Sales of the rear vision backup camera offered by many car audio specialty retailers around the country is expected to gain traction with consumers as the products become simpler to install and less costly. Back up camera sales are estimated to be about 100,000 a year.Aftermarket car audio retailers have been selling rear vision backup cameras for about five years but sales has been modest because of the installation problem.Thus, retailers such as Best Buy, the Good Guys, etc., have not been offeringmuch product. Worse, sluggish sales of SUVs have affected sales as well, reports Twice Magazine.
Suppliers are simplifying the product, and a spokesman from VizuaLogic, which offers the cameras, noted that wireless systems will begin to hit the market soon. As a result, more retailers are expected to offer rear vision back up cameras.
Companies that are offering or focusing on the development of rear vision back up cameras are coming up with easier methods of installation. Crimestopper Security Products, for example, is focusing on cameras with simplified license plate mounting that do not require installers to cut the license plate. HitchCAM is offering a video mirror with LCD display for its cameras that automatically slides out when the car is in reverse and retracts automatically when the driver takes the car out of reverse.
Companies are also improving the rear view range of their cameras. These newer cameras are giving 150 degree to 170 degree viewing range compared to other cameras that offer a viewing range of 120 degrees to 130 degrees.
Our take? The technology should be standard. Child advocacy groups and the U.S. Congress have been taunting the need for rear vision back up cameras on SUVs and trucks with large blind spots. According to child advocacy group Kids and Cars, two children are killed and 48 injured each week because of back up accidents. Kids and Cars noted that legislation is pending in Congress that would require “rear visibility standard” for all vehicles. We agree and encourage drivers to be constantly aware of where their smaller relatives are at all time.
Via TWICE
