Customer Reviews

Audiovox ACA250 Wireless Vehicle Rear Observation System

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

To start off with this product did what I expected.
I did call tech support and they explained that this is designed to transmit on an average of 15 feet; basically it is designed for cars and SUV's. Something about the FCC and the legal range. I have an F250 and I was worried about the last two reviews. It made sense that it would not work in a bus or trailer, it's not made for that.

Install was easy, the included Scotchloks worked fine. Yes the wire was a bit thin but they included the red ones for small wire, I just doubled up the camera power wires.

My kit included a long lead to power the monitor in case of interference and the Tech explained that in some areas there is more then other. I had a VR3 product before and they wanted $19.95 for the same lead. The camera is also metal, my VR3 camera cracked in a few months. They also included special anti theft screws so no-one can just take the camera.

The monitor has a swivel base so I mounted it next to my rear view mirror. Ran the power wires to the fuse box and I was done. I do not get the flickering, but every now and then I can see someone else's camera from a house or security camera. I had this with the VR3 piece too. I am guessing if it was 5.8Mghz it would see other 5.8 stuff too ???

The camera had a much better viewing angle then the other and the night vision helps a lot too because the back up lights on my truck are useless. I can also see my hitch with no problem at all. There is a little static but not bad. We put one in a 4Runner and that one works great.

For the price I am happy with it.

Works just as advertised. Wires are thin, but double them up when using the vampire clamp. Also, connect the monitor power wire to the backup wire under the dash (the same one that runs to the backup wire in the tail) and your monitor will activate ONLY when you backup instead of staying on all the time. If your car/truck stays outside in the sun, be advised that the sticky pad for the monitor won't keep it on the dash. The mount for the monitor does come with pre-fab holes, however, and I mounted it (with 2 screws) very easily. Would highly recommend.

First off, let me say I never got this system to work.

The camera hookup is supposed to use the included a vampire taps to get power and ground off the reverse light without any soldering or wire cutting. Just one problem, the wiring on the camera is WAY to thin to work with the vampire tap included. Instead of piercing the shielding and making an electrical connection, it just pinches the insulation and never goes completely through. This is just poor design on Audiovox's part and shows they don't test their final products. It's a shame.

The TV and camera operate on 2.4Ghz. Never did get the camera to fire up, but the TV already picks up ALOT of flickers of static in my driveway and while driving around the neighborhood. I can imagine it would be very difficult to see what was going on with as much static as there is. 5.8Ghz would have been a much better solution.

I don't want to hack apart my truck's OEM wiring for an accessory that might not last a year so this one is definately going back.

Product works great. Have it both camera and monitor wired into
into backup fuse. I do not feedback like many while driving. Glue
pad was not good enough, used epoxy to glue to windshield above
mirror. I love this product it isgreat for hooking up trailer but
do not try to use with trailer being connected, it does not help
then. Also great in parking lots also like steel camera and great
infra red lighting works like a charm at night.

Bottom line: I got it installed and it works well to give me visibility behind my Ford F-150 when I'm backing up.

The device performs nicely. The fish-eye view is great for seeing if anything is behind the vehicle and, as advertised, should be used only for visibility, not for help in backing up. I mounted the camera to the top of my license plate and used shims to angle it down so that I could see the top of my tow ball. This gives me some perspective for distances between the ball and a trailer hitch, for example.

For electrical wiring, I routed the camera wire behind the license plate and alongside the other wires behind the bumper up to the left backup light wires. The tap-in squeeze connector was useless as the camera wire is too thin to make a good electrical connection. I ended up stripping 1 millimeter off the backup light wire sheathing and using electrical tape to secure the end of the camera wires to the backup light wires. This worked, but I expect to have to repair the connection periodically.

I mounted the monitor on the top, front, far left side of my dashboard (used the provided double-stick tape but it doesn't look like that will last very long) and routed the wire down behind the dash and along the underside of the panel (above my feet/the pedals). Right now the wire comes out on the right side of the panel where I have the wire running up to plug into the cigarette lighter, but this is temporary because I feel the need to unplug it every time I stop the car; when plugged in, the monitor is always on and gets quite hot. Eventually I will figure out an appropriate wire (one that's powered only when the car is running) to use for monitor power and expect to do the same stripping/taping job as I did with the camera.

I had no problems with installation, despite the skinny wires. The system works well, delivering a good, clear picture with no interference.

When not in use (i.e., driving forward), there are occasional flashes of static as it apparently picks up other 2.45 GHz signals. This can be a bit distracting at night, but is easily solved by simply tilting the monitor downward so it's not visible. It has a double-jointed mount, so that's easy to do. If this were a $500 system, I'd be unhappy about that, but for under a hundred bucks I can live with it.

As others have pointed out, the 15-foot range makes this system unsuitable for buses, RVs, or large trucks, but for a passenger car or minivan it works just fine, and is a good value for the price.

OK for the money, but just barely. Heavy interference in a PT Cruiser. Image washes out easily in daylight. I guess you get what you pay for these days. At least it worked out of the box.

This system bites the big one. First, it was horrible to install. Specifically... the Mini Cooper Convertible I installed it in, made it a lot harder then maybe some other cars. Secondly.... the camera (Audiovox ACA250 Wireless Vehicle Rear Observation System) only works in the daytime. It does not work at all when we turn on the lights (parking lights and/or headlights). Thirdly, the video screen flashes static all the time when driving. At night, it flashes so much, that we have to unplug the cigarette lighter, power plug to turn the power off, (because of the distraction). I e-mailed the company, and got absolutely nowhere with them. The instruction/installation manual doesn't cover the problems that we experienced, and so.... in conclusion, don't waste your time and money on this worthless P.O.C.

The product was advertised with a 2 1/2 inch monitor. The actual screen viewing size (due to the case) is 2" by 1 1/2" (quite small). Shiping included sufficient wire to install "wired" vs. wireless to reduce potential interference. So, I installed a wired monitor instead of a "wireless" monitor. Easy installation on a Ford F-150. With the exception of the small monitor screen, I'm very pleased with the quality and operation.

Update: November 2011: A couple of weeks ago (after 9 months of use) I noticed the image on the screen was very blurry. Investigation revealed moisture had formed on inside of camera lens. The camera is a sealed unit, so no way to dry. I'll be discussing problem with manufacturer to see if warranty will replace. If so, fine. If not, don't recommend.

Back up camera arrived very fast from Outlet. We used it on a skidsteer to eliminate blind spots and to see if people are walking from behind. For such a small dislay the results are amazing and mounting is easier to find a spot to mount in the cab of a skidsteer. With it being a wireless system there was no need to drill or fish wires through to the cab.