Recently, technology is constantly evolving. And this development has affected all sectors, including the automotive. Every day the market surprises with new devices that can make life easier for the average car enthusiast. One of these devices is parking sensors. The price of this device can be different (from 30 to 100 dollars), but it is less than a broken bumper.
Parktronics, or parking radars, are unique devices that can warn the driver about the danger in front or behind the car. It can be large stones, other cars, borders, fences and other obstacles. This device is very useful for novice drivers. It is they who have certain difficulties with parking, and they are especially afraid of hitting obstacles or someone else's car.
Parktronic operating principle
Most drivers do not think about how this device works, so they trust only their eyes. The device consists of a set of sensors, which can be located both in front and behind the car body.
Parktronic, whose price is high, can be equipped with eight sensors. Those devices, the cost of which is lower, have them in a set from two to six.
As for the principle of operation, these systems can be compared with radars or echo sounders. The device emits a special signal, which should reflect off the obstacle and return. Depending on how long the signal will return, the system will calculate the distance to the danger.
A large number of all the inexpensive equipment that the modern market offers does not know how to distinguish between the size of the hazard and the exact location. The device is only able to report that the distance to the obstacle is reduced.
As a rule, a regular parking sensors is equipped with a beeper. Its sound changes the intensity or frequency. So, the closer the danger, the more often the device will beep. More serious devices are equipped with additional displays or even whole monitors, which indicate a lot of useful information.
Features of use
This equipment can be used always and everywhere, but there are some features. So, a large number of models work normally at temperatures from -35 to +80 degrees. From this it follows that in a sufficiently strong Russian frost, the device can "go crazy."
But the device can only “glitch” when there is a layer of snow, ice or dirt on the sensors. Also, the device may give incorrect information if the driver is driving on rough terrain. Weather conditions also affect readings. In heavy rain or snow, you should look not only at the device, but also in the mirror.
Any parking sensors may not work on some items.
For example, it may not detect a chain, cable, objects of small height. For example, most low-cost devices do not respond to obstructions below 1 meter. If an object absorbs or reflects sound, reactions from the parking sensors should not be expected either.
Typical characteristics
Any parking radar must have certain characteristics. So, the device must have a sufficient display size. Also one of the characteristics is the number of sensors. The voltage from which the device operates is 12 V. Any model should warn about the distance to the obstacle. From model to model, these indicators can vary, but they must be with a particular device.
Parktronic rear and front
There are rear instruments, front or combined. Hindquarters are the most common. Sensors are installed in the rear bumper. Often, 4 sensors are enough for a comfortable parking. Two sensors are very few. These devices are able to detect an obstacle at a distance of 2 meters. The front equipment features a connector for connecting to a speed sensor. In this case, if the vehicle speed is below 20 km / h, the device will turn off.
Rear parking sensors, like the front one, allow you to calibrate the sensitivity of sensors, you can adjust them to different distances. Good, expensive devices can be configured to trigger up to 80 cm.
Combined devices come with a common unit and more often with 8 sensors. Some of them are mounted in the front bumper, the remaining 4 - in the rear. These devices have two types of signals. One signals approaching the obstacle from behind, the second - from the front.
In order to choose the right parking sensors, you need to answer a few questions.
Sensors
So, it is necessary to determine how many sensors are needed for comfortable driving.
So, devices with four rear sensors are recommended for motorists with good driving experience who know the dimensions well and feel the car.
Six sensors will be comfortable for those drivers who still have little sense of dimensions and especially the angles of the front bumper. Devices with 8 sensors can be recommended to drivers who just got behind the wheel of their personal car. For them, we can recommend parking sensors wireless with a camera. Here, in addition to the main functions, there is also a rear view camera. This is a convenient and modern solution.
Display
Some devices presented on the modern market, in addition to the beeper, are equipped with a display. On these screens you can see the location of the obstacle, the distance to the obstacle.
By type of display, there are devices with a scale of LEDs or full-fledged systems with a camera.
The cost is quite high, but also high efficiency and quality. In addition, most are parking sensors wireless. Reviews about them are positive, because for installation you do not have to remove the upholstery for wire pulling. The presence of a camera allows you not to turn your head back. But someone does not consider such systems convenient.
To each his own.Features and Benefits of Wireless Systems
If you can choose a wired or wireless device, many opt for wireless parking sensors.
Reviews about them are different, but more positive. This group of devices is designed to provide the driver with the fastest and most effective warning of a dangerous obstacle in front or behind.
Among the advantages that many motorists have already appreciated are simple installation, clear alerts, compactness and ease of use. All system operation is coordinated by a special additional control unit that processes the radio signal and gives it to the display.
Rear view camera - an effective option
Wireless rear parking sensors with a camera are the most modern and efficient parking radars today. In addition to sensors, the system is equipped with a camera, and the image is displayed on the display in the cabin. A high-quality camera allows you to see much more clearly everything that happens behind the car. Moreover, the sensitivity of such a device is much higher than that of conventional ones, and there are practically no dead zones.
Choosing a Good Wireless Radar
If you choose Parktronics wireless, reviews about certain models are very important. As with wired devices, you should pay attention to the number of sensors and their sensitivity, for a wireless radar this is very important. Camera and GPS will be a big plus. Cost and brand are also important.
Steelmate PTS 800M
Powerful enough system. The price is from 8 to 10 thousand rubles. Parktronic is equipped with a very powerful: 8 sensors for the rear and front bumpers, a modern high-resolution camera for two screens.
Intelligent software makes this device an effective acquisition. The device is capable of disconnecting the car radio if necessary. These are reliable wireless parking sensors. The reviews are positive, users write about efficiency and special comfort.
Parkmaster 4dj6t
This is a good and inexpensive option that has 4 accurate wireless sensors, as well as a control unit on the processor from Phillips.
The device has several alert levels and a Russian interface. A good choice for experienced and novice drivers.
Show-me Y2620
There are different types of parking sensors. This one is universal. Quality matches the price perfectly. The set includes six sensors, various types of alerts, the ability to adjust the beeper frequency and colors on the display.
So, parking sensors - a necessary and useful device that can facilitate the life of a motorist. The wireless option also features easy installation. This device should be purchased by all motorists in order to make the use of the machine safer.