The pricing is in line with Apple offerings...
Oh, and Pearl will always be a drum manufacturer (to me)
Oh, and Pearl will always be a drum manufacturer (to me)
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Dozens of Former Apple Employees Team Up to Launch ‘RearVision' Vehicle Camera
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What a stupid idea.
1 - Their market is "people who don't have much money and so don't buy a new car which would have it anyway"
2 - It's priced at $500 (see point 1)
3 - It's stealable in about 10 seconds.
4 - Is it one size? Selling internationally will require different sizes meaning very difficult manufacturing etc.
5 - As more people do buy new cars with them already in, their target market shrinks.
This is a backwards-looking thing (pun kind-of-intended), rather than something that people will want to own going forwards.
1 - Their market is "people who don't have much money and so don't buy a new car which would have it anyway"
2 - It's priced at $500 (see point 1)
3 - It's stealable in about 10 seconds.
4 - Is it one size? Selling internationally will require different sizes meaning very difficult manufacturing etc.
5 - As more people do buy new cars with them already in, their target market shrinks.
This is a backwards-looking thing (pun kind-of-intended), rather than something that people will want to own going forwards.
although it is much more extensive to install, you can get a clean Pioneer touchscreen and backup camera for less than 300 dollars. Some research and about 4 hours of your time, and you can install this yourself. In this case, you gain a touchscreen head unit, HD radio, Bluetooth phone system and an auto-on backup camera.
"Gardner hopes that the company's angle to support an install base of users (who have older cars without pre-installed rear-view cameras) will help promote safety in the automotive industry."
Gardener's 'user base' are largely not going to shell out $500 for a license plate frame.
Gardener's 'user base' are largely not going to shell out $500 for a license plate frame.
20 years ago cars had larger windows and better visibility (and were thus less safe in an accident). Today, we have new bumper height rules that mean the back window isn't as big, rollover rules which mean the pillars are thicker, side collision rules which mean the side windows are smaller, and in general cars are bigger. I agree that huge and bright LCD screens are bad at night, but I wholly support legislation that requires backup cameras and distance sensors.
The level of idiocy in these boards is amazing. Yes, one can argue that $500 is too much to pay for this. But, yes, newer cars have the same functionality but if you actually read the article, you'll note they are targeting older models that do not have rear view cameras, which is mostly cars from 2013 and older. Them's plenty cars out there this could support.
Per the comment about this being illegal in NC, don't worry, law enforcement in NC is more concerned about who's using the bathroom then looking for someone with a license plate frame.
Per the comment about this being illegal in NC, don't worry, law enforcement in NC is more concerned about who's using the bathroom then looking for someone with a license plate frame.
you can get a very cheap set on ebay for under 80 dollars that include a small screen that you can mount anywhere. Ive installed standalone screens, screens in rear view mirrors, and aftermarket head units. Just depends what you want.
All car companies are required to build a vehicle with rear cameras by 2018.
Way over priced. Backup cameras will be required in ALL new 2018 vehicles according to NHTSA. They're available now on many vehicles.
It's alarming how out of touch they are. But they did work for a company that's ridiculously successful at charging a premium for specs that are pretty dated, usually by at least three years, at release.
I own a car built in 1992 and also now drive a 2009 model that both lack backup cameras. I don't really need one on the '92 model but the 2009 car is bigger and I could use something like this but not at $500.
I also have to keep in mind that there are places where you get a ticket for having a cell phone in use in your car for any reason, even as a GPS. There was a thread here at Mac Rumors about that last year.
So.. Every car built from 2018 in the USA will not need this accessory whatsoever. That over the course of 2-5 years of cars on the road is a huge slab of market.. and older cars are only getting older. It's only a matter of time before they are replaced with new vehicles.
Also anyone with $500.00 to spare on a license plate frame with a backup cam is their target market, which is a problem.. because usually if you've got $500 bucks laying around and can afford an accessory like this, you're generally one to purchase a newer vehicle because of expendable income, and you can buy a new car for very cheap now with the financing offers and lease offers that are available through dealerships.
I'm not knocking the accessory, I see the point - but its about 10 years to late and $400.00 to expensive.
you can get a replacement rear view mirror with a hiding screen and a camera for less than 150. They work well and are hidden unless you are in reverse. You dont have to change out your radio.
I would think it has to be to become a preferred parts supplier back to Apple for the car. All cars need backup cameras, including Apple's and Apple surely would want integration with their services, not a parts bin item.
Pretty sure most people don't even research things anymore.
The kit comes with the phone mount and the license has some sort of specialized screw, but more importantly they say it's electronically paired at the factory with the dongle. So while you probably could steal it, it wouldn't work on another vehicle.
Anyway, I agree that $500 is a pretty crazy price for this.
The kit comes with the phone mount and the license has some sort of specialized screw, but more importantly they say it's electronically paired at the factory with the dongle. So while you probably could steal it, it wouldn't work on another vehicle.
Anyway, I agree that $500 is a pretty crazy price for this.
Same here. Also never had an airbag deploy in the 20 years of driving. Get rid of those too, they add cost to a car for no reason!
While I get your point on the interior electronics, it's always up to the driver to determine what's a distraction and what's not. I can drive and adjust my radio on a touchscreen just fine. If you can't, then just don't touch the screen. I get that some people don't have the ability to determine what they're capable of, but that shouldn't mean the rest of us go without certain features because of them. Drunk driving is still the number one cause of death in car accidents. You want them to go back to prohibition days?
In the vast majority of cases, it will be. There is no reason to not be able to replace your rear view mirror. When you are looking at the items on the shelf and one is 150 and one is 500 AND requires an iPhone, the cheaper one will be bought by most.
Anyway, this idea is really cool, just like everyone said, its too late. This could sell for 129.99 at Best Buy maybe about 8 years ago when they were selling the on-star mirrors.
If the range is good enough, I could see people using this on travel trailers. I know people looking to purchase wireless camera systems for the rear of their camper trailers. That is a very small market though.
Yeah, but his point still stands. There are very few people that are driving old cars AND would drop $500 on this. besides, there are other solutions out there that would put a camera on the rear plate and a small screen in your rear-view mirror which I would find to be more elegant as it wouldn't require I pull my phone out of my pocket.
That would make it even easier to steal. You might as well have a glowing LED tag that says "Steal this backup camera."