Inexpensive, Easy To Install Reverse Sensing System

[jskibler]

3 feet? How finely tuned are the OEM ones? I've been considering sensors to help with daily parallel parking on city streets but a red/steady at 3' doesn't seem very useful.

[xridgelinex]

Originally Posted by jskibler

3 feet? How finely tuned are the OEM ones? I've been considering sensors to help with daily parallel parking on city streets but a red/steady at 3' doesn't seem very useful.

Purchase a wireless VR3 camera.... The OEM ones I believe is to 6 inches... You get what you pay for...

[ChrisM]

Originally Posted by xridgelinex

Purchase a wireless VR3 camera.... The OEM ones I believe is to 6 inches... You get what you pay for...

My $40 Ebay jobbies are accurate down to about .2 meters which is equal to about 8 inches.

[deepdrop]

I'm deciding between installing the Costco reverse camera vs. the one described in this thread (Dolphin by Truck Fancy™ Truck & Trailer Accessory Superstore)

Can anyone who owns the Dolphin tell me how pleased they have been with it? One concern is how it will hold up to minor impacts, such as the people who park behind you and pull forward until they "tap" your car, in which case they would be tapping the reverse sensor. Would this break it?

Thanks.

[Bull Durham Blue]

Originally Posted by deepdrop

I'm deciding between installing the Costco reverse camera vs. the one described in this thread (Dolphin by Truck Fancy™ Truck & Trailer Accessory Superstore)

Can anyone who owns the Dolphin tell me how pleased they have been with it? One concern is how it will hold up to minor impacts, such as the people who park behind you and pull forward until they "tap" your car, in which case they would be tapping the reverse sensor. Would this break it?

Thanks.

I don't think I've had anyone "tap" it as yet. Not sure how it would hold up to that, I think most of it is heavy duty plastic. I'm not exactly small and I use it as a step. (would I rather have that tapped, or my bumper? hmm...) After having it a few weeks, I'm kinda dependent on it. I'm much more comfortable backing up in crowded parking lots, etc. I placed the receiver in the back seat power outlet since my attention is focused in that direction when backing. I don't know about most folks, but my eyes are busy enough with mirrors and back widow in reverse. Checking a monitor for a camera might be too much multitasking for safety. Also, how well do they work in the dark?

Had only one problem, when the truck sat in a steady rain all day at work, I had a steady 3 FT alarm when I first got into it to back up. I drove a few miles and it returned to normal operation. Their tech support guys said it might have been picking up the rain itself. Not sure about this, but it had let up considerably by the time I got where I was going. They offered to replace it, but it has worked fine since, so I decided to run with it for now. Has anyone else experienced this?

[deepdrop]

Thanks for the reply. I'll call the company on monday with the same questions. Hopefully, others in the forum will answer too.

I'm going to put in the hitch wiring and a hitch receiver by myself. From reading posts, it sounds like the OEM hitch is the best. My next decision will be to choose between:

1) The dolphin reverse sensor

2) A reverse camera from Costco and the SuperBumper (a rear step bumper that fits in the hitch receiver and absorbs small impacts)

Either way, my hope is to add safety when backing up so I don't hit anyone/anything, and also to protect my car from people who tap the rear of my car when parking, etc.

The cost between option one and two are very close.

I did read the thread about how a step bumper might worsen frame damage in a serious rear end collision, so I'm aware of that consideration.

I would really appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, experiences that others would be willing to share.

Thanks.
Dan

[ChrisM]

Originally Posted by deepdrop

One concern is how it will hold up to minor impacts, such as the people who park behind you and pull forward until they "tap" your car, in which case they would be tapping the reverse sensor. Would this break it?

Thanks.

People actually do this?

If someone pulled forward until they tapped my truck, I might be inclined to tap them back with something other than my truck and perhaps a tad bit harder.

[deepdrop]

Sorry to burst your bubble Chris<g>, but, yes, people do this. Unfortunately they do it when you are not there so you would have no way to tap back.

I was actually in our minivan once, parked, sitting in the back with my two toddlers while my wife was running a race. The guy parked behind us edged out and then hit our left rear corner as he left his space. Never stopped. I couldn't get out in time to get his plate number. He was probably in his 60's, so it's not just young kids.

Would still like to hear answers to my question. Maybe I'll start a new post.