Entered CNET Catalog: 01/22/2007
SKU: VRBCS300W
Manufacturer: Roadmaster USA Corp.
Manufacturer description
Roadmaster USA is a leading after-market manufacturer who brings you mobile and home audio equipment as well as auto accessories and car care products. Roadmaster gives you a wide variety of affordable high quality products with many options and levels of performance. PRODUCT FEATURES: Complete with all accessoriesProduct summary
The good: VR3's VRBCS300W Wireless Back-up Camera is a cost-effective solution for getting some general rear visibility.
The bad: The small screen and fish-eye lens effect make it very difficult to accurately judge depth and distances.
The bottom line: The VR3 VRBCS300W Wireless Back-up Camera is a competitively-priced, easy to install aid for getting some rearward visibility, but don't rely on it for getting into tight parking spots.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/22/2007
More and more new, high-end cars come with the option of a factory-installed rearview camera. But what if you want this technology without having to either buy a new car or install an expensive in-dash display? A solution is available from Virtual Reality Video Labs in the form of its VRBCS300W Wireless Back-up Camera. We hooked up the device to our 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line--a car that needs all of the added rear visibility it can get when the top is up--to see how this aftermarket device compared with factory systems.
Installation of the VRBCS300W reversing camera is extremely straightforward. Despite its claim to be wireless, the device requires two sets of wires: one to connect the rear-facing camera to the vehicle's reverse-light circuit (if your car does not come with a pre-existing hole for a license-plate light, then you will have to drill one yourself, which may be a deal-breaker for some drivers), and one to connect the monitor to the car's 12V power supply, either via the cigarette-lighter port or directly to the car's fuse box. The camera can be mounted on either the top or bottom of the license plate using the existing screws or bolts. To enable drivers to adjust the camera's angle, the VRBCS300W comes with plastic, wedge-shaped buffers, which we found useful to get the view we wanted.
Design
When mounted on the license plate, the black camera assembly is noticeable but not obtrusive. The monitor module, which sits in a separate holder on top of the car's dashboard, is a clunkier, more conspicuous presence in the cabin. The holder itself is attached by Velcro to a self-adhesive base on the dash. This means that even when the camera and its holder are removed, the oval Velcro-covered base is still visible on the dash.
One curious design cue of the monitor module is that the port for the power wire is on the left-hand side of the unit. This means that the wires run down the driver's side of the device, adding clutter on the driver's side. A port on the bottom or on the right-hand side would be more driver-friendly. Aside from the On/Off button (curiously situated third from the top in a column of four buttons down the right-hand side of the screen), there are controls for brightness, image orientation, and contrast.
The VRBCS300W features nine different brightness settings, which can be cycled through by pressing the button repeatedly. While the cyclical selection can get a bit cumbersome, the brightness adjustability is a good feature for nighttime use. Image orientation control is the device's most advanced feature, and pressing a single button changes the orientation of the image to one of four viewing angles: normal, which shows a view with the same orientation as that seen in the rearview mirror; reverse, which shows a true, rear-looking view (as if turning your head around and looking out through the rear windshield); inverted, which flips the normal view 180 degrees on its horizontal axis; and inverted reverse, which flips the reverse view upside down.
Performance
Despite its small size (2.5 inches), the LCD color monitor is bright and provides a decent view of what's behind you. The camera, which attaches to the license plate, has a 110-degree horizontal viewing angle and an 80-degree vertical viewing angle that serves up an image similar to a fish-eye lens. This broad field of visibility provides a good general impression of the rear field of vision, and is very useful for detecting the presence of small children or crossing pedestrians--particularly considering that more than 2,400 children are hit by reversing cars each year in the U.S. alone.
Our major problem with this system, however, is its depth perception, which we found to be deceptive. Unlike some factory-installed reversing camera systems we have seen (such as that on the 2007 Infiniti M35 Sport), the VRBCS300W doesn't have any distance or guidance lines overlaying the video image. Additionally, the small size of the screen coupled with the wide viewing angle make it very difficult to judge distances using the system. When backing into a parking space, an image of the car behind at first appears to be a long way off, but then quickly becomes bigger, filling the whole screen and making it look like you are about to hit it. In reality, we found that we had at least three feet to go before we would have hit the car. These are the margins that make or break one's parking maneuvers in a packed urban area.
One solution for drivers who wish to use this camera exclusively for parallel parking is to attach it to the top of the license plate at a very steep angle so that the edge of the car's bumper is visible. However, this solution comes at a price, as the broader rear view is sacrificed in order to achieve the angle needed to view the rear bumper.
The VRBCS300W relies on a 2.4GHz wireless signal to transmit video from the camera to the display, and a note in the instruction manual states that the device may be subject to interference from cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, wireless routers, and other electrical equipment. In our experience, the signal between the camera and the monitor worked fine when we connected the system in the lab, but behaved more temperamentally, with occasional flickers, when wired to our test car.
Overall, the VRBCS300W is a useful device for general rear visibility. At $149, the device is an attractive prospect for drivers of minivans, SUVs, RVs, or cars with impeded rear vision. While it might not provide comprehensive reversing assistance, it's better than nothing. In the land of the blind spot, the one-eyed man gets the best parking slots.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29out of 29 user reviews
vr-3 product and support are useless and no-existint
Pros: it does have somewhat of a picture sitting still
Cons: hard to see screen. Goes fuzzy or blank when you move vehicle, No customer support by email tech service or phone.
out of 29 user reviews
A Wal-Mart special, I spent 90 bucks and got nothing.
Pros: I like absolutely NOTHING about this product. I can't even get my money back because Wal-Mart stopped carrying them because they are so crappy.
Cons: See above. And to add to it, I will always be aware of these types of "deals" in the future and be sure to avoid buying anything from this vender.I've tried to contact the manufacturer and no results there either.
out of 29 user reviews
Product does not work.
Pros: There is nothing to say because it does not work.
Cons: This product has never worked and repeated attempts to contact the manufacturer have gone unanswered, we appealed to the Distributor with no luck, and to Amazon with no luck. It does not work never has and looks like never will.
out of 29 user reviews
Best Of Luck
Pros: Inexpensive.
Cons: Accepts all 2.4 GHz signals. 0 ambient signal regection. Camera unit highly susceptable to moisture/temperature flux. 57 deg field of view vice 110 (advertised). Real-life expectancy dissappointing in most cases. Otherwise, you get what you get.
Then, 8 days ago, we got 8" of snow that was gone within 48 hrs, but it took with it ay simbilance of a useable image from that cheap, plastic camera that now seems far better at keeping water vapor in, than out. The camera is the ultimate weak point in this system. If you get a year of servic out of the thing you have been very lucky, indeed.
One note to the fellow who gave this device a 5-star rating... Your purchase as well as your review are blarring statistical anomalies. I congratulate you on your skillfull installation and I hope you enjoy the cash proceeds that your editorial efforts must surely hae provided, as no other logic can possibly apply... much less prevail.
M. G. Piatt FT1(SS) (Ret.)
out of 29 user reviews
Piece of junk, save your money.
Pros: Relatively easy to install. Good picture on monitor.
Cons: Camera quit working after several weeks of rain last spring. Condensation was on the inside lens of the camera.
Had the camera installed a total of 1 month.
out of 29 user reviews
A disappointment
Pros: Wasn't too hard to hook up if you've done even a little automotive wiring. Picture was acceptable, but only in one spot in the middle of my dash.
Cons: Poor range, not designed to be neatly installed.
Problem 2: Monitor has no battery, so even if you hard wire it to your car, you have the plug sticking out almost 2" to the side. They carefully don't show that on the box.
Problem 3: Camera has no battery and there's no room for the cable to come out the back. You have to drill a hole through your license plate otherwise the power cord is pinched between the back of the camera and whatever you mounted it to.
Problem 4: You can't simply try it all out before wiring it up (although you can just use the cigarette lighter plug for the monitor) and finding out you're just going to get static.
Problem 5: The instructions say not to leave the monitor on all the time. That's fine, but now you have to turn it on everytime you need it. Only the camera turns on only when you put your car into reverse.
out of 29 user reviews
Great solution for the price.
Pros: Inexpensive solution for an SUV owner's problem
Very easy to install
Works as advertised
Cons: Original mount is obviously designed to work on most cars in the easiest way but is ugly.
Will ocassionally get a signal from another wireless camera and show on the screen for a few seconds while driving
Most reviews here are hilarious: "bad picture quality" Are you trying to watch and HD movie?, Its a back up camera with a small screen, all you need to do is see the car behind you.
After you install it, don't go paralell parking just yet, all vehicles are different, adjust the camera angle and run some test. I placed a can of spray on the floor and backed up untill I coudn't see it on the screen, got out of the car and could see it was a couple of inches from the end of the hitch, now I know I can back up until the bumper of the car behind me is at the bottom of the screen. Perspective problem solved!!
I fabricated a mount out of a metal plate and locate it close to the rearview mirror where you naturally look when backing up, it looks very good and works perfect.
The camera on the license plate has been through rain, dirt, dust and it's been working fine for almost a year now.
out of 29 user reviews
It's a piece of JUNCK
Pros: easy of installation
Cons: It has not work since it been installed. I called the company and email them to no avail. This product is a wast of money.
out of 29 user reviews
Bought from **********, it worked for only one day.
Pros: The price. I didn't get robbed of much over $100.
Cons: It worked for only one day. No response from manufacturer, despite numerous phone calls and e-mails. I was robbed.
out of 29 user reviews
Completely worthless and a waste of time & money
Pros: The concept of a rear view camera....
Cons: erratic image. Way too much static and it cuts off.
Tech service will not help you if any of the above applies to you.
out of 29 user reviews
DO NOT BUY!
Pros: At first I liked it & it worked OK with the exception of the occasional reception problem with electrical noise.
Cons: Hiccups in reception that the company blames on electrical noise from other RF sources & camera lens is not waterproof & condensation has collected on inside of lens.
out of 29 user reviews
Poor reception
Pros: Relatively inexpensive
Cons: Virtually useless picture quality and not especially easy to install in my SUV
out of 29 user reviews
A must buy for trailer haulers.
Pros: This is one of the easiest things you will ever hook up in your vehicle, next to a radar detector. Very simple, very effective. It comes with everything you need, except a pair of pliers, to hook it up. Wal-Mart.com, $88.00.
Cons: Slight monitor snow at times, usually fixes within a couple of seconds.
out of 29 user reviews
Do not waste your money ot time
Pros: It was cheep for a reason
Cons: Not worth it did not last two months
out of 29 user reviews
Very Poor Performance
Pros: Low price, all inclusive kit.
Cons: Picture strobing renders it unuseable.
Although my cell phone was not present, it is amazing how many other devices work on this unit's frequency; cordless phones in your house, etc.
It would have been better if they had included an option of hard wiring the camera to eliminate the interference. Unfortunately, the horizontal line strobing makes the unit useless. The issue of strobing is even addressed in the troubleshooting area of the directions, so the manufacturer was aware of this shortcoming.
Turning off your cell phone, however, is not always a realistic, or handy option, when someone needs to back-up now!
I bought 2 units with high hopes, but both are going back to the store for a refund.
out of 29 user reviews
Not the quality I thought it would be
Pros: Small easy to install
Cons: Not reliable poor tech service
out of 29 user reviews
Company has No refunds, but will take care of your problems.
Pros: Received a better one, after returning the old defective one.
Cons: No cons, the price was right.
out of 29 user reviews
didn't last long
Pros: ok when it was working
Cons: very short life
out of 29 user reviews
Good value if you don't mind the unstable picture and 57 degree view
Pros: Cheap; fairly easy to install; Warranty service good
Cons: Unstable picture; narrow field of view (57 degrees)
The first unit I purchased was totally unusable, with no picture at all, so I returned it. That return turned out to be serendipitous, because what I returned to the store was a two-button model, yet the replacement was a four-button model. Oddly, both had the same exact model number! Tip: Make sure the one you buy has FOUR buttons!
This first replacement model sort of worked, but the picture was very unstable. However, I'd had it too long to be able to return it to where I'd purchased it, so I called the Roadmaster support. They had me do the usual "rub your tummy and pat your head" routine that most support departments put you through, but after I had jumped through all the hoops, they sent me a new one even BEFORE I returned the old one. That is a big plus for Roadmaster, in my opinion. And, that was a very good thing, because after trying every combination of old and new parts, I found that the most stable picture was by using the newer camera, but with the older display.
However, even with this now hybrid-vintage camera system, I was not yet out of the woods: While the picture was mostly stable, it still flickered and shredded more that I could stand. So I did what any nerd would do: I took the damn thing apart, both the camera and monitor, to see if I could find any variable capacitors or potentiometers to "tweak". Nope: No user serviceable parts.
Desperation time. So I soldered a short length of wire (around 6") to the camera to increase the antenna length. As I recall, I tried to change it from a 1/4 wave to a full wave antenna. That little bit of wire made a BIG difference in the picture's stability.
So I proceeded to install it. Having read other tales of woe, I knew to toss out the standard crimp-on connectors, and just solder the wires in place. That made for a reliable connection: Cars are subject to moisture and vibration, and soldered connections aren't. I checked my connections, then jumped into the driver's seat, crossed my fingers for luck and put the car into reverse (to power up the camera). This time the picture was pretty stable, bright and clear.
But it still wasn't seeing what I was SUPPOSED to be seeing: Instead of the advertised 110 degree field of view, I could only see a fraction of that. So I did what any other nerd would do: I got out my protractor and yard stick, and measured it. Well, instead of 110 degrees, the camera lens on the VRBCS300W has only a 57 degree field of view! And that is a BIG PROBLEM: On most cars I suspect that you would NOT be able to see your own car's bumper. And being able to see your own bumper is what you really need when you are maneuvering in tight quarters. Just seeing the car behind you, looming ever larger, doesn't do you much good.
I shimmed the mount as much as I could, and yet could still not aim the camera downward enough to see my car's bumper. So I did what any other nerd would do: I took the camera mount off the car, heated the plastic with a butane torch to soften it, and twisted the camera downward. Yes, I was THAT desperate! That helped, but I STILL couldn't see my car's bumper. Rats.
Admittedly, Roadmaster makes no claim that you'll be able to see your own bumper. But they do claim that you'll get a 110 degree field of view. And they STILL advertise this unit as having a wide angle (110 degree) field of view. How can they do that? Well, from what I could find, it seems that here in the U.S. at least, there really isn't any law against this kind of false advertising.
I just wish the CNET reviewer of this unit hadn't added to this bogus claim by reporting that the camera has "110-degree horizontal viewing angle"; because it doesn't have that kind of wide-angle view. And it doesn't for probably this reason: Decent wide angle lenses are EXPENSIVE. I can imagine that they might have had a 110 degree lens when they got the specs from their designers, but they switched to this cheaper lens when they found out what a true wide-angle lens was going to cost!
Bottom line? If you only have $100 or so to spend, this rear-view camera system is certainly better than nothing IF you are lucky, and/or determined to do whatever you have to do to get a reasonably stable picture. But if you have a bit more to spend, I'd suggest trying one of the other systems out there. I don't yet know what is better, and in fact stumbled on this review because I was looking for a better back-up camera for a new van I recently purchased. But with the cost of LCD displays coming down more each day, I'll bet that there's something out there that is actually wide angle and with a stable picture, for not too much more money.
out of 29 user reviews
okay---but!!
Pros: could see behind the pickup
Cons: quit working before 90 days
out of 29 user reviews
Good for the price
Pros: Cheap. Kit comes with everything you need
Cons: Camers material could be more sturdy
The reception on the monitor is actually decent. I live in long island NY and we have lost of cells and other interference, but I have not had any issues with the recpetion. There is slight shifting but nothing as bad as others have experienced. I have not yet hard wired the monitor. I am using the DC adaptor.
There are numerous models so check the model number on the back of the monitor (not the model number on the box). The model numers end in ...3000W, 3000WOSC, 3000WCA. I don't know why they have 3, but looking at the manuals for each off the VR-3 website I noted that the W and WOSC have 13 brightness and contrast settings while the WCA version only has 7 of each. I have teh WCA.
Also, mine has 4 buttons. There is another version with only 2 buttons. Get the 4 button version as its a later model and is probably a better version.
Oh yeah, go to BJS. They have this for $89, which is the cheapest that I found. Target had it for $99.
Overall Satisfied especially given the price.
out of 29 user reviews
Very Unstable Picture
Pros: Easy Instal
Cons: Eratic Picture almost unusable
out of 29 user reviews
IF it works, not worth more than $40
Pros: Adequate for my needs of hooking-up to trailers - friendly customer service
Cons: Not very durable or weather resistant ? - only 30 day warranty
The original purchase from eBay for less than $70 arrived and I jury rigged it to see how effective it would be for its use; backing into trailers, which I do frequently each day. Although the monitor image was very bright and washed out looking the unit was quite adequate and provided an accurate view allowing for dead-on hookups.
But driving from my parking area over to the garage to do a finished install I passed a sprinkler that just lightly threw water on the car: later found that the camera wasn’t sealed well and the lens covered with water droplets inside making for an unusable image. Contacted RoadMasterUSA via email and received an automated incident #, then called. Very friendly folks who didn’t hesitate about cross shipping a replacement camera without any need for a credit card payment. I did ask that the replacement be checked for waterproofness!
A complete new unit arrived within a week with a different monitor allowing for brightness/contract adjustment; the new camera appeared unchanged. Installed and found that the monitor was DOA and the original one could not receive a signal from the new camera. FYI - I have a portable 1.2 -2.4 GHz LCD receiver that can’t tune into either of the cameras.
Anyway, if and when I get components that work I feel that this product will serve my needs. The support tech I spoke with today did volunteer that he would ask an engineer to completely check-out this new replacement before shipment.
I am concerned how long it will last through car washes, rain, and winter weather. I believe RoadMasterUSA only offers a 30 day warranty period. All this said, I sure wish that I had installed something like this months ago before a trailer coupler left its thumbprint on my tailgate!
out of 29 user reviews
Don't waste your money on this the company issues no refunds.
Pros: It's easy to install
Cons: Does not work where cell phones, bluetooth devices, 2.4 ghz home phones, electrical lines, and wi/fi are present, thats just about everywhere.
out of 29 user reviews
Quick easy affordable back up assist system
Pros: Wireless, ease of hookup, no drilling for camera, brightness/contrast controls,
Cons: slightly noticable on rear plate, other 2.4Ghz devices might interfere with it.
Pros...
Wireless, no need to hook up to rear lights just attach the camera to the license plate, and plug in the monitor to the 12v socket.
LCD color monitor with brightness/contrast controls.
No need to drill holes in vehicle to attach camera/sensor.
If it breaks down, its cheap in price to get a replacement. (I found mine on ebay for around 75 dollars.)
Cons...
Camera is slightly noticeable on license plate.
Uses bluetooth 2.4Ghz signal and can be interefered with other devices. Although my camera is bluethooth, it does nto interfere with it. I did park it next to another VR3 and it did give me its signal instead of mine.
The depth deception makes the vehicle look closer than it really is, (but to me thats a good thing and helps me avoid hitting another car while parking).
The monitor is LCD which is very sensitive to breakage if dropped. (Then again all LCD are like this).
For the price and ease of install, this device is truly worth it. Just one word of advice, the ones on ebay or any online retail out that sells them just make sure it is the 4 button model and not the 2 button model. The 4 buttonmodel is way better than the 2 button one.
TS
out of 29 user reviews
Dont waste the time or money
Pros: Inexpensive - fairly easy to install
Cons: Dosent have very good image quality
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/wireless-video-camera-for-vehicles-5-07/overview/0507_wireless_ov_1.htm
out of 29 user reviews
Good considering the cost
Pros: 1. Color image sharp - easy to see. 2. Focus from zero to infinity. 3. Wiring the camera is as easy as could be possible.
Cons: 1. Occasional signal interference from other wireless devices. 2. Close-up distance for parking is difficult to gauge accurately.
The monitor mounting was also very nice in my case. The Accord has a space below the dash in front of the gear selector, which is ideal for viewing from the driver's seat.
The wire connectors for the camera were a problem. I could not get a solid connection with the supplied crimp-on connectors. I gave up and used my own butt connectors to get a solid, error-free, connection.
Tip: Use the angle spacers to aim the camera down on the road. Since my trunk back has a slight pitch the spacer gave the camera an angle parallel to the road surface (much better than an upward angle). But to get the best view, I made a tiny wedge shape shim to fit behind the camera forcing the camera to aim slightly downward. This gave me a better view of the ground directly behind the car with no sacrifice of the long-range view. This downward tilt of the camera helps to judge bumper clearance when parallel when parking.
out of 29 user reviews
OK but not great
Pros: Ease of installation, price
Cons: Poor reception (static) and lack of depth of field
out of 29 user reviews
Don't waste your money
Pros: Occasionally an image appears on the screen ...
Cons: ... but usually it doesn't
But in real life this just doesn't work. I have a bluetooth handsfree interface for my cellphone - and maybe that's what interferes with this signal. The fact remains that the screen rarely resolves a picture, it just flickers and jumps. Not that the signal from the camera is not powerful - it managed to crash my home 802.11 MIMO router when I parked near it.
Also the ergonomics are ridiculous (=read non-existent). You can rotate the image by 180 degrees to compensate for the fact that it appears (if it does) upside down in the most convenient arrangement of the device; but when you power down it reverts back, so you would have to do this each manually time.
Altogether, very poor. The only reason I didn't take it back to Costco was that I had spent two+ hours on mounting it up real pretty in the car, and I would then have to reverse all my steps to get it out again. Taking apart the back door was the most traumatic.
