Haloview Backup Camera + TPMS: One Year Review
This might be the most useful RV gadget I own. The Haloview Byte Tango BT7 is a backup camera system and a tire pressure monitoring system in one compact device, and I've been running it for a year.
It's been genuinely useful. There are also a few catches you should know before you buy.
Disclosure: Haloview sent me this system, but this is not a sponsored review. They didn't see it in advance and had no input on anything in it. Some links below are affiliate links, and the discount code is an affiliate code, so buying through them supports the channel at no extra cost to you.
What it is
Spec | Detail |
Monitor | 7 inch |
Combines | Backup camera plus TPMS in one screen |
Cameras supported | Up to 4 on one screen |
My sensor count | 6, four on the tow vehicle and two on a single-axle trailer |
Power | DC via cigarette lighter, or USB-C |
Wi-Fi required | No |
My rig length | Around 26 feet |
The killer feature is the combination. Yes, you can see your tow vehicle's tire pressure in the car already. This shows the trailer's too, on the same screen, in the corner of the backup camera view.
Who needs a backup camera
If you travel solo like I do, you have no spotter. That's the whole argument.
Even with a partner who can spot for you, a backup camera helps. Backing a trailer is hard enough. Doing it blind is measurably riskier.
Configurations and what's in the box
Haloview sells this in several configurations: wheel-well lights, wired or wireless cameras, and a rear view mirror version instead of the monitor. I went with the wireless camera.
In the box: the monitor, several mounting options including 3M adhesive and a suction mount, antennas, your chosen cameras, manuals, TPMS sensors with batteries, power cables, and signal boosters that Haloview treats as essentially mandatory.
I mount mine on the dashboard of my Jeep, where it fits about perfectly.
Installation
My trailer was pre-wired for this, so it was genuinely plug and play.
One thing to watch: make sure the gasket seals properly. I had a slight leak coming through into my kitchen area. Nothing major, and resealing it fixed the problem completely.
A quirk of my trailer specifically: for reasons unknown, it doesn't run constant power to the camera, so I have to turn the headlights on to use it. You can jump two wires to make it always-on and rewire it. I haven't bothered, because it saves energy and I don't need it running constantly.
Pairing
The camera pairs almost immediately with a button on each device.
The TPMS sensors take longer and sometimes miss. You need to be very close to the sensors while installing them on the tires, which is why I ended up running the monitor off an external battery pack during setup.
Using it day to day
Latency: I don't notice any. I'm sure there's some, but it isn't perceptible, and that matters enormously on a backup camera.
No Wi-Fi needed. I have Starlink in the vehicle and this doesn't touch it.
Multiple cameras. You can run up to four on one screen in a multi-view, covering the trailer and the tow vehicle.
The menu: first click gets you the cameras, second click gets you the options. Lane assist, which isn't the most reliable thing in the world but is nice to have. Audio on and off. Brightness. A built-in flashlight depending on which camera you get. TPMS pressure readouts with configurable high and low alerts. Support for additional axles, so bigger trailers are covered.
The audio is better than I expected. Being able to hear that far behind you is useful for security, for hearing a spotter's directions from the driver's seat, and for hearing someone honking from way back. You can mute it.
Brightness holds up. Daytime visibility on a dash monitor is usually the problem. This one is plenty bright for everyday use.
Pros
Combined backup camera and TPMS covering both tow vehicle and trailer in one system
Surprisingly good screen quality for what it is
Installation was a breeze, at least on a pre-wired trailer
Connectivity has been excellent. My rig is on the shorter side at about 26 feet, but the boosters extend that considerably
Audio, which I use more than I expected
Cons
The field of view could be wider. Objects can seem closer than they are. You adapt, but a wider angle would be better
I'd like a smaller monitor option. Jeeps have notoriously small dashboards and this is a bit big for mine. Not an issue on a larger dash
No quarter-inch thread. As a photographer I have suction mounts and arms for everything. A standard 1/4-20 thread on the monitor would open all of that up. I've passed this on to Haloview
It runs hot. In the desert it gets very toasty. It's never overheated or shut off on me, but you'll notice it after a long day of driving
Low light performance could be better. I drive at night more than I should, usually because I filmed sunset and got to camp late. In genuinely dark areas I want more. To be fair, part of this is that my trailer's brake and rear lights aren't very bright
The price is steep. It's a fantastic system, and I still think it could be $100 to $200 cheaper
One thing I wish it had
Internet capability, so it could double as a security monitor. If I could get alerts on my phone, I'd put cameras all around the trailer. That would take this system to another level.
Is it worth it?
After a year, yes. I would not go without a backup camera, particularly traveling solo without a spotter. I know people have mixed feelings, but a backup camera reduces real risks, and backing a trailer is hard enough as it is.
Get the Haloview backup camera and TPMS system and use code MZ5 for 5% off.
FAQ
Does the Haloview BT7 need Wi-Fi?
No. It works entirely on its own signal.
Is there noticeable lag on the backup camera?
Not to me. There's presumably some latency, but it isn't perceptible in use.
How many cameras can you run?
Up to four on one screen.
Does it monitor trailer tire pressure?
Yes, that's the main appeal. My kit came with six sensors, four for the tow vehicle and two for my single axle. Larger trailers can add axles.
How hard is installation?
Easy on a pre-wired trailer. Check the gasket seal carefully, since mine leaked slightly until I resealed it.
Is there a discount code?
Yes, MZ5 gets you 5% off. It's an affiliate code.
Final thoughts
A year in, this is the RV gadget I'd replace first if it broke.
What camera are you running on your RV or trailer? Let me know in the comments.
I'll also be dropping detailed travel itineraries, handpicked campsites, workshops and group trips soon, along with brand discounts. Join the newsletter if you want to hear when that launches.
I'll see you out there on the road.
Related:
The rest of my gear
Everything else I use on the road, from this video’s description. These are affiliate links, so buying through them supports the channel at no extra cost to you.
Comments