ABOUT HOLLAND VISION SYSTEMS
CAMERAS
SYSTEM 1 AND SYSTEM 2 PERFORMANCE
INSTALLATION
CAMERA MOUNTING
SYSTEM 1 MONITORFINANCING, DISCOUNTSCABLES
SYSTEM 1 VS. SYSTEM 2SHIPPING TIMEDEALERS AND DISTRIBUTORSREPAIRS AND SERVICEWIRELESS SYSTEMS
Is Holland Vision Systems a corporation? Yes, we are incorporated in Michigan. Our company information is also listed by Dun & Bradstreet. Does Holland Vision Systems manufacture all products they sell? No, not entirely. We design and manufacture major components of most systems and purchase other parts that meet our specifications from reputable suppliers. We have tested all products we offer so we can warrant their performance and stand behind them. Can I get a System 1 brochure? Sure. Call us at 1-800-596-0786 and we’ll send one out.
How do I know if the wide-angle camera or the standard-angle camera is right for me? The wide angle lens provided with the System 1 works well for most applications. Normally it is a benefit to see more at once on the screen. Just like the rear-view mirror on your car, though, things seem farther away when using a wide-angle camera. If you’re planning on using the camera to see car traffic we recommend the CAM-B6 because things in the image are a more natural size with it. There are certainly other lens options. If you’d like more information about what camera and lens would work best for you, I can put you in touch with our technical people. Where should I mount the cameras on my farm equipment? Here are some pointers. Of course, where you mount the cameras will vary depending on your situation. Decide first what it is you need to see. Position the camera so that the subject you’re watching fills up as much of the screen as possible while allowing for any movement of the subject or of your vehicle. Try to locate the camera so that it looks perpendicular to your subject area. That will provide the most natural picture on the display. It is also important if you’re trying to see where two things are relative to each other that your camera looks directly at the area where the alignment between the objects can be seen most clearly. The cameras can be mounted on something that moves, like a combine chute or forklift forks, as long as you run the cable so it doesn’t get damaged. Commonly, installing a second camera adds a lot of usability to the system. For example, on a self-propelled hay chopper, one camera is mounted on the base of the chute watching left-right alignment of the chute to the truck, and a second camera is mounted on the end of the chute, watching to see that the hay doesn’t overshoot the truck or end up on the ground between the truck and the chopper. On combine applications, a rear-view camera watching traffic and chaff is often used with a second camera watching the chute, truck, grain bin, or engine. In general, you should try to mount the cameras looking downward somewhat. This will minimize the amount they see the sun or bright sky and allow better viewing of darker areas in the image (there are also brightness controls on the displays to compensate). The image on the System 1 may blur briefly if the sun is in the picture. Consider mounting the camera on a boom or custom bracket if that provides the best angle. You should put some thought into how the cameras are to be positioned to get the most value from your video system. How do the cameras work in very dusty conditions? The cameras can see through dust pretty well but if you’re looking at small detail it may be obscured. You will be able to pick up good-sized objects. The camera will get dirty but you probably won’t notice any change in the picture until it gets pretty bad. That’s possible because the wide-angle lens used is focused far past where the lens protector is. The cameras are sealed so dirt can’t get inside to cause damage. How do you connect the cameras? They plug right in to the back of the display for the System 1, and on the side of the display for the System 2. How many cameras come with System 1 and System 2? One. You can buy a second camera as an option. Why do you recommend a different camera for viewing oncoming traffic? The wide angle lens on the cameras provided with the System 1 and System 2 works well for most applications. Normally it is a benefit to see more at once on your screen, especially if what you’re watching is fairly close (within about 30 feet). Just like your rear-view mirror on your car, though, things are actually closer than they appear when using a wide-angle camera. For people who want to have a camera dedicated to watching car traffic,one of our medium-angle cameras may be a better choice. Click here to look at a Field-of-view comparison chart for more information. Do the camera lenses get very dirty? Will I have to clean them often? How often you have to clean the lenses depends on your specific situation and personal preferences but most users find they can go for a long time between cleaning. You typically don’t even notice it if there is some dust or waterspots on the lens until it gets pretty dirty. Can I trade in my wide-angle lens camera for a different camera? Yes, cameras can be exchanged within the first thirty days as part of our satisfaction guarantee. The camera must still be in new condition and you have to have all original packaging materials. Send it to our returns department at the address shown in the “Contact Us” page. Why would I want a mirror-image picture? If the camera is facing rearward and the monitor is mounted at the front of your cab, things that are to the right of the vehicle will appear on the right side of the monitor and vice-versa. Switching to mirror-image picture allows you to see what is to the left of the vehicle on the left side of the screen. This isn’t needed if the camera faces forward or to the side. How many cameras can be used at once with System 1 and System 2? Both have two camera inputs. You can switch between them with pushbutton switches. You can add an automatic camera switcher to the System 1 that will let you connect four cameras. Cameras on all systems are dust-tight and rain-tight to stand up to the field environment. The System 1 and System 2 cameras have die-cast aluminum housings and are very strong. For some photos of a crush test,click here.
How well do the cameras see in low light? You will be amazed at how well they see in low light, even at dawn or in the evening. These cameras will not see in total darkness, however. If you want to use them at night you will need to provide some light for them to see clearly and they will do great. Can I record the picture from the video system? The System 1 and building-monitoring systems have output jacks to allow video recording. See the specifications for the system you are interested in to find the connector type (RCA or BNC). Radio Shack will have the right cables to use. What kind of testing has been done on your products? Our products have been tested in all kinds of weather in real-life applications and in lab simulations. System 1 and System 2 have been used on vehicles in the field for years and stand up to dirt, rain, heat, and winter weather. Our building monitoring systems have been tested in actual applications and are designed for dirty, humid areas. After our own evaluations are complete on a new design, we typically supply units to several farmers and let them work with them for a while to get their feedback. Do the cameras shake very much when using it on farm equipment? Is the image blurry? The camera motion does not affect the image so it’s difficult to see what’s happening in the image. Since the motion is not quick vibration it does not cause blurring. The wide-angle lens helps also. If you’re traveling very fast (5-7 mph or more) and looking for small things, you should consider getting a color System 2 because you can pick out things easier by seeing color. What is the difference between your video systems and the kind they sell at Radio Shack? The systems sold at Radio Shack are designed for interior or light-duty use and they probably work pretty well at what they do, but they’re not designed for farm vehicle use. The cameras that come with our mobile systems have cast metal housings and are sealed against dirt and water. Our connectors are sealed against water. Our system runs on 12-volt vehicle power. The monitor on System 1 has a mirror-image setting so when you aim the camera behind you to watch something in back, what is to the left of the vehicle appears on the left side of the screen. Home-security type observation systems don’t have that setting. Our monitor also has several controls that allow you to get the best picture in different outdoor lighting conditions. Our mobile systems were designed for vehicle use from the start. Can I watch TV channels on the System 1 or System 2? No. The monitor does not have a TV tuner inside. Can I use my own TV with your System 1 cameras? No, normal TVs don’t have the right connections and don’t have a power supply built in for the cameras. If you are interested in using cameras to watch inside a building, we do have products that will let you use your own TV or a computer monitor. See the web pages covering “Building Monitoring” or call customer service.
How hard is it to install the System 1 or System 2? Installation will probably take about two hours. At worst you can probably get it done in an afternoon. Click this link to see an installation summary sheet In general, what you have to do is find a spot to mount the display, connect to a power source like a cigarette lighter, then mount the camera and run the cable to it. What takes the longest time typically is running the cable. How big a mounting surface is required for the System 1 monitor? The base of the standard monitor bracket is 7 1/2” wide by 4” deep, so a horizontal flat surface at least that big is needed for mounting it. If you don’t have a surface like that you can purchase our ball-and-socket mount that only needs a surface three inches square and can be attached to the vehicle at any orientation. See the System 1 Accessories section. I want to use the video system on many vehicles throughout the year. How do I set up the equipment to be moved most easily? It’s not hard to move the System 1 or System 2 to a different vehicle, but if you want to do it in five minutes or less there are a couple of things you can do. For the System 1 you can purchase a ball-and-socket mount from the Accessories section and install a ball-base at each location where you want to use the monitor. You can use a magnet mount for the cameras (optional on System 1, standard on System 2). For both System 1 and System 2 you can save time by leaving a video cable installed each place where you will want a camera. What wiring comes with the System 1? The System 1 comes with all wiring for power and for the camera. A 50 foot camera cable is included and the power wire is 16 feet long. The power cable has bare wire ends so you can hook it to an accessory circuit. If you want to use a cigarette lighter for power we have an adapter available. The system isn’t difficult to install. Will the mount that comes with the System 1 display allow it to be mounted upside-down or hung from the ceiling? Yes, it will work though aiming of the monitor will be limited. It is designed to sit on a flat surface like on a console or a table. The dimensions of the standard base are 7 1/2” wide by 4” deep. If you don’t have a flat surface big enough, or want to mount the display overhead or to a vertical post, we recommend you use our ball-and-socket mount MNT-111. It will hold very well in any orientation. What electrical circuit should I hook into in my tractor to provide power to the system? A built-in power strip or cigarette lighter, available on most newer tractors, works great. To plug into a cigarette lighter with the System 1, you will need to order a cigarette-lighter adapter because it comes with bare ends on the wires so it can be hard-wired. If a cigarette lighter or power strip is not available see if a circuit for a radio or some low-power lighting is close by. To be safe, keep the total circuit load 20% below the circuit’s fuse value. How do I wire the System 1 so that it comes on automatically when I shift into reverse? The wiring is different for different vehicles. Most people hook into the electrical circuit that powers their backup lights so that when the lights come on, so does the vision system. See if there’s access to the wiring for your backup lights near the fuse box. Check your vehicle owner’s manual for an electrical diagram. When you’ve found it you just need to splice into the circuit, connecting the green power wire from the video display in with the backup light circuit using a wire nut. Do you have extra ball-bases available for the MNT-111 System 1 display mount? Yes. The item number is BAS-111. See the Accessories listing for System 1 for current pricing. How much power does the System 1 use? The system draws up to 30 Watts (2.5 Amps at 12 volts DC). Any accessory circuit will be able to supply this amount of power depending on what is already hooked to it. Should I get one of the optional mounts for the System 1 display for use on my tractor? The standard mount that comes with our system is meant to sit on a flat surface like on a console or a table. The footprint dimensions of the standard mount are 7 1/2” wide by 4” deep. If you don’t have a flat surface big enough for the standard mount we recommend you use our ball-and-socket mount that will hold very well in any orientation and can be mounted to almost any surface. You can also buy a mount kit from a farm implement dealer that is meant for use on your tractor and use our standard mount.
How well do the magnets hold for mounting the cameras? They work great. They have very high holding force and yet allow you to move the camera easily. They allow easy re-aiming of the camera also. In a lot of tough applications the cameras have never moved when using magnets to our knowledge. Do you have extra ball bases available for the MNT-101BA2 System 1 camera ball-and-socket mount. How much are they? Yes, the item number is BAS-101BA2. See the “Accessories” section on the System 1 page for current pricing. Can I get an additional camera bracket like the one that comes with the System 1 camera? No, the standard bracket only comes with the whole camera. I suggest you use a MNT-KIT1, you will be very pleased with the mounting flexibility the kit provides and additional bases are available for that so you can leave a base in each location you would want to install the camera. How well does the clamp work to hold the camera? The clamps hold great and don’t come loose. We have customers who regularly use clamp-mounted cameras on their combines all season without them loosening. We think you’ll be impressed. There are actually two different clamps. The CLM-T15B is best for holding on to pipes and circular rails and it opens 1 1/2” wide. The CLM-225B opens up to 2 1/4” and it’s best for holding on to things like 2-by-4s or flat rain rails on tractor cabs. You fasten the camera to the clamp with a bolt. There are holes for mounting on the side of the clamp and on the top, so the camera can be mounted in either place. We offer an excellent camera mounting kit that includes the two different clamps, a magnet, and a ball-and-socket mount. That way you will have everything you need if you want to move the camera or use it on another piece of equipment for a different season.
How large is the monitor on the System 1? The screen measures 7” diagonal. The monitor measures 8.5” W x 9.5 H x 9.0”D including the standard mount. When mounting the display on a vertical surface so that the mount is horizontal, the mount protrudes about 2 inches from the rear of the display. The footprint dimensions of the standard mount are 7 1/2” wide by 4” deep. Our optional ball-and-socket mount allows mounting on smaller surfaces at any orientation. Is the System 1 black-and-white or color? The System 1 display is black-and-white. The system has high resolution and has excellent low-light sensitivity. The System 2 is full-color, has high resolution and excellent low-light sensitivity.
Do you offer quantity discounts for buying multiple units? Yes, we have discounts that apply to all items we sell. Buy 3, take 5% off. Buy 5, take 10% off. We don’t offer net 30 terms but we do accept all major credit cards and personal checks.
Your System 1 brochure says “Ask us about our long-range wireless dairy monitoring system.” Tell me about it. See the our web page section to learn more about it. In general, the system allows you to mount cameras anywhere from 400 to 1000 feet of your display and transmit the video image without any connecting cables. The antenna for the camera and the display must have a clear line-of sight to each other. A little foliage in the way won’t hurt, but a metal building will stop the signal so you will need to mount the antennas accordingly. Our systems are all available with removable antennas for this purpose.
What’s the longest cable I can use with System 1? The System 1 will work with cables as long as 200 feet if the cable is all one piece instead of having several splices. By joining several cables together to make one long one, you lose signal strength at each connection. Order a single, long cable from us and you can go 200 feet. Can I get custom-length cables for System 1 or System 2? What do custom cable lengths cost? Yes, custom lengths are available. See the “Accessories” section for the system you have for pricing on custom cables. We offer replacement cables of several lengths. See the Accessories section for the system you have for a listing. We suggest you route the cables carefully to avoid damage and run them in conduit if possible. Look at the electrical and hydraulic lines that are part of the tractor and try to attach the camera cable on one of those, leaving loops of extra cable where they have them on the tractor lines. Tie the cable down well with cable ties to cut down the risk of it getting caught on anything. Can I buy cables for the System 1 at Radio Shack or other stores, or make them myself? You can buy the right components to make our cables, but you can’t buy complete cables off-the-shelf at Radio Shack. Although there are cables that look the same the wiring is different internally on our cables to allow them to carry power to the camera, video signal back from the camera, and audio back from the camera. If you want to make your own cables, you can buy bulk “SVHS” cable which has two 75-ohm coaxial cables inside and 4-pin mini-DIN connectors from Radio Shack or other electronics stores, and solder them per the diagram shown in the System 1 owner’s manual.
What’s the difference between System 1 and System 2 and is it worth it? Click this link to get to a comparison chart. Both models have an excellent list of features and are good values for the money. Check the comparison chart and look through the web site for more information. Call us if we can answer any questions.
How long will it take for my order to reach me? If all items are in stock you should receive your order shipped by ground in 7-10 business days. Usually you will have it sooner. Ground shipments are usually the best way to go with our products since they are heavy and it gets very expensive to ship overnight.
Do you have dealers or distributors in my area? At present we are studying the right dealers to partner with. You can order direct through us now by calling our 800-number 24 hours/7days a week.
If something breaks, how do I get it repaired? Call us first and let us know and we will try to solve the problem on the telephone if we can. If something is malfunctioning you can send the part back to us and we will replace or repair it. Since we know you may be relying heavily on our system, while we are doing the repair we will provide a free loaner so you can keep working. We will need a credit card number from you but we will not charge anything on it unless we don’t get our loaner system back.
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