Buying a reversing camera is no longer just an investment in a fancy cosmetic accessory, it’s an investment in safety and damage control. Many logistics companies insist on their HGV’s being equipped with HGV reversing cameras; as it not only ensures the safety of those around the vehicle as it reverses, but also minimises the likelihood of causing unexpected damage, which can result in costly pay outs. Equipping your HGV with a reversing camera can also have the added bonus of reducing your insurance premiums by minimising the likelihood of accidents occurring.
For those looking to purchase a robust, good value for money HGV reversing camera, this is a succinct guide to assist you in making your purchase.
First and foremost, look for a HGV reversing camera which offers automatic system switching; this is available in many reversing camera kits, and removes the impetus of manually switching the camera on every time the driver wants to reverse. It’s a relatively simple system that massively increases the safety advantages of the camera by ensuring it comes on automatically (as we humans do tend to be forgetful at times).
Protection from the elements is obviously a very important factor when considering which HGV reversing camera to buy. The camera will be stationed outside of the vehicle, so it’s very important that you select one which has a good reputation for reliability, resistance to mud, dust, dirt, heat and water. It’s worth paying a few extra pounds for a robust and sturdy camera, than paying over and over again for one that breaks regularly.
Make sure that you select a monitor that will fit on your dashboard without taking up to much space. It’s important to find the right balance between size and functionality; a larger monitor may be easier to see (thus improving safety), but may be cumbersome when place in the vehicle. Ensure you make your measurements before buying.
It’s important to ensure that the HGV reversing camera has a decent image sensor; simply put, the image sensor is what allows the camera to pick up images, and so –needless to say- it is a very important component. Most HGV reversing cameras are equipped with a Charge-coupled device (CCD) or a Complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.
For those using the CCD image sensor, every pixel is delivered through a very limited number of output nodes to be converted to voltage, buffered, and sent off as an analogue signal. Also, the image sensor has the ability to transport charge across the chip without too much distortion. As a result, reversing camera kits with this particular image sensor tend to be more capable of producing better images. In addition, they are more sensitive to light, allowing the cameras to provide users with a clear view of images even at low-light conditions.
The CMOS camera, on the other hand, has it’s own charge-to-voltage for each pixel. Its sensor often includes amplifiers, noise-correction, and digitization circuits. However, because the CMOS sensor has several transistors located next to it, its light sensitivity tends to be lower than the light sensitivity of a CCD reverse camera. In addition, it is more susceptible to noise. On the up side, this type of camera generally has longer battery life as it consumes less power as compared to a CCD camera.
Deciding whether to choose a CCD image sensor or a CMOS sensor depends on your individual needs.
For a TfL, FORS and RHA approved supplier offering the very best in HGV reversing cameras (and many other safety systems for HGV’s), go to http://www.trafficangel.co.uk/. Their cameras are extremely robust, with jet-wash proof proximity sensor systems, as well as multi-camera recording packages. They offer the best in safety products, and if you can find a like-for-like deal, they will beat the price of the competitor.
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