This Green Yi adjustable 720P camera replaced another similarly designed camera, which was not adjustable and because of the design AND the way I chose to mount it (the first one), it pointed a little too low for a really good (normal) rear field of view. But my main goal was to see my trailer hitch ball when backing up to my boat trailer so for that it was perfect. The new Green YI, being adjustable, definitely allowed me to point it better. I now see (saw) my trailer hitch ball AND had a much better rear field of view. Score 1 star for Green YI. The mounting poisition I chose for my first backup simiarly non-adjustable backup camera was to go through one of the license plate mounting holes. These cameras are delivered in such a way that the mounting of it requires a hole of some kind through which to insert the threaded post of the camera. A nut is supplied to lock it in place after it is inserted through the hole. The wiring harness and its plastic connector (approx. 18″ long) will fit through the mounting hole chosen. If the threaded post will fit through the hole, the connector and harness will as well. There are a couple of very important things to consider before choosing this mounting scenario. (1) Will the threaded post on the back of the camera housing be LONG ENOUGH to extend far enough behind the thickness of the 1) license plate, 2) the car’s body material and 3) any other covers,facades, etc… Remember, you’ll be securing it in place by the supplied nut and as long as that threaded post extrudes far enough through the afore-mentioned obstacles, you’re good to go. I had to grind down a little metal just a wee bit to get the nut to catch and thread enough to lock on. Many people will not be willing or able to do this. But fret not, the #2 STAR rating for this product is awarded for the additional mounting configuration options supplied with the camera, as well as a very quick “silent”, but demonstrative” video showing how to disassemble the delivered camera housing and reconfigure it with one of the other options. One of the other options does not require a hole for attaching the camera to whatever surface you choose because it uses two-sided tape. This would obviously be the quickest and easiest and probably most versatile installation method, but I cannot comment on how secure of long-lasting that type of installation is because I’ve never done it. The other option uses a small bracket to which the housing is attached. This option gives you some additional flexibility but probably not as much as using the stick on method. The bracket will have to be attached somehow, either by screws or tape, but again, I do not know how durable the tape method will be. I suppose that will depend on the quality of the tape. Finally, but still importantly, with either of these optional mounting methods, you’ll still have to get the video wires inside of the vehicle so make sure you know where you are going to be able to run those wires. You may have to drill a small hole big enough through which to run the plastic connector. The 3rd STAR rating is for the video quality. This is where it is important for you to do a little research. This camera is designed for a specific resolution and will look best on a screen/monitor/head unit with a matching screen resolution. Also, make sure that the supplied video cable connector (yellow RCA type) is what will match up with your viewing device’s video input jack! Most will accept the RCA connector, but just make sure. This camera allows for some video signal diversity and I am not totally sure about what that means. One the video cable there is a spot where there are a few exposed colored wires. To accomplish one or more of the “video signal options”, yiou would simply snip/cut one or more of the wires depending on what you need. Green Yi attempts to explain these options/settings, but, as we all have come to know, the Chinese [often] do not produce very precise, detailed, logical and understandable instruction manuals. That is why I haven’t messed with any of those wire-snipping options. I prayed that when I plugged the RCA connector to my head unit.. that it would work… and it did thank God. There are grid lines built into the image you see, which appear to be accurate. Most of the time, the image pops up quickly on my screen when I put my vehicle in reverse, but occassionally there is a longer delay. Overall, the video quality is good, but I don’t think it’s stunning by any means. Again, if you’re viewing device is capable of higher resolutions, get the highest your unit will support. One the big reasons for not rating this product higher seals with the fact that the wires coming out of the rear of the camera itself are EXTREME THIN AND DELICATE. I have twisted off (broken) the wires from both the original camera and the new Green YI in the same way. I had to replace the handle and locking mechanism on my 2002 Toyota Sequioa and in the process of trying to disassemble things, those delicate wires broke easily. And, again. to be fair, that is because I chose to use the threaded post mounting method. Had I used one of the other mounting options, I believe I would not have had to damage the wires. To Green YI, I would suggest using a similar plastic connector on the camera end of the cable as you do on the other end of the cable, which connects to the power/video harness so that it can be quickly assembled/disassembled without risk of twisting and breaking the wires. And better instructions in better English would be greatly appreciated as well. I hope this kind of review helps you in choosing the best backup camera for you (if your vehicle did not come with one already).
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