October 2007
System highs/lows
Dolphin SonarStep
Type. Wireless reverse-sensing warning system.
Highs. Easy installation if you have a trailer hitch and 6-pin trailer wiring in place. Receiver unit beeps and colored lights indicate distance to objects in rear.
Lows. Occupies hitch receiver, preventing you from towing a trailer at the same time. Doesn't sense small objects such as a child's scooter. Distance range limited to only a few feet. Subject to false alarms.
CR's take. Useful only as a parking aid.
Hitchcam VideoMirror VMUF-1
Type. Add-on rearview mirror with pop-out video screen.
Highs. Shift into Reverse and screen automatically deploys from mirror. Retracts after shifting to Drive. Excellent field of view, clear picture, and good night vision. Camera mounts below trailer hitch, so you can still connect a trailer.
Lows. Large bulky unit hinders forward vision even when screen is not deployed. Screen quite small. Trickier to install than license-plate-holder types.
CR's take. Very clear picture, but size and bulkiness of mirror will be a turnoff to some, especially for vehicles with short windshields.
Pyle View PLCM4200
Type: Rearview inside mirror with built-in video screen.
Highs: Mirror is convenient place to look while backing up.
Lows: Large mirror obstructs forward view. Small video screen with narrow field of view, often obscured in daylight or by reflections. Difficult to install. Requires a hole to be drilled into vehicle.
CR's take: Good idea, poorly executed, with cheap construction and cryptic, inadequate instructions.
Visor View V-V-VCLP2
Type. Rear-vision camera system whose display mounts to sun visor.
Highs. Large screen and clear pictures. System parks out of sight behind folded-up visor.
Lows. When in use, blocks view forward. Rather bulky. Difficult installation should be done by a professional.
CR's take. Works well enough, but it might be too bulky for some sun visors.
VR3 VRBCS300W
Type. Wireless backup camera.
Highs. Inexpensive and easier to install than others. Camera mounts easily on license plate.
Lows. Small field of view, poor night vision, sometimes picks up signals from nearby closed-circuit TV systems. Camera image cuts in and out frequently.
CR's take. Cheap construction makes reliability suspect. Plastic camera lens easily scratched.
