360deg birds eye view....

[Haylands]

Hi, new here and haven't even got a boat yet but I saw this and wondered if it would be any good for boats, they sell them for anything from cars to full size trucks and trailers and even those huge earth moving machines...

I would have thought (but as I say I have no experience whatsoever) that this would be a good system, not only for docking but for security as well.

Basically it is four small cameras, pointing front, rear, and both sides, these images are converted by a clever box of tricks to show a birds eye view...

Link to just one company offering to fit it for you..

Omni-Vue : Trailer Vision, Innovative Camera Systems

Cheap set up being offered on ebay..

Universal 360 degree Bird View surround with system car DVR 4 HD camera USB port | eBay

Sorry to waste your time if it's been mentioned or discussed before, I couldn't find anything with the search feature...

 

[refugio]

The processing for an undistorted look-down view looks extremely interesting to me.


Keith

 

[Haylands]

The software for it started some years ago to correct the distortion around the corners of camera lenses, no matter how good the quality there was always some distortion. It is widely used today within all sorts of devices with cameras, this technology has just taken it a step further, a friend has it on his Mercedes and it is very impressive how accurate it is, park on his paved drive and the paving lines are straight and true...

I have thought of one problem of using it on a boat, you have to lay out some checker markers in line with all the cameras to calibrate the system, would require some lateral thinking and large plywood boards hanging over the side of the boat.... Or four tenders with two on board each one holding them steady...!!!

 

[Capt.Bill11]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

[dhays]

That is very impressive. Not sure that I would want it, but I can see the utility in some situations.

Here is my version of a look down view of my boat.

 

[Haylands]

Wow... great picture... yep, more suitable to boats without masts....

 

[kelbylinn]

I'm good from the fly bridge but that would indeed be a help from the main helm in the salon.