RoadMaster Wireless VR3 Reversing Camera

Well, I have to say for the price I paid for the Roadmaster wireless reversing camera from Walmart it turned out pretty good. Price I paid was $88.83, plus tax and shipping.

RoadMaster Wireless VR3 backup camera.

I would like to say sorry for the long review but I want you to know what you are getting and strive for a professional or expert review so I take my time to review something. I usually own a product for about a month before I will review it.

First off. The install. It is going to be a simple and quick install on certain models. The camera itself can be mounted to the license plate top 2 bolts. But only if the license plate and backup lights are stationary or both move with a hatchback or trunk lid. An example of back up lights and license plate that move with the trunk lid is the Ford Crown Victoria like what Police use in the states. When you open the trunk the back up lights and license plate are on the lid. This style is going to be a snap to install. Just attach the camera to the top 2 bolts of the license plate and run your wires to the back up lights and wire accordingly to the instructions and your done with the camera.

Now for the other style. Example of a 1994 Plymouth Voyager. The license plate is mounted to the hatch, or tailgate if you will, and the back up lights are mounted in the same lens assembly as the tail and brake lights, which doesn't move with the hatch lid. So you have mount the camera on the license plate and then run wires down the tail gate, through the body panels and to the back up lights. Well my 1986 Nissan Stanza Wagon tail gate has steel for the hatch part and it would be nearly impossible to run these wires because you would have to feed them through the small rubber tube that connects the license plate lights from the car body to the tail gate. Not easy. So I didn't. I mounted the camera under the bumper on the plastic part and ran the wires under the body to the corner where the backup light wires are.

Now your asking, I thought this camera was wireless, well it is but you have to get power to the camera as well. So since you are hooking up to the back up lights the camera will automatically activate and turn the monitor on when you go into reverse. No switches to install or anything. Just make sure that if you have to drill holes to seal them up. I use RTV Clear silicone sealer/adhesive. You can purchase this from some stores for about $5-$8.

The monitor has several different ways to mount. I use the 3M Velcro for the stand and just mounted it to my dash. You can hard wire the monitor to power or use the cig lighter plug. Both of these come with it. Now this camera can also be hard wired to the monitor. The cable for this however is NOT included. This you would do if you had a Bluetooth enable car because the Bluetooth can interfere with the picture when the camera is active. Or you can get the Bluetooth Version which compensates for this.

Good points. The picture is very clear, and in color. You can rotate or invert the image in any way you want depend which view is easier for you read as your backing up. Please keep in mind though that the camera is NOT intended to replace you looking in you mirrors and doing your head check. This is to keep you alert to anything that may jump out behind you after you have done your mirrors. Such as a dog or a child. These cameras are excellent for someone with a truck or SUV for backing up to a trailer to hook up to. Takes the guess work out of left or right or how far back before you run into something or driving by sound or until it sounds expensive. Like I said easy to install on certain models. Price is right.

Bad points. Some models you can't mount to the license plate. You have to find an alternate location and do some drilling and sealing. The display is on the thin line of being too small but will work. Don't use the scotch locks that come with it. They cut my wires and had to repair them. Use butt connectors or solder. You can also find a larger scotch lock that should work without damage.

Neutral points. I have noticed around where I live when I am on my way to work that people use Wireless security cameras. Well it just so happens that they also run on this 2.4ghz signal and everyday when I go to work I pass by this house that has a security camera that is pointed down the driveway and I see myself pass by going to work. The camera on my car isn't activating but the monitor for the camera is picking up the signal of the security camera and displaying it. When is flickers on and off it looks like a TV from a horror movie that is displaying something creepy. Scared me at first.

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being most difficult and requiring a high level of wiring knowledge for install I would put this at a 4.5-5.5. You have locate and tap into your positive and negative of your backup lights and wire them in so both will work. If you use the hardwire to give power to the monitor you need to know how to read a fuse panel. You would need a drill.

If I was asked if I would recommend this to someone I would say yes as long as they have a basic knowledge of automotive wiring. It is a good color camera for the price and it works well.

I hope that this review helps anyone who looks at it to decide weather or not they want to purchase this unit.