Rearview Mirrors Vs. Cameras

It seems the majority of motorhomes sold today have at least three cameras to aid the driver in maneuvering the vehicle. There is one mounted high up on the rear to view behind the coach, and one at each side near the front or integrated into the mirror assembly, which displays the side views. The side units pretty well show the same view as what can be seen in the outside mirrors.

My last coach had four cameras, with the additional one on the rear with the ability to be remotely turned in all directions. My coach now is  equipped with six cameras. Granted, three are used mainly for security.

So, with all these cameras, why do we need mirrors? Well, first of all, side mirrors are required by law. Secondly, even if they were not legally required, they would be needed as a redundant back up should a video failure occur.

But are camera linked monitors better than the old-fashion, tried-and-true rearview mirrors? Perhaps no! I think if they were, we would have seen them introduced into the automotive market by now. To date, Tesla is the only auto maker pursuing such changes.

If cameras were used solely, I think some people may encounter confusion as to what is right and what is left. When we view through a mirror, the images are backwards. The right objects appear on the left side and vice versa. Back up and side cameras must also be set to display a mirror image instead of the normal camera view. This setting exists in all the models and generally is the default setting for this application.

We have always recognized the reverse look through a mirror as it is something we have grown up with from childhood. So the adaption to visual orientation of using a mirror comes natural to us.  Simulating the same view in a color monitor, however, does not come quite so easily. This is primarily because we are used to viewing a non-reversed image in such a format. We have watched TV, movies and like projections with non-inverted views. This can present a visual confusion when presented with the mirror image on a CRT or LCD display.

In addition, while cameras and monitors have improved vastly with high resolution reproduction, it is nowhere close in detail to what can be captured in a human eye directly through a mirror.

When we look at both, it becomes evident that the tried-and-true mirror aids are primary for rear monitoring. The rear electronic camera aids are an enhancement to the primary only. Can an RV drive and back safely without additional visual aids? Most certainly! Could an RV operate in similar maneuvers as safe with cameras and monitors only? In my opinion, probably not.

So, in conclusion, while electronic visual monitoring is of some help for driving and backing, rearview mirrors are still the primary visual aids for what is behind your motorhome.

Will things change in the future? Only time will tell.