Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus Review: The Best Wireless Backup Camera for Vans & RVs?
- Shane Monks O'Byrne
- Jun 30
- 16 min read
Updated: 12 minutes ago
If you drive a van, RV, or any vehicle without a built-in backup camera (aka reversing camera), you know how tricky backing up can be. I recently installed the Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus Max wireless backup camera system on my Citroën Jumper L3H3 camper van conversion, and I’m here to share an honest, real-world review.
This wireless, solar-powered reversing camera promises a 2-minute installation with no wiring, a big 7.2” display, and 1080p HD video – but does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into my first impressions, the nitty-gritty of installation, performance, pros and cons, and whether it truly might be “the best wireless backup camera for vans & RVs.”
Index
Shane, the founder of The Van Conversion, is a campervan professional and NCC-certified electrical installer. Since 2020, he’s lived on the road full-time, completing several van builds along the way. He’s the author of Roaming Home and the creator of The Van Conversion Course, which have helped thousands build their own vans. Shane also writes The Van Conversion Newsletter, where he shares hands-on tips and practical insights. He’s passionate about empowering others to make their vanlife dreams reality.
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Quick & Easy Installation (Mostly)
One of the Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus Max’s biggest selling points is its ridiculously quick installation. The idea is simple: 100% wireless and solar-powered, so you don’t have to run any long video cables or splice into your reverse lights. In fact, the official claim is a “2-minute installation—no wiring or drilling required”.
In practice, my install was very easy – though not entirely tool-free in my case (more on that below).
Camera mounting
The camera unit comes attached to a sturdy bracket with a built-in solar panel and battery. It’s designed to mount to your license plate using the existing plate screws. If you’re in North America, this is a breeze: you just unscrew your plate, put the camera’s bracket on it, and screw it back on. No drilling needed – truly a plug-and-play reversing camera setup. One camper owner noted they prefer this solid bracket mount over magnetic mounts (no fear of it falling off over a bump).
My Experience (EU License Plates): I quickly discovered the bracket is tailored to North American plates that use bolts. Here in France, our plates are riveted permanently. That meant I couldn’t just reuse the plate holes. Instead, I had to improvise: I drilled two small M6 bolt holes just below my plate and secured the camera bracket directly to the van with bolts, nuts, and washers. It added maybe 10 extra minutes of work. Not ideal, but still pretty simple. (I’ve heard of others doing similar tweaks – one 4Runner owner drilled a couple of small holes and used bolts to stabilize the bracket, since their rear hatch handle was in the way).
Note: I got onto AutoVox support about this issue and they told me "we do offer a special European bracket. Customers only need to mention it to our official support team when purchasing, and we’ll make sure they receive the appropriate mounting solution."
The camera itself slots very easily onto the support bracket. You can see the solar panel and camera in the photo below. The bulk of the area behind the solar panel is taken up by the 5000 mAh battery.
Quick tip: The "camera part" can swivel up and down, which allows you to get the best angle for your needs. This means you don't need to worry as much about the exact vertical location you install it on your vehicle.
Display Setup
The kit includes a 7.2-inch monitor that serves as the screen. Setting this up was painless. The monitor comes with a strong adhesive dashboard mount – I just picked a flat-ish spot on my dash, peeled the tape, and stuck it down. It feels very secure (almost too secure – be sure of your placement before sticking!). The display is powered by a 12V cigarette lighter plug, so I routed the cable neatly to my van’s 12V socket.
As soon as I powered the display on, it automatically connected to the rear camera within about 5 seconds. I didn’t have to press any “pair” buttons; it was already pre-paired from the factory, which was a pleasant surprise. (If it wasn’t, there’s a simple pairing procedure, but in my case it just worked out of the box.) The wireless signal between camera and screen is strong and immediate – I noticed virtually no lag in the video feed. Other users have reported the same: the video link is real-time with “no lag” and connects quickly when activated. This is crucial for a driver’s confidence; any big delay in a backup camera can be a deal-breaker, and thankfully Auto-Vox nailed it here.
Overall, installation was far easier than any wired system. Even with my custom drilling, I had the whole thing up and running in 30 minutes. If you have a standard license plate setup, it truly might be a 10–15 minute job. Plus, you don’t need to snake complicated cables through your vehicle – huge win. In short, Auto-Vox delivers on the promise of a quick DIY install. Just keep in mind that some vehicles (especially in Europe or those with non-standard plate mounts) might need a tiny bit of extra handiwork.
Video Quality & Features
Once installed, I was eager to see how the Solar 3A Plus performed as my new electronic “rear eyes.” In one word: impressive. Here’s what stood out in terms of video and features:
Crisp 1080p Image: The camera outputs 1080p HD video, and the picture quality is excellent. When I first saw the live feed on the 7.2″ monitor, I was honestly surprised at how clear it was. Wireless backup cameras in the past have often suffered from fuzzy, low-res images due to signal compression, but not here. The image is clean, sharp, and detailed, making it easy to see everything behind you. Even at night, the Auto-Vox camera holds up well – it has infrared night vision that gives a clear grayscale image in low-light conditions. Backing into a dark parking spot is no problem; I could spot obstacles in the monitor that I might have missed in my mirrors.
Wide-Angle Lens: The camera has a 140° wide-angle lens, which effectively covers the width of my van’s rear and then some. It’s wide enough to eliminate major blind spots, so I can see vehicles or people approaching from the sides when reversing out of a parking spot. Unlike some ultra-wide fisheye cameras, this one doesn’t distort crazily – the perspective looks natural, just broad. I found the field of view ideal.
Guidelines for Reversing: The system overlays parking guidelines on the screen, which is a handy feature for judging distance. The guidelines are the typical colored lines (green, yellow, red zones) that curve to mimic your vehicle’s width. They were fairly accurate for my van, though not a perfect match (hardly any are exactly perfect). In the settings menu, you can toggle the guide lines on/off and adjust their vertical position to align with your vehicle. (apparently older Auto-Vox models even let you adjust width, but on this one you cannot – not a big deal, as I mainly use them as a rough reference). If your license plate isn’t centered on your vehicle, note that the camera can’t shift left/right, so the guide lines will appear offset. For cars with center plates this isn’t an issue, but on vans and campers, the lines end up a bit to the side.
Large 7.2” Monitor (16:9): The “Max” version I have comes with a generously sized 7.2-inch screen. This is significantly larger than the 5” screens on many backup cams, and I appreciated the difference. The 16:9 widescreen ratio provides a wide field of view without cropping the image. It’s almost like having a small tablet on your dash. Despite the size, it sits low and didn’t block my forward view while driving. The monitor’s resolution is good (1080p feed displayed nicely) and you can adjust brightness and contrast in the menu. One small critique: the display has a glossy finish. In bright sun, it can reflect light and be a little hard to see from some angles. I’ve managed by angling it slightly and could always add an anti-glare screen protector if needed. The screen is labeled “anti-glare” by the manufacturer, and I did find it easier to view than an older GPS I have, so maybe it’s better than average glossy panels.
Dual Camera Support & Split-Screen: While I only installed the rear camera, the Solar 3A Plus supports a second camera. You could add another wireless camera (sold separately) and the monitor can display both feeds in a split-screen view. This could be useful if you want a front-facing camera or a specific trailer hitch view. I haven’t tested a second cam yet, but it’s nice to know the system is expandable. The included monitor makes it easy to switch views or see both at once.
DVR Recording: A unique perk of the “Plus Max” model is built-in DVR loop recording. Essentially, the monitor has a DVR function that can record the camera feed to a microSD card (not included) in a continuous loop. This means the system can double as a basic dash cam or security camera, automatically saving footage of your drives or any incidents. I set mine up with a spare 32GB SD card. It records whenever the display is active, overwriting old footage when the card fills. This is great for peace of mind – you have a video witness if something happens while backing up or even while driving (if you leave it on). It could also serve as a 24/7 security camera for your van when parked, if you plug the monitor into a constant power source or use the always-on mode. Not many backup cameras have this feature, so it’s a notable plus for the Solar 3A Plus Max. (And yes, you can turn off recording if you don’t need it.)
Wireless Performance and Battery Life
The “wireless” aspect of this backup camera isn’t just a gimmick – it’s truly cable-free in daily use, and the tech performs solidly. Here’s my take on the connectivity and power side of things after using it:
Rock-Solid Wireless Signal: Auto-Vox equipped the Plus Max with dual antennas on the monitor for a stronger signal. They advertise it as “uninterrupted signal up to 500 ft” line-of-sight. Now, I haven’t measured 500 ft (that’s longer than a football field!), but I can attest that in my long wheelbase van (~20 ft) the connection is flawless. No dropouts, no interference, even when I tested it with the van running and other electronics on. The video stays smooth and real-time. This gives me confidence it would work well on large RVs, trailers, or trucks – many owners report reliable performance on big rigs where lesser wireless cams struggle. The dual antenna design seems to mitigate interference and extend range. For typical RVs, travel trailers, and campers, it’s more than sufficient (and in those cases you’re probably well under 100 ft distance).
Battery-Powered Camera (Solar Charging): The rear camera has an internal 5000 mAh rechargeable battery. This was a huge draw for me, because it means I didn’t have to tap into my vehicle’s reverse light wiring for power. Once mounted, the camera is completely self-powered. According to specs, the battery lasts about 3–4 MONTHS per charge under normal use. In continuous use terms, it’s roughly a 12-hour continuous runtime, but of course you only have it on briefly when backing up (or if you use it as an always-on rear monitor while driving). Crucially, there’s a small solar panel atop the camera that trickle-charges the battery whenever there’s sunlight. So in theory, you might rarely need to manually recharge it. After a couple of weeks of use, my battery is still showing full bars, thanks to the summer sun topping it off.
Charging in Practice: If you park mostly indoors or live in a very cloudy climate, you can always charge the camera via the USB-C port provided. They include a USB cable for this. One Canadian reviewer on Amazon mentioned that in winter with short daylight, he occasionally had to top up the camera battery every few weeks due to limited sun, but in summer it recharged no problem. So if you’re in a dark Scandinavian winter or keep your vehicle in a garage, just be mindful to check the battery every couple months. The system’s monitor actually displays the camera’s battery level, so you won’t be caught off guard. And if it ever does run low, just bring the camera inside and charge it overnight with a USB wall adapter – easy enough.
Weatherproof & Durable: The camera module is IP69K waterproof, which is about the highest ingress protection you’ll find on consumer electronics. IP69K means it’s not only dust-tight and waterproof, but can withstand high-pressure water jets and extreme temperatures. Basically, it’s built to survive rainstorms, mud splashes, power washing, and scorching sun. I’ve driven through a couple of heavy summer rain showers and the camera kept working perfectly, no fogging or leaks. The build quality feels solid – the casing is a thick plastic, and the entire unit seems well-sealed. This is important since it lives outside the vehicle full-time. I expect it to handle winter snow and road salt just fine (I’ll update this if not!). The monitor is inside the cabin so no issues there, though I did notice it can get pretty warm to the touch after sitting in the sun on the dash – so far no problems, and presumably it’s designed for car interior conditions.
Manual Activation (Important to know!)
So what is it like to actually use this wireless backup camera day-to-day? Here’s my honest take after living with it in my van:
Manual Activation (vs. Automatic): As hinted earlier, the one adjustment coming from wired systems is needing to turn on the display manually when you want to use the camera. With a wired camera, you’d usually connect it to your reverse lights, so whenever you shift into reverse, the camera powers on and the dash monitor (or head unit) automatically shows the feed. The Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus doesn’t have that trigger by default. Instead, when I want to back up, I tap a small button on the 12V plug or press the power button on the monitor. This wakes up the system and the camera feed pops up. It only takes ~5 seconds to connect, as mentioned, so it’s pretty quick. By default, the monitor will stay on for 90 seconds then shut off (you can change this timeout in the settings to 30s, 60s, 90s, or unlimited on). I set mine to 90 seconds, which is enough for me to reverse out of parking or maneuver into a spot. It did require a bit of habit-building; the first couple times I put my van in reverse and waited for the camera… then remembered, oh right, hit the button! Now it’s second nature – I click it just as I’m shifting gears. In practice, it’s fine, though not as seamless as an automatic trigger.
Can You Wire It to Reverse? Since I’m a tinkerer, I’m considering a workaround: wiring the monitor’s power to my reverse circuit, so that it powers on whenever I engage reverse gear (essentially simulating that trigger). This isn’t officially supported, but it’s possible if you’re comfortable with vehicle wiring. Another approach some use: leave the system in always-on mode and just power the monitor via the 12V socket that is itself hooked to reverse. One reviewer noted they prefer it on continuously for towing – it effectively works like a rear-view mirror for their trailer. The downside is you’d have to remember to turn it off manually if not wired to ignition. For most folks, the push-button activation is probably fine. It’s a minor trade-off for not cutting into your car’s wiring. Still, I must emphasize this as a limitation to be aware of. If you insist on an automatic, integrated experience, a wired camera or a custom wiring job on this one might be better.
Real-World Tips
Test the system before final install. I powered up the camera and screen on the bench to make sure they paired and the camera angle was what I wanted, before sticking things down. Saves you from adjusting later.
Charge the camera fully first. It likely comes with some charge, but topping it off ensures you start with maximum battery.
Keep the included mini allen key in a safe spot. It’s needed to remove the camera if you ever want to take it off (it tightens the anti-theft bolts). I put mine in the glove box along with the manual, which, by the way, is actually quite clear and useful (for once!).
Pros and Cons
To wrap up the key points, here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons I’ve observed with the Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus Max:
Pros:
Ridiculously Easy Install: No running wires through the vehicle. I mounted the camera and had the screen powered up in no time. Truly a plug-and-play wireless backup camera solution.
High-Quality Video: Sharp 1080p image with no lag and good night vision. Wide 140° lens covers blind spots nicely. The large 7.2” screen provides a clear view of everything behind you.
Solar-Powered Battery: The built-in battery lasts for months, and the solar panel keeps it charged up, meaning you rarely have to remove and charge it manually. Completely wire-free operation – it even works on trailers and towed vehicles without any wiring.
Strong Wireless Signal: Dual antennas and digital transmission give a stable feed even on long RVs or trailers (rated up to 500ft). I experienced zero interference or dropouts. It’s reliable enough to use on big rigs, making it one of the best backup camera for RV or camper use cases where running a cable would be a pain.
Feature-Packed: Adjustable reversing guidelines, option for a second camera (e.g., front or side view) with split-screen, and a DVR loop recording function that can record your trips or act as a security cam. The system is also IP69K waterproof and built to withstand harsh weather – important for outdoor adventures.
Versatile Use: Works on cars, trucks, vans, RVs, trailers – basically any vehicle. It’s especially helpful for older vehicles that lack factory backup cams, greatly improving safety when reversing. It can even serve as a rear-view monitor while driving (handy for campers with no rear window or monitoring a trailer). And because it’s not permanently wired in, you can even use it on a rental truck or U-Haul for a trip, then remove it – try doing that with a wired camera!
Cons:
Manual Activation Required: Does not automatically turn on with reverse gear by default. You need to press a button to wake the camera/monitor when you want to use it, unless you wire a custom trigger or leave it on continuously. This is a fundamental difference from wired systems and takes getting used to.
License Plate Fitment Quirks: Designed for standard US license plate mounting. If your plate uses non-standard mounting (rivets, off-center placement, or if it’s part of the tail-light assembly), you may need to get creative. I had to drill small holes to mount it in Europe, and others with off-center plates note the camera’s view will be slightly off to the side. The included adhesive pad is very strong, but using the screws/bolts is more secure – just be prepared for a bit of DIY if your situation isn’t the norm.
Theft (updated July 2025): A few weeks after writing this article, a newsletter subscriber emailed me, pointing out how easily this little camera could be disconnected from the mount (there's just one tiny screw holding it in), making it very tempting for light-fingered passers-by. To them, this was reason enough to not buy the AutoVox reversing camera. Personally, in all my years living in a van (full-time since 2019), I have never had any security or theft issues. Thus, naive though I may be, this is not an issue I would personally consider.
Screen Glare: The 7.2” monitor has a glossy screen. In bright sunlight, reflections can make it harder to see until you adjust the angle. An anti-glare coating is advertised and it’s better than some, but it’s not completely immune to sun glare. A simple shade or matte screen protector could help if you encounter this.
Periodic Charging (in Low Sun): In environments with long periods of darkness (winter, polar night) or if the camera doesn’t get any sun, the solar may not keep up indefinitely. You might have to charge the camera with a USB cable every few months in such cases. For most users with regular daylight, this won’t be an issue, but it’s worth noting.
Higher Initial Cost: Quality wireless systems like this cost more up-front than some basic wired cameras. The kit is feature-rich (which is good), but if you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind running wires, a wired camera could be cheaper. That said, considering you save on install costs and get a nicer screen, the value is actually very good here – just not “bargain bin” cheap.
Conclusion: Is It the Best Wireless Backup Camera for Vans & RVs?
After thoroughly testing the Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus on my own van, I can say I’m extremely pleased with it. It solved my rear visibility problems with minimal hassle and has performed reliably in all conditions I’ve thrown at it so far. The convenience of a wireless, solar-powered reversing camera cannot be overstated – it’s a night-and-day difference from struggling with wiring a traditional camera.
So, is it the best? In my opinion, the Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus Max makes a strong case as one of the best wireless backup camera systems for larger vehicles like vans, RVs, and trailers. The quick install, big clear display, and robust wireless signal specifically cater to the needs of RV and camper folks (and it works great on regular cars and trucks too). The fact that it’s designed for DIY means anyone can add a modern backup cam to their vehicle in minutes – something I wish existed years ago when I first started driving vans!
Of course, no product is perfect. The need to manually turn it on is a slight annoyance, and a few installation scenarios might require extra effort. But for me, those are easily outweighed by the benefits. After using the Solar 3A Plus, I don’t think I’d ever bother with a wired backup camera again for my camper van – the hassle just isn’t worth it when a wireless solution is this good.
Bottom line: If you want a wireless backup camera for your RV, camper, or any vehicle that’s simple to install, loaded with features, and reliable, the Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus is absolutely worth considering. It’s made backing up my van safer and less stressful, and it even adds a bit of techy cool factor (I love that it’s solar-powered!). Given its solid performance and the time saved on installation, I’d recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade their vehicle’s rear vision.
For more details and the full specs, you can check out the Auto-Vox Solar 3A Plus Max product page – but hopefully this real-life review gave you a clear picture. Happy reversing, and stay safe out there!
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