Support Thread for the TND 500, TND 700 or future Rand McNally products. (part two)

I can speak to this. So, you say you want wireless in a personal vehicle? Is your personal vehicle like a pickup and a trailer? I say that because wireless cost is much more justified on something very long (like an RV, tractor-trailer, bus, or box truck) but usually when I hear "personal vehicle" it is referring to like a car or pickup where running a wire 10 feet is simple and cheaper.

Either way, in terms of the technology, the Rand 730 is not a wireless video device. There is a 2.5mm video jack on the right side (like a headphone jack) that you can plug a camera into. It can be a wire coming directly from the camera. Or it can be a wire coming from a wireless receiver unit. In BOTH cases, the camera must still be connected to 12 volt power though because the Rand does not have any power coming from the jack on the side (only video.) Or the camera has to be battery powered, which of course will need you to recharge that battery daily.

Ask here or call me to discuss if you like.

Don

 

Don
Thanks for the reply.I have a Chevy P/U and would prob prefer a wireless system.My purpose for the post was to find a system that would work with the 730.I have no problem mounting a wireless camera on my license plate and wiring it into the light circuit and having a receiver somewhere in the cab.Does the receiver also need to be wired in or does it just need to be plugged into the video jack on the 730?
Can you recommend any make or models that will suit my purpose.
Thanks again for your input.
John

 

Any system will work with the Rand if you chop the end off the video wire and solder on a 2.5 mm (looks like a small headphone jack) male video jack. Or if you buy one that is already wired for the Rand 2.5 mm connector. (like mine: License plate camera, wired or wireless, for Rand McNally GPS)

But the reason I asked about what kind of vehicle is because mine is designed with tractor/trailer or an RV or like a pickup towing a camper or boat type of problem in mind. So I have to overcome long distance interference issues with minimal video "delay" (like 60-80 feet without blinking out every 5 seconds like the majority of "wireless" cameras will do at any distance more than 20 feet no matter "what they say" in the ad.) So, although my camera is already built specifically for the Rand jack connections and would solve the question, it would be overkill in terms of the ruggedness, no delay, and long range power built in. Those make it pretty expensive compared to going to Amazon or Ebay and doing a search for "wireless license plate camera."

So with that said, the cheapest way (if that is an issue) would be to do that search on one of those sites and pick up a high-rated one for $30-$50. Then get a 2.5 mm (4-poles) wire for like $5 bucks because most of those cameras come with the big yellow RCA jacks. Chop off the RCA jack and the 2.5 mm jack, skin back the wires and solder the 2.5 mm male plug to where the RCA wire was on the part that is in your cab area. Then plug that into the side of your Rand.

In either case, you still need to power the camera transmitter part (back on the license plate) to 12 volts. Many people will actually connect that to their reverse light bulb circuit back there so that it only comes on when the car is in reverse. Then you need to power the "receiver" part in the cab near your GPS (like plug into a cigarette lighter jack or direct wire it to 12 volts in the dash.) The Rand does not supply any power out of it. So, power the camera and transmitter at the back of the pickup / power the receiver somewhere in the cab / use a 2.5 mm male (4-pole) connector that you created earlier in the cab to plug into the camera socket on thee right side of the Rand. (also plugs into the same socket on the magnet slice if they own a Rand tablet.)

 

Thanks Don, that's exactly the information I was looking for and now can do this project now that I know what I need.
Your input was greatly appreciated.
John

 

The SD Card on the 720 for Maps only?
Looks like my 720 quit.

I got the 730 now.
Can I get the saved addresses of my 720 somehow.?

 

Thank you

 

Thanks won't power on anymore.