Electronic rear view mirror?

[morphix]

After buying a handlebar mirror and being disappointed with it, I got to thinking a better solution might be having an electronic rear view mirror using a small camera behind the seat and an LCD panel on the handlebar.

The advantages of this over a mirror would be better view and stability. My mirror is constantly moving and needing adjusting and vibrates so much on the bad roads that I can hardly see traffic moving in it. I'm wondering if a small securely mounted camera hooked up to an LCD might alleviate a lot of that..

While doing some research I discovered there are such products already on the market, but they are 12v and designed for cars or motorbikes. Even with wireless cameras.



Whilst it might be possible to adapt one of these to run off an ebike battery, there might be other ways to go about this...perhaps using one of those Sat Nav's running WinCE5 which has USB port and hooking up a USB camera. An alternative might be some kind of iphone-style device that has a touch screen and USB port....

Or even just taking a cheap super-slim camera like this (£27)...




Which has an A/V port and plug a tiny camera into it.. plenty of cheap handlebar mounting cradles for devices available..

Crazy idea, or?

 

[funkylyn]

WOW.... I'm speechless at your ingenuity.....lets know how you get on.
I bought a mirror too and was disappointed with it .
But its better than nothing.
Lynda

 

[flecc]

Usually the problem on to wheels is seeing the screen, light on the upward facing screen and reflection making it difficult. The fact that this clarity varies all the time makes it unpredictable so it might be a bit unsafe at times. It's a bit like the screens on the rear of digital cameras, difficult to see the image in daylight often.

 

[Scottyf]

not to mention it will be facing the sky so the sun light will affect it directly.

 

[morphix]

WOW.... I'm speechless at your ingenuity.....lets know how you get on.
I bought a mirror too and was disappointed with it .
But its better than nothing.
Lynda

Thanks Lynda, I will give it a go if I can a suitable way to do it and report back...

I'm taking on board flecc's comments though about screen visibility and glare..I guess that is going to be a problem with a lot of devices particularly in sunny weather. There are screen filters and such like though, so we'll see.

 

[PennyFarthing]

Genius idea Morphix!

I need a mirror but also realise its not going to be brilliant. I detest those 'flagpole' mirrors - I'd prefer a handlebar mirror but with a dutch-style handlebar (curved around) all I'm going to see a rearview of is, well, my rear! LOL!

 

[kitchenman]

It does work Morphix and it is worth pursuing. Most of the video footage I have been sharing with you on the video shake thread has been recorded on a PSP games console which I have mounted on the front of my bike which has a meter long USB cable connected to a tiny camera that is mounted just below my seat post.
One of the things on my list to do is to film my entire commute with one of my CARDVR cams pointing at me so that I can show it being used. There are times when I can't see the screen but most of the time I can. For those times that I can't I simply look over my shoulder.

There are solutions coming. I emailed the guy at Hindsight and he was hoping to bring the following to market in the uk later this year:

Cerevellum Hindsight 30 Digital Bicycle Mirror | Gadget News and Reviews - gadget.com

 

[Jon]

Glare would be an issue but Tom tom and Garmin do sat navs for bikes so it cant be that much of an issue. It would be good if these products had a usb or bluetooth option for the camera and then a simple touch button to flick between sat nav and rear view mirror.

I hate those stick out mirrors things but this si something i would consider purchasing

 

[lectureral]

No disrespect but don't you think that is a rather complex solution to a simple problem?

 

[fatboytrig]

Hi,

I am thinking of doing something similar. I know that on traditional LCD screens, so for e.g., the PSP, they can be a little tricky to see in sunlight. However, if you get something with an OLED (possibly expensive) I believe (although I would have to be sure first) that you can see in sunlight.

If you were to mount a PSP, you could do it in quite a deep housing. That might stop some direct sunlight.

As for a camera, I expect Kitchenman can advise. I have just found this 7dayshop Vehicle / Bike Camcorder - Camera Only: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics It's cheap and has a USB connector on it but if that is just for PC file transfer or actual live feed output, I don't know....

There has got to be some cheap, battery operated media tablet things that can take USB input from an action camera.

I will also continue to research and chat to Kitchenman, who I work with. I want a cheap solution. There has to be one somewhere....

...and as for Lectureral's post above: Probably but it's fun to find a solution and being passionate about gadgets and the like, I just gotta do it

 

[funkylyn]

It does work Morphix and it is worth pursuing. Most of the video footage I have been sharing with you on the video shake thread has been recorded on a PSP games console which I have mounted on the front of my bike which has a meter long USB cable connected to a tiny camera that is mounted just below my seat post.
One of the things on my list to do is to film my entire commute with one of my CARDVR cams pointing at me so that I can show it being used. There are times when I can't see the screen but most of the time I can. For those times that I can't I simply look over my shoulder.

There are solutions coming. I emailed the guy at Hindsight and he was hoping to bring the following to market in the uk later this year:

Cerevellum Hindsight 30 Digital Bicycle Mirror | Gadget News and Reviews - gadget.com

That looks a really really great gadget Alan, please let us know when you hear any more because I for one will be very interested in it.......I'm a gadget freak, drive my non gadget daughter mad but this is a gadget which even SHE couldnt object to ( not like her comments on me getting a kindle....honestly, you would have thought I had bought a kitten decapitating kit or something !!)

Lynda

 

[Tim]

We've been keeping an eye on this technology for a couple of years. The inventor was using e-ink (as used in ebooks like the Kindle, Iliad, etc) last time I checked in but it now looks like he's ditched that in favour of transflective LCD. Great piece of kit, with automatic accident recording and cycle computer display.

Cerevellum

 

[rooel]

For this idea to work I think a big improvement in viewing screens would be required. That is why I am glad my small digital camera (Canon G12) has a separate optical viewfinder in addition to the screen which is difficult to see in bright weather.

I have used a Mirrycle mirror for over 20 years now and have never had any problems with vibration.

 

[indalo]

For this idea to work I think a big improvement in viewing screens would be required. That is why I am glad my small digital camera (Canon G12) has a separate optical viewfinder in addition to the screen which is difficult to see in bright weather.

I have used a Mirrycle mirror for over 20 years now and have never had any problems with vibration.

Yes, it's not easy these days to find a compact camera with a separate viewfinder and I shan't part with my old Fuji for that very reason.

Welcome to the forum by the way rooel. I think there's an area somewhere in the contents where newcomers can introduce themselves. The moderators can then place your location on a map if you wish.....and I think they send you a goody bag with lots of nice things. I never got one but I think I missed the "Introduce yourself" bit as well.

Regards,
Indalo

 

[Blew it]

That's strange, rooel joined in June 2007 with 295 posts made.

 

[NRG]

For this idea to work I think a big improvement in viewing screens would be required. That is why I am glad my small digital camera (Canon G12) has a separate optical viewfinder in addition to the screen which is difficult to see in bright weather.

I have used a Mirrycle mirror for over 20 years now and have never had any problems with vibration.

Yes, can't help feeling this is a solution looking for a problem!

 

[billadie]

Genius idea Morphix!

I need a mirror but also realise its not going to be brilliant. I detest those 'flagpole' mirrors - I'd prefer a handlebar mirror but with a dutch-style handlebar (curved around) all I'm going to see a rearview of is, well, my rear! LOL!

Try the Busch and Muller Cycle Star Mirror - Long Curved Stem

£16.09 from Dotbike. Mirrorsdotbikecycle accessoriesmirrorsvisibilityUnbeatable range of Cycle Mirrors including Busch and Muller Mirrors from Dotbike on-line cycling shop. Free Delivery UK Mainland and Worldwide shipping. Excellent Service assured.c105_250.jpg

I have one on `Dutch' handlebars. The mirror is small and fairly free from wind shake and vibration. Much better than a big Raleigh I had previously - that did move like a flag in a breeze.

 

[Oiseaux]

...............honestly, you would have thought I had bought a kitten decapitating kit or something !!)

Lynda

Hmm..now there's something I could get interested in!!!!

just a joke, at the moment I love my cat but I have told her that soon there will be a new love in my life (well when I stop dithering anyway)

 

[indalo]

That's strange, rooel joined in June 2007 with 295 posts made.

Think I misread that Blew it!

Regards,
Indalo

 

[funkylyn]

Hmm..now there's something I could get interested in!!!!

just a joke, at the moment I love my cat but I have told her that soon there will be a new love in my life (well when I stop dithering anyway)

LOL
What are you dithering between at the moment ?
My dithering is getting chronic.......I hope it isnt terminal.......I'm on folders at the moment

Lynda