Installation of parking sensors and a rear view camera. Guide

We advise what to look for when buying parking sensors or a rear view camera. We explain how they work and how much you have to pay for them.

Although parking sensors and a rear-view camera are becoming more and more common in modern cars, this is still usually a luxury of higher versions of equipment or additional items. However, it is worth emphasizing that manufacturers install these devices even in small cars, and not just in expensive models.

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However, in car stores selling CB radios, alarms, car radios, and GPS navigators, we can find many types of parking sensors. This is a gadget that is becoming more and more popular among drivers who do not have them in the factory equipment of their cars.

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Thanks to the sensors, shocks can be avoided

No wonder, parking sensors, also known as reversing sensors, are one of the most useful devices in a car, and not just a seasonal toy. In an era of huge and growing number of vehicles in cities and, unfortunately, a small number of parking spaces, this equipment is indispensable in the daily crowd. This reduces the risk of small bumps or scratches on the body during manoeuvres.

As Andrzej Rogalski, owner of the company Alar from Białystok, which sells and assembles these elements, explains, Parking sensors work by measuring reflected ultrasonic waves. The most common are sensors with four sensors and a display showing the distance and direction where the obstacle is.

What types of sensors are there?

In general, there are sets for the rear, rear and front of the car: with two, three, four and - the last - with six sensors. They are mounted in bumpers, and the most popular, of course, are the rear ones. The reason is simple - it is easiest to crash when reversing. The alarm system is either a buzzer or a display. As an option, in sets with a rear view camera - display on the screen of the car radio.

It should also be noted that for cars with protruding elements, for example, a spare wheel, a towbar, a bicycle rack, sensors with memory are designed. They remember and ignore vehicle constants and react to those that are moving.

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There are countless manufacturers and versions of each type. Prices vary from

from several tens to several hundreds of zlotys.

Sensor brands/manufacturers include the following:

- Blow,

- Valeo,

— Maxtell,

— Phantom

- Maxician,

— Konrad

— Exus,

– Meta System,

- RTH,

- IziPark,

- top,

- Knoxon,

- Dexo,

- Steel Helper

- Amervox,

- Parktronic.

What to look for when buying sensors?

The most important criterion when choosing is their range. It should be 1,5-2 m. Andrzej Rogalski advises not to buy the cheapest ones. For example, they may incorrectly indicate the distance to an obstacle, which will lead to its collision.

Before buying, as is the case with most more expensive car accessories, it is a good idea to read online forums, look at user reviews about the brand, as well as about the company where we want to buy sensors. The main reason is that it is better to buy in one place and at the same time entrust the installation to a professional.

If we decide to buy from one store and have the assembly done elsewhere, we may have trouble complaining. (by the way, let's add that the assembly costs from 150 to 300 zlotys - if, according to the assumption, disassembly of the bumper is required).   

For each defect, we pay for the disassembly and assembly service. Of course, after going through the complaint procedure at the place where we bought our kit.

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In addition, in cheap kits from more well-known manufacturers, the grommets do not have sealants and the replacement of the grommets takes not several tens of seconds, but much more time.

Experts say that while the rear sensor does not usually cause problems, it is activated when shifting into reverse gear, the front sensor should work reasonably. This means that it should be activated when you press the brake pedal and should work, for example, 15 seconds. Otherwise, such a sensor may be cumbersome to use and trigger an alarm, for example, when driving in a traffic jam. This is another point that you should pay attention to when buying.

not to damage the car

– Drivers often refrain from installing parking sensors because they simply do not like to introduce new elements into the interior.

cars,” says Rogalsky. – For them, however, there is a version with a horn or possibly a display mounted on the rear of the headlining and visible in the rearview mirror.

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For the most demanding car owners, the sensor eyes can be painted in body color. Depending on the type of bumper, the nets can be straight, inclined and suspended. They must be installed at the appropriate height and at an equal distance from each other. 

Rear view cameras

They have become very popular lately. More and more cars have radios with large LCD displays that you can connect a camera to—or that

directly or through appropriate interfaces.

The cost of a camera with assembly is about 500-700 PLN. If we do not have a display, nothing prevents us from buying it, for example, in the form of a rear-view mirror.

For those who have more money, you can offer a new radio with an LCD display. You have to pay from PLN 1000 for a Chinese fake to PLN 3000 for a branded radio, possibly made for a specific car model, looking like the original radio.

Petr Valchak