Auto-Vox Solar 5B review: A simple wireless solution for reversing large vehicles
The Auto-Vox Solar 5B is the ultimate wireless reversing camera solution for long vehicel owners tired of the installation struggle. Picture: Auto-Vox
Installing a reversing camera in a long vehicle is usually a massive headache. When I bought my motorhome six years ago, I thought I could handle a DIY installation with ease. I was wrong. I spent ages running a single cable the entire length of the van to reach the rear. It was a real struggle, involving cramped spaces and a lot of frustration. I even went a step further and installed a second camera. I wanted one for looking back and another for looking straight down so I could see how close I was to objects when reversing. Sadly, that second camera stopped working after a while because the housing rusted through. It wasn't even a cheap unit, so it felt like a complete waste of money once the metal failed.
The Auto-Vox Solar 5B feels like the answer to those old frustrations. My original setup took several hours of tedious, back-breaking work, but the Solar 5B took me less than thirty minutes. I did make one small change for my own peace of mind during the process. I installed a metal bracket on my old bike rack mounts to give me a solid, stable place to mount the camera. This gave me a much better foundation than just relying on a temporary fix.
The camera uses a heavy-duty magnetic mount wrapped in a soft rubber coating to prevent scratches to the vehicle's paint. I found the magnet incredibly strong, yet I still didn't want to risk it falling off while I was moving. For total assurance, I decided to screw it directly to the mounting plate rather than rely on the magnet alone. It comes with a metal backing plate, but you can also magnetically attach it to an existing metal plate on your vehicle.
The camera has a 150m range, which matters since you may have lots of metal or objects between the camera and the monitor. I can see so many uses for a wireless camera system like this, including trailers, farm machinery, or a hitched caravan.
The small solar panel sits on top of the camera in an optimal position to catch the light. This keeps the battery topped up with a constant trickle charge, so you don't have to worry about it running out of juice. It also has an IP69K waterproof rating, which is great when you’re mounting gear to the outside of a vehicle that will be out in the rain and mud. The camera also comes with a protective carrying case, which is a nice touch for storing the camera and monitor during the winter months.
The box includes an ultrawide 7.2-inch HD monitor that serves as the hub for everything. The dual-split screen is a big benefit if you install two cameras, but I tested it with a single camera. The 16:9 display ratio gives you a much wider field of view than a standard screen, covering more of your surroundings and reducing annoying blind spots.
The camera itself provides 1080P resolution. In my testing, the image was sharp and clear, with excellent detail in both shadows and highlights, which is exactly what you need when you are trying to judge distances. The smart IR night vision automatically switches to infrared mode when it gets dark, and I found it worked well even in the pitch-black.
The monitor has a microSD slot and supports up to 64GB (card not included) for loop recording, constantly capturing footage and overwriting old files when storage fills up.
In actual use, the wireless connection was very reliable. The monitor's dual-antenna design seems to do its job well, as I didn't experience any dropouts or lag during my testing. Even when I was manoeuvring in tight spots, the signal stayed solid.
The camera turns off after a set period of inactivity to avoid draining its internal battery. Combined with the solar panel on top, this means the system stays ready to go without any maintenance. I found that the solar panel does a great job of keeping the battery levels healthy, even on days when the weather isn't perfect.
So, is it worth it? While the Solar 5B isn't inexpensive, it offers a strong mix of features and quality. The picture clarity is excellent, and the wireless setup is incredibly convenient. I especially liked the fact that you can take the camera off the van when you’re not using it. This is great for peace of mind, as you can keep it somewhere safe, and it also prevents someone from simply nicking it off the vehicle while you’re parked up. If you're tired of the pain of traditional wired systems, this is a much better option for any long vehicle.
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