Backup camera Pearl RearVision
MSRP $499.99
“If you want a backup camera that installs in minutes and works as it should, the RearVision is a great buy.”
Avg
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Amazing video quality and clarity
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Dead easy to set up
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The possibility of switching from car to car
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No problems with cables or batteries
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Well designed mobile app
Against
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Does not work with cars manufactured before 1996
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Video quality is not so good over Bluetooth
In April 2014, the federal government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put into effect a new regulation requiring all automakers to add backup cameras to vehicles by May 2018. But until that deadline, backup cameras are still offered as an option or exclusive feature, with some manufacturers charging upwards of a thousand dollars to add the functionality as part of a more luxurious equipment package.
There are many third-party backup cameras on the market that are more affordable, but the vast majority of cameras use wires for power and connectivity; wires that often require drilling into various parts of your vehicle. And the few wireless cameras that are on the market tend to be below adequate image quality and resolution.
To offer a best-in-class aftermarket solution, Pearl has developed a fully wireless backup camera called RearVision. Pearl’s approach hits all the weak points of current backup cameras: RearVision is completely wireless, very easy to install, uses your smartphone as a high-definition display, offers collision warnings and relies on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to transmit live images on the fly.
Note: RearVision will only work in 1996 or newer cars that have a 12V OBD-II port. You should check your vehicle before buying.
Installation and setup
Despite our love of DIY projects and tinkering, the idea of drilling holes through a vehicle is far from appealing. So the no-drill RearVision setup is tempting.
Pearl says RearVision takes ten minutes to set up. We managed to do it in about five – two of which were spent searching for a screwdriver to remove the license plate – so the installation required no effort, even for beginners. The camera comes ready to ship out of the box, with helpful illustrated instructions.
Gannon Burgett/Digital Trends
Once you’ve removed the license plate (and any cover it may have had), the process is as simple as snapping a metal frame around the license plate and bolting it into place. The RearVision head unit, which contains two cameras (one for daytime and one to assist with night vision; more on that later) is then attached to the frame with a single security torx screw. That’s it. Unfortunately, you’ll have to say goodbye to the old cover that proudly proclaims your alma mater or that your second car is a Porsche.
The next step is to pair RearVision with your smartphone, which requires downloading the Pearl RearVision app (Android and iOS) and plugging the RearVision adapter into your vehicle’s OBD II port, which is usually located under the steering column. All video processing and data transmission is done via the OBD II port. Inside the tiny device is an octa-core processor and wireless connectivity that acts as a video relay when you shift the car into reverse.
The kit also includes a phone mount that attaches to your car’s dashboard or air vent and your phone via magnets.
After a short activation process within the application, the RearVision backup camera is ready.
Experience
Our expectations for RearVision were incredibly high. After all, you’re paying $500 for a device that you’ll use every time you put the vehicle in reverse. While RearVision is more affordable and less invasive than other aftermarket options, it’s far from cheap.
But even with the bar set high, RearVision managed to reach it. With its 175-degree field of vision and lines on the navigation screen, the 2012 Buick Verano back has become not only practical, but also enjoyable. The wide field of vision made it easy to see everything and anything behind the vehicle.
With its 175-degree field of view, extraction has gone from painful to comfortable and enjoyable.
If an object or person gets too close for comfort, RearVision will beep through its OBD II adapter and display the effect of a small drop of water over the video – on top of where the obstacle is. The sound is loud enough to get your attention – even with the radio on – and the ripple effect is a subtle visual cue that helps distinguish the obstacle from the surrounding areas.
When your phone is placed horizontally, the RearVision app displays a full, wide-angle, full-screen view. When positioned vertically, the app displays two images: a full 175-degree view of what RearVision is seeing, and another above that lets you choose between three separate locations of said video feed to zoom in for a better view.
For us, the feature that stands out is RearVision’s video quality. In daylight, the video is absolutely stunning, especially when paired with a larger phone, such as the iPhone 7 Plus or Google Pixel XL. There’s obvious distortion around the edges of the video, but that’s to be expected with such a wide-angle lens in front of its tiny 1/3-inch CMOS sensor. Plus, the picture is as clear as can be and capable of picking up even the smallest of obstacles—like your kitten that somehow snuck outside.
The camera also works well at night. One of the two cameras located inside the frame has an infrared sensor. When you use RearVision at night, the system automatically switches to this camera and uses your vehicle’s taillights to illuminate the path behind it.
Image quality both day and night is flawless, as long as the connection is strong. It is important to note how RearVision works in terms of live video streaming. The default video transmission method is Wi-Fi. When Wi-Fi doesn’t work for some reason, the system falls back to Bluetooth.
In the two months we’ve been using the device, we can only remember three times when it switched to Bluetooth (it pops up a notification telling you it’s using Bluetooth over Wi-Fi). And during those moments, we noticed a significant drop in video quality, but it was still good enough to see what was behind the vehicle.
If you’re wondering how the cameras are powered without wiring, it’s possible thanks to an internal battery that is constantly charged via integrated solar panels under the frame. Even on cloudy days, RearVision worked without a hitch and never showed any signs of low battery.
The only problem we encountered with RearVision was visibility in less than ideal situations. For example, when it was raining, the light used to illuminate the vehicle’s license plate caused water droplets on the lenses to glow brightly, making the video transmission almost unusable. It’s worth noting, though, that this wasn’t so much RearVision’s fault as it was more the shape of the Verano’s rear end. For some reason, the rear bumper was tilted so that the lenses on the RearVision unit were more exposed, both to the rain and to the license plate light. On most other vehicles the unit wouldn’t be exposed nearly as much, which should prevent this from happening.
Pearl says RearVision takes ten minutes to set up. We managed it in about five.
To promote safe driving and comply with certain laws, Pearl limits RearVision to only operate when you are driving 10 miles per hour or less. When you’re not backing up, the RearVision app switches to its own dashboard interface, which offers customizable shortcuts to the most frequently used apps on your phone. Our preferences, for example, include Apple Music, Apple Maps and Waze. It’s a smart app design that simplifies the process when you plan to use other apps for your driving.
On Android, you can set RearVision to open automatically when you get into the car. On iOS, you’re limited to a push notification when you get into your vehicle, but a simple swipe takes you directly to the app.
If you are not familiar with backup cameras in general, it will take some time to learn. Trusting the camera over your mirrors takes some getting used to, but once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.
Warranty information
Pearl offers a three-year warranty as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. If your RearVision becomes defective during regular use, Pearl will either repair or replace the unit. This warranty is transferable in the event that the RearVision unit is sold as part of a used car, but the warranty date is still based on the original date of purchase.
Our example
RearVision, in terms of price, is somewhere in the middle: it’s not the most affordable backup camera on the market, but it’s also not unaffordable. It is without a doubt the least invasive and most impressive option overall.
Is there a better alternative?
Compared to what we’ve seen on the market – both in terms of specs and usability – there’s nothing like it. If price is the biggest factor in your purchase, you’ll be able to find a more affordable option, but you’ll sacrifice ease of setup and video quality, which we think justify the price.
How long will it last?
In theory, the RearVision unit will last as long as Pearl continues to support a specific model through its app. There aren’t many points of failure on the unit, but depending on the region you’ll be riding in, the elements can take their toll over time. Pearl is a new startup, so we don’t have any historical data to refer to, but the company was founded by three ex-Apple engineers, if that’s any consolation.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if you’re looking for a backup camera and don’t want to worry about drilling through your vehicle, the RearVision is a great buy. It’s a bit pricey for a one-off gadget that you don’t use all the time, but unlike other backup cameras, there are no hidden installation costs or bulky equipment to operate, which alone makes it worth the price – even more so if it could save you from an accident.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn