Best affordable option
I did hours of research to find that bluetooth cameras, while easier to install, just don't cut it. They have so many issues for the budget range, and the higher range is just too expensive. The reliability of a wired cam cannot be discounted. Not even the best bluetooth cam can match them.
I'm a novice at installing permanent devices in my truck, and even I found this easy after watching many videos online. The hardest part, and you'll have to decide this for yourself, is getting the wire from the license plate to the cab. I fed my wire through the frame of the truck (F150), which had plenty of holes all the way to the front to incrementally pull the wire through. And thankfully, my truck had a grommet hole already in it from manufacturer to feed the wire into the cab. My install has no hanging cords, everything is tucked nicely into the trim.
Pros: screen is fantastic, particularly at night. It auto adjusts, depending on light. Sadly, unlike what appeared to be an exact model on YouTube, you can't manually adjust the screen brightness (it only has 4 settings though, and the brightest isn't as bright as your phone screen or anything). I use it everyday, and now backing into parking spots or the driveway is a breeze, even a pleasure.
Cons: the price and quality make it worth the purchase, but here's some issues to know: since the monitor is behind a mirror, there will be reflections in bright sun. Inevitable glare. It's not impossible to see the monitor, but it won't be incredibly clear. I also miss being able to use the tab on my old mirror in case someone had their brights on behind me. Finally, I wish a thicker gauge of wire was used. While it is protected in the frame, moisture, heat, and cold will always be present in some way. I don't know how long the cable will last, hopefully as long as I have the truck. Considering both the monitor and camera are powered from the reverse light, this might be a necessary sacrifice.
Neutral: the lines certainly aren't calibrated to accuracy. The GREEN, YELLOW, and RED are nowhere close to where they make sense, and STOP is constantly flashing. However, I've already gotten used to them, and use them as approximate markers. You have the option to permanently disable them by snipping a cable with a tag on it. I like them, however.
One more note: I have a truck with an 8 foot bed and standard two-door cab, and I only had JUST enough cable to make it to the front, with absolutely nothing to spare. If you have a 4 door truck, you might need an extension cable if one exists.
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Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
