Night Vision
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I'm new here and don't know how to post photos but if you PM an email address I can send a few. It's a Raytheon, used to be sold under NightDriver, Bendix Xvision and likely a few other names. Sold as an option on Freightliner, Cadillac and Fleetwood motor homes if I remember right.
1996 Impala SS
1996 Impala SS
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56 Posts
A 7 series, I assume that is BMW. BMW uses the Flir PathFindIR camera which is pretty much the latest greatest technology for automotive use. Is a lot smaller unit than the older Raytheon. The Flir has 4x the resolution and 3x the field of view of the Raytheon. Since I can’t seem to post a photo I’ll try and describe my Raytheon installation. Made up a bracket that clamps to the round rods in front of the radiator on the drivers side and bolted the camera adjusters to that. A pair of 1-1/4x1/8” aluminum bars if I remember right. Not very professional looking but it works. Using a Sony headrest monitor on the dash mounted with a Panavise suction cup mount to the windshield. I tried it in the sunvisor position but I’d need upside down bi-focals to see it so that didn’t last long, is now mounted as far forward on the dash as I could get it. Yes, I’m way older than 17. Added a glare shield over it and a piece of red plexiglass to the display a while back. Cuts down on the reflection of the display on the windshield since I have it mounted so far forward. Anyway, as with most cameras, higher is better. It’s way too big to mount to the outside rear view mirror and would look even more like a cop car than it already does if I mounted it on a light bar on the roof. May just keep it behind the grill. I have a while to decide as salt season is almost here and I’ll be swapping it to my winter car soon.
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1,911 Posts
What did it cost you to set it up?
To post photos get a free account at a place like photobucket to store your images. Copy and paste the IMG link which will have at the front and rear of your link and paste that into your post.
Can't wait to see more details. :cool:
To post photos get a free account at a place like photobucket to store your images. Copy and paste the IMG link which will have at the front and rear of your link and paste that into your post.
Can't wait to see more details. :cool:
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56 Posts
Thanks. It's pretty unimpressive in the daytime. I tried to get a photo of it at night but couldn't figure out how to turn the flash off on the wife's camera. Will read the instructions and try again. Also tried to get a video from it but apparently the AV jack on my 10 year old camcorder isn't working so well. These photos were from the early installation but no major changes since then. The Ty-wraps on the camera were from trying to position it to make the mounts. Translated, raise and lower the hood about 100 times to adjust it and take measurements. The 4 conductor boat trailer light wire didn't work so well, picked up a lot of ignition noise. Have a real Radio Shack coax video cable now. The monitor now has red plexiglass over it and a sun shield looking thing I made.
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56 Posts
http://www.flir.com/cvs/americas/en/transportation/
Still no luck with a photo or video. Found this link on the Flir site. This is not the camera I have but will give you a general idea of what the image looks like.
Had a few folks ask about cost, I got lucky on this one, it was bought new to go in a motor home but never installed. See them on ebay sometimes, usually at sky high prices. Best bet is to head to the junkyards and look for a 2000-2005 Cadillac with it installed as a factory option. Look for a round hole in the center of the grill where an emblem would normally go. The later models had a wire mesh screen in the hole to keep out the larger rocks. There should be a camera mounted in front of the radiator. The factory bracket is pretty useless but the aiming adjusters are priceless. As far as I know, they stopped making this model in 2005. Think mine is dated late Oct of 05. Prices vary wildly, have seen them sell from $10 for a new one to way over $1000 for a used one. Yes, I worded that right. A guy got one from Craigslist for $50 a few months ago to mount on his pickup. It was from a dealer but don't remember if it was new or used. The local junkyard said they had one for something like $400, they called me back the next day and said they couldn't find the camera or the car it was supposed to be in. Guessing they crushed the whole car for scrap. The early versions had a big front lens, I've heard it has higher resolution than mine but have never got my hands on one to find out.
Still no luck with a photo or video. Found this link on the Flir site. This is not the camera I have but will give you a general idea of what the image looks like.
Had a few folks ask about cost, I got lucky on this one, it was bought new to go in a motor home but never installed. See them on ebay sometimes, usually at sky high prices. Best bet is to head to the junkyards and look for a 2000-2005 Cadillac with it installed as a factory option. Look for a round hole in the center of the grill where an emblem would normally go. The later models had a wire mesh screen in the hole to keep out the larger rocks. There should be a camera mounted in front of the radiator. The factory bracket is pretty useless but the aiming adjusters are priceless. As far as I know, they stopped making this model in 2005. Think mine is dated late Oct of 05. Prices vary wildly, have seen them sell from $10 for a new one to way over $1000 for a used one. Yes, I worded that right. A guy got one from Craigslist for $50 a few months ago to mount on his pickup. It was from a dealer but don't remember if it was new or used. The local junkyard said they had one for something like $400, they called me back the next day and said they couldn't find the camera or the car it was supposed to be in. Guessing they crushed the whole car for scrap. The early versions had a big front lens, I've heard it has higher resolution than mine but have never got my hands on one to find out.
took the words right out of my mouth
I have been waiting for someone to do this, kudos to you for going through with it.
Fishah, personally I would find it useful for when I travel to work (rural area) where there is a large deer population and they are not seen until its too late. Almost hit a couple this month.
Fishah, personally I would find it useful for when I travel to work (rural area) where there is a large deer population and they are not seen until its too late. Almost hit a couple this month.
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2,720 Posts
Isn't that what Highbeams were made for?
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