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What's up? Do you need help to see in front of the truck? . . .
"Can't see out of one eye and the other is blind" said the man as he picked up his hammer and saw.
Just like the rear view helps when backing up close to something, the front cam helps with parking this long @$$ truck in a parking lot, getting as close as possible to the thing in front of you.
Since it is going to take me several days to read all the way through thus thread (And I will do it), I thought I would post what I plan to do for a 4 camera system; and then modify plans, if the thread content indicates change.
Since the cost of Ford OEM parts is way too high and you have no control over image quality AND due to the complications of modifying the built in devices for the many obscure Ford options, I plan to just do everything as a separate issue.
For example, my 2016 F-150 did not come with NAV and in bright sunlight I cannot read the small 4.2" information display in the instrument cluster as some Ford bean counter thought he could save a few cents on the cost of the LCD. So, my solution was NAVDY HUD. Puts the most critical vehicle information up in the drivers view (where it should be) with a bright, transparent 13000 nit display and provides an excellent navigation system, all for less than the cost of a single map upgrade from Ford.
Now for cameras. My F-150 does have a backup camera and it is great. I used it and the rear parking sensors a lot. It makes hooking up to a trailer easy. And if you are backing up, it is probably OK not to be looking forward & OK to be looking down at the dash center 8" display. But for normal driving, lane changing, blind spot, etc. probably NOT OK to take your eyes off the road. Eventually NAVDY will allow camera images in the transparent HUD, so what I'm describing here is my "in the meantime" solution.
As background information, I do not like having to carry my cell phone around. I am constantly forgetting to take it to the pickup and/or constantly forgetting it in the pickup. So, I'm participating in the T-Mobile DIGITS beta, where a single phone number (mine) can be used with multiple devices. This allows me to have 4-5 phones at all locations, so I don't have to carry one around. Only two cell phones have a SIM card. One is my wrist phone on my wrist (except while in shower) and the other is my car phone, which I'm going to describe. These two are the only ones that need the cellular network. All the other 'phones' use my home wireless (internet) network.
Car Phone - (Also displays live feed from 4 cameras) - This will probably be mounted at the dash top level, so easy to glance at without looking down. I think one early post mentioned at the rear mirror level but don't think I'll go that high. This is simply the international version of a Samsung Galaxy TabS2 (8") and has a T-Mobile SIM in it with my phone number for voice & text. It also has Bluetooth and wireless (802.11) networks, so for the F-150 and the NAVDY, it simply looks like a cell phone. Screen size is the same as the Ford 8" center-line dash mount display (Sync3). It is able to receive and display (wireless network) the output of the 4 camera system from a small access point built into the DVR (in glove box).
Granted this image is not what I'll be using. I'll be using front, left, right, and rear in the 360 camera format.
DVR - Located in upper glove box, records 4 HD digital cameras, plus GPS, plus several vehicle parameters, at full frame rate. Usual recording to SD card is looped (records over old stuff when it needs to), and starts recording on power up.
Cameras - Up to 4 HD quality digital cameras. I plan front, left, right, rear (but still useable even with tailgate lowered). It would be nice to have the side cameras with 2 positions, driving & parking but need to think about that.
Wiring - No need to mess with ford wiring or connectors, no need to muck with Forscan or Lockpick. Camera to/from DVR are SDI and provide camera power, premade and available for non-Ford prices. Power to DVR is easy through the right side sub-panel spare fusing positions.
If you cant see the 4.2 screen you damned sure ain't gonna see that NAVDY.
But for normal driving, lane changing, blind spot, etc. probably NOT OK to take your eyes off the road.
Glancing at yer screen is safer than actually turning yer head to confirm what ya see in the mirrors...At least that's the way I'm used to driving, checking mirrors, then confirming by actually looking to see that nothing is in a blind spot.
Very easy using yer peripheral vision or glancing at the screen while flying down a crowded interstate.
If you cant see the 4.2 screen you damned sure ain't gonna see that NAVDY.
Ha Ha, I'm laughing. The built in (instrument panel) 4.2" screen is no brighter that a cheap *** cell phone. That would be around 200 nits in tech terms. Add in full sunlight shining in through a windshield you cannot legally tint and the 4.2" Ford screen appears to be black. I can see all the rest of the instrument panel. With the Navdy at 13,000 nits at the combiner & full bright sunlight I can see everything the Navdy displays even with sun glasses on.
Keep in mind I am talking about the 4.2" display in the instrument cluster. I have an 8" display on the dash center line and I can see it fine.
Glancing at yer screen is safer than actually turning yer head to confirm what ya see in the mirrors...At least that's the way I'm used to driving, checking mirrors, then confirming by actually looking to see that nothing is in a blind spot.
Very easy using yer peripheral vision or glancing at the screen while flying down a crowded interstate.
Good-Luck with yer system-->
Yes, I agree. But there are ways to make it even safer. That's what I am aiming for.
