Reverse parking assist

[ACEMonkey]

Hi,

I'd like to hear from people who have installed aftermarket reverse parking assist kits, either 2 or 4 sensor type, camera or even a system that uses both sensors and camera (if it exists?). What are your experience (if they work well, which brands to go for and which ones to avoid), the advantages and disadvantages of each system? Will these sensors pick up objects like bollards or skinny pillars that you can't see when reversing but you dread hitting it? Is there one that uses both camera and sensor in a single unit?

I haven't been able to find anything informative in the forums and google search of reviews turn up a lot of rubbish with nobody really posting their experience using these devices.

[Daz750]

Camera would be the go as they have quite a wide view from what i have seen. Sesors tend to go off but not consistently as density of objects change.

[ACEMonkey]

Judging by the response on this thread. I take it that nobody here have much to do with aftermarket parking assists?

[edals]

I thought about a after market one, but you have to drill holes etc into your bumper and i did not feel like doing that case i f**ked it up. I would got the the camera, and that way you can see low poles or even small children that the sensors may not pick up.

[accentstencil]

I put the reverse parking sensors in my VT and they were great. They had a little screen that gave you the distance to an object and which sensors were doing what but unfortunately I don't remember the brand name.
I installed a high quality reversing camera into my Caprice and it plugs into my GPS Navigator, excellent picture quality and you can see anything behind you. The only problem is that you have no idea on distance because the camera make everything seem further away. I would not try and park using the camera to judge distance. I'm thinking of installing sensors as well.

[feistl]

Ive got reverse sensors installed on my VX... I believe they are the same kit from holden used on the monaros...

If you look closely below you can just see them...

I must admit at first i wasn't overly fussed with them, but they are very handy. Especially parking against a wall (Eg garage/car park at work). So far its picked up a few small objects that arnt easy to see...

Only thing that worries me is if you assume the sensor will always work one day they'll miss something and you'll crash cause you wernt looking (cause you assumed the sensors would pick it up).

[edals]

Those sensors you can only just see, looks good mate. Im too use to seeing the big 20cent coin sized ones and stick really far out lol

[ACEMonkey]

i'd be looking at the new systems that uses both camera and sensor so i can see whats behind out of view and also how close i am to the wall, pole, pillars, kerbs etc.

I've also seen the electromagnetic ones as alternative to the ultrasonic/radar ones....what are they like compared?

[Calaber]

Acemonkey

I can't help with your questions about camera and sensor combos, or aftermarket sensors alone, but have fitted factory sensors to my car. They are small and neat and come colour coded from the factory in a simple kit. It is pretty exxy though, around $500 retail.

Regarding 2 or 4 sensors, you would be better off with 4. Two alone across the back of a Commodore would leave blind spots not covered by either sensor, whereas 4 would cover the entire rear of the car and three quarter angles as you reverse.

Regarding sensitivity, I have found that mine are set off by anything passing behind the car when it's in reverse. If someone walks behind the car, they go off. If I reverse up to a garden bed like you find in shopping centre car parks, the shrubbery will set them off. If all sensor kits work as well as mine, they do a good job of preventing you reversing into something. Since fitting them, I have never felt the need to add a camera.