| Author | Message | ||
     Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1139 Registered: 02-2002 |
Anyone got a good solution for parking the disco when backing up? I mean a mirror or a Fresnel lense (even a camera?) or something. I can't see FA out of my back window or mirrors. | ||
| carl seashore (Drcarl) Member Username: Drcarl Post Number: 75 Registered: 07-2003 |
dean, there was a post (several months ago, in tech i think) about a back-up camera someone had put in the rear latch lr oval. pretty sweet. there were pics as i recall. good luck, carl | ||
| quentin charles neil ross (Qcnr) New Member Username: Qcnr Post Number: 39 Registered: 10-2003 |
Use your wing mirrors and then stick your head out of the window, if it can be done with 20m lorries im sure it can be done with an LR, I know I can.... | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 267 Registered: 10-2003 |
I saw a Disco in town this weekend that had a mirror on the rear of the roof rack like the delivery vans have. It was mounted on the corner and pointed down so the driver could see the rear bumper in it. Helps to see the blind spot if you gotta park close to something. (Kinda like the ones on the front fender of school busses so drivers can see if a kid is hiding by the front bumper). For cameras, check out some online RV shops, those guys have been using them for years and the prices have really came down. ...or just keep a spotter handy at all times  Lewis | ||
| eric johnson (Eric2) Member Username: Eric2 Post Number: 161 Registered: 05-2003 |
Or get one of the new Lexi with the camera in the rear for mommies who can't park without crunching things and their husbands see constant increases in the insurance bill. | ||
| Mike (Mikem) Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 66 Registered: 02-2003 |
Get a good solid bumper and use the braile method | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 231 Registered: 05-2003 |
Dean, Since I am going to be installing a laptop mount I was thinking on getting one of those $50 or so web cameras and mounting it inside, hanging from the brake light. You could route the USB cable up to the front. Only problem is that you need to have the computer there all the time and turned on. But it beats the backup camera systems which run about $700. I was thinking to get this one: http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?prodid=629 The camera part is the size of an AA battery. And I could drill holes in the clip for mounting. You could also do what this guy did: http://www.speedminded.com/landrover.html http://www.speedminded.com/images/landrover/12-01-02/md_dsc00007.jpg He has a camera in the back and one on the back of the rear view mirror. But then you still need some sort of LCD or DVD stero type device. Jamil | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 1173 Registered: 09-2002 |
Eric, thumbs up for a correct plural! | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1140 Registered: 02-2002 |
Thanks all. Ok the camera would work, except that it would have to be an LCD $creen because its got to come on instantly, or I wouldn't use it. Jamil I don't have the laptop on even 1% of the time, I only use it offroad really. For the mirror, I need one that doesn't stick out or up above the roof rack at all, coz I do a lot of trees It would need to be mounted on the back tire or the window. | ||
| Tony Zuniga (Tony23007) Member Username: Tony23007 Post Number: 224 Registered: 05-2003 |
Look into the new 4Runner, I saw a couple of mirrors mounted on the rear pillars that allow a good view rearwards and to the rear sides. They are pretty simple and would mount pretty easily with some sticky tape or a couple of screws??? | ||
| Victor Biro (Vabiro) Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 53 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dean, I came across this neat little camera-monitor kit that would be perfect. http://www.donnelly.com/products/cameravisionsystems/reversaid.asp Victor | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1146 Registered: 02-2002 |
Victor, yes that would be perfect, especially if it were not $400 + installation The more I think about it, the more it seems that a good camera system that worked well in the dark as well as in daylight would be useful, not only in parking but in offroad situations, typically 59-point-turns in the forest, and for vehicle recovery, for example knowing when a strap is about to be tensioned or when half of the truck is under water, or driving on a trail when you have to do it backwards. I still think a cheap LCD TV screen and one of those practically free cameras would be equally useful. | ||
| Victor Biro (Vabiro) Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dean, Yikes!! that's a bit steep, but it sure is pretty ;-) Victor | ||
| Petros Machlis (Runnerma) New Member Username: Runnerma Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 |
Dean, I have installed a beeper/distance meter in my 96' Disco. it has 2 sensors installed in the reflective lense of each side of the rear bumper. It has the main unit (size like a pack of cigarettes) in the rear quarter, and it is powered from the reverse light. A cable is running till the cosole above the rear mirror. There is the Display unit(not bigger than 2x10cm's). It measures the distance between the rear vehicle and your rear bumper in cm's or inches, and it also beeps (slow at the beggining and faster as you coming close to the rear vehicle). The good thing is that it turns on only when u reverse automatic(cause the power of the reverse light). Since Ive put it up there I never looked back ;) Petros | ||
| Runnerma (Runnerma) New Member Username: Runnerma Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hmm it seems that I cannot find a link on the net. The only simular that I found is this one: http://www.stratusgroupsite.com/recreational_vehicle_backing.htm But my display is not ungly as this one ;) Maybe I can take some pics tomorrow to post. Let me know. | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 237 Registered: 05-2003 |
Petros, That sounds like the best solution. Where can I get a unit like that one? What is the company name? How much? Jamil | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1150 Registered: 02-2002 |
LMAO! Very good | ||
| Runnerma (Runnerma) New Member Username: Runnerma Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2003 |
Ok here are some quick ones:  This is the LH Sensor.  And this is the diplay unit. Now the car is at reverse but not distance measuring cause there was nothing behind it. Notice the 2 dots leds, (LH, RH) they display in which side is the obstacle (?right word?). The unit starts measuring from 150cm till 40cm.(But because of the location of the sensor the 40cm means around 15 to my disco) If you come any closer it displays the signal STP (STOP). The sound is starting with slows beeps and going faster as you ar going closer to the rear vehicle, till the STP signal that the beeps becomes a continuing one. Jamil, Unfortunately this is a taiwan one and a Greek Company sells them with their firm on it. It cost me no more than 100Euros. (installation 2 years ago). Petros | ||
| Lee R. Byrd (Mobile) Member Username: Mobile Post Number: 50 Registered: 07-2003 |
You can go onto Ebay and find the sensors that beep and stuff similar to Runnerma's. Just poke around and you will find them. I see them all the time since I last used the brail method on a Lexus They are also quite inexpensive last I checked under $150.00 US. Good Luck | ||
| Jon Mackey (Underpar) New Member Username: Underpar Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2003 |
Here's a thought...with the economy still unsteady and many qualified people out of work, maybe you could hire someone to ride with you full-time? Every time you need to back up they could get out of the Disco and direct you and/or other traffic. Also, you could outfit them with flourescent clothing and a couple of those funky cone flashlights that the guys at airports use to direct airplane traffic. Thoughts? | ||
| Bill Ross (Billr) Member Username: Billr Post Number: 119 Registered: 11-2002 |
Its like the Ferrari driver in the movie "The Gumball Rally" said as he ripped the mirror off the windshield: "What is behind me, does not matter!" | ||
| Stephen Hawkins (Madmole) New Member Username: Madmole Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2003 |
Do a search on "Quanan" made by www.quanan.co.uk I got mine from www.parkingsensors.co.uk/quanan.htm, they have reviews of the leading systems Thats what I have on my D2 and its perfect. $150 equivalent and less than 1 hour to fit Distance is accurate to 1cm and its tells me which of the 3 sensors is detecting, distance and has audible beeps that get closer as I get nearer Far more accurate than the fresnel lens I also have. Best mod I made to it, especially living in London where we parallel park all the time | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 300 Registered: 10-2003 |
"whatsa behinda me isa notta importanti !" I LOVE that scene Bill! Ya gotta love the Cobra being driven in the L.A. River | ||
| Andrew Maier (Newman) Senior Member Username: Newman Post Number: 448 Registered: 04-2003 |
Inflatable cushions on all four sides, like giant air bags. Would take care of frosted windshields too. | ||
| David Cavazos (Onlinerover) New Member Username: Onlinerover Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2003 |
Here is a possible solution, I�m not sure if you have a D1, but if you do; you can replace the D1 spare tire carrying bracket with a D2 one. This will lower your spare tire about 3 inches. You would be amazed how much of a difference 3 inches can make. I�m the process of manufacturing �fiberglass replacement rear tail light end caps Kit�. These means you can take a D1 and replace the rear taillights with D2 rear taillights; In addition to a mounting bracket for a fiberglass replacement D2 bumper in order to retrofit a D1 bumper. If so, you will be able to fit a D2 bumper with factory rear back-up censors on to your existing D1. It should be ready this May 2004. Sure there is a market for people who what to take a D1 and retrofit it to look like a D2. Any comments? www.OnLineRover.com | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 324 Registered: 10-2003 |
do a search in the archives (onlinerovers) before dealing with onlinerovers. | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 546 Registered: 05-2003 |
Andrew, That's just too funny! Thanks for the giggles I'm getting a visual of round marine bumper cushions hanging off of rovers! | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 327 Registered: 10-2003 |
 | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1156 Registered: 02-2002 |
Now THAT is a good idea! | ||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 47 Registered: 09-2003 |
I replaced my spare tire carrier with a basket, small kids love to ride back there, and they do me wonders in the parking lot. Generally speaking - taps turn to screams when things get serious. | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 331 Registered: 10-2003 |
Now thats a funny image! (or maybe scary if your tellin the truth, Brian!) | ||
| Matthew A. Barnes (Discoveryxd) Member Username: Discoveryxd Post Number: 225 Registered: 08-2003 |
On the subject of not being able to see where you're going while driving. I heard about a man who broke a special land speed record. Oh yah, he was blind too. A blind man driving a car at high speeds, that's SCARY  | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 341 Registered: 10-2003 |
I remember seeing something on that Ripleys TV show about a blind land speed record! But then they say, 'believe it or not' i'm thinking 'not' | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 588 Registered: 02-2003 |
so how fast was he going? I mean land speed record for a blind person couldnt be that fast? | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 345 Registered: 10-2003 |
I don't remember....I guess you could tell him he was going a thousand miles per hour, how would he know your yanking his chain? | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Senior Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 346 Registered: 10-2003 |
...Steve, who already holds the blind land speed record of 147.56mph... Heres this story... http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_54655.html | ||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 50 Registered: 09-2003 |
Lewis - not true. But as I read through the thread that image popped into my head and I couldn't resist... probably because I think if spotters had to share in the risk, they'd pay more attention to the obstacles instead of the can in their hand. :-) |
