VTL17IR - Concealed License Plate Backup Camera with Night Vision and Guide Parking Lines (Black)

I will try to best describe this device since I have the honor to be the first reviewer. I purchased this camera based on technical specs and comparison to other similar devices for under $70. It is used as backup camera on a 2006 Tundra. The camera was interfaced to a Pioneer MVH-2400NEX Digital Media Receiver (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible) that replaced the factory installed system (AM/FM/CD).1) The camera is good quality as compared to other similar products but it is also more expensive.2) Installation on the license plate was easy and all hardware provided with the camera (see image “1_Camera-on-LicensePlate”).3) It was installed with power always ON. I wanted to see behind not only during backup but also during driving. Cheap cameras will burn up if left always on. If one wants to install it with view only during backup, the wiring is easy. Connect the camera power wire to the vehicle's wire to backup lights which is not very far from the license plate.4) It is a good idea to practice backing up to get a sense when you are about to hit something. This will require to have the 'Parking Line ON' as a guide. I practiced on my trash can on the street, see images for comprison as viewed on screen and hoe one sees it on the outside (“3_HowFar_as-see-on-Screen” and “4_HowFar-DirectView”).5) I thought I would be able to use it also as a rear view mirror but I was wrong. It is unsafe. The image/cars appear to be too small. The cars behind you and on the sides are basically invisible even on a clear sunny day. If compared to the rear view mirror it is like day and night.6) It was installed on 10/26/1208 and as of this writing (11/30/2018) I have experienced no problems but also I do not drive this vehicle frequently.7) Expect image quality to be reduced on rainy days but it goes away when water on lens evaporates. I was concerned I would have to clean the lens frequently but I did not have the need to do it in 30 days since installation in rainy Houston. I was surprised to see some dirt on the camera when I went out to take a photo for this review (see '2_Some_Dirt”). The image on the screen was still good.I will revise my review if something changes. Yes, I recommend this camera and will buy it again.

This is an ok camera while it lasted... and it wasn’t much. When I first got it it did what it was supposed to. It’s not the best I’ve seen but for the price it is a fair image. I had it installed about 3 weeks after I got it on the mail. 2 weeks after install most colors faded out and everything looked kinda blue. Trees and plants instead of green they were purple. Small horizontal lines on upper screen too.... sure, you still can see but I paid full price for it and it should work as supposed to. A defective product is going to happen to everybody.... I understand that but my main issue here is customer service.... if you can call it that. They are there but they are not. More than a month from purchase had passed when I tried to return to amazon for either a refund or replacement but it wasn’t an option anymore. I contacted vision America which is the manufacturer and after weeks of back and forth emails their “solution” was unacceptable. Needless to say, I won’t ever buy a product from this company... not because of the product (when it worked) or the inconvenience of a defective product (it can and it will happen to anyone) but because of a terrible customer service and the lack of ability to come up with a fair solution for both paying customer and company.

Ok, install was as easy as the installer makes of it, you want clean its not fast, I wired it in to be as close to wireless looking as I can so it took a couple hrs and I waterproofed the connections. Camera quality is ok... very clean application and worked well on a truck platform. 2006 f250 supercrew 4x4 w touch screen in dash. Kind of wished I opted for tailgate handle version after having put this one in, but I remove my tailgate periodically so here I am. The picture quality is fair enough to see what im doing behind me so fulfills the function. Camera is small for sure and seems fairly heavy duty, didnt fog or distort in rain either but dust is a constant. Perhaps i try dry silicon on the lens???

The image quality isn't the greatest, but when you're backing up you don't need to see every minute detail such as a small pebble, just need to see the big objects such as people, cars, trees, houses, and whatever else. This will do that! However, as others have mentioned it will not do it for long. Mine lasted about 4 months before it died. No idea how to contact their support to get a warranty replacement. All connections have been verified, the camera is simply dead.It's cheap and easy to install and it will assist in backing up and avoiding hitting things. Just don't expect it to last forever.