Backup cameras may be a concept dating back to Buick’s 1956 Centurion, but the 21st century still can’t guarantee every driver the efficiency and enhanced safety these companion devices provide. EchoMaster attempts to fill the gaps with its Backup Camera Kit with Rearview Mirror Monitor.

Despite being mandated as a feature on all new vehicles manufactured by the 2019 model year, Highway Safety’s Highway Loss Data Institute estimates that just under half of all registered vehicles still lack a backup camera. Part of the problem is the accessibility and compatibility of aftermarket cameras and accompanying display panels.

Aftermarket touch displays can be costly, and the installation process can be complex or, depending on the vehicle, even impossible. EchoMaster’s design circumvents at least one of those issues by replacing a component that virtually all production cars post-1976 have. While modern OEM backup cameras generally stream to a large panel display, the live feed in EchoMaster’s iteration fills up the rearview mirror. It displays a clear image with an adjustable guide that further helps prevent collisions.

A Complex Install That May Be Worth the Headache

Uninstalling the manufacturer's rearview mirror is relatively easy unless it has its own wiring to account for. A simple screw, a gentle wiggle, and the piece should pop off, making room for the hefty mirror included in the kit. Even mounting the incredibly tiny backup camera was relatively easy, especially since you can just use a vehicle-safe 3M double-sided mounting tape. However, this is where things get considerably more difficult for casual consumers.

There’s no simple means of wiring the camera to the display mirror, and you’ll need to splice wires from the kit to some in your vehicle. For example, you’ll be stripping your reverse lamp wire to connect with one of the camera wires. The process gets even more complicated as you have to route wires from the rear of your car to the front, using whatever removable panels you can find to tuck them under, and still have to find a power source to get things running.

Of course, the alternative is to bring it to a mechanic, which significantly drives down the difficulty of installing the rearview camera kit. If a complex installation is what’s standing between you and the added safety of a backup camera, then it’s worth involving a third party.

Making the Roads Safer, One Piece of Tech at a Time

Guaranteed safety and the accountability of others are primary components every driver should enjoy while on the road. Unfortunately, safety is never guaranteed, especially with a near-impossible number of variables, and forcing accountability isn’t easy. Integrated devices like backup cameras have improved upon both, and EchoMaster’s kit ensures more drivers have access to this potentially life-saving (and money-saving) tech.

An easier installation process would be nice for less tech-savvy drivers, but for what it offers, EchoMaster’s Backup Camera Kit with Rearview Mirror Monitor can really be worth either the headache or the mechanic’s invoice.