Installing a docking camera - any tips?

[rolf.nielsen]

I'm thinking of installing this camera at the stern to ease docking in tight spaces in my 65' trawler: Hikvision DS-2CD2543G0-I Zwart. It's weather resistent (IP66) and seems to have all the features I need, including POE so I can power it with the ethernet cable already available for this purpose. I'll use the camera with its own cloud application and via the ship's onboard server. When docking, I'll call up the feed on my phone or tablet.

Anything I miss or should think about? The camera although black will be visible if you look for it on my stern, and bypassers on the pontoon may feel watched - anybody ever field any complaints from that?

 

[ltcom]

Bit expensive, but if it does more than a cheap car wireless reversing camera and you can afford it, good idea. No idea about complaints.

 

[All_at_Sea]

Always install one that only captures the good manoeuvres.

 

[lustyd]

Anything I miss or should think about? The camera although black will be visible if you look for it on my stern, and bypassers on the pontoon may feel watched - anybody ever field any complaints from that?

Passers by wouldn't know it's not boat equipment so I wouldn't worry about this at all.

Check what PoE it needs as there are various kinds including passive (basically wire the battery into the cable!) and active. If one of the active standards then it sounds like you have a plan but if not do bear in mind they need high (for a boat) voltage to work reliably.

Edit - I checked and it's PoE (802.3af, 36 V to 57 V)

 

[PeterBoater]

Try to get one with two selectable views, ie 'car rear view mirror' and 'looking over your shoulder', so that you can decide which one suits you.