements (Bluetooth), but here’s the closest solution I know of. Lots of folks on this forum have used this.

Anytime Backup Camera/Front Camera Group Buy ***LIVE GB***

Anytime Backup Camera

this is what i went with also.

 

[Sea_ledford]

I was looking at the anytime camera GB the other day. Looks nice, but seems like an awful lot of non water proof connections to put at the front end of the engine bay.

I've driven through 9-12" of standing water twice this week just on my way to work, I want it all to be as waterproof as possible!

I'm liking the gopro idea for self spotting offroad. The batteries don't last long if you are running it on bluetooth the whole time though do they? The most recent gopro version I have used is a 5, so I'm a couple generations behind.

-Chris

 

[Ripper238]

I had pondered this as well. I have a Blackvue dash camera that can transmit video to my Smart phone. I could easily buy a bracket and use it in the front of my 4R when needed as long as its not raining.

 

[billiamwu]

I've had the Anytime Backup Camera wired to my old C4 bumper and then again to my new ARB Summit (see below for pictures/video of it in use). The install is fairly simple install to the OEM headunit and it comes with a toggle switch to go from the front or backup camera whenever you want.

I put some washers to get the right angle/height from my bumper. It's really come in handy when doing some rock crawling or when parking given how much the ARB bumper sticks out.

I've had it installed for 1.5 years now with no issues - I've driven through deep enough water to just come in through the bottom of the doors. Once you have everything setup, you could always swap out the camera if it were to go out...this may not be the exact model from the kit, but it does have the similar quick disconnect. (Replaceable Front Camera)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2P986fpPc&feature=youtu.be

 

[codec3]

Need to record video

 

[WanderlostOverland]

I've had the Anytime Backup Camera wired to my old C4 bumper and then again to my new ARB Summit (see below for pictures/video of it in use). The install is fairly simple install to the OEM headunit and it comes with a toggle switch to go from the front or backup camera whenever you want.

I put some washers to get the right angle/height from my bumper. It's really come in handy when doing some rock crawling or when parking given how much the ARB bumper sticks out.

I've had it installed for 1.5 years now with no issues - I've driven through deep enough water to just come in through the bottom of the doors. Once you have everything setup, you could always swap out the camera if it were to go out...this may not be the exact model from the kit, but it does have the similar quick disconnect. (Replaceable Front Camera)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2P986fpPc&feature=youtu.be

This may be the closest we'll find to meet our needs. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[JayM026]

Well I got a new head unit installed a pioneer w8400nex and I myself always wanted a front facing camera so the head unit has video input so I purchased a cheap camera on amazon and wired it up and it works perfectly!

NATIKA Backup/Front View Camera,IP69K Waterproof Great Night Vision HD and Super Wide Angle Metal OEM Style Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H852D49/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vVWTDb8WBK5R4

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[the_fornicator]

There's a BlackVue camera on the market. It's a little pricey, but has most of everything you want on your list. Keep in mind that with those higher tech cameras, you often have to link em up to the internet to upgrade the firmware and stuff. It's one of the main reasons why I went with a low-tech camera sans bluetooth, etc.