Rearview Camera vs. Backup Sensors

4420 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Truckin', May 26, 2005

Stereolab

Discussion Starter · May 25, 2005

If you had a choice of only one... which would you get and why?

Thanks..........

I want to get one or the other but not both, I kind of feel both is overkill (no pun intended).

I am assuming they both are as labourous (for install) as well.

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TheRidgester

· #2 · May 25, 2005

I made the choice of the camera and love it. My primary reason is I had a 120 foot driveway thats very hard at night to back out and I have tried many lighting options that did not seem to help, only blind me when I came within range.. The night vision is incredible with only the backup lights on the truck

all & all it also serves well when watching for little kids flying across the side walk as it has a somewhat wide angle veiw.. I does not eliminate the need to turn and look, but I will have one on all my vehicles from now on...
Although I have had a new car/truck each year for many years, I think I've found a keeper in the RL

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Truckin'

· #3 · May 25, 2005

We've never had either and I insisted on the camera. My hubby used to make me nervous when he's backing up. No more, now I can see too.

I think the RL is one of the worst vehicles I've ever driven for lack of backing visibility. My shortness probably makes it worse, but, hey, there are short drivers in this world. Now I can back with confidence.

Our drive is fairly long and also on an angle. We're used to it, but the camera makes it much easier to stay on course.

Besides, I'm a huge gadget girl. I love having this extremely cool feature to show off!

I wouldn't want just the sensors. That warning going off would be annoying to me.

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denvrfan

· #4 · May 25, 2005

Truckin' said:
We've never had either and I insisted on the camera. My hubby used to make me nervous when he's backing up. No more, now I can see too.

I think the RL is one of the worst vehicles I've ever driven for lack of backing visibility. My shortness probably makes it worse, but, hey, there are short drivers in this world. Now I can back with confidence.

Our drive is fairly long and also on an angle. We're used to it, but the camera makes it much easier to stay on course.

Besides, I'm a huge gadget girl. I love having this extremely cool feature to show off!

I wouldn't want just the sensors. That warning going off would be annoying to me.

But not as annoying as crunching your rear end because you couldn't see. Remember, only a small percentage of RL owners have the Navigation system which makes the backup camera functional. I'd be interested in hearing more owners' opinions of the warning system for non-navi owners.

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Skywalker

· #5 · May 25, 2005

The install is labor intensive for both.
I don't have "IVAN" so the default was the sensors.

I also have back up sensors in our Ford Expedition so that is what I am comparing the Honda ones to below.

They both work well and have similar sensitivity (even moving objects are detected).

They both can be turned off (Honda - dash mounted push button switch, Ford - selected option in electronic menu)

The Honda ones make an annoying initial "beep" when you shift into reverse (I'm assuming to let you know that they are operational). The Ford ones only start to beep when an object is within range.

The Ford one automatically reduces the radio volume when an object is detected and the beeps are more pleasing to the ear. Honda's beep is somewhat harsher (perhaps to be heard over ANY radio volume

)

They both increase in frequency as the bumper nears the object untill a constant tone is reached. Accuracy of distance to object are both quite good.

Bottom line is that they are usefull in reducing the chances of damaging your truck, running over your kids bike that he left in the driveway, or worse case scenario.... accidently backing over something or someone you love (the stats on how many toddlers are killed this way is very sad). Given the poor rear visibility, it is a wise investment to go with either the camera or the sensors!

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Stereolab

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 26, 2005 (Edited)

Thanks for the feedback, I was leaning towards the rearview camera. Since I have NAV I may as well take advantage and go the video route.

Thanks Again.........

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Stereolab

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 26, 2005

Care to share what it cost to install the Rearview Camera. In other words what can I expect to pay (in total, parts and labor).

Thanks!

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Truckin'

· #8 · May 26, 2005

We paid $1,090, dealer install and parts. They wanted $1,370.50, but I showed them my computer printouts of the more competitve prices on the internet and they matched the parts price. Our dealer charges $80 an hour for installation and it was bid at 10 hours, so $800 was for the install.

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