AUTO-VOX Solar 1 Wireless Backup Camera for Car, 5Mins DIY Installation, Back Up Camera System Wireless with Digital Signal, License Plate Rearview Camera with 5" Monitor for Trucks/Trailer/RV

These days a backup camera is pretty much a must on any new vehicle. I've gotten used to having backup cameras in my trucks and cars, they are not only convenient, they also add a level of safety by helping eliminate blind spots when backing up.My current SUV has a backup camera that works well, but when pulling my 20' camper I found the SUV's backup camera worked great for helping me hitch the camper, but was of no use when towing or backing up as the camper blocked the camera.When purchasing a new back-up system I decided to purchase another system with a wireless camera. (I had one previously that I gifted to a friend.) I chose this one from AUTO-VOX (2nd AUTO-VOX purchase) as it not only has a wireless camera but also has a small solar panel to help keep the camera battery charged.The backup camera kit came well packed and undamaged. Note: AUTO-VOX uses Apple-like packaging with vacuum molded inserts, and a quick-start guide.Set-up was easy as there is just the receiver/monitor, power cable / power button, windshield mount, power cable, license plate holder/solar panel/camera, and USB micro charge cable. Note: Though the camera battery can be charged by the solar panel, it is good to fully charge the camera first using the micro USB cable. (A full charge took less than 30 minutes for me.)Next I just needed to swap out my old license plate bracket with the AUTO-VOX camera / license plate bracket, press the power button, and then plug in the 5-volt power adapter into my SUV's power outlet. Immediately I was able to see a clear image from the camera in the monitor. (The monitor and camera were already paired.)Note: The camera can be angled up or down by loosening 2 screws on the holder, adjusting, and then re-tightening. (see pic)There are 3 buttons on the side of the monitor, 2 up/down buttons and a selection button and all options are on one screen.*Pair (for pairing the camera and monitor, not needed in my case)*BC Control (brightness)*Mirror/Normal (for reversing image)*Camera Time (auto off time set: 45s, 60s, 90s)*Guide Lines (turns guide lines off or on)*ResetWith the options set there is little need to touch the monitor after that as it will power up and turn on automatically if your vehicle has a power outlet that turns off and on with the vehicle (like mine). Once powered up the monitor will display the camera image for the time period you set previously (45s, 60s, 90s) and then turn off automatically so that is not a distraction while driving and to conserve camera battery power.To view the backup camera any time just press the power button on the power adapter and the monitor turns back on for the time period you set. Note: My previous back-up camera system had a small remote which I thought was nice at first but the remote was hard to keep track of and tended to get lost. The power button on the power lead is a much better design.)I am very happy with the ease of use as well as the image quality of the backup camera set-up. Nighttime vision is very good and the ability to turn the system on using a single-button on the power adapter makes the system super easy to use. The solar panel that helps maintain the camera battery charge is also a nice feature.Towing my camper has now become a one-person job, something I was not able to do with full confidence before. I am very pleased with this backup camera system and will update this review if I experience any issues.

******My original review is below, I rated the Solar 1 with 3 stars and received an offer from Autovox to review the newly released upgraded version, the Solar 4. *****For background, we need a backup camera only to line up our receiver with a flatbed trailer- our trailer is much too heavy to move over if the hitch is not aligned, requiring 2 people, one driving and the other pantomiming angles, distance and middle fingers with lots of sniping over a noisy diesel engine. Honestly, when the new camera arrived, I realized it would not work for what we needed. The new camera appears to be best suited for mounting on the back of a trailer for use in monitoring side traffic and backing into a space. While I could not use it for what I needed, my brother-in-law got a new company truck to haul loads with a gooseneck. Unlike his old truck with the spare mounted underneath, the new trucks have the spare mounted right behind the headache rack, obscuring the driver from lining up the hitch with the ball in the truck bed without hanging out the door/window. The company would not pay to relocate the spare tire so he agreed to see if this camera would work for him. B-I-L has used since the Jan 23 and is thrilled with the camera, he said it was easy to use, the picture was clear and helped align things with the first try. He also believed it would work well if you added a second camera to the back of a trailer for backing up.While I am disappointed that I could not use the camera myself, I am happy to give the Solar 4 a 5 star review and big thumbs up from my brother-in-law. I wish there was a separate option to review customer service because Autovox was fantastic to deal wit hand waited patiently until I could find a way to get the camera in use so I could give honest feedback.This is the original review for the Solar 1, and I still believe it deserves only 3 stars (the average between 1 for the camera timing out and 5 for the easy set up and extended distance- or 4 if you consider the great customer service: The system was super easy to install and has a good reception, even at an extended distance. The picture is not the best but will work for what we wanted. I HATE that the screen times out so quickly!! If you are backing into a parking space you should have plenty of screen time, but when backing up to a trailer and aligning with the hitch you will have to keep turning the screen back on. There should be an option to extend the screen time to at least a few minutes.