If you own a car in Pakistan, you will know that a single rear-end collision can cost you around 30 to 40k PKR to repair all the damage. A slight mistake can dry up all your month’s savings. This is why investing in a back camera for a car is one of the wisest decisions you can ever make.
But remember, not every back camera is worth buying. There are situations where it makes perfect sense and situations where you’re wasting money. There are genuine safety benefits, and there’s also marketing hype. The Pakistani market offers options ranging from Rs. 2,000 Chinese junk to Rs. 35,000 premium systems.
In this blog, we will discuss why a rear camera for a car is as important as a front camera and guide you on buying the right one for your vehicle.
What Exactly Is a Back Camera and How Does It Work?
Before deciding if it’s worth the money, let’s understand what you’re actually buying.
A car back camera (also called a reverse camera, backup camera, or rear-view camera) is a small, weatherproof camera mounted on the rear of your car, usually near the license plate or on the bumper. It connects to a screen inside your car – either your existing multimedia screen if you have one, or a separate monitor mounted on the dashboard, or replacing your rear-view mirror.
Better cameras also overlay guidelines on the screen – colored lines that show your car’s projected path based on steering angle, plus distance markers so you know if that wall is 2 feet away or 2 inches away. These guidelines are surprisingly applicable once you get used to them.
The whole system runs off your car’s 12V electrical system. When you put the car in reverse, it sends a signal to activate the camera and switch the display. When you shift back to drive or park, the display turns off automatically.
Benefits of Having A Back Camera
Still not convinced to shell out some money and get a back-view camera for the car? Read more about the benefits of having it in your car.
Prevents Backing Accidents
Reversing the vehicle, especially when the spot is tight, can cause a bump. Even if it is minor, it may cost you a lot of money. Mirrors are not always the most reliable way to judge distance, so your bumper may hit a pillar or another vehicle.
Protects Children and Pedestrians
The camera car showing you the rear side while you reverse is genuinely lifesaving. Small children are invisible through rear-view mirrors and even side mirrors in many situations. They’re below the sight line, especially if you’re driving an SUV or high-seating vehicle.
There are heartbreaking stories of parents accidentally backing over their own children in driveways because they simply couldn’t see them. This happens. A back camera shows you everything behind the car, including small objects and people at ground level.
Helps You Detect Blind Spots
You can’t rely on mirrors all the time, as they don’t show objects directly behind your car or low obstacles. A rear camera easily provides a 120-170-degree view of the entire rear area. Hence, reversing the vehicle gets really easy.
Costs and Savings
Repair Costs That Cameras Prevent
- A minor bumper scrape repair costs Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 in Pakistan. That’s just paintwork and a minor bumper repair at a decent shop.
- A proper bumper replacement on a Corolla or Civic costs Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000 for genuine or high-quality aftermarket parts, plus labor.
Who Actually Needs a Back Camera?
Not everyone needs one equally. Some drivers benefit much more than others. Let’s see which ones really need to get a back camera.
New or Inexperienced Drivers
If you are a new driver who’s still in the learning phase, you should definitely have a backup camera as it will help you learn the act of reversing and make you a pro at it!
SUV and Large Vehicle Owners
- Higher seating position in SUVs creates larger blind spots behind the vehicle. You simply cannot see what’s directly behind your Fortuner or Prado from the driver’s seat.
- If you own a Sportage, Tucson, Fortuner, Prado, or any large vehicle, a back camera
Families with Young Children
Young children can’t be trusted! They have no sense of direction, and if you have kids at home, it’s necessary to install a rear camera in your vehicle to avoid an unfortunate accident.
People With Limited Neck Mobility
As we age, turning around to check behind becomes harder. Neck mobility decreases, shoulder turning is painful, and it’s physically demanding to get a precise view. This is when a back camera makes things easier. Drivers with physical limitations must have it installed in their vehicles to ensure safer driving.
Who Might Not Need One?
- If you’re an experienced driver with a small car, drive mainly in open areas with good visibility, rarely park in tight spots, and have excellent spatial awareness from years of practice, you can do without a back camera.
- If you have an Alto or small sedan, with good mirror habits you can manage fine without cameras. It’s still useful, but not critical.
Features That Actually Matter
- Image Quality: The camera should have at least 480p resolution, preferably 720p. Anything less and you’ll struggle to see details on the screen. Cheap cameras have such poor image quality that they’re barely better than mirrors.
- Night Vision: If you mostly park your car in poorly lit areas, a good night vision system is an essential feature. The camera needs infrared LEDs or a good low-light sensor to show a clear image at night.
- Viewing Angle: Back cameras with narrow viewing angles are useless. You must aim for at least 120 degrees. Getting a camera with a 140-170-degree field of view is a great choice, as it lets you see the entire area behind your vehicle.
- Guidelines: Distance markers and trajectory lines are invaluable. Cameras without guidelines are much less helpful.
- Durability: Should last a minimum of 3 years in Pakistani weather. Cheap cameras fail within a year due to heat, humidity, and vibration on our terrible roads.
Installation Quality Matters As Much As Camera Quality
Making sure that your camera is installed correctly is as important as getting the right one.
Bad installation can cause problems such as the camera falling off after hitting potholes, water getting in through improperly sealed wire entry points, screen blocking necessary controls or view angles, or electrical issues from poor wiring.
Where to Buy Back Cameras From?
If buying a back camera from a physical shop is not an option, head to Autostore.pk and get your hands on a reliable product that will surely last!
When to Definitely Get One?
Some situations make the decision easy:
- You drive an SUV or large vehicle – just get one
- You have young children – get one for their safety
- You’ve already had parking accidents in the past year – learn from experience
- You park under challenging spots daily – the convenience alone justifies it
- You’re buying a newer car – add it to the initial setup, install is easier when the car is new
When You Can Probably Wait
Some situations where it’s not urgent:
- Very tight budget right now – wait until you have Rs. 10,000 extra
- Old car you’re planning to sell soon – maybe not worth investing in
- Excellent natural visibility and strong spatial awareness – not critical
- Very experienced driver who’s never had parking issues – you’re managing fine without it
Final Thoughts
A correctly installed back camera will definitely give you a safe driving experience. It will also ensure the people around you are well-protected. Getting it is a one-time cost, and it keeps you from the hassle of multiple repairs. Head towards Autostore.pk and get your hands on the right one!