Quote:
Originally Posted by haroldo
I'm glad I tripped across this thread, since I've been bugged about the poor rear visibility on these cars. I've toyed with the idea of a rear view camera tied into a navigation system, but I don't know how well that would work (if I have to turn on the car and sit there for a minute waiting for the nav to boot up, just so you can see the video display out the back...I don't think I have the patience).
How well do these work?
Now that you have it, are they a 'must have can't live without' type of a toy?
How accurate are they? What distance from an object do they give their most severe warning (what ever that is)?
Thanks!
|
I had ParkPilot installed on my '07 TCH back in Dec '06.
Responses to your questions: Must have to live OR just a toy? Very nice.
Accuracy: (on my ParkPilot purchased and installed in '06) -- NMMV (newer models may vary)
There are "3 zones":
Zone 1: 3 -> 5 feet, slow beeping sound
Zone 2: 1.5 -> 3 feet, faster beeping sound
Zone 3: 0 -> 1.5 feet, continuous tone
Problems/limitations/recommendations:
1) Since this registers distance to an obstruction, cannot use it to tell distance to painted parking space lines like a camera could. Can you say "DUH"?
2) My ParkPilot gives several false alarms. Believe this is due to mounting of the sensors and due to TCH's rear bumper shape (back of bumper slanting down), the system alerting on the pavement. IMHO, I prefer false alarms than not alerting when it should.
3) There is a small "Radio Shack" type/quality momentary contact black button to disable the alarm (in case you are towing a trailer or carrying something that is blocking one of the sensors). W/O disable switch, you would have alarm everytime you went into reverse (a-la Prius's back-up buzzer). My installer put this UGLY, black cheap switch on the center console just between the gear shift and center arm rest. YUCH. Have them put switch in a less visible area.
Overall, I prefer the ParkPilot over the camera. I am "old school" and prefer to keep my head on a swivel when I back-up, looking for incoming & crossing objects, rather than just looking forward at the MFD when parking.