Our Story: A Lifetime of Innovation & A New Beginning at 80
The journey of our business began in 1989, deep in the heart of Southeast Queensland. During those early years, we specialized in standalone solar installations for remote homes in the Maryborough district that were completely off the grid. As electricity infrastructure expanded, we pivoted our expertise toward the growing world of nomadic travel, designing and installing specialized solar systems for RVs and caravans to enable off-road freedom. We eventually moved to the Sunshine Coast, operating out of a purpose-built factory designed specifically for customer comfort, featuring a full kitchen and lounge for those waiting on installations.
After 32 years of dedicated service in the solar industry, we decided it was time to retire. But for us, "retirement" didn't mean slowing down. Ian, now 84, and Judy, 78, found that while they were happily tending their garden, their entrepreneurial spirit was still very much alive. Ian laughs when he explains that he tried to retire, but he got too "bored" and needed a challenge to keep his mind active.
An inspirational New Chapter
The catalyst for our new e-commerce venture came during an RV road trip to Winton. While we were fully equipped with solar power to stay off-road indefinitely, we noticed many fellow retirees—some of whom had never towed anything before—struggling to reverse their caravans into tight spots. They were relying on animated hand signals from partners and facing significant safety hazards.
Seeing a problem that needed solving, we decided to launch a new business in our 80s. We aren't your typical e-commerce founders; we are "two geriatrics" who have spent 58 years of marriage and decades of business experience developing a product that we believe will "revolutionise reversing" for many drivers. We set out to create a solution that was affordable, easy to operate, and simple enough for any owner to install themselves.
The Birth of RearView170
After 20 months of developing prototypes and listening to customer feedback, we helped design the RearView170. Today, our Series 3 model is highly refined, offering a solar-powered, completely wireless solution that can be set up in just 10 minutes. The system features a massive 170-degree viewing angle—which Ian describes as "almost seeing around corners"—allowing drivers to monitor what is behind them even while driving forward.
We take immense pride in the technical details, such as our high-capacity 5200mAh battery and a monitor known for its exceptional picture clarity, which remains the most frequent compliment we receive from our customers.
Our Ethos: Service First
Though we are thriving in our senior years, we have no intention of slowing down. We have always prioritized communication and service above all else, an ethos that has remained unchanged since 1989. Ian and Judy Hall are the local entrepreneurs behind this innovative system, and we still love meeting new people. We invite interested customers to our home in the Glass House Mountains for an in-person demonstration to see how we are making the road safer for everyone.
As we like to say: "See behind while driving forward".
