TechBlog from Sewell

Here at SewellDirect.com, we are dedicated to products that make the world a better, safer place. For example, we used to stock the Iomega Rearview Monitor Mirror to help alleviate potentially deadly shocks from coworkers (or bosses) surprising you from behind. We provide the XPad Laptop Heatshield in order to help you protect yourself from unpleasant laptop burns. And now, we bring you the VR3 Car Rear Back-Up Camera System w/ Color LCD Monitor.

This quality rear view car camera system mounts unobtrusively above your licence plate, where it maintains a watchful, silent vigil over the regions behind your vehicle. Meanwhile, you can see what the camera sees via a color LCD monitor mounted inside the vehicle, giving you a great view behind you without making you crane your neck to see over the rear deck of your car. The kit even includes all the wiring and mounting equipment to make life easy on you.

As a side anecdote, I really think my dad could use one of these. He drives a ridiculously large Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel pickup truck with a shell. I’ve lost track of how many times he’s backed into poles, pillars and fences, not to mention all the stuff (e.g. lawnmower, bicycle, athletic equipment) he’s run over because he couldn’t see behind him. I feel a birthday present coming on…

Since I posted this, we’ve added a couple of iterations of this rear back-up camera system. It now comes in wireless (for the installation impaired).

I just got the VR3 and there is water getting into the camera.How can I fix this or can I get a new one.
Mark

I want to get one of these. Question: is the wireless one easier to install? Question: How do you install this thing- maybe go to a stereo or auto electrical shop, because it goes into the wiring of the car… right? also: I want to have the camera turned on while I am driving forward. is there a switch or how does the camera know when to turn on ,or is it always on? my email is , any help with my questions would be very appreciated. I think I will buy the camera system now anyway, and then worry about installing it later, michael, from california, usa. thank you,

I recently bought and installed a wired VR3 backup camera and installed it in my 1999 GMC Yukon. The problem is that the video “washes out”; that is, it does not consistently adjust its display for ambient brightness. The picture is surprisingly clear (when it works correctly, that is). It is really useful for aligning my trailer hitch when I’m by myself and coupling to my boat trailer.

With the popularity of big SUV, the rear camera has almost become mandatory

I’m on my second unit (wireless) it SUCKS. Sometimes you have a picture sometimes you don’t, lots of static. I’m sending it back for a refund

Bought one of the wireless units from Wal-Mart. Two thumbs DOWN!
I love the idea, but the implementation SUCKS. The monitor CONSTANTLY FLICKERED.

I am a CET specialising in RF systems and I think I gave it a fair trial.

I have surmised that the transmitter just is not powerful enough for that incredibly long 10 foot RF path from the transmitter to the receiver.

It was NOT interference from bluetooth items (tested with all OFF) but when I used my bluetooth headset, the monitor went totally BLANK.

I wish I could get the old WIRED version.

This one went back to Wal-Mart. I wonder if any of them STAY sold?

I need help for buying and installing a wireless back up camera for my
RV

The wireless VR3 is NOT ANY PROBLEM hooking up,
as long as you know a little about 12volt wiring; Red is generally +, Black being -……
The camera itself can be wired to a BackUp Light. Attach w/hardware the camera to License
Plate, unless the plate is NOT FLAT nor at center of vehicle. Find a flat area near center of rear of Vehicle, use metal or wood or bolts to mount. The monitor IS small, but the system is darned good @ any $. WalMart sells them @ around $100, I’ve seen ‘em high as $150, the Good Lord led me to a Fantastic
$50 clearance of them @ a WalMart in EastTexas
about 3-4 months ago. I bought 3. If I can be of any Assistment contact me @ ………
As God loves you,
In Christ’s Holy name,
I love ALL……
R.W.Spears 54 & counting……..

I’m using the wirelss VR3 back-up camera on my Dodge Ram truck and have had good luck with it. The only problem I’ve encountered is the plastic camera lense has become scratched and now the picture is blurry on the screen; looks like it has a caterac. The rediculous amount of sand and salt we use here on our roads all winter have taken their toll on the poor lense. Does anyone know were I can get a replacement lense?

Thanks,
Andrew

I received one of these for Father’s day, hooked it all up to my Excursion and it seems to be working just fine.
Would I be able to use this same unit on the back of my 24′ trailer?

I bought the VR3 backup camera system at Walmart and installed the camera on the back of my 29′ 5th wheel RV so I could see the boat I’m pulling behind it.

Has anyone has success extending the range of this unit? The picture cuts out 25% of the time, has static 50% of the time, and is perfect the remaining 25%.

Still, it’s cheap assurance that the boat is connected for the 75% of the time that it works. A wired option wouldn’t work well for what I’m doing.

Set mine up in my dodge ram 3500 with chip box on back. Though the concept is great, flickers alot. I will keep the unit for now and try to figure a way to improve reception. Blew me away how much easier parallel parking was with it on though! Nice photo quality…sometimes.

I got the VR3 Wireless Rearview camera for Christmas and mounted it on my Avalanche.

I am experiencing the same issues many of you are with a percentage of poor to good signal quality. I have read that you can’t “boost” the signal which seems to be the issue. I agree with Dave that the transitter just doesn’t seem powerful enough.

I am considering returning it but like many of you have said, when it works, it is great.

Open to suggestions on receiving a better signal.

Installed the VR-3 on the back of my 33′ 5th wheel and am getting no picture except for a few minor flickers. Do they sell any type of booster for these things? When i put the monitor in another vehicle and drove directly away from the back of the camper in direct range of the camera, it got decent range, but when hooked up to the truck thats pulling the camper , its like the height of the camper totally blocks off any type of reception between the monitor and the camera so if anyones got anything it would help me out alot.

The issue seems to be the camera antena. There is a little tin can on the end of a coaxial cable, all hidden under a heatshrink wrap. I think that little tin can is an atenuator, or limiter for the propogation on the transmitted signal. Perhaps, this could be altered to extent the range, but please remember that transmision on certain frequencies is stricktly monotored and enforced buy some government dudes.
Good luck R/Vers/Hackers!!

Dave

Guys,

I just bought this VR-3 wireless camera for my wife’s Mercedes suv and i cant see how i can run the wire from the license plate to the reverse light on the side. Have any one here been able to install this to a ml350. Please help.

Flint