Who we are:

Established in 2002 as an advisory committee to ensure its members are providing the best in quality equipment and advice to Australian motorists.


Our Members:

Membership is open to all suppliers of rear vision and reversing camera equipment.
Conditions of membership include but is not limited to:
Suppliers must be publish phone and offer support before and after sale
Suppliers must allow inspection / collection of goods



Membership:
Annual membership fee is $250 per annum. 
Initial joining fee is $250 + $250annual fee
11 Monthly meetings are open to all members. They are held in Melbourne 8 time per year, Sydney 2 times, Brisbane annually
Those wishing to join may contact admin@rvca.net.au



Recommendations of fittings, connections and cameras:
on 1/ 5/ 2005 the governing committee announced that: 
Wherever possible all cameras should use 4 pin aviation connectors as these provide for best connection between camera and monitor.

All members must offer this connector in part if not all of the ranges offered.

Wireless camera systems, where possible, should no longer be offered due to poor quality images and interference

All cameras for the rear of Caravans / Trailers, which are used for constant viewing should be set at 92 degrees being that this is natural vision.  Wider angle cameras give a distorted view and not enough depth of field and so all members are to recommend only 92 degrees for constant viewing.

Reversing cameras, used only whilst in reverse, should where possible, be as wide an angle as possible.

Reversing guide lines.   These are not recommended for any aftermarket cameras as line distances between cars vary too much and may lead to accidents.  All members agreed to delete / reduce all stocks and they should no longer be offered once stocks are sold.

Recommendations of fittings for monitors:

Monitors, whether they be window, dash or mirror mount should always be hard wired.  The concept of running power from the cigarette lighter, although easy on the self installer, should be discouraged as it may be dangerous or cause an accident.

1/ 12/11

Rear View VS Reversing cameras
For simplicity sake members should always advise that reversing cameras should be as wide an angle as practical for the vehicle
Rear View Cameras should be 92 degrees (natural vision).  Members have been asked to advise all customers that using anything wider for rear view will not have correct depth of field.

120 degrees                                                                                     92 degrees

2/5/11

Remote controls

Where possible and practical a remote control should no longer be offered as these have been considered dangerous as it encourages users to take their eyes off the road when looking for a remote.  Members report that nearly all monitors have all functions available via the unit and so these are obsolete in most cases.
If the monitor does not have all functions available then of course the remote should be offered.
15/6/11
Further.  As members are reporting that couriers are no longer allowing the uplift of remote controls with batteries then it is acceptable to send remotes without.

AWARDS DINNER 2011

All members are reminded that the 2011 awards dinner will be held at the meeting room on the 14th of December 2011. 


AWARD WINNERS 2011

Congratulations to the following recipients

Best overall seller of 2011  :     Brash Imports
(based on range / advise / after sales / industry knowledge)

Best new product Innovator      Safety Dave
(based on new and changes to existing ranges)

Best after sales service            Brash Imports
(scored on customer feedback)

Technical advise                      RKS Sales  / MCS (joint winner)
(members award)

Best Rural Installer                   RB Kirks NSW
(scored on customer feedback -  nominated by suppliers)

Best Metro Installer - not awarded

Best bulk distributor                EPS Group
(awarded to bulk only sellers)

1/2/2012

CAMERA TESTING RESULTS ARE IN!!

With the influx of cheaper quality cameras from China many sellers and customers alike are complaining about the results given especially by CCD cameras on the market.   With the wholesale landed price of good CCD cameras between $70 - $80 AUD it seems unfeasible that some sellers (especially on eBay) are selling a "CCD" camera for under the landed price.  12 months ago, 4 Members did independent testing on these, all with the same results.  They independently bought from the Chinese wholesalers as well as eBay resellers to get wider field of brands.

In short all the testing members have agreed that after clearing existing stock these cameras should no longer be sold due to their poor quality and extremely poor reliability. (only 6 of the 24 cameras still work at all after 12 months)

This style cameras below resulted in extremely poor mid and long term use.  Image quality is only marginal and failed vibration testing. The top proved effective but did not compensate for poor image.


 

1/3/2012

CMOS CAMERAS ARE HEAR TO STAY

The new breed of CMOS cameras are due to be available and we suspect most sellers will receive stock in the second part of the year.  The results are outstanding and most members believe that CCD will not be offered after 2 - 3 years as the new CCD are stunning.   Next month we hope to bring side by side images.

Also note for those not paid that the  2012 membership fees are due 1/1/2012!!