Backup camera monitor location

My backup camera monitor works well but is mounted high close to the rear view mirror. My issue is that due to eating too much BD cake, I must now use multi focal lenses to see near objects clearly. Thus, to see the monitor clearly, I must tilt my head back to see the monitor and ruin my vision anywhere else. It would be nice to be able to move the monitor down to dashboard level. The connections look difficult to move. Has anyone done this? Oh, 2013 PC2350, on Sprinter chassis.

Hi Dennis,

On our 2007 E350 PC-2350, the factory mounted the monitor on the ceiling/headliner which is placed more rearward and high making it difficult to glance at.  On the E350, even mounted high for viewing, it still hung down so much that I would always hit my head on it when getting into and out from the driver seat to go into the house.  In that location, I also always had to turn my head far to the right when using the rear camera while driving.  I eventually had enough of the situation.  I removed the rear view mirror, and mounted the monitor there.  Since the rear view mirror never served it's intended purpose, the change was an easy decision.

Here is our original 5" monitor mounted on the windshield as if it was the mirror.  I did this 8 years ago.  If you look close, you can see where it was previously mounted on the headliner.  I bought a mounting kit specifically for the application.  I mounted my ScanGauge-II on top of the monitor as shown.  Irene and I have been extremely happy with this change.

Dennis,

Here is another idea from an old forum posting back in 2012:

https://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php?topic=830.msg5975#msg5975

The "extension rod" used here is a "Kayalu Toughbar"; they are available in variable lengths--this particular one is 8.5".  They work with standard 25mm (1 inch) RAM mounts.  I don't know what particular monitor you have in your Sprinter, but if necessary you can typically find adapters for most monitors and GPS units to the RAM mounting system.  You may find extra cable slack in your headliner above your monitor that can simply be pulled out (there usually is some extra cable, and they have to stash it somewhere).

I considered using this extension to drop the 7" monitor in my unit.  In the standard location it works pretty well for keeping an eye on my toad (camera pointed downward), but my 2552 is totally blind to the back, and I really wanted to monitor surrounding traffic to the rear and in blind spots (especially when traffic gets heavy).  With bifocals, and since my old eyes are much like yours, the screen's size and location meant I had to take my eyes off the road, and look upward for several seconds to try to make out what I was seeing.  Just too unsafe, especially in busy areas, so I just relied on my side mirrors (which are pretty good on the E450}.

My solution surfaced with Garmin's recent release of their new RV1090 GPS unit.  I like Garmin GPS's and had been using the RV770 mounted on my dash immediately to the right of the steering wheel for guidance.  I moved the 7-inch screen 770 to my toad, and installed the new 10-inch 1090 in it's place.  I've just added their BC 35 Wireless Rear Camera that feeds the 1090, and now have a 10" screen next to my steering wheel for both my GPS and my rear traffic camera.  I kept the original overhead unit trained on the toad as a dedicated monitor for that.  The BC 35, being wireless, provides resolution a little lower than a wired unit, but installation was simple.  The large screen only a foot or so away at eye level means I can keep track of rear traffic without even taking my eyes off the road.

So far, I'm really pleased with the setup, and believe it's the best solution for my situation.

All the best,        Mike   

Thanks so much for the great tips! I'll tinker a bit and see what I might be able to do.
I don't want to lose the rear view mirror as I can still see through the coach as long as the curtains are open.

 

If you later change your mind and would like to mount your monitor in place of the mirror, CLICK HERE to see the kit I used.  Do some internet shopping.  You might find it a lot cheaper.

The metal piece originally glued to the windshield fits properly to the kit so you don't have to worry with that.  My monitor had a universal back-side mounting feature so the kit seemed made for it.

Thanks Ron I did this mod and we love it.  I found a simular mounting arm made by RVS (rear view safety) and sold by E-trailer.  shipped out at about $30.00 I am loving this forum finding all kinds of good ideas for my NTM PC (used but New To Me)
Pat

I replaced the factory installed Force Protection backup camera monitor with a Pyle monitor that clips to the existing rear view mirror.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E1PXES/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1