Audiovox intros ACA250 wireless DIY back-up camera system

We'll go ahead and state the obvious here: Audiovox claims this thing is made for DIY installations, but we'd highly recommend hiring a professional if you're totally green at this stuff. You know, considering the immense importance of alignment and the like when it comes to a rear-view back-up camera system. Anyways, the wireless ACA250 kit provides drivers with a color camera (110-degree viewing angle), infrared LEDs for night vision and a monitor that can be plugged into an AC adapter or hard-wired. Not too shabby for $129 -- assuming you're up to the task of putting it all together, that is. Full release after the jump.

AUDIOVOX LAUNCHES WIRELESS DIY VEHICLE REAR OBSERVATION SYSTEM

Hauppauge N.Y. – June 17, 2008 – Audiovox Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX). Audiovox has long been an advocate for child safety as evidenced by its support of KIDS AND CARS and its established line of professionally installed collision avoidance and rear observation systems designed to protect children from backover accidents.

The Company has now taken that product to a new level by announcing its 'No Excuses' $129.00 retail, Do-It-Yourself Installation Wireless Color Monitor and Back-Up Camera System, Model ACA250. Tom Malone, President of Audiovox Electronics Corporation, stated, "This new product is just what we are calling "No Excuses." By removing the need for professional installation and bringing the retail down to an affordable price there is simply no excuse for any SUV, truck or car owner to not have this important accessory on their vehicle."

Malone continued, "We didn't skimp on the features to make the price affordable. This system has one of the widest viewing angles on the market. At 110 degrees our color camera easily beats the competition's 72 or 90 degree models. Exclusive infrared LEDs give the camera 'night vision' making the view significantly clearer even in complete darkness."

Metal brackets as well as a full metal camera housing provide maximum durability. The wide-angle view completely eliminates the need for up and down manual adjustment and the IP66-rated camera means it is designed for even more extreme yet everyday conditions like "car wash" water pressure and is completely dust-proof. Installation is a snap as the camera is powered from the back-up lamp. The monitor plugs into the AC adapter or can be hard-wired.

"For years we have supported KIDS AND CARS and their commitment to the Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007. Between now and the time that the newly passed law mandating back-up sensors takes effect, we want to make sure that no more children die in these senseless accidents. We have the products today, they are easy to install and are affordable so there are simply no excuses," Malone concluded.

[ddub @ Jun 17th 2008 9:06PM]

This should be a required accessory for any driver over 70 that the DMV somehow allows to keep their license.

[iEye @ Jun 17th 2008 10:19PM]

This should be obligatory for any joker who thinks that they can just jump into an EXCURSION sized SUV and drive is like a miata...

And I never said "soccer mom" but...

[bohsocks @ Jun 17th 2008 10:29PM]

I'm pretty sure they invented this years ago..... severely low-tech... called a MIRROR....

This is useful if you have vampires tailing you I suppose....

[Wil @ Jun 17th 2008 9:12PM]

Actually a back up camera should be required for all vehicle over 15ft in length. If you can afford one it'll make you look like a wimp of a driver, but it really is a nice necessity to have.

[ScOObyDoo @ Jun 17th 2008 9:13PM]

Costco has a similar unit in-store for $69. Monitor even has a USB-out charging port and video inputs.

[John @ Jun 17th 2008 9:29PM]

If you ever see a kid riding a tricycle on a sidewalk on your back-up camera system, you better hope that it's just misaligned...

[Jarhead2012 @ Jun 17th 2008 9:37PM]

I saw what you did there, and I loled.

[Brian @ Jun 17th 2008 9:46PM]

Why would you make a device with an AC adapter for a car? 12 volt DC would be more appropriate.

[Rubicon @ Jun 17th 2008 10:09PM]

and another phail

[Arcanum @ Jun 17th 2008 10:11PM]

Another day, another idiot advertising his own blog

[Rubicon @ Jun 17th 2008 10:13PM]

"Exclusive infrared LEDs give the camera 'night vision' making the view significantly clearer even in complete darkness."

i think someone should rather invest their money in new light bulbs rather than get a screen with infrared LEDs

[thehumanyawn @ Jun 17th 2008 10:38PM]

Those things are a pain in the ass to install. Tried to install one for my mom, and drilled through the rear hatch on her SUV.

[phanbouy @ Jun 17th 2008 11:14PM]

easy there, trigger

[pgpprotector @ Jun 17th 2008 11:44PM]

Not a bad price for a Small Wireless Display And Camera.
I wonder what the range on it is.

[DeannaDavis-PR @ Jun 18th 2008 12:08AM]

Hi there - I'm Deanna with the Audiovox public relations team. I wanted to share some additional background on the new ACA250. First of all, I was able to install the product in about 10 or 15 minutes, which is fairly impressive for someone who lives in NYC and doesn't own a vehicle so I think you'll find it simple to install. Secondly, there was a typo in the release that was sent out early in the day. Where it mentions the DC power, it should have said "The monitor plugs into a 12-volt cigarette lighter or can be hard-wired for permanent installation." Sorry for the mistake (and thanks for the catch Brian).

[2hot4u @ Jun 18th 2008 12:28AM]

audiovox has been selling this very unit at wal-mart in canada for over a year haha good thing engadget got the scoop on this one.

[Lookin Around @ Jun 18th 2008 6:49AM]

Let me turn off the "reversed image" mode and give me a tiny module to record four of these in, say, an endless 15 minute loop or so and we're in business with 360 degree video recording of traffic accidents et al.

[homerpuck @ Jun 18th 2008 10:55AM]

Any idea when these will be released
I tried finding one online today, but could not
Deanna ??

[Darren @ Jun 18th 2008 12:51PM]

http://www.amazon.com/Audiovox-ACA250-Rear-Observation-Sys/dp/B001A1U55I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1213807269&sr=8-1

They only have 5 left in stock, so better jump on it!

[Darren @ Jun 18th 2008 12:52PM]

http://www.amazon.com/Audiovox-ACA250-Rear-Observation-Sys/dp/B001A1U55I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1213807269&sr=8-1

Only $77.99, but they only have 5 in stock -- better get a jump on it!

[Don @ Jun 18th 2008 5:52PM]

Yeah, the guy driving should not be in reverse while traversing down a sidewalk he should at least be driving forward. However you do get triple points for hitting little kids on the sidewalk in reverse so that must be why he is doing it. And if I were the little kid, I would not be smiling.

[Don @ Jun 18th 2008 5:56PM]

This should get you a discount on your auto insurance...but it probably won't

greedy bastards

[JG @ Jun 19th 2008 6:21AM]

whats with the $129 price tag Amazon has had it for 26 days at $77.99 with no pics and not a very good discripion what size is that monitor?