I want to put a rear view camera on my new rock hopper sport. I was thinking, some times a dangerous activity for me, l could put a bike computer with a rear view camera if there is such an animal? If not, what is a good budget friendly rear view camera with monitor?

I don't know of any. You could get a mirror or a Varia radar to assist you with traffic behind you. They do have Varia's, lights and other rearward looking devices with cameras built into them. But mostly for incident recording that can only be reviewed after the fact. Not while actually on the bike riding.

I just go by the idea that I don't really need to know what's behind me. At least not until I am about to change lanes or turn. Then I just turn around and look. It's worked well for me riding in the road with motor vehicle traffic for over 60 years. I do have a Varia radar now that I've had for the last 5 years. But only as a 2nd check of what I see when I turn my head. I've never used a mirror on a bike. But if that is reassuring to you, then use one.

For the most part, I just firmly believe that if a motor vehicle does intend to harm me, I'm not going to be able to know that in time to avoid it. Regardless of whether I have a mirror, radar, or video camera with live time monitor for me to watch.

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't able to find one so l thought l would ask here. I don't ride on the road or in traffic yet. I mostly ride on local trails and greenways. I would like to see whats coming my way as it gets busy sometimes. I have some issues with a stiff neck and it is hard to look back at times. I am torn between a mirror on my bike or helmet but the rear view camera looks like a great option.

I like a helmet mounted mirror. I move my neck very little, if at all to look behind me.



Some people use mirrors mounted to sunglasses which in function are very similar.

Knowing what is behind you isn't nearly as important and just being predictable in the way you ride your bike. The people behind you don't want to crash into you any more than you don't want them to crash into you.

Though I do want you to use a mirror or consider Varia radar and other brands of radar unit. They aren't going to stop that one crazed driver in a gazillion that intend to harm you. Many accidents cyclist have with motor vehicles are from cyclist doing unexpected things. Whether they were seen behind the cyclist or not. The other part of cycling accidents is when motor vehicles are in front of the cyclist, and the motor vehicle does unexpected things, like turning right or opening the door when parked.

Your issues with getting the rear looking real time camera presentation on a display large enough for you to easily see in the sunlight will be battery life and cost of the equipment to do that. Perhaps in the future, there'll be technology that makes it more viable and practical. But I think it's just a tad too early. Even cars today don't leave their surround cameras on full time. Nor do they attempt to record footage, that many times we wish we'd have when it's time to assess blame for a accident.

I switched from a glasses mirror to a helmet mirror. For me, it's better.

I recently watched a review by Seth of Berm Peak on YouTube about exactly what you are looking for. I have no experience with them myself.
Time mark 3:17 Also look at camera + screens for motorcycles.

if for trail use, the low cost solution is a mirror or a couple of mirrors, as others have suggested. The tech solution is a Garmin Varia radar. there is a version without the taillight, which is often on sale. My friend has this and pairs it with his handlebar mounted iPhone and Garmin Varia app. works best with a Garmin or Wahoo Computer. I use Varia RTL-515 for road, but when I head offroad to a trail it does signal me when a bike is approaching from the rer. They work great. It is just a costly solution that a mirror can solve.
Good luck!

Whilst I am planning on getting a radar, probably a Wahoo Trackr, in the meantime, my mirror of choice is a Mirrcycle Bicycle Mirror. I do not have any neck issues, so I do not know how they may impact using such a mirror.

I do not recall coming across a GPS unit that incorporates a rear vision camera. Not sure how effective it would be, as the screen would have to be very small.

I've wondered if such tech would eventually come about, but it may not have the demand nor peak interests enough to integrate a compact wireless camera to the headunit.

I ordered a rear view camera with monitor off Amazon. Not a whole lot more expensive than a good mirror. Will update after running it through the paces. Thanks for all the feedback.

I use a Varia 715 radar/light/camera. I’ve only looked at the videos once as I’ve had no close calls that needed any further attention. I also use an inexpensive bar end mirror that is a really good device. Between the radar indication on my Garmin head unit and the mirror, I have a very good situational awareness of what’s behind me. As such I see no point or need for a camera that is displaying on my head unit. I want to see my data screen, not a rear image. The mirror shows me what I need to see and the Varia tells me IF I need to look in the mirror.

Check this out, it is what you are looking for. RS 1000: Digital bicycle rear-view mirror with dashcam | ALPS ALPINE

Rob

now if that could be an added "page" on the headunit, I'd be willing to try it.

And it's €349. Mirrors have some advantages over digital cameras and displays, and price is one of them.

Installed my 50.00 rear view camera. Took about 30 minutes. Went on a 19 mile ride. Worked great. Just glance down and see everything behind you.

I imagine that eventually Garmin will come out with a new, improved RTC model (815?) that will send video of an oncoming vehicle to your head unit when the radar detects one within X distance.

Garmin, are you listening?

You could probably get something working on a Hammerhead computer as those run on Android and will install any Android app.

Most of the time I look in my mirror, it is just to check things out, is there anything at a distance coming my way?, etc. A small screen on my handlebar might work ok for that.

But that 10 percent of the time when I look in my mirror, it is because there is minimal shoulder to ride on, heavy traffic, perhaps debris or obstruction on the shoulder in front of me so I want to see if it is safe to veer into traffic lane, etc. On those occasions, a quarter of a second glance behind on my helmet mounted mirror is all I want to spend before I get my eyes back on the road in front of me. The last thing I would want at that time is to have to look down at a screen, wait for my eyes to readjust to close up focusing on a tiny little screen, that might be hard to see in sun, etc. When I look at my GPS, it usually is for over a second, perhaps a couple seconds before I am looking forward again. I assume that a rear facing camera display would be comparable to my GPS screen for that purpose.

Please let us know in a few weeks after you have had a chance to give the camera a try if your handlebar monitor really works for you or not?