Rock Camera?

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gimlithepirate

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Has anyone wired up a front facing camera that can help you "spot" where your tires are while driving? Given how cheap half decent backup cameras have gotten, I wonder if this might be a way to make wheeling a little easier.
 
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I've wanted to do this since seeing the technology in newer offroad vehicles where it uses multiple camera feeds to construct a composite image. Don't know if anyone makes an aftermarket product that could be retrofitted to a 4th Gen. But my Pioneer head unit has a front camera input and the simplest version of this IMO would be to mount a forward-facing wide-angle camera on the centerline under the truck. Problems would be finding a spot where it won't get wiped off, making sure it's waterproof for those water crossings, and keeping the lens clean enough to capture an image.

Maybe mount it inside the lower front bumper looking straight down or slightly forward? You might not see your tires but you'd see the trail well enough to help with the line.
 
I was just looking for front cameras for mine as well. My alpine also has dual camera options and a front facing would be great for those times when Im just looking at the sky.
Most cameras are waterproof these days, its just finding a good spot to install them. I was thinking in or under the bumper or somewhere near there since they are usually wide angle lenses you can get a decent view.
 
My Pioneer head unit has dual camera inputs and after wheeling around Utah for a trip and not being able to tell where I was going with the front pointed so high, I decided to get a camera for it. I just grabbed a cheap camera with good ratings off Amazon (I think they were all IP65 waterproof). I mounted it on a piece of steel I welded to the crossmember under the radiator. I would like to move it backward some because it is difficult to tell where the front tires will run.
 
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Here you can see it and my radiator (needs to be cleaner).
 
[MENTION=589803]ThorRides[/MENTION]

Thinking of doing the same to my truck. I had not thought of adding a tab to the cross member. What does the view from that location look like on the head unit?
Do you know the model of camera you bought? Interested in the field of view. As different FoV might help with the view of the tires.

Boort
 
When I got my new Kenwood DMX head unit i had the installer add a front camera since it has input for 4.
It has the lines and approximate distance markers. Really nice being able to see up front down low. But boy "objects are closer than they appear".

I have not used it off trail to confirm the benefits. But at the least it will stop me from running over shopping carts. lol

I have mine mounted to the below left of the front emblem. Surprisingly its stays clean as long as its not salt and dirt thrown at it.
 
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I was thinking about mounting it facing down from the bumper. I have full skids, so the other option I've considered is facing forward from behind the T-Case. I'm just not sure most cameras will have the dynamic range to make that useful.
 
I have a front camera hooked up to my kenwood head unit. With the sun and glare it's rarely useful. Maybe lower under the bumper may be better but I never use it.
 
I have one, hooked up to my Pioneer HU.

Thing I wanted was to see tire placement, it worked awesome when I had the factory bumper cover. I was able to get it in a spot far enough out to see both tires.

Presently I have a Coastal bumper and it's mounted just below my license plate facing rear, tough to find a good spot that gets the view I had before.

It's nice sometimes, but honestly not as useful as I'd hoped... helps when solo to make sure I'm not WAY off line.

Couple pics... crappy one of the display, just snapped it in the garage.
 

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Hmm, that placement would work on my NWTI bumper, but seeing how hard a time they have dealing with the dynamic range makes me question if this is worth it.
 
Many of the CHICOM cameras have plastic a lens on their cameras.These lens are easily damaged from road derbies.
I was thinking to place the camera in a plastic "Project-Box" with a plexiglass cover with the peel away clear plastic protective layers as a race car driver may use on his helmet/windshield.
This way the camera is protected from the dirt/grit as you drive but can be instantly restored to a clear view when scratched or fogged with water/ muck.
 
Rapidrob said:
Many of the CHICOM cameras have plastic a lens on their cameras.These lens are easily damaged from road derbies.
I was thinking to place the camera in a plastic "Project-Box" with a plexiglass cover with the peel away clear plastic protective layers as a race car driver may use on his helmet/windshield.
This way the camera is protected from the dirt/grit as you drive but can be instantly restored to a clear view when scratched or fogged with water/ muck.
Click to expand...


Good idea.
 
Rapidrob said:
Many of the CHICOM cameras have plastic a lens on their cameras.These lens are easily damaged from road derbies.
I was thinking to place the camera in a plastic "Project-Box" with a plexiglass cover with the peel away clear plastic protective layers as a race car driver may use on his helmet/windshield.
This way the camera is protected from the dirt/grit as you drive but can be instantly restored to a clear view when scratched or fogged with water/ muck.
Click to expand...

I just lick my finger and wipe it off... YMMV
 
Boort said:
[MENTION=589803]ThorRides[/MENTION]

Thinking of doing the same to my truck. I had not thought of adding a tab to the cross member. What does the view from that location look like on the head unit?
Do you know the model of camera you bought? Interested in the field of view. As different FoV might help with the view of the tires.

Boort
Click to expand...

I bought this one. I'll try to remember to grab an image from the head unit in the light tomorrow. I just welded up the Coastal Offroad bumper and am doing the skid plates next so I may end up relocating the camera on the skid plate further back so I will be able to see the front edge of the tires.
https://a.co/7HryXiN
 
Here's the front camera I use: Amazon.com: iNewcow Car Front View Logo Embeded Camera for Toyota with CCD Waterproof IP67 Wide Degree (Middle) : Electronics The previous one lasted 4 years before I had to replace it, but at <$30 that's not a big deal.

I set it up as a backup camera on my android head unit and adjusted the lines to show where I'm pointed and how far away obstacles are. Useing a front camera switch from ch4x4 (Amazon.com: CH4X4 Push Switch for Toyota Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Fortuner, Hilux, 4Runner, Prado 12V 3Amp - Front Camera Symbol - White LED : Automotive) to turn it on.

Works like a charm!

It's helpful to see when I'm getting close to an obstacle in front, or cresting over the top of an incline on the trail.
 
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